Gulf State Park Pier Reopens After Long Awaited Renovation

Anglers in Alabama were excited as the Gulf State Park Pier reopened its gates, marking the end of a long wait. George Simmons, who recently caught a bluefish at the pier, wasn’t deterred by the fish’s size. “We’ve been anticipating this moment for a long time,” he shared.

The anticipation was palpable as dozens of fishermen lined up early Monday morning for the pier’s 7 a.m. reopening. It had been more than four years since the pier was last fully operational.

Matt Young, the southwest district superintendent for Alabama State Parks, noted that the reopening had been delayed since September 2020. Officials had planned to celebrate the completion of $2.4 million in upgrades that month, but Hurricane Sally’s arrival on September 16 disrupted those plans.

“The ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for the same day Hurricane Sally hit,” Young recalled.

The storm severely damaged the pier, causing a significant portion of it to collapse. Although part of the pier reopened, it was no longer connected to the octagonal platform at the end. The pier remained in this state until November 2023, when work commenced to restore it to its former state.

The extended closure resulted from multiple factors. The damage from a named storm qualified the project for FEMA funding, which involved a lengthy federal process. Additionally, the cost of the project surged from an initial estimate of $7.5 million to $8 million to around $13.6 million due to post-pandemic inflation and construction challenges.

Before the reopening, the scene resembled a family reunion more than a fishing spot. Stephanie Langston, a familiar face among the crowd, greeted many with warm hugs. Fishing had been a central part of her life, and she fondly remembered meeting her husband and spending time with her children on the pier.

“Seeing familiar faces feels like family,” Langston said with a smile. “My husband always says they’re like family, but they won’t steal your Oreos.”

Young shared Langston’s sentiment, appreciating the strong sense of community that the pier fosters. “It’s truly a gathering spot,” he said.

The crowd found ample space on the nearly 1,600-foot-long pier, which offers plenty of room for fishing along its length. “After being closed for so long, it’s teeming with all kinds of fish,” Young noted.

The action was lively from the start. Sam Hunt hooked a shark around four feet long early in the day. Although the line eventually broke, he remained thrilled by the experience. “It’s great just hearing the reels buzz,” Hunt said. “Sharks are part of the excitement here.”

The pier is not completely finished yet. The final touch, an elevator for ADA-compliant access to the second-floor observation deck, is still pending. Young assured that the installation wouldn’t require another closure. Once complete, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled.

For now, it’s time to fish.

“It’s wonderful to see Gulf State Park Pier open to everyone again,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). “Our goal was to have it open by Labor Day weekend, and we’re pleased to have achieved that.”

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Parking: $10 (all day)
• Sightseeing (All Day):
  • Adult: $2
  • Veteran: Free
  • Children under 12 years: Free
  • Gulf State Park Campground/Lodge Guests: Free
• Fishing (All Day):
  • Adult: $9
  • Veteran: $6
  • Campground/Lodge Guest: $6
  • Children under 12 years: Free
  • Weekly Fishing Permit: $41.00
  • Monthly Fishing Permit: $81.00
  • Six-Month Fishing Permit: $161.00
  • Annual Fishing Permit: $321.00

All anglers must have a valid fishing license.