Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary Trail System

A must stop on your hiking to-do list in Alabama is the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary Trail System, located inside the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary. There are 5 pup-friendly trails waiting for you and Fido here!

The bird sanctuary itself boarders the Gulf of Mexico and offers 164 acres of woods, swamps and beaches. The trails total 4.3 miles for walking or biking, allowing you and your pup to explore the area. Pick up the trailheads at the park entrance where you will find restrooms and drinking fountains as well.

How about starting with the Lake Loop Trail around Gaillard Lake? This 0.6-mile trail offers a boardwalk just steps from the parking lot and is handicapped accessible. If you follow it to its southwestern corner, another boardwalk will take you to the beach. Although pups are not allowed on the beach, the boardwalk is a great place to sit and enjoy the scenic views. This trail also connects with the Campground Trail for those planning an overnight stay.

Next, you can take the Swamp Overlook Trail 0.8-mile trail or Dune Edge Trail 0.3-mile trail, both running through the swamp area and along the beach. These are favorite trails to view wildlife and the migratory birds. Don’t forget to pull out your camera and snap some photos of the Osprey Nest Platforms here. 

And finally, the Upper Woodland Trail winds for 1.7 miles and is connected to the Lake Loop Trail at the north and south. Here you will see the forest in all its spectacular glory, with flowering plants along the way.  All the trails are natural pavement and are mostly level, so anyone you pick will be perfectly suited to any pup’s ability.

Taking a hike or a bike ride on Dauphin Island’s trails will offer you scenic beauty and time to spend outdoors with your fur-ever friend.