Those big, pillowy hills of sugary-white sand that line the beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast are so enticing. Sand dunes really do tempt visitors to run to the top to gaze at the Gulf of Mexico or take photos on them surrounded by waving fronds of sea oats.
Here’s a few words of advice, however: Don’t do it.
The dune system on the Alabama Gulf Coast is delicate. Walking on beach vegetation can damage the fragile plant roots that hold together the sand dunes. You don’t have to walk on the dunes to enjoy them or to use them as a backdrop; an alternative to sitting on the fragile vegetation is to use the sunset as your backdrop or take photos from beach boardwalks. The contrast of the weathered wood against the blue sky and white sand can be breathtaking.
Beach visitors are urged to use the dune walkovers found at various locations in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Using dune walkovers decreases the trails through the dunes that allow high surf to cut through and weaken or destroy the dunes during storms. Dune fences are in place in numerous locations to serve as anchors for new sand dunes. In Gulf State Park, signs direct visitors to use walkovers to protect the precarious dunes.
Leave Only Footprints reminds beach visitors to leave the Alabama Gulf Coast even better than you found it. A healthy beach and dune system is the inheritance we give our children and grandchildren.
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