Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Better known for its beaches and dunes near Gulf Shores, this refuge also has freshwater ponds and swales inland from the coast where gators turn up, especially in warmer months. The Gator Lake Trail is the most direct route to a reliable sighting, true to its name. Keep to the trail and a real distance from the lake edge. Feeding wildlife on the refuge is against federal law.
Know before you go
| Fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Parking | Lot at the Gator Lake trailhead |
| Water | — |
| Toilets | — |
| Access | Gator Lake Trail past freshwater ponds and swales |
| Surface | — |
| Hours | — |
| Operator | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | fws.gov/refuge/bon-secour |
Map
Nearby in Alabama
Gulf State Park
- Check operator site
- Parking
7.1 km away
Hand-curated by Gator Atlas from public park and refuge operator information, not pulled from a database.
Last verified: July 21, 2026. See our methodology for how we check listings.