Fort Morgan Trail extended 4.4 miles at Gulf State Park
The new paved stretch added wetland-spanning bridges, a bathhouse and stronger links to Gulf State Park’s broader trail network.
Alabama State Parks celebrated the opening Friday of a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park, giving visitors to Alabama’s Gulf Coast more room to walk, run, bike and explore the coast.
Community leaders, elected officials and Alabama State Parks staff gathered for a ribbon-cutting and ceremonial opening of the extension, which brings the Fort Morgan Trail to approximately 10.5 miles along Alabama Highway 180, also known as Fort Morgan Road.
“This is a great day for south Baldwin County,” Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. “Extending the Fort Morgan Trail gives residents and visitors more opportunities to walk, bike and enjoy the beauty of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Projects like this create new ways for people to experience the outdoors, support tourism and enhance the quality of life for the communities we serve. I’m proud to support this project and excited to see this important connection completed.”
The new 4.4-mile section extends west from Plantation Boulevard to a new terminus near Fort Morgan Pizza, giving visitors additional opportunities to experience the coastal landscape on foot or by bicycle. The paved trail is 10 feet wide along its entire length, providing an accessible route for walkers, runners and cyclists.
The extension also includes 12 bridges designed to help preserve critical coastal wetlands along the route. At the new terminus, visitors will find a bathhouse featuring four private, family-style suites.
The Fort Morgan Trail also connects with the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system, giving visitors access to a larger network of approximately 28 miles of paved trails throughout Gulf State Park and connecting to Orange Beach.
“Extending the Fort Morgan Trail is a win for residents and visitors alike,” state Senator Chris Elliott said. “Trails like this draw tourists to our coast, support local businesses and give our families a safe, beautiful place to be outside together. It’s always good to offer more outdoor recreational facilities along our beautiful Gulf Coast.”
The $5.6 million project was funded through the federal RESTORE Act, which directs civil and administrative penalties paid under the Clean Water Act by companies responsible for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill toward restoration efforts. The funding supports programs, projects and activities designed to restore and protect the Gulf Coast region’s environment and economy.
The Fort Morgan Trail extension is part of a broader investment by Alabama State Parks to improve facilities and expand recreational opportunities across the state. Recent projects include the new RV resort at Gulf State Park, construction of a new access road at Rickwood Caverns State Park and the renovation and reopening of Lake Lurleen State Park. A new 32-room bluff-side lodge at Cheaha State Park is expected to open later this year.
“We’re thrilled to see the Fort Morgan Trail extended because trails like this one bring people outside, connect them to nature and give everyone another reason to spend time on our gorgeous Gulf Coast,” Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps said. “We’re continuing to invest in places that give families and visitors opportunities to explore, make memories and experience what makes Alabama special. This trail extension is another example of how we’re working to create a first-class experience for everyone who visits Alabama State Parks.”
