Baldwin County, Alabama, is located in the southwest region of the state. It borders the Gulf of Mexico and is home to 231,767 people. Its county seat is Bay Minette. There are many places to visit in Baldwin County, including the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Gulf State Park.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
If you want to explore a beautiful natural area and observe wildlife, visit the 7,157-acre Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. It is located just west of Gulf Shores on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Here you can see many species of birds, sea turtles, and other wildlife.
The refuge offers a variety of activities. You can explore the wetlands and dunes while walking along the trails. You can also try kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports to connect with nature. In addition to hiking and birdwatching, you can enjoy the scenery.
While you are exploring Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, you can also take a short walk to Bon Secour Bay. This bay provides an excellent habitat for seabirds and waterfowl that winter in the area. While you’re here, keep an eye out for Black-crowned Night-herons nesting in the oaks that dot the bay. The beach is also a great spot to observe birds in the winter.
There are many hiking trails in the area, including the Jeff Friend Trail, which is wheelchair-accessible. This trail leads to a boardwalk that runs parallel to the Little Lagoon, an 8-mile stretch of open water. From the boardwalk, you can enjoy the view of wildlife, including manatees, American alligators, and blue crabs.
If you love wildlife and love the outdoors, you might want to visit Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Baldwin Alabama. This 7,000-acre wildlife sanctuary is home to many species of birds. It has become a birdwatcher’s paradise and has been named one of Alabama’s ten natural wonders.
Gulf State Park
If you are looking for a great place to go on your next Baldwin vacation, you should try Gulf State Park. This park is located about 10 miles south of Foley and offers a variety of recreational activities. The park is a public park that has extensive growth and has undergone several grand renovations. It is a great place for nature lovers who want to see the wildlife up close.
The park offers several things to do to satisfy the whole family. From a fishing pier to a mile-long biking trail, Gulf State Park has it all. The park also offers educational programs and speaker sessions in their Conservation Hall. You can even take part in a corporate team-building event here.
Gulf State Park features 2.5 miles of public beach areas, marshlands, forest habitats, and day-use lakes. Visitors can also rent kayaks and paddleboards for an afternoon of freshwater fishing or enjoy lakeside relaxation. The park also features a nature center, a historic casino, and a 5,000-square-foot swimming pool with splash pad.
Gulf State Park also has a unique backcountry trail system with more than 28 miles of paved trails. Hikers can explore the park’s nine ecosystems and enjoy wildlife watching from a close distance. The trails connect Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and provide an excellent outdoor experience.
Gulf State Park is an excellent destination for camping. The park has many amenities, including indoor and outdoor camping areas. The Fort Morgan RV Park is another great option for camping.
Stockton Heritage Museum
The Stockton Heritage Museum is one of the top places to visit in Baldwin Alabama, and it’s worth the trip just to see the historical dioramas. The museum is home to close to 100-year-old North American and African diorama halls. The museum is a great way to learn about local history and rural agriculture.
Leslie Smith was an avid reader and historian. He wrote four books about the community, including several about his family’s history. These books include one on the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, another about the USS President Adams during World War II, and a book about his family’s neighbor from the 1920s. Smith donated all the proceeds from his books to the Stockton Civic Club.
The ghost fleet was made up of mothballed Navy ships. At its peak, it was made up of 347 ships in Mobile Bay. In the early 1900s, President F. D. Roosevelt planned to use the ships for merchant marine service. The Ghost Fleet gave jobs to many residents of Mobile. In later years, many of these ships were donated to state conservation departments in Alabama and Mississippi. Others were sunk to create fishing reefs.
Alligator Alley
Visitors will love the alligators and other wildlife that live in the Swamp Sanctuary, which features an elevated boardwalk. This is a great way to see alligators up close. There are also lots of other wildlife and bird species to see in the area.
The gators are kept in a natural environment with ample space to roam. They are hand-fed by trained experts three times a day. The feedings are a highlight for many visitors. In addition to gators, visitors will have the opportunity to see other animals, including turtles, owls, and bullfrogs.
The park is home to over 600 alligators. Of these, approximately 200 are adults and the rest are offspring. Most of the gators are rescue animals. Visitors can feed them and even touch baby gators. The park also houses a variety of other animals, including turtles and tortoises.
You can see hundreds of rescued alligators at Alligator Alley, which is located in Summerdale. It is also home to the Coast House of Jerky, where you can purchase hundreds of varieties of jerky. You can even try the most exotic flavors and try your hand at feeding a gator.
Another fun activity at Alligator Alley is to take a boardwalk that stretches across the swamp. This elevated walkway allows visitors to see alligators up close, and even spot ospreys. This is a great experience for families with small children, as the boardwalk is high and makes it easy for young children to enjoy the experience.
If you’re visiting Baldwin, you may also want to check out the many attractions in the area. The city has a lot to offer tourists and locals. Its beaches and attractions are among the world’s best. The area has a wide range of dining establishments, museums, and job opportunities, making it a great place for everyone.
Estuarium
The Estuarium is a great place to learn about the local wildlife. This attraction includes over 30 aquariums with over 100 species of animals and plants. The exhibit hall is 10,000 square feet and is full of interactive displays that will educate you about biology and plants. There is also a 7,000 gallon touch pool where you can get close to some of the most amazing creatures in the world.
Located on the island of Dauphin, the estuarium is open seven days a week. It features 31 different aquariums that showcase the natural resources of the Mobile Bay area. Visitors can also take the boardwalk to experience the outdoors habitat.
The DISL Estuarium is closed on major holidays, but service dogs are welcome. The museum has free Boardwalk Talks every month at 11:15 am. These lectures are led by experts, graduate students, and educators, and they provide a fascinating way to learn about the local wildlife. The facility also offers summer excursions programs that allow the public to interact with wildlife experts and experience the surrounding ecosystems.
Fort Morgan is located in South Baldwin County. Its beaches touch both the Gulf of Mexico and the Mobile Bay. This gives visitors a unique opportunity to gather shells. Shelling is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike. The gentle waters and lack of rough waves make shelling in the Mobile Bay area an ideal experience.
