Trip Planner:   USA  /  Alabama  /  Orange Beach  /  Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Rosemary Dunes Trailhead

Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Rosemary Dunes Trailhead, Orange Beach

4.8
#1 of 18 in Trails in Alabama
Hiking Trail · Nature / Park
Create an itinerary including Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Rosemary Dunes Trailhead
Explore the timeless beauty of the Butterfly Garden, the mystical Freshwater Marshes and the Coastal Hardwood Swamps. Catch a glimpse of a Bobcat on the Twin Bridges or a White Tailed Deer on Gulf Oak Ridge. View an Alligator basking in the sun and be sure to bring your camera to capture the adventure.

The Trail was named after Mr. Hugh S. Branyon who put in 33 years as director of the Alabama Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He started working at the park as a teenager and fell in love with the Gulf State Park. He met with Orange Beach City officials and had the vision to allow the City to go after grants to turn old service roads into a trail system. He is greatly missed.
Choose to start, finish, or center your holiday on a trip to Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Rosemary Dunes Trailhead by using our Orange Beach itinerary planner.
Source
Improve this listing »
Create a full itinerary - for free!

Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Rosemary Dunes Trailhead reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
479 reviews
Google
4.9
TripAdvisor
  • This is a surprising find with the trail head along the main road. The trails were well kept and it should have been a peaceful walk. However, there were no maps available and we had to rely on the... 
    This is a surprising find with the trail head along the main road. The trails were well kept and it should have been a peaceful walk. However, there were no maps available and we had to rely on the...  more »
  • Great biking and walking trails through the marshes and woods. Folks from 5 to 90 out for a walk in the fresh air and sunshine. Even an alligator along side the trail, a bald eagle nesting in the... 
    Great biking and walking trails through the marshes and woods. Folks from 5 to 90 out for a walk in the fresh air and sunshine. Even an alligator along side the trail, a bald eagle nesting in the...  more »
  • We were in Orange Beach during chilly weather, so beach was less desirable. But the sun shone brightly & temps were just right for walking the trails. Others using the trails offered friendly... 
    We were in Orange Beach during chilly weather, so beach was less desirable. But the sun shone brightly & temps were just right for walking the trails. Others using the trails offered friendly...  more »
Google
  • The Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail is a really great walk (or jog/bike). We walked only 3 miles round trip of it while at least 25 people were smarter than us riding past us on their bicycles. That would have been a great idea for us too but we were walking with 2 dogs. We did this hike on Fri. 9-23-22 and it was in the 90s but felt like 100. My car said 102 when I left. It was a really hot walk and I do not recommend walking all the way back to the campground or the nature center or the beach from the main parking lot... unless the weather is in the 80s or cooler cause the 90s was absolutely too hot to do all that walking. You are walking in 100% SUN 🌞 (if it's sunny) no shade until you come across the bridges with the overhangs and benches etc. So be prepared if walking...I truly recommend biking over walking. There's a lot more to the park than what we got to do if you ride a bike instead of walking, you will be able to see a LOT more of the park.
  • Fun trail, but it is best experienced on bikes..we rented ours at infinity bikes (highly recommended). Bring plenty of water , snacks and plan the trails you want to take because it gets hot and there isn’t a lot of shade!
  • Very nice park for a good walk around. The RV park ruins the scenery a little but overall it's still a very nice place, with good rest points to sit down with your dog.
  • Beautiful biking and walking trails. We have been riding about 10 miles a day all week long. Ok, if you have a bike what are you waiting for?? We have found about 8 different places to park and unload the bikes. From Gulf Shores all the way to Orange Beach. Can't wait to comeback and do these trails again soon.
  • Best biking trails. Beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife.

Plan your trip to Orange Beach

  • Get a personalized trip
    A full day by day itinerary based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place. Everyone on the same page.