What’s old is new again. After a four-year wait, 20 newly built lakeside cabins opened a few weeks ago in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Cabins at Gulf State Park replaced those destroyed by Hurricane Sally in 2020. My husband and I were some of the first invited to experience a stay.

Gulf Shores sits in the southernmost tip of Alabama between Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida. The area boasts 32 miles of white-sand beaches caressed by the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This family-friendly destination with mild winters attracts visitors year-round.

© Jim Twardowski

Guests check in at an office beside the park’s entrance. The friendly staff gave us an instruction sheet regarding our unit, a map of the park and a handout of daily activities. On our short drive to Lake Shelby, we passed a dozen bicyclists, a couple walking their dog, a runner and a small group of folks on Segways. Gulf State Park encompasses more than 6,100 acres with nearly 28 miles of trails.

The row of pastel-colored, two-story-tall cabins were reflected in the calm waters of the lake. Our accessible unit had a flight of stairs and a wide ramp to accommodate my power wheelchair. Guests enter the cabin through a screened porch with a table to seat four.

© Jim Twardowski

The unit’s open floorplan allows conversations to flow between those watching a flat-screen television in the living room and the cook in the kitchen. A sofa sleeper and two upholstered chairs create cozy seating. The kitchen includes a full-sized fridge, stove, dishwasher, coffeemaker and a counter with four stools. Thoughtful design — such as the built-in microwave drawer — provides access for a wheelchair user. Glassware and cups were stored in cupboards with shelves that pull down to the counter. Below the counter, cut-out space makes meal prep from a wheelchair a cinch.

The cabin has two bedrooms. One has a king bed and en-suite bathroom with a roll-in shower. The other bedroom has a queen bed. Windows look out on tall pine trees and each room has a flat-screen TV. A second bathroom, beside the living room, contains a roll-in shower and ample turning radius for a wheelchair. On the ground level, a washer and dryer are stored in a closet, a picnic table sits in the shade, and fire pits will soon be installed.

© Jim Twardowski

After unpacking our suitcase, we explored the park. Many of the trails are accessible for a wheelchair user. Guests may also borrow bicycles at no charge. Gulf State Park shelters a large variety of wildlife — we’ve seen raccoons, bald eagles, turtles and alligators while rolling on a boardwalk through marshes and past a forest. Kayaking, fishing and canoeing are popular activities on the lake.

The park’s Nature Center focuses on Alabama’s wildlife and habitats. The Interpretive Center highlights coastal ecology and conservation. For an engaging outing, join one of the guided tours lead by park naturalists. Check the park’s activities calendar for a slew of options from yoga and pickleball to group bike rides and sustainable gardening talks.

While we could have cooked dinner in our cabin, we opted to dine in the park at Woodside Restaurant. Arriving during happy hour, we split the brisket tacos and a salad. Check the website for dates and times to hear live music on an outdoor stage. For breakfast, we ate at Foodcraft — a restaurant inside The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel with stunning views of the Gulf waters. After a hearty breakfast buffet, we strolled the hotel’s boardwalk over the dunes.

© Jim Twardowski

During our three-day visit, we shopped at The Wharf, an upscale retail center beside the harbor in Orange Beach. While I perused the jewelry, art and handbags, Jim got his jolt of caffeine at Southern Grind Coffee House. For dinner, we lingered over a glass of wine and fantastic Italian fusion dishes at Villaggio Grille.

We are long-time fans of Gulf Shores and have vacationed in the area for decades. The Cabins at Gulf State Park are the total opposite of rustic and provided the convenience of home. Three of the 20 cabins are designed to accommodate wheelchair users. Unwinding in the midst of nature with a lake view was rejuvenating. We can’t wait to tell family and friends about these incredible accommodations and invite them to join us on another getaway.

The Cabins at Gulf State Park

20111 State Park Road
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
tel 251 923 3900