Pier
Gulf State Park Pier offers a great fishing experience for any angler, beginner or seasoned. A variety of species can be caught from the Pier depending on the time of year: Sheepshead, Red Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, Florida Pompano, King Mackerel, Whiting, and more!
Please visit our social media page at https://www.facebook.com/GulfStatePark/ for the latest updates before planning your trip.
Pier Hours & Information
The pier is open 24 hours per day. Our pier features covered seating areas and an indoor retail shop offering tackle and souvenirs for purchase. Signs along the pier share information on native fish, birds, and other area wildlife. There are comfort stations at the midpoint of the pier and wheelchair accessible rail fishing. The pier’s elevated observation deck is currently closed.
Fishing and Sightseeing Hours
7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Staff on Site
Memorial Day to Labor Day: Daily 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
After Labor Day until November 1: Daily 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
November 1 until March 1: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
March 1 until Memorial Day: Daily 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Pier Access Fees:
All day parking: Daily anglers who pay the daily parking fee also receive one daily pier fishing permit. The paid parking terminal will dispense one receipt with instructions to tear off the bottom half and present it to the attendant at the pier admission window.
$15.00 - All day for personal vehicles
$35.00 - All day for vehicles with a trailer, buses, or large RVs (Parking for trailers, buses, or large RVs is permitted at the Beach Pavilion and Pier only)
Weekly Fishing Permit – $41.00
- $10.00
- $25.00 Large Aluminum Fishing Carts
Anglers must possess a valid fishing license and refer to the Creel and Size Limits that apply to saltwater fishing. The above days/hours are accurate unless there are weather or maintenance closures. Please visit our social media page at https://www.facebook.com/GulfStatePark/ for the latest updates before planning your trip.
Bait and Tackle Shop
Our Bait and Tackle Shop sells high-end merchandise, bait, tackle, souvenirs, and more.
ByWater Beachside Beach Bar & Grill
Visit ByWater Beachside Beach Bar & Grill at the Pier to enjoy a great meal with the best view on the coast! Along with delicious food, you'll have the chance to show your talent and have fun at their weekly karaoke nights!
Resident, Annual, and Veteran Parking
Parking Pay Stations (Kiosks) and QR Codes are located at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier and the Beach Pavilion in Gulf Shores, as well as at the public beach accesses in Orange Beach, including Romar Beach, Cotton Bayou, Alabama Point, and Shell Beach. These Kiosks will accept cash and credit cards; however, they do not issue change.
- Parking Kiosk: If you pay using the parking kiosk, place the receipt on the dashboard of your car before heading out to the beach.
- QR Code: If you pay using the new QR Code, you will enter your license plate number into the secure app and follow the instructions. This will register your vehicle for the day into our new system. NO receipt is required in the vehicle.
- Annual and Veteran parking decals received prior to April 1st must be permanently affixed to the front driver's side corner of the windshield so that parking enforcement can easily identify the relevant information.
Annual Parking
- $200.00 per permit
- Available for purchase at Park Headquarters (Monday thru Friday)
- Available for purchase at the Visitor Center and the Pier (Daily)
- Valid for one calendar year
- One permit per vehicle
Orange Beach Resident Parking
- Free with a valid driver's license displaying the Orange Beach address
- Available at Orange Beach City Hall under Orange Beach Policy
- Valid for one calendar year
- One decal per vehicle
United States Military Service Member Parking
- Free for active, former, and veteran service members as defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Proper proof of service and a valid ID are required.
- Available at Gulf State Park Headquarters (Monday thru Friday)
- Available at the Visitor Center and the Pier (Daily)
- Permit does not expire
- One permit per service member
Daily anglers who pay the $15.00 daily parking fee will also receive one daily pier fishing permit included with their parking. If using the parking kiosk, it will dispense one receipt with instructions that the bottom half of the receipt is to be torn off and presented to the attendant at the pier admission window. The other portion of the receipt is to be placed in plain view on the vehicle dashboard. if using the QR Code, follow the instructions and show the attendant the completed transaction in the app or via the invoice emailed to you. The angler presenting the paid parking receipt to the attendant will be permitted to fish all day at no additional cost. Other anglers in the vehicle will be required to purchase a daily pier fishing permit.
Anglers who purchase an annual, semi-annual, monthly, or weekly fishing permit at the pier will be issued a cardboard placard. This placard must be placed in plain view on the driver’s side dashboard, ensuring the expiration date is clearly visible. Permit holders must present their permit cards to the attendant at the pier admission window for entry to the pier for fishing. The parking placard grants free parking exclusively at the pier parking lot.
Beachgoers and Pier sightseers will be required to pay to park at the pier, with fees listed above.
Before heading out to the beach, put the printed pass or receipt on the dashboard of your car. Annual and Veteran parking decals must be permanently affixed to the front driver 's-side corner of the windshield so that parking enforcement can easily identify the relevant information.
Veterans' and Memorial Wall
Veterans receive free sightseeing, discounted fishing permits, and special offers throughout the year. The Veterans Sponsorship program is fund-based. Anyone can make a contribution to the fund in any amount at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Proceeds from Veterans' and Memorial Wall plaques also go towards our Park for Patriots program. For more information, contact the Pier Manager at (251) 967-FISH or email gulf.statepark@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Pier Rules & Regulations
1. Good conduct and sportsmanship at all times.
2. NO profanity.
3. ONE (1) rod in the water at a time per fisherman; rods may not be left unattended.
4. Single line trolley fishing permitted (2 line prohibited); Trolley fishing on the octagon is prohibited. Trolleys may not be left unattended.
5. Catch must be placed in container within 10 minutes.
6. No bait cutting on benches, tables, hand rails, or trash cans.
7. No more than 6 hooks per Sabiki style bait rigs.
8. Underhand casting only of Sabiki style bait rigs
9. Balloon rigs must be bio-degradable.
10. No littering: trash, bait, and smoking materials must be discarded appropriately.
11. One crab ring per fisherman (may not leave unattended, crabbing and fishing at the same time is prohibited).
12. Keep bait and tackle off of benches and trash cans.
13. Feeding birds and other wildlife is strictly prohibited.
14. Pier permit/entrance fee, Alabama saltwater fishing license, and identification is required.
15. Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
16. All coolers and containers are subject to inspection without notice by enforcement.
17. Alabama Administrative Code 220-5-.13(2) – Failure to comply with reasonable conditions of occupancy and use of Alabama State Park facilities as prescribed and posted by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, for the protection and administration of State Park facilities and resources and the promotion of public health, welfare, safety or conveniences shall be unlawful.
If you should have any questions or concerns please address them by email to gulf.statepark@dcnr.alabama.gov or call our park Headquarters at 251-948-7275.
Pier House phone number is 251-967-3474. Dial 911 for all emergencies.
Gulf State Park is home to many types of wildlife, including alligators. Please be aware at all times. For detailed information, please see our Wildlife Safety recommendations.
