22250 E Beach Blvd
Gulf Shores, AL

Alabama’s beaches are known for being safe, clean havens for families. In an effort to protect our environment as well as our local wildlife, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach enacted the Leave Only Footprints initiative many years ago. Through the LOF program, the two cities implemented a few simple, easy-to-follow beach rules and regulations. Learn more about how you can help us keep our beautiful beaches clean and safe for years to come through Leave Only Footprints. As you plan your visit to our pristine beaches, you may be wondering what can I bring? While vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, please note what items are allowed and not allowed on Alabama's beaches.

Orange Beach, AL

While vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, please remember that the following items are NOT allowed on our beaches: glass containers, drones, tobacco, e-cigarettes, or vapes, holes larger than 12 inches, fireworks, sky lanterns, or sparklers, metal shovels or excessive digging, loud music, litter, fires, grills, or cooking devices, pets, overnight camping, vehicles, and golf carts.

101 Gulf Shores Pkwy
Gulf Shores, AL

Here are a few items that ARE allowed on our beaches: beach chairs, umbrellas, food, drinks in non-glass containers, coolers, kites, beach wagons/caddies, portable radios and speakers.

20115 State Park Rd
Gulf Shores, AL

All tents, canopies, and EZ-Ups must be placed behind the white Leave Only Footprints flags when set up on Orange Beach and Gulf Shores’ public beaches. Tents or structures larger than 12’ x 12’ in Orange Beach or 10’ x or 7’ x 7’ x 4’ in Gulf Shores are not allowed, depending on the beach access location (see each city’s website for further clarification and updates).

25900 Perdido Beach Blvd
Orange Beach, AL

Beach warning flags are posted at all public beach areas in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Gulf State Park. Conditions are monitored throughout the day. Please remember that the absence of red flags does not assure safe conditions. Within the corporate city limits of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, it is illegal to enter the Gulf of Mexico when two red flags are displayed. Please visit our beach safety page for daily beach conditions and important safety tips.

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States

In an effort to protect our environment as well as our local wildlife, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach enacted the Leave Only Footprints initiative many years ago. As you leave the beach each day, take everything with you! All personal beach items must be removed one hour after sunset and may not be set back up until one hour after sunrise. Every morning at dawn, crews dispose of any remaining beach gear so that these items don’t get swept into the Gulf and protect the turtles as they navigate between land and water.

West Beach Boulevard

Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States

All three species of sea turtles found on our coast are on the endangered list, and any human contact with a sea turtle or its nest is extremely harmful. Disturbing sea turtles and their nests is a federal offense. If you see a sea turtle on the beach or in nearby waters, move away from it so that you don’t disrupt its natural behavior. Turtles need us to stay away to survive. Other sea turtle initiatives in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach include lighting changes on the beachside of resorts and houses, removing beach gear and structures after dark, and muted lighting on flashlights. Respect the rules to help the turtles make a comeback!

20115 State Park Rd
Gulf Shores, AL

If you dig a hole, fill it before you leave the beach. Holes are hazardous, particularly to sea turtles and humans. Large holes also become a hazard to our first responders during rescues. No holes deeper than 12-inches are allowed.

Orange Beach

Orange Beach, Alabama, United States

It is imperative that lifeguards have an unobstructed view of the shoreline and that emergency response teams have access to the water without delays. Additionally, if left unattended, tents set up along the water can result in a build-up of marine debris and trash.

25900 Perdido Beach Blvd
Orange Beach, AL

For more information about beach rules & regulations, click "visit website" below. For more information about beach safety, click "more details" below.