Pier
Update on Gulf State Park Pier 5/9/22
The Pier was damaged in Hurricane Sally. It is currently open past the halfway point. The restrooms and fillet table are still available.
GULF SHORES, ALA. – The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Parks Division has worked diligently since Hurricane Sally on a multi-month effort to secure federal and state environmental and construction permits, engineered designs, FEMA approval and selection of a contractor in support of the repairs to the pier at Gulf State Park. The project was recently bid and the lowest bid of more than $12 million was almost double the projected cost estimated during the design work. We are unable at this time to move forward with construction.
Based on the current circumstances, the pier will not be closed this summer in support of the anticipated construction repairs. Alabama State Park officials will continue to keep the operable section of the pier open for parks guests as they continue to seek the best options for moving forward with repairs to the southern portion of the pier
Pier Hours & Information
Fishing and Sightseeing Hours
7 days a week
24 hours a day
Staff on Site
Daily - 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
The pier is open 24 hours per day. To pay fishing and sightseeing fees, an honor box system is in place when staff are not on site.
Concessionaire Hours
Daily: 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
The concessionaire windows at the Pier offers snacks, to-go food, and drinks for purchase.
*Hours are subject to change*
The Pier is open with 725 feet of fishing space on each side of the pier.
There is covered seating for concession area and indoor retail shop with tackle and souvenirs. 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.
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!
Closed for the season. See you in the Spring.
Fees
Paid Parking
Beginning on Friday, April 23rd, 2021, all beach accesses owned by Gulf State Park began implementing paid parking. Please review the Press Release and to learn more, refer to the FAQ and Updated Policies documents.
Parking Pay Stations (Kiosks) are in place at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier and the Beach Pavilion in Gulf Shores and at the public beach accesses in Orange Beach - Romar Beach, Cotton Bayou, Alabama Point and Shell Beach.
$3.00 - 2 hours for personal vehicle
$5.00 - 4 hours for personal vehicle
$10.00 - All day for personal vehicle
$15.00 - All day for passenger vans
$30.00 - All day for vehicles with trailer, buses or large RVs
$100.00 - Annual pass parking decal
- Purchase annual pass from Park Headquarters
- Valid for one calendar year with expiration on December 31st annually
Veterans - Free parking
- Obtain an annual pass parking decal from Park Headquarters
- Valid for one calendar year with expiration on December 31st annually
Daily anglers who pay the $10.00 daily parking fee will also receive one daily pier fishing permit included with their parking. The paid parking terminal 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, and the other portion of the receipt is to be placed in plain view on the vehicle dash board. 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 have purchased an annual, semi-annual fishing, monthly or weekly permit at the pier will be issued a decal that is to be affixed to the inside right of the vehicle windshield and a placard will be issued to these permit holders indicating the expiration date of the permit. This placard is also to be displayed in plain view on the vehicle dashboard. Permit holders will need to present their permit cards to the attendant at the pier admission window for entrance to the pier for fishing. The decal affixed to the windshield will allow the Permit holders to gain free parking at all the Gulf State Park beach locations.
Beach goers and Pier sightseers, will be required to pay to park at the pier with an option of fees listed above.
Before heading out to the beach, put the printed pass or receipt on the dashboard of your car.
Fishing
- Daily: $9.00
- Weekly: $41.00
- Monthly: $81.00
- Semiannual: $161.00
- Annual: $321.00
This fee does not include an Alabama saltwater and/or pier fishing license which can be purchased online.
Rod & Reel Rentals
- 4 Hours: $10.00
- All Day: $20.00
Sightsee
- All day: $2.00
Children 11 years old and under fish for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Fishing
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 refer to Creel and Size Limits that apply to saltwater fishing.
Angler Academy
Angler Academy is the Gulf State Park’s beginners guide to becoming a saltwater fisherman! Come learn about all the tools and rules of saltwater fishing before casting out into the Gulf of Mexico off the Gulf State Park pier! No matter if this is your very first time, or your thousandth time, with the basic concepts and techniques, even first timers can become pros! (As long as the fish are biting..)
Veteran's Wall
Veteran's get free sightseeing, discounted fishing permits ($6.00 daily pass), and specials throughout the year. The Veterans Sponsorship program is fund based. Contributions to the fund can be made by anyone for any amount at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Proceeds from Memorial Wall plaques are also contributed to the Veteran's Sponsorship program. For more information, contact the Pier Manager at (251) 967-FISH or email gulf.statepark@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Pier Rules & Regulation
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.
