The Gulf Oak Ridge Trail is part of a network called the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails, located off the Gulf of Mexico coastline near the Alabama/Florida border. The trail starts at a paved trailhead parking area off State Park Road 2, north of Shelby Lake, and runs about 3 miles to the Orange Beach Sportsplex. You can connect to the other trails at its eastern end, just below the Sportsplex, where it meets the
Twin Bridges Trail.
The pathway offers a charming, easy ride under the canopy of mossy old-growth trees within Gulf State Park. Along the way, keep your eyes open for birds as the area is known as an excellent birding site, as well as armadillos, coyotes, foxes, wild boar, alligators and other animals that call the maritime forest and wetlands home.
Parking can be found at the State Park Road 2 Trailhead on the trail's western end, or at the Orange Beach Sportsplex (4385 William Silvers Parkway) at the trail's eastern end.