Top 10 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Gulf Shores, Alabama
/The beaches are not all dog friendly, but there a plenty of great activities to enjoy with your dogs when you visit Gulf Shores on Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
By Michelle Segrest, Navigate Travel Adventures
The weather is spectacular year-round. The beaches are sugary white, and the sunsets are breathtaking. Gulf Shores offers plenty of outlet shopping, restaurants, events, concerts, art shows, bars, and attractions. But the greatest thing about living in Gulf Shores is that I can take my beagles, Cap’n Jack & Scout, almost anywhere with me.
Most restaurants with outdoor seating are happy to allow you to bring your furry family members along if you keep them on a leash. And the opportunities to unleash the hounds at local dog parks are abundant.
These are my Top 10 things to do with Cap’n Jack & Scout in my hometown of dog-friendly Gulf Shores, Alabama.
1. Kayak Adventures. Load your dog on your kayak and take a paddle around Plash Island. I love chatting with the local fishermen and enjoy seeing all the shrimp boats. We always see dolphins, pelicans, and other wildlife. It takes me about two hours to paddle around the entire island if I don’t stop to take pictures or to rest, but there are several places to beach the kayak and let the dogs run and play. It’s a perfect opportunity for an afternoon of free, fun activity with your dog.
2. Spend an afternoon at Pirate’s Cove. Pirate’s Cove is a dog’s paradise with open beach to play on and tons of sun-loving boaters who are sure to share treats. It’s about a 40-minute cruise from Plash Island in a power boat, but much longer if traveling by sailboat. It’s totally worth the trip and a can’t-miss activity for dogs and their humans.
3. Go to Dog-Friendly Restaurants. I love to load the dogs in the Protagonist, my wooden day sailer, and sail down the ICWW to Tacky Jack’s. You can moor your boat right outside, and dogs are welcome if you take an outside table. Some other local restaurants that are dog friendly include Flying Harpoon, Hog Wild BBQ, Shrimp Basket, Bleus Burger, Woodside Restaurant, the Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails, Pleasure Island Tiki Bar, Flora-Bama Yacht Club and one of my other favorites, The Gulf.
4. Get an ice cream treat. Treat your dog to a free ice cream sundae made just for him at Brusters Real Ice Cream. The parlor offers this special treat with dog biscuits crumbled on top so your dog can enjoy an ice cream date along with the rest of the family.
5. Unleash the Hounds. The Dog Park at Gulf State Park on Shelby Lake is by far Cap’n Jack & Scout’s favorite local dog park. There are separate areas for big and small dogs with plenty of room to run and play with other dogs. From 8 a.m. until sunset dogs can run and play unleashed and splash in the fresh water of Shelby Lake. Often alligators have been spotted there so watch out for these predators. There are several other great dog parks in the area—including Gulf Shores Dog Park, Orange Beach Waterfront Park, and Unleashed Dog Park-Orange Beach.
6. A day at the beach. Fort Morgan Beach is the only dog-friendly beach in the area, and dogs must be kept on a leash, although the Fort Morgan Historic Site is off limits for dogs.
7. Go camping. Gulf State Park Campground is a great place to hang out with your furry family members. Dogs are allowed but they must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet when outside your vehicle, and they must be properly cleaned up after.
8. Go hiking. Take a hike in Gulf State Park, which allows pets on leashes on the trails, as well as in the campground and picnic areas. No pets are allowed in the nature center, in the swimming pool, or on the beaches, unfortunately.
9. More places to hike. Connecting with Gulf State Park is the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a network of seven trails that span more than 15 miles and six different ecosystems. While pets must remain on a leash at all times on these trails, they’ll have plenty of space to run, play, and explore.
10. Give the dogs a mini-break. If you are in Gulf Shores and want to do something that’s not dog friendly, check out SeaPaws Dog Resort for the day. With two locations (Plash Island and Foley) this place offers a full day of unleashed fun for your dog. It’s the best doggie daycare and boarding place on the Gulf Coast with acres of fenced room for your dog to run and play with other dogs. Cap’n Jack & Scout get so much exercise and social interaction. Paula takes such good care of them you will feel comfortable leaving them for the day if you need to enjoy other activities on the coast.
Here are my Top 6 Must-Have Items for Traveling with Dogs
A dog-friendly travel kit that includes basic first aid supplies, stainless steel food and water bowls, and food storage containers.
Pet seat cover for the car — especially if you have dogs like mine that shed like crazy!
Backseat bridge car extender — this can keep your dogs safe while also keeping you safe. It prevents dogs from jumping into the front seat while you are driving. It also keeps them from falling into the car footwell.
The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Road Map — With practical tips and advice, and more than 200 breathtaking photos, you’ll feel like you have a personal tour guide to the top 49 pet friendly attractions in the United States.
Treats and Chew Toys — for my Beagles, this is a must. Chew toys and chew bones keep them entertained while on long car rides.
If you like this article about dog-friendly things to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama, please PIN IT!
This page contains affiliate links. If you click on the product links and make a purchase, it allows me to make a small commission at no extra cost to you! Thank you for your support and I hope you find value in this content!
If you want to bring your pet with you when you vacation on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast, be sure to check out these 10 awesome pet-friendly Airbnbs in Gulf Shores, Alabama.