Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
4.5
Monday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
About
A 6,000-acre nature preserve with a number of endangered species.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Address
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Restaurants
4 within 5 kms
Attractions
2 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
286 reviews
Excellent
173
Very good
84
Average
25
Poor
2
Terrible
2
d & c
Richfield, OH23 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The trails need to be marked with names and miles. None of the trail heads have maps! The boardwalk trail in the woods was the best (near the kayak launch) but it is not marked either. The nature center is closed permanently, why is that?
Written September 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingGranny3
Wisconsin73 contributions
Jan 2020
Beautiful area with hiking paths and nature identifiers. Great tower overlook. The office is open short hours (there are nature displays and rest rooms there), but the trails have longer hours. Highly recommend.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa K
Oklahoma City, OK39 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Avoid the Gator Lake Trail in summer! My family had three young kids and I thought this would be a great trail as it’s listed as being “kid-friendly”. My three year old had to ride on my husband’s shoulders the whole time because the sand was somewhat treacherous for him. We went at 11:00 AM at the end of May and it was just so hot and there was almost NO shade! We could only make it part way through before we turned around. We made it to where the lagoon and the lake meet up. We saw there was another 1/2 mile until we got to the beach where I had “sea shelling” in mind for myself and my kiddos. At this point, we were all very tired and still had the walk back. By the end of it we were out of water and feeling on the verge of a heat stroke. Perhaps in the fall or winter this would be a good hike. We were the only ones on it… perhaps we missed the memo to avoid this trail in summer—even the wildlife knew better. We saw a spider, 2 butterflies and a small snake… nothing about this trail made the hike worth it! I do not recommend.
Written June 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue W
Charlottesville, VA1,035 contributions
Feb 2023
Keep an eye out for the turn into the parking area. There is a small sign but it’s easy to miss. There is a fair amount of parking available, and it’s mostly shady. We took the Pine Beach Trail. It was a nice little walk/hike out to a private beach. There is a lookout over Gator Lake and Little Lagoon. There is also a porta potty about halfway that is well cared for; i.e., it was clean, didn’t stink and had toilet paper! It’s mostly a flat, easy hike until about the last ¼ mile to the beach where you walk through sand and between dunes. There is a bench strategically placed just before the sand part so you can take off/put on your shoes. It was fun! We didn’t see much wildlife other than a heron and seagulls. Recommend this for a relaxing trek out in nature!
Written March 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin
Norman, OK31 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Our family visits the area every year in early spring and the Pine Beach Trail is one of the trails we hike routinely.
The entire trail is a 3 mile out-and-back so it is easy for the kids to complete. The first 1.25 miles is very well maintained level and easy to traverse. The last 0.25 is hike on sand dunes to a secluded beach that is not often visited and is usually a good place to hunt for shells.
In all, a very nice well-maintained trail suitable for the entire family.
The entire trail is a 3 mile out-and-back so it is easy for the kids to complete. The first 1.25 miles is very well maintained level and easy to traverse. The last 0.25 is hike on sand dunes to a secluded beach that is not often visited and is usually a good place to hunt for shells.
In all, a very nice well-maintained trail suitable for the entire family.
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth K
7 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Very nice park. We walked the trail/path to the lake, climbed the stairs up to the observation deck and then on to the beach.
The trail is wide and consists of hard packed dirt and stone. Very easy pleasant walk.
The trail is wide and consists of hard packed dirt and stone. Very easy pleasant walk.
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gus Shope
Atlanta, GA26 contributions
Jul 2023
Went to the visitors center first and was directed to go a on multiple trails to see the local wildlife. Was a little hot going on the trails but well worth it for the family. Highly recommended!
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb62862
Memphis, TN11,400 contributions
Nov 2021
We visited the wildlife refuge on a recent trip to the area. Its a beautiful area. We hiked the Jeff Friend trail, which is very easy and maybe a mile or so for the loop. Lovely scenery and sub tropical forest. We'd like to visit again when we have more time to see more of the park.
Written November 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nash Potatoes Outdoor Show
Murray, UT52 contributions
Feb 2020
This place is great...so beautiful, quiet, and relaxing. I hiked most of the trails, did some bird watching, jumped in the Gulf...what a great day! I documented my adventure and posted it on YouTube. You can find it by searching for Nash Potatoes Outdoor Show.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mallory Smith
102 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Bring bug spray. We were just there this past week and the mosquitos were so bad. It is a gorgeous place and we were so sad we had to leave after only walking a short distance because we forgot bug spray. My kiddos loved all the small frogs hopping along the path. This is a must do when in Gulf Shores.
Written July 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am reading conflicting answers to whether or not if my dog is on a lease, can I walk the trails ?
Written January 11, 2024
Do you have to hike the trail to get to the beach ?
Written July 30, 2020
Yes, you hike through a beautiful wooded shady area and then you come to Gator Lake and the lookout tower. Then continue on the trail around the lake for a small time and you will see the sign for the Beach trail. It is worth the hike! You will have the beach to yourselves most of the time! We did!
Written July 30, 2020
About how far is the beach from the trailheads ?
Written July 30, 2020
10-15 minute walk on the beach trail. This is after a 30-45 minute walk to get to the beach trial.
Written July 30, 2020
Is there a National Parks/refuge visitor station attended by Rangers?
Written April 4, 2018
There is a visitor center. It is on the North side of Fort Morgan road, about 1/4 mile East of the parking lot for the trail. I don't think they have rangers there, but there are well-qualified workers who can usually answer all your questions.
Written April 4, 2018
Can you get to this refuge from gulf shores state park by trails? I know they just made some more trails in the state park and wondered if they connected.thx
Written March 2, 2018
Not the entire way on trails. You can pull it up on Google Maps and see where the trail parallels the road and then where it ends. You will need to get on 180 for the western end of the route. There’s not a ton of traffic on that stretch but it is just a 2-lane road.
In any case, most of the Bon Secour trails are better traveled on foot or by kayak/canoe. Your bike will be most enjoyable at Gulf State Park, where almost all trails are bike friendly and there are miles and miles of loops and places to explore.
Written March 3, 2018
Hi .. I have never asked a question before on trip advisor so not sure of the etiquette.... will be staying next to the bon secour wildlife refuge and I want to take the kayaks with us but hubby is not convinced .... did you use the kayaks in the lagoon much and where did you see the dolphins in the kayak? Any info and advice would be appreciated.
Written February 22, 2018
No,did not go kayaking, just hiking trails. Saw dolphins from shore near Fort Morgan, both on the Mobile Bay side near the ferry and on the Gulf side.
Written February 23, 2018
raytab04
Saint Louis, Missouri
I saw there is a public beach. Is it a good spot for swimming?
Written January 19, 2017
There is a beach. It is a bit of a treck from the parking lot down the boardwalk, but it's well worth it. There is less hustle than along the condo lined beach of gulf shores and Orange beach. There are a few private houses out there, but they are small and failry far off the beach. The water is exceptionally clear. The only sad thing, is from that particular beach, you can see oil rigs in the distance. While my girlfriends and I are in town for hangout fest we will be visiting this beach, but only because we don't have to lug a bunch of beach chairs, floaties, umbrellas, and children with us.
Written January 20, 2017
No, dogs are not allowed even on leashes. There is a sign at the entrance stating No animals.
I would think Service Dogs are allowed because they are allowed anywhere. It's a fun & worthwhile walking tour.
Written January 19, 2017
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