(OBA®) - Gulf State Park, Alabama - On this page, you will find answers to commonly asked questions about paid beach parking at Alabama Gulf State Park’s public beach access points.

Parking Pay Stations (Kiosks)

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. The Kiosks will accept cash and credit cards; however, they do not issue change nor accept coins. For more information, visit https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park/beaches.

FEES:

•  $3 - 2 hours for personal vehicles
• $5 - 4 hours for personal vehicles
• $10 - all day for personal vehicles
• $15 - all day for passenger vans
• $30 - all day for buses or large RVs
• $100 - Annual Pass Parking Decal (valid for one calendar year with expiration of December 31^st annually)
• Free Annual Pass for Veterans (valid for one calendar year with expiration of December 31^st annually)

Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier Parking Policies

• 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 or semi-annual fishing 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. Annual and semi-annual permit holders will need to present their permit cards to the attendant at the pier admission window for entrance to the per for fishing. The decal affixed to the windshield will allow the annual and semi-annual permit holders to gain free parking at all the Gulf State Park beach locations.
• Weekly and monthly fishing permit holders, along with beach goers and pier sightseers, will be required to pay to park at the pier with an option of fees listed above.

Where to Obtain the Annual, No Charge Orange Beach Resident, or Veteran Passes

• The $100 Annual Pass Parking decal is available at Gulf State Park office headquarters.

• The No Charge Orange Beach Resident Pass is available for qualified Orange Beach residents at Orange Beach City Hall.

• The Free Annual Pass for Veterans is available at Gulf State Park office headquarters. Veterans must present ID and verification of service.

Important:

Before heading to the beach, put the printed pass or receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle. If you have an annual pass, be sure it is affixed inside of your windshield or it will not be considered valid. The proper location for the annual pass decal is the lower left of the windshield on the driver side of the vehicle.

FAQ

Where is the Park Office Headquarters located so I can purchase an Annual Pass?

The Gulf State Park Office Headquarters is located at 20115 State Park Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542. The office can be reached at 251-948-7275 and is open 7 days a week year-round.

How do Orange Beach residents get a No Charge Resident Beach Parking Pass or additional 3rd Pass?

In order to qualify for an No Charge Orange Beach Resident Beach Parking Pass, an individual must possess a valid Alabama Driver’s License with a physical address inside the city limits of Orange Beach, Alabama. The “resident pass” can be obtained at Orange Beach City Hall, 4099 Orange Beach Blvd., beginning on April 22, 2021. UP TO TWO RESIDENT PASSES WILL BE ISSUED PER HOUSEHOLD. If a third pass is desired for one additional vehicle, the resident must purchase in person for $25 at Park Headquarters.

Does the Orange Beach Resident Pass apply to Ono Island residents or Gulf Shores residents?

No. The No Charge Parking Passes for Orange Beach residents (as defined by the City of Orange Beach) were part of an agreement signed between the City of Orange Beach and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Due to the value of the passes and the limited number of beach access parking spaces, the City of Orange Beach restricted the distribution quantity of No Charge Parking Passes to two per household with one additional vehicle pass available that can be purchased at Gulf State Park Headquarters. As a result, “Orange Beach resident” is defined by the City of Orange Beach, as individuals who possess a valid Alabama Driver’s License with a physical address inside the city limits of Orange Beach, Alabama. Ono Island is part of unincorporated Baldwin County and is not within the city limits of Orange Beach. Property owners and/or business owners who do not meet the Driver’s License requirements will also not qualify for a No Charge Parking Pass.

Are there any other options than paying the daily parking rate?

Yes. The $100 Annual Parking Pass can be purchased at Gulf State Park headquarters.

If my Annual Pass/Sticker is lost or damaged, where can I get a replacement?

If the resident brings a damaged decal for exchange, Orange Beach Resident Parking Passes can be replaced at Orange Beach City Hall (e.g., in the situation of a vehicle sale) at no additional charge. If removing the decal from service cannot be verified, a new decal will need to be purchased at Gulf State Park Headquarters in accordance with the fee schedule for additional vehicles at $25.