Graham Creek Nature Preserve

A 600-acre park near Orange Beach with a kayak and canoe launch, archery range, trails, and disc golf courses is waiting to be explored. Welcome to the Graham Creek Nature Preserve. 

This city sanctuary is a living library of biological diversity and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The preserve hosts multiple ecosystems, including pine savannas, tidal marshes, and bottomland wetlands. These diverse habitats have been carefully preserved and cultivated, providing a snapshot of the region's environmental heritage. 

The preserve also carries the footprints of history, with archaeological sites whispering stories of the Native American people who once thrived on the land.

Visiting Graham Creek Nature Preserve is like flipping through pages of an ecological epic where each trail, plant, and creature forms part of a larger, vibrant narrative. 

The Graham Creek Nature Preserve has a nature center, pavilion, meeting room, outdoor stage, and wedding and reception venues.

Here, passion for preservation and community engagement converge, creating a space that is as nurturing for the spirit as it is for the earth.

Fun Facts & Cool Features

Graham Creek Nature Preserve is an ecological playground brimming with surprises at every corner. Among its attractions is the remarkable pitcher plant bog, a rare ecosystem that mars the landscape with twisting greenery and carnivorous flowers—a sight that unfolds with surreal beauty. 

Equally captivating is the intricate network of canoe and kayak trails, where the gentle lap of water complements the rustle of the leaves.

For the sports-inclined, three 18-hole disc golf courses meander through the towering pines, posing a delightful challenge for players amidst the calls of the wild. 

The archery course features a child and adult course and a shooting tower. Near the pavilion are grills, horseshoe pits, and swings, making the preserve perfect for family picnics and get-togethers.

And let's not forget the remarkable wildlife observation areas, which bring guests face-to-face with the vibrant tapestry of life that calls this place home. You may spot the gopher tortoise, a keystone species whose burrows provide shelter for over 300 different organisms.

When visiting Orange Beach, Graham Creek Nature Preserve is a must-visit for an immersive journey through nature's marvels.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions:

• Start by heading east from the heart of Orange Beach on Canal Road/AL-180.
• Turn left onto Foley Beach Express, and after 3.4 miles, merge onto AL-59 N toward Loxley.
• Continue for 11.7 miles, then take a left onto County Road 12 S.
• After 5.2 miles, make a right onto Wolf Bay Drive.
• Continue for another 1.3 miles, turning left onto County Road 65.
• In approximately 1.5 miles, turn right onto Miflin Road (County Road 20).
• Graham Creek Nature Preserve will be on your right, just before you reach the Foley Beach Express.
• Address: 23030 Wolf Bay Drive, Foley, Alabama 36535

Cost

Visiting Graham Creek Nature Preserve is free of charge. Specific venues and rooms require a fee; check their website for details.