The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf State Park has once again been honored as the best recreational trail in the United States, securing the top spot in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for 2024. This marks the third consecutive year the trail has received this national recognition, underscoring its status as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Spanning 29 miles through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Gulf State Park, the trail offers a diverse array of ecosystems and recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy biking, hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, and camping along both paved and unpaved paths. Established in 2003 and named after Hugh Branyon, the longtime superintendent of Gulf State Park, the trail has become a cherished asset for both locals and tourists.

The area in which the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail lies was once inhabited by Native Americans thousands of years ago. Their early hunting paths later became logging roads for European settlers in the 1700s, and centuries later, some of those roads, including Catman Road, were "rediscovered" and converted into the paths of the Backcountry Trail. The first trail section was completed in 2003 and named for the former Gulf State Park Superintendent Hugh S. Branyon, who had a burning passion for the outdoors and served in his position from 1970 until his retirement in 2009.

The trail's recognition also highlights the broader appeal and importance of recreational trails in Alabama. Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner, noted, "Recreational trails provide many positive benefits to our communities and our economy. Trails like the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail help connect cities and residents with the natural environment and provide recreational opportunities that are important to our well-being."

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail topped a list of esteemed trails across the country, including the Chessie Trail in Virginia and Missouri's Katy Trail. Its continued recognition serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of state and local organizations dedicated to preserving and enhancing Alabama's natural resources.

For more information about the trail and its offerings, visitors can visit their website at: Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail | Orange Beach, AL

USA Today Reader's Choice Award