Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

For nature lovers who've hit the beach, it's hard to beat Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge for beautiful views, peaceful hiking trails, wildlife, and a look into the local Gulf Coast ecosytem. Just a short drive from our Gulf Shores condos and Orange Beach rentals, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge allows you to leave civilization behind and immerse yourself in almost 7,000 acres of well-preserved Gulf wilds.

Bon Secour in its original French means "safe harbor," and that is what the National Wildlife Refuge has been since 1980 for this part of the Gulf Coast. It includes Fort Morgan, Little Dauphin Island, Little Point Clear, Perdue, and Sand Bayou in its domain. The Refuge receives more than 50,000 guests each year, so you'll be able to enjoy peace and quiet while exploring the marshes and dunes.

One of the main attractions of Bon Secour is that it is a feeding and resting area for migratory birds. About 400 different species of birds have been identified as permanent or temporary residents of the refuge. Several varieties of warbler pass through between March and May, while the summer offers reliable views of a variety of egrets, herons, osprey, rail, great horned owls, nighthawks, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and more. Look down or peer into the water to try to see green, loggerhead, or Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, and keep your eyes peeled for the unique and endangered Alabama Beach Mouse. Other animals that have been seen on the refuge include red fox, wild pigs, armadillos, and coyotes, and of course, alligators.

To make your way through the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge you can follow the Centennial Trail, the Gator Lake Trail, the Pine Beach Trail, or the wheelchair accessible Jeff Friend Trail. The Bon Secour Wildlife Center is a great place to take children, with its displays of the history of the area and photographs of the various animals and terrains that encompass Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Visit the Refuge early in the morning to maximize your chances to see dolphins and birdlife, or late in the evening to see wildlife like deer and owls before the dusk settles. At the height of the season especially, make sure you don't forget bug spray!

If you love nature or want to relax on some of the Gulf Shores most pristine and quiet beaches, give Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge a try! It's another great natural asset of our coast and easy to reach attraction near our comfortable Orange Beach condos and Gulf Shores rentals.