Where is Gulf Shores Located? - Gulf Shores is a city located in the Baldwin County of Alabama, United States. Gulf Shores lies between 61.5809 Degrees North latitudes and 149.4411 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores Map, Alabama, USA
Where is Gulf Shores?: The Google Map showing the location of Gulf Shores in the U.S. state of Alabama.
Where is Gulf Shores Located?
Gulf Shores is a city located in the Baldwin County of Alabama, United States. Gulf Shores lies between 61.5809 Degrees North latitudes and 149.4411 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Gulf Shores city is 15014 people and the city has a total area of 28.18 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.
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Gulf Shores, Alabama Quick Facts
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| City | Gulf Shores |
| County | Baldwin County |
| State | Alabama |
| State Capital | Montgomery |
| US Region | Southern United States |
| Latitude | 30.2460°N |
| Longitude | 87.7008°W |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Land Area | 28.69 sq mi |
| Water Area | 4.38 sq mi |
| Total Area | 33.07 sq mi |
| Population (latest Census year) | 15,014 (Census 2020) |
| Population Density | Approximately 523 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 36542, 36547 |
| Area Code | 251 |
| Time Zone Standard | Central Standard Time (CST, UTC−6) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 01-31720 |
| Congressional District | Alabama's 1st Congressional District |
Nearby Cities to Gulf Shores, Alabama
- Orange Beach, Alabama — 7 mi East
- Foley, Alabama — 13 mi North
- Pensacola, Florida — 34 mi East
- Fairhope, Alabama — 37 mi North
- Daphne, Alabama — 41 mi North
- Bay Minette, Alabama — 49 mi North
- Mobile, Alabama — 54 mi Northwest
- Robertsdale, Alabama — 27 mi North
- Lillian, Alabama — 24 mi Northeast
- Elberta, Alabama — 17 mi North
Driving Distances from Gulf Shores, Alabama
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Beach | Alabama | 7 | 15 minutes |
| Foley | Alabama | 13 | 20 minutes |
| Pensacola | Florida | 34 | 50 minutes |
| Fairhope | Alabama | 37 | 55 minutes |
| Daphne | Alabama | 41 | 1 hour |
| Mobile | Alabama | 54 | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Bay Minette | Alabama | 49 | 1 hour |
| Biloxi | Mississippi | 88 | 1 hour 35 minutes |
| Montgomery | Alabama | 194 | 3 hours |
| New Orleans | Louisiana | 177 | 3 hours |
Transportation and Connectivity in Gulf Shores, Alabama
| Transportation | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Gulf Shores International Airport |
| IATA Code | GUF |
| Port | Port of Gulf Shores Marina |
| Major Highways | Alabama State Route 59, Alabama State Route 182, Baldwin Beach Express (nearby) |
| Train/Amtrak Service | No Amtrak service; nearest station is Mobile (planned future service) |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Baldwin Regional Area Transit System (BRATS) |
- Alabama State Route 59 is the main north-south highway connecting Gulf Shores with Foley and Interstate 10.
- Alabama State Route 182 (Beach Boulevard) runs along the Gulf Coast and links Gulf Shores with Orange Beach and Perdido Key.
- The Baldwin Beach Express provides a faster route to Interstate 10 and inland Baldwin County.
- County Road 6 offers an alternate east-west connection between Gulf Shores and neighboring coastal communities.
- BRATS provides regional public transportation connecting Gulf Shores with nearby cities in Baldwin County.
What are top Places to Visit in Gulf Shores, Alabama
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Gulf State Park | State Park |
| Gulf Shores Public Beach | Beach |
| Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo | Zoo |
| Waterville USA | Water Park |
| Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife Refuge |
| Gulf State Park Pier | Fishing Pier |
| Little Lagoon | Natural Attraction |
| The Wharf at Orange Beach | Entertainment District |
| Fort Morgan Historic Site | Historic Site |
| Bon Secour Bay | Natural Attraction |
Colleges and Universities in Gulf Shores, Alabama
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Southern University | Private | University | Online degree programs |
| Coastal Alabama Community College – Gulf Shores Campus | Public | Community College | Career and workforce education |
| University of South Alabama – Baldwin County Programs | Public | University | Undergraduate and graduate education |
| Troy University – Baldwin County Support Center | Public | University | Adult and continuing education |
| Baldwin County Public School System | Public | K–12 District | Public education serving Gulf Shores |
Waterbodies in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf of Mexico, Little Lagoon, Bon Secour Bay, Bon Secour River, Oyster Bay, Mobile Bay, Perdido Bay, Intracoastal Waterway, Wolf Bay, Lake Shelby
Golf Courses in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Kiva Dunes Golf Course, Gulf Shores Golf Club, Craft Farms Golf Resort, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, Cotton Creek at Craft Farms, Cypress Bend at Craft Farms, GlenLakes Golf Club, Soldier's Creek Golf Club
Gulf Shores, Alabama — Key Historical Facts
- Gulf Shores began as a small fishing and vacation community during the early twentieth century, attracting visitors with its white-sand beaches and Gulf Coast scenery.
- The city was officially incorporated in 1956 and steadily developed into one of Alabama's premier coastal tourism destinations.
- Construction of modern highways and bridges significantly improved access, encouraging residential growth and year-round tourism.
- Hurricanes, including Hurricane Frederic in 1979 and Hurricane Sally in 2020, caused substantial damage but also led to major rebuilding and coastal resilience projects.
- Today, Gulf Shores is internationally recognized for its beaches, outdoor recreation, family attractions, and thriving tourism industry, making it one of the Gulf Coast's most popular vacation destinations.
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