Fort Morgan Trail Just Got Bigger: 10.5 Miles to Explore the Alabama Gulf Coast
If you’re looking for things to do in Fort Morgan besides spending the day on the beach, there’s now another reason to bring the bikes—or just your walking shoes.
The Fort Morgan Trail has officially been extended, adding another 4.4 miles of paved trail along Fort Morgan Road. The expansion brings the trail to approximately 10.5 miles and creates a connection with the extensive trail network at Gulf State Park.
For families vacationing in Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, it’s another great way to get outside and see a quieter, more natural side of the Alabama Gulf Coast.
What’s New on the Fort Morgan Trail?
The new 4.4-mile extension runs along Highway 180/Fort Morgan Road from Plantation Boulevard west to a new trailhead near Fort Morgan Pizza.
The entire new section is paved and approximately 10 feet wide, making it suitable for both walking and biking.
One of the coolest parts of the project is the addition of 12 bridges through sensitive coastal wetland areas. They allow visitors to travel through the landscape while helping protect the wetlands below.
There’s also a new trailhead and bathhouse with four private, family-style suites.
You Can Now Connect to Gulf State Park’s Trail System
This is where the project gets particularly interesting.
The Fort Morgan Trail connects with the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system at Gulf State Park, opening access to a much larger network of paved trails extending through Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Between the Fort Morgan Trail and Gulf State Park’s trail system, visitors now have access to nearly 40 miles of trails along this part of the Alabama Gulf Coast.
That means you can make the outing as short—or as ambitious—as you want.
Take the kids for an easy bike ride after breakfast, go for a morning walk, or make an entire day out of exploring the coast.
A Different Side of Fort Morgan
One of our favorite things about Fort Morgan is that it doesn’t feel like the busier parts of the beach.
Drive west down Fort Morgan Road and the high-rises gradually disappear. You’ll find stretches of undeveloped coastline, wetlands, wildlife habitat, beaches and some of the most peaceful scenery on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
The new trail gives visitors another way to actually experience that landscape instead of just driving past it.
Depending on where you explore, keep an eye out for coastal birds and other wildlife, native plants, marshes and wetlands.
Make a Day of It
If you’re staying in Fort Morgan, it’s easy to work the trail into a full day.
Take a morning bike ride, explore Historic Fort Morgan, grab lunch at one of the local spots, ride the Mobile Bay Ferry, spend some time on the beach—or head out on the Gulf for a fishing trip.
That’s one of the things we love about this end of the peninsula. You don’t need a complicated itinerary.
Sometimes the best Fort Morgan days are simply a combination of being outside, eating something good and seeing where the day takes you.
And Yes, There’s Fishing Too
We may be a little biased, but if you’re putting together a Fort Morgan vacation itinerary, we’d save some time for the water.
Fort Morgan’s location at the entrance to Mobile Bay makes it a pretty incredible place to start a day on the Gulf. You’ll see everything from dolphins and working boats to huge ships traveling the shipping channel—and then there’s the fishing.
KOKA Fishing Charters departs from Fort Morgan aboard the 60-foot No Doubt, offering private trips for families, friends and groups of up to 23 guests.
So bike the trail. Visit the fort. Ride the ferry. Hit the beach.
Then come fishing with us.
Planning a Fort Morgan Vacation?
The trail extension is just one more addition to a part of the Alabama Gulf Coast that continues to offer more ways to get outside without losing the laid-back atmosphere that makes Fort Morgan special.
Whether you’re staying right here on the peninsula or visiting from Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, the new Fort Morgan Trail is worth adding to your list.
And if you’re looking for more ideas, check out our Best Things to Do in Fort Morgan, Alabama: A Local’s Guide for more of our favorite ways to spend a day around Fort Morgan.
Ready to get out on the Gulf? Explore our private fishing charters or call KOKA at 251-752-1535.