The Gulf State Park opened in the summer of 1939 and tourism became the lead source of revenue for the local economy. But in 1968 the addition of the park's then 825 foot pier helped to put the park on the map. The Gulf State Park Pier has been the scene of many amazing catches, pictures, sunsets and storms over the years. It has been knocked down and damaged but the State of Alabama and local contractors have rebuilt it to be longer and stronger after each catastrophe.

Since the damage from Hurricane Sally the now 1,500+ foot pier has been under another major renovation.

Local and state officials, including Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein, gathered at Gulf State Park Pier on Friday, September 13, 2024, to celebrate the completion of the iconic pier’s extensive renovations. The $13.6 million project, which included repairs from damage caused by Hurricane Sally in 2020, has restored the pier to its former glory, allowing it to reopen to the public last month. The event underscored the pier’s significance as a beloved landmark for the Gulf Coast community.

“If you want to get an understanding of why our state is called ‘Alabama the Beautiful,’ all you need to do is stand on the pier here at Gulf State Park,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource (ADCNR). “There’s no better spot to enjoy God’s creation than by seeing a sunrise or sunset from the Gulf State Park Pier.”

The pier closed from November 2023 to August 2024 for the $13.6 million renovation project, which was led by contractor MD Thomas Construction, based in Orange Beach. In September 2020, Hurricane Sally destroyed a 200-foot section of the pier and caused other damage. The repairs to the pier were paid with funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deepwater Horizon Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) funds and State Park revenues. Commissioner Blankenship serves as the Lead NRDA Trustee for Alabama.

ADCNR navigated a lengthy process to obtain federal permits for the renovation and repair work, and the renovated pier opened last month to rave reviews from locals and tourists.

“We couldn’t have completed this project, which made the pier better than ever, without support from my fellow NRDA trustees, local governments and state and federal legislators,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “The pier is an iconic spot on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, and it’s wonderful to have it open for business again.”

While the pier’s restaurant, gift shop and beach access are fully operational, the observation deck, located above the octagon on the pier’s south end, will reopen soon.