When visiting the coast, you can’t help but notice the beautiful sand dunes along the beach. These dunes are important for the ecosystem, environment and cities. The natural growth of sea grasses, sea oats and shrubs helps hold them together by creating a root system that keeps the sand in place. Acting as a wall, sand dunes help protect beaches and property from damage from high winds, storm surges, waves and tides. The dunes are the first line of defense [...]
It’s summertime on the coast and fun times are being had. With all the activities and commotion, it’s easy to forget the importance of the Leave Only Footprints program and the do’s and don’ts required by the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. The Leave Only Footprints program was created to ensure our beautiful beaches are here for future generations to enjoy. Our 32-mile stretch of sugar-white sand draws millions of visitors each year. With that many people, it’s important to follow the rules and regulations to [...]
We’ve all seen those endless lists of what to take on your beach vacation. We’re going to be a little different and give you a list of what not to bring on your Alabama beach trip. Each year, more than 5 million travelers visit our beautiful beaches. We want our beaches to stay the same for the next 5 million and the next after that, and so on. Our Leave Only Footprints program is all about our beaches and wildlife in Coastal Alabama, and we want you to [...]
June has been named Great Outdoors Month, creating a monthlong celebration of the outdoors. It was designated to encourage everyone to “embrace the outdoor spirit of America and head outside into the natural world.” Here on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, we’re jumping in with both feet. There are many ways to celebrate the great outdoors, even if it’s simply taking a walk at a nearby park. One of the best places to do this is the white-sand beach of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Each year, our 32-mile Gulf of Mexico coastline entertains more than 5 million visitors from [...]
We love having folks visit our beaches all year, including during the winter. It’s a wonderful time on the coast, with moderate temperatures and beaches that are just as beautiful as they are the rest of the year. We ask all visitors to follow Leave Only Footprints regulations to keep the natural beauty for many years to come. Regulations prohibit leaving anything on the beach overnight. That includes any gear you tote down to the shoreline, such as chairs, umbrellas [...]
In just 10 or 15 minutes, you can go online and book an amazing spring visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Whether it’s a long weekend or a full week, you and your family get to enjoy all the sun, sand and surf our area provides. It takes about that same amount of time to pack up your chairs, cooler, beach toys and umbrella after your day on the sand. And it’s important you do that. If you’ve visited [...]
When you visit our beaches, it’s important to know the rules and restrictions. Leave Only Footprints regulations prohibit leaving any items overnight on public beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In addition, several items are prohibited anytime on the beach, including: Glass containers Metal shovels or excessive digging Litter Tents or structures larger than 12 x 12 Overnight camping Fireworks Loud music Fires Pets Vehicles The reason for many of these restrictions concerns safety, others are for the comfort [...]
Kids like keeping their planet healthy and clean. They love the beach and want to take care of it. You can help them do that during your visit to the Alabama coast this summer. Below are the basic Leave No Trace principles that kids can learn and implement. Know Before You Go. Learn the Leave Only Footprints rules that prohibit leaving items on the beach after sunset. Teach your kids this rule and let them help you tote the beach [...]
Do you know the regulations in the Leave Only Footprints program in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach? It’s pretty basic: Any structures or equipment left on the beach an hour after sunset will be removed and disposed of by beach patrols. That includes chairs, tents and toys. Regulations also prohibit tents larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, as well as fireworks, pets and glass bottles. You can’t go wrong if you just leave the beach a little better than [...]
