The Alabama State Parks Division operates and maintains 21 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains providing opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurant and golfing areas.
Mission:
To acquire and preserve natural areas; to develop, furnish, operate and maintain recreational facilities, and to extend the public’s knowledge of the state’s natural environment.
Goals:
- To manage and operate the parks system in an economically sound and efficient manner on the most self-sustaining basis possible.
- To provide and maintain high quality facilities and services to meet the needs of visitors; to provide an opportunity for personal growth and development of individuals through outdoor experiences.
- To promote use of state parks facilities.
- To preserve unique natural features and integrity of state parks for future generations.
- To promote good will and enhance the public image of Alabama, and the Alabama State Parks through dedicated, courteous employees.
Download this parks overview chart to help you with your planning.
Adventure for Everyone: Outdoor Mobility Devices
At Alabama State Parks, we believe the great outdoors should be open and accessible to everyone. To ensure all visitors can experience the beauty of our trails, beaches, and green spaces, we are proud to offer a fleet of Outdoor Mobility Devices (OMDs) at select park locations. From the rugged Action Trackchair and all-terrain TerrainHopper to the specialized VertaCat for golfers and the Huckleberry Hiker for assisted trail exploring, these devices are designed to help you navigate terrain that traditional wheelchairs might find challenging. Whether you are traversing the sandy shores of Gulf State Park or the wooded paths of Oak Mountain, our OMDs provide the independence and support needed to enjoy a safe, inclusive, and memorable outdoor adventure.
Become a Partner in Preservation: Volunteers In Parks (VIP)
Alabama State Parks thrive because of the passion and dedication of our community. Through our Volunteers In Parks (VIP) program, individuals and groups have the unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the landscapes they love. Whether you are looking to serve as a Camp Host or Work Camper in exchange for a campsite, assist with trail maintenance and landscaping, or support visitor services at our lodges and nature centers, there is a place for your talents here. From Eagle Scout projects to corporate clean-up days, our volunteers are vital to maintaining the beauty and accessibility of our 21 state parks. Join us in preserving Alabama’s natural heritage—because by enriching our parks, you enrich your own backyard.
Economic Development Reports
To help educate people on the historical significance and economic impact of the Alabama State Parks we created the brochure below.
State Parks 75th Anniversary Report
Recreational Capital Development Assistance Fund Regulation Supplement
Funding
Over the last 20 years, the Alabama State Park system has hosted a consistent visitation rate of 4 to 5 million customer occurrences each year, demonstrating that people love their parks. This same park system has consistently been recognized as being one of the most efficient in the nation, with 80 to 90 percent of the annual funding coming from customer fees, not taxes. These achievements did not happen by accident. They are the result of over 80 years of dedicated effort on the part of our elected officials, park employees, local partners and of course, the loving patronage of our park customers.
Dog-Friendly Policies at Alabama State Park
We love dogs and we understand that our visitors travel and vacation with their entire family, including their dogs. They are always welcome on a leash and we offer some dog-friendly overnight accommodations to make your stay more enjoyable.
Specific park dog rules and dog-friendly overnight facilities
This Fact Sheet gives you great info at a glance
The Alabama State Parks system is a national leader in outdoor recreation, contributing $375 million to the state's economy annually. Whether it's through our 900+ interpretive programs or our world-class facilities like Cathedral Caverns and Gulf State Park, we are committed to extending the public’s knowledge of Alabama’s unique environment.
