This is by far the most difficult beach access to get to, but worth the adventure. This is a scenic drive down Fort Morgan road just outside the fort where you can get glimpses of the sparkling water on both sides of the road along the way.
Be sure to plan your trip on a day when there hasn’t been a recent torrential downpour. The road tends to flood closer to the access area.
Upon arrival here, your off road adventure begins. The distance from Fort Morgan Road to the sand is approximately 1300 feet of a washed out asphalt road. Aside from the washed out road, you have up to a 3 foot drop off in some areas of the road which drops off to a loose mixture of light, red sand.
Now I’m no genius, but I’d say a BMW sports car isn’t meant for off-roading. Also, pulling 6 x 12 enclosed trailer out of a 3 foot drop off hitched to your pickup truck is not ideal.
Believe me it happened and it made for a few good laughs that day. Now it’s not to say you need a truck, jeep, or ATV to get there, I have seen a variety of different vehicles parked there but just be aware of the extra challenges at this location.
Along the road side nature begins. Protected areas are on both sides of the road for bird nesting and you will see a variety of species there. Some are Belted Kingfisher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Brown-headed Nuthatch, White-eyed Vireo, Bobolink and the Brown-headed Cowbird.
When you reach the beautiful, white sand there is still a short protective strip for where both birds and turtles lay their eggs. From July to October, female sea turtles make their way onto the beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast to lay their eggs. The turtles lay an average of 110 eggs per nest with an incubation period of 55 to 70 days.
From the sand to the shoreline it’s approximately 350 feet. The water here is a little darker than other areas because it connects to the mouth of Mobile Bay, but the fishing here is great. People often catch…………
Looking out over the Gulf you see a couple oil rigs and the Sand Island Lighthouse in the distance. This beach is never crowded and there are no restrictions to the have a tent at the shoreline.
Keep in mind while at this location, that there are also no amenities at this location: no bathroom, no shower, no water fountains, etc. Just 1.2 miles down the road is Tacky Jack’s restaurant and Dockside Marina to meet those needs. Plan ahead by bringing a cooler with plenty of water in the meantime.
The fishing pier on Ft. Morgan is scheduled to be rebuilt. The existing pier was closed due to safety concerns in 2014.
The old wooden pier was deemed unsafe due to its supports being too deteriorated for repair. The new solid concrete pier will be 500 feet long with 24,000 square feet of deck space. Construction should begin in August with completion planned by the end of the year.
Also, located in eyesight of the entrance to this beach access is the vehicle loading area for the ferry that crosses Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island.
Ft. Morgan
Located on Mobile Point, at the end of Scenic Fort Morgan Peninsula, is the entrance one of the area’s most popular attraction, Fort Morgan.
Named for Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan, it was built on the site of the earlier Fort Bowyer, an earthen and stockade type fortification involved in the final land battles of the War of 1812. Construction was completed in 1834 and it received its first garrison in March of the same year.
Standing guard where the bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, the fort played a significant role in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. Used intermittently through the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, the site showcases the evolution of seacoast fortifications and adaptations made by the U.S. Army for the defense of the country.
HOURS OF OPERATIONS
GROUNDS, BEACH, AND FISHING — 8:00AM TO 5:00PM DAILY
MUSEUM/GIFT SHOP 251-540-7127 — 9:00AM TO 4:30PM DAILY
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE — 8:00AM TO 5:00PM MON. thru FRI.
METAL DETECTING IS NOT PERMITTED ON PROPERTY
ADULT $7
SENIOR OVER 65 $5
STUDENT OVER 12 $5
CHILD 6-12 $4
UNDER 6 FREE
Also, located in eyesight of the entrance to this beach access is the vehicle loading area for the ferry that crosses Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island.
How to Find It
This is an easy location to get to. Just drive south on Highway 161 and turned left on Perdido Beach Blvd, Highway 182. The beach access is about a block down on the right.