Kayaking Gulf Shores

In this the second in a series of kayaking coastal Alabama we start on the Jeff Friend trail where a new kayak boat launch was just prepared this year ( the first is available on my blog as well). The site has a nice sandy bottom to launch a kayak and then convenient parking close by in the park.The park is located about eight miles from Highway 59 going west down the Fort Morgan highway.

This trail is located in the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge that consist of over seven thousand acres. The Jeff friend trail is only about a mile long but connects with the Pines Beach trail as you walk east to west that winds around Little Lagoon and eventually to the open gulf. The refuge is listed in the ten natural wonders of Alabama and is a must for hikers, bird watchers, and nature lovers. I personaly enjoy bike riding through the park. The terrain is sound enough to support a bicycle and no motorized vehicles are allowed.

The refuge will often have turtles nesting beginning in May through August. They are marked with a small sguare frame placed by the park ranger are volunteer and wrapped with yellow caution tape. More than 370 species of birds have been recorded during migratory season with seven species of humming birds.

The kayak launch places you into little lagoon and from here you have access into the gulf along West End Beach as well as excess to many lodging locations on the west side of Gulf Shores. Most of the time Little Lagoon is calm enough to have fun with a stand up paddle board. I deliver Kayaks and paddle boards often to West End Beach (and thats with free delivery and pickup).

My next blog on kayaking the Alabama Gulf Coast will take us over to Orange Beach to another preferred location of mine.