Have you ever wondered whatever happened to the state park golf course? Gulf State Park is getting a major upgrade that should make camping enthusiasts very excited. State officials are building a brand new executive campground on land where the golf course used to sit. The new facility will offer campers much more space and privacy than what's currently available. It will also feature amenities like a large pool, splash pad and pickleball court.

The campground is being built in two phases and should open sometime in the first half of 2026. Phase one will include 100 campsites, with another 100 planned for phase two. The entire project covers about 200 acres and costs $24 million.

Matthew Capps serves as Director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' State Parks Division. He said the new campground will be transformative for visitors. A new entrance off State Road 180, also known as Canal Road, will make getting to the campground much easier.

The entrance sits just a few hundred feet from the new Beach Express bridge overpass in Gulf Shores. Campers will be able to drive straight into the campground and start using the trails right away. This direct access is a big improvement over the current setup.

Gulf State Park is home to the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. This trail system has been ranked the top trail in America for three years running. It recently won recognition as Alabama's top tourist attraction at the Governor's Conference on Tourism Awards Banquet.

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The trail runs through portions of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Campers at the new facility will have easy access to this trail network through a special connector path.

Matt Young is the State Parks' Southern Operations Supervisor. He explained that the new campground addresses a serious need. The park's existing campground runs at more than 90% occupancy for 11 months every year.

Many people who want to camp at Gulf State Park can't get a reservation because it's so popular. The new campground will give those visitors another option. Young said there will be something for everyone in the family at the new location.

The new executive campground will feel very different from what campers are used to at the park. Regular campgrounds typically have about 30 feet between campsites. The new facility will have between 60 and 100 feet of space between sites.

This extra room will give families more privacy and a less crowded experience. Most sites will be designed for back-in camping. All campsites will be close to a bathhouse and within walking distance of the main amenities.

Some of the sites will have natural shade from trees. The campground will also be more private in terms of traffic. Unlike the south campground, which sees visitors going to other park features, the new location will be more secluded.

Young explained that the current south campground gets a lot of through traffic from people visiting the Nature Center and the boat launch at Middle Lake. The new executive campground will operate differently. Only registered campers will use the Canal Road entrance and exit.

The new campground will include a large activities center that serves multiple purposes. This building will have public restrooms that stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will also house washers and dryers that campers can use anytime.

The center will have event space and recreation areas for guests. Some rooms will be available to rent for special occasions. Young described it as a comprehensive facility with a great room for entertaining visitors.

Outside, campers will find a putting green as a tribute to the old golf course. The pool and splash pad will provide relief on hot summer days. The pickleball court offers another activity option for active families.

All of these features work together to create a resort-style camping experience. Capps said officials are really excited about the improvements coming to the park. The project represents a major investment in outdoor recreation along Alabama's Gulf Coast.

Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship said closing the golf course was one of the hardest decisions he's had to make in his role. However, the old golf course needed extensive repairs. It wasn't cost effective to renovate it from a return-on-investment standpoint.

Building a new campground made more sense financially. It also creates more opportunities for people to enjoy Gulf State Park. Blankenship said he can't wait to see the campground open next year.

The decision came after careful consideration of what would best serve park visitors. Camping has proven to be in much higher demand than golf at this location. The new campground should serve families and outdoor enthusiasts for many years to come.

Park officials haven't opened reservations yet for the new campground. Capps wants to make sure everything stays on schedule before letting people book campsites. The team needs to be closer to confirming the exact opening date first.

Once officials feel confident about the timing, they will announce when reservations open. This approach ensures that guests get accurate information for planning their trips. Nobody wants to book a campsite only to find out the opening got delayed.

Interested campers should watch for announcements on the Gulf State Park Facebook page. The park will also advertise through other channels when reservations become available. Getting a spot at the new campground will likely be competitive given the park's popularity.

The new campground isn't the only upgrade happening at Gulf State Park. Many other features have been remodeled or updated recently. The Gulf State Park Pier, Beach Pavilion and Romar Beach Access have all received improvements.