This Quiet Southern United States City Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers

Down at the southern tip of Alabama, where Mobile Bay snakes inland from the Gulf of America, lies a small, underrated community rich in history, culture, and natural wonders.

Fairhope, Alabama, has always been one of the jewels in the southern state’s tourism crown, attracting visitors with its warm climate, quaint streets, and down-home charm. What visitors may not realize, however, is that Fairhope lies in the Mobile Bay Estuary, a unique ecological region teeming with diverse flora and fauna. The town’s location in the estuary, combined with its proximity to Alabama’s Gulf Coast, makes Fairhope a paradise for nature lovers seeking an escape in the great outdoors.

Fairhope's Eco-Tourism Offering

Fairhope began as a Single Tax Colony, founded in 1908 to bring together political reformers, creatives, and entrepreneurs to build a utopian community on the shores of Mobile Bay.

A social experiment, art colony, and resort town — Fairhope has embraced its many identities over the years, but it is less well-known as an attractive eco-tourism destination. From hiking leafy urban parks and relaxing on sandy beaches to kayaking the calm, shallow waters of beautiful Mobile Bay, there is so much to explore in Fairhope and so many ways to enjoy its natural assets.

Natural Attractions in Fairhope

Parks and Green Spaces

Also known as the “town square,” the Fairhope Pier is the community’s central recreation area. It is a place to wander the shore, dine at a waterfront restaurant, pack a picnic for the beach, or simply sit and enjoy the sweeping views of Mobile Bay. The quarter-mile pier juts into the bay beside a marina, gardens, walking trails, and a duck pond. The pier is currently being redeveloped to expand its facilities but remains open for public use.

Close to the pier, you will find North Beach Park which contains almost 500 species of trees. See them up close from the scenic Beach Park Tree Trail. The park also contains a playground, covered pavilion, picnic facilities, and restrooms.

For more local flora, head to the Marietta Johnson Botanical Garden within the Coastal Alabama Community College Campus downtown. A serene natural oasis in the heart of Fairhope, the garden is particularly popular in spring thanks to its colorful blooms.

Hiking and Biking Trails

If you are looking to get some exercise while seeing gorgeous Alabama scenery and breathing in the fresh bay air, visit the Weeks Bay Reserve. This research center is open to the public and is a great place to learn about the local environment. Take the self-guided nature trail that meanders through the reserve’s various habitats, including upland and bottomland hardwood forests and salt and freshwater marshes.

Fairhope is also home to the Eastern Shore Trail, a 23-mile hiking and biking pathway that connects Fairhope with the neighboring town of Daphne. The route passes over boardwalks, bridges, and oak-lined pathways, offering photo-worthy views of the bay beyond.

Water-Based Recreation

Being a bayside town, it is no surprise that Fairhope has lots of opportunities to dive in and enjoy the water. Fairhope Municipal Beach, also known as North Beach, is the town’s primary swimming spot. You will find more beach access at South Beach Park and Orange Street Pier Beach.

Thanks to its warm, calm waters, Mobile Bay is a great kayaking and canoeing destination. You can rent both from Fairhope Boat Co and launch yourself from the Fairhope Docks Marine. If you want to ride the waves with an expert, the Fairhope Boat Co. also offers guided kayaking tours.

For anglers or wannabe anglers, the bay is also a fishing hotspot. A local firm, Charter Fishing Fairhope, can help you cast your line and take home Trout, Redfish, Tripletail, Tarpon, and Sheepshead on one of their charter trips. Point Clear Fishing Adventures also offers inshore fishing trips for both beginner and expert anglers.

Wildlife Watching

Kayakers, paddlers, and swimmers aren’t the only ones enjoying Mobile Bay’s balmy waters. The bay is also home to several dolphin pods, and lucky visitors can catch a glimpse of these gentle marine mammals while on a sightseeing dolphin cruise. Book with Mobile Bay Adventures to reserve a full or half-day tour that takes visitors along the Eastern Shore to spot some local dolphins and snap a few photos.

From friendly dolphins to not-so-friendly gators. Just a 30-minute drive east of Fairhope is Alligator Alley, an alligator farm stocked with rescued gators who had to be removed from areas where they were becoming a nuisance. The park contains a raised viewing platform where you can see over 600 alligators, from hatchlings to mature adults, as they enjoy their natural habitat. Stop by the ‘gator station’ to hold a baby alligator and get a photo. If you are there at feeding time, you can even help the staff give them a snack.

Southern Alabama is well known as a birders paradise, and Fairhope is a prime location along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. Part of the Trail’s Eastern Shore, Mobile Bay Causeway and Blakeley Island Loop, Fairhope Municipal Pier and Beach is where you can expect to see Great Egrets, Snowy Plovers, Barred Owls, Brown Pelicans, and other unique species.

Fairhope Unique’s Ecology

Uniquely positioned on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Fairhope lies in an area of key ecological importance. The Mobile Bay Estuary provides vital breeding and nesting grounds for several species of marine life. In 1995, it was officially named an Estuary of National Significance. The estuary is teeming with life, providing habitat for more than 300 species of birds, 310 species of fish, 68 species of reptiles, 57 species of mammals, and 40 species of amphibians. The bay is also home to some important threatened or endangered species, such as the West Indian Manatee, Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle, and Loggerhead Sea Turtle.

Community Preservation and Conservation

Fairhope is inseparable from its beautiful surroundings, and the town recognizes that for it to thrive, its natural environment must thrive, too. Many environmental groups in the community are working to create sustainable practices that protect Mobile Bay and its wild inhabitants.

Fairhope is the headquarters for the South Alabama Land Trust, a community-driven organization dedicated to preserving environmentally sensitive land in the area. The group works with landowners to protect habitats and provide public access to walking trails and nature walks. It also raises awareness of the region’s environmental challenges and runs educational programs to invite widespread community participation.

For over three decades, Fairhope has been the hometown of Earth Day Mobile Bay, a celebration of nature that promotes conservation while showcasing the best of the area’s recreational activities. The family-friendly event takes place at the Fairhope Pier and includes live music, food vendors, and environmental exhibits.

An Alabama Adventure

Close to Alabama’s Gulf Coast and lying on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Fairhope is a nature lover's dream with lots of beautiful locations to explore on and off the water. Bear in mind that Fairhope has a subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The peak tourist season in this year-round destination is typically summer, so you may want to plan your trip for the shoulder seasons of spring and fall when the weather is still warm but the beaches are less crowded. Take a sunset kayak in the bay, cuddle with a baby gator, or hike oak-lined waterfront trails. Whatever your Alabama adventure, it is sure to be unforgettable.