Over 40 percent of the Fort Morgan Trail is brand new. Alabama State Parks cut the ribbon in late August on a 4.4-mile extension along Highway 180, and the trail now runs about 10.5 miles down Fort Morgan Road. The new section begins at Plantation Boulevard and heads west to a new terminus near Fort Morgan Pizza. That stretch has 12 bridges over coastal wetlands and a new bathhouse with four private, family-style suites.
The length matters less than what the new miles add at the far end. With a bathhouse, a place to eat and a new trailhead now open at the western end, the ride down Fort Morgan Road has a destination. For anyone at Waterways, which sits less than a mile from the beaches, that makes the peninsula a real half-day outing on two wheels.
What the New Miles Actually Add
The state built the extension for walkers, runners and cyclists. It's paved and 10 feet wide the whole way, so two riders can pass a family with a stroller without anyone moving onto the grass. The 12 bridges are where this section feels different from the older pavement closer to town. ADCNR says they were designed so trail users can see the wetland ecosystem "without any human intrusion," with the path crossing over the marsh instead of cutting through it.
The project cost $5.6 million, paid for through the federal RESTORE Act. That law sends Clean Water Act penalties from the companies responsible for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill back into Gulf Coast restoration and economic projects. So the spill that shut down this coast 16 years ago paid for some of the newest pavement on it.
At the ribbon-cutting, Gulf Coast Media reported that ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship called it "a great day for south Baldwin County," while State Sen. Chris Elliott said trails like this "support local businesses and give our families a safe, beautiful place to be outside together." That second point is the one that shows up on an ordinary Saturday, because the new western end sits near businesses that used to be a car trip away.
The Far End Is the Point
Here's how the trail breaks down, using the state's own figures:
| Piece of the ride | Distance | What's there |
|---|---|---|
| Full Fort Morgan Trail | About 10.5 miles one way | Paved path along Highway 180 |
| New extension, Plantation Blvd to western terminus | 4.4 miles one way | 12 wetland bridges, new bathhouse |
| Out-and-back on the new section only | About 8.8 miles | Turnaround at the bathhouse |
| Connected Gulf State Park network | About 28 miles of paved trail | Links through the park toward Orange Beach |
The bathhouse is the first reason the western end works as a goal. Four private suites at the terminus mean a family ride can go the full distance without anyone needing to turn back early.
Fort Morgan Pizza is the second reason, and the state named it as the landmark for the new terminus. The restaurant is at 9989 Alabama Highway 180, and its phone number is 251-540-2622. Its website doesn't list hours. It does show a wait-time notice, so call ahead before you build a ride around lunch there.
There are more stops on Highway 180. Sassy Bass Amazin' Grill, at 5160 Highway 180, is paired with a Market Place that the local tourism bureau describes as stocking groceries, pizza and deli items, liquor, gifts, seafood and butcher-shop goods. That's handy if you'd like to ride home with dinner. The Hideaway in Fort Morgan is listed with a full-service coffee shop plus breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Neither listing gives current hours, so check before you count on either one as your midpoint.
Where to Start the Ride
Your starting point depends on how much of the trail you want to cover.
- For the whole trail, start at the east end. TrailLink puts the eastern access at the Gulf Shores Parkway and Fort Morgan Road intersection, close to town.
- For a shorter ride with easy parking, use Mo's Landing. The public stop is 1.8 miles west of Highway 59, with parking, a restroom deck, boat ramps, a picnic shelter and the paved trail nearby. TrailLink lists the Lagoon Park and Mo's Landing lot at 18068 Fort Morgan Road.
- To ride only the new pavement, aim for Plantation Boulevard. That's where the extension begins. The state hasn't published parking details for the new western trailhead, so plan to park somewhere you already know and ride in.
Mo's Landing is also a good fit for anyone at Waterways who thinks in terms of boat ramps and launch days. It's a spot you've probably driven past with a trailer, and now it works as a trailhead too.
Plugging Into the Park's Bigger Network
The Fort Morgan Trail connects with the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system. Together they give riders about 28 miles of paved trail through Gulf State Park and on to Orange Beach. On longer days you can mix and match from the Backcountry's named routes, which Alabama State Parks lists as:
- Gulf Oak Ridge, 3.0 miles
- Catman Trail, 2.7 miles
- Rosemary Dunes, 2.1 miles
- Rattlesnake Ridge, 1.6 miles
- Twin Bridges, 0.8 miles
For guests without a bike, the park lists rentals for adults and kids at the Camp Store and at Beach Bike Rentals next to the Rosemary Dunes Trailhead. That way the person visiting for the weekend can ride along without you loading a rack.
The Rules That Apply on Two Wheels
Gulf State Park trails are open from dawn to dusk. The park doesn't allow unauthorized motorized vehicles or golf carts on them. If you bring the dog, park etiquette asks you to clean up after it, and the park's posted trail map requires pets to stay leashed.
E-bikes take a closer look. The Gulf Shores City Council approved two e-bike ordinances on Jan. 26, 2026, and both took effect March 1. The general-use ordinance sets a 10-mph limit. Councilman Steve Jones proposed raising it to 15 mph, but the council didn't make that change before approval. The rental ordinance allows only Class 1 e-bikes to be rented within city limits, with an exception for Class 2 models when an ADA-compliant vehicle is needed.
The local tourism bureau says e-bikes are allowed in Gulf State Park and on its trails at speeds up to 10 mph. Alabama State Parks' own trail page doesn't mention e-bikes either way, so if you plan to ride one on park trails, check with Gulf State Park staff first. On a 10-foot path shared with runners and kids, keeping to 10 mph is a good habit anywhere.
Fall Programs Worth Pairing With a Ride
Several free Gulf State Park programs this fall fit nicely around a morning on the bike. They take place on park trails and beaches, not on the Fort Morgan Trail itself.
- Alligator Nature Walk, Monday, Oct. 19, at 9 a.m. on the Gopher Tortoise Trail.
- Pendergrass Trail Spook Walk, Friday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., with trick-or-treating and a scavenger hunt.
- Explore the Shore, Nov. 3 and Nov. 16 at 9 a.m., a beach-ecosystem program.
Registration runs through the Gulf State Park events page.
If you have guests coming in October and want a plan that doesn't involve the beach road, the Scarbrough Team at Waterways of the Gulf Shore is glad to share how we'd spend a morning on the new Fort Morgan Trail miles and where we'd stop along Highway 180. Schedule a consultation and we'll help you map out the day.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your situation.
