Quiet, peaceful, and filled with natural beauty-- a perfect place to take a walk when you're visiting Dauphin Island. We saw abundant wildlife and blooming coastal flowers within the park. One trail takes visitors over the dunes and onto the beach. Stunning in every way!

If your a local or visiting dauphin island this is a hidden gem. If you like the outdoors it's certainly worth a visit. The trails are well kept and clean. The lake view and the beach access are very nice with great sights. Kids enjoy it too granted they like the outdoors. It may not seem like a big place on the map but it certainly has a extensive network if trails to keep you busy for hours.

Quite nice place to visit and see a bit of nature. The lake is beautiful, even if it does have alligators. Yep we spotted one and he came close but now I have some really great photos. Worth the visit, particularly since it cost nothing. Parking is scarce but you can park on the median of the main road.

Awesome park/sanctuary on Dauphin Island. Several hiking/walking trails available. Some have boardwalks much of the way but nearly all of them end at some point. We were able to use a stroller through everything except the little spur out to the beach. The forest is beautiful. Tall pines that make the area above the underbrush feel open and airy. Mixed in are some oaks and magnolias with interesting branch structure. We were here in early September so it was still hot and not many wild flowers to be seen. From the dock on Alligator Lake we saw closer to a dozen turtles of varying species swimming around. Some were huge, shell maybe a foot or more wide. Didn't see any gators though, unfortunately. Maybe was time of day, mid afternoon, or year, but mosquitoes were pretty rough through the swamp and forest. If you kept moving it wasn't too bad, but our 2 year old got hammered with bites. Parking is somewhat limited. No real amenities, but some people had hiked out to the beach and were chillin.

I visited the sanctuary during Thanksgiving this year, and even though it is not a great time for birds, I was very pleased with what I observed. Great natural habitat and beach. It was quiet early morning and a great walk around the different terrain areas. I was surprised by 2 plump cats (probably from the RV camp next door) prowling the grounds! I guess they are helping keep the bird population in check. I'll definitely look to return during miagration season!

This was a nice peaceful walk around the beautiful, lush bird sanctuary! It was a lot bigger then I thought it would be. The sanctuary is a huge forest with paths you can walk on and see the tall pine trees, bushes, and the birds that live in them! There are also signs and maps around the park telling you where you can go- like the lake with crocodiles and cute little turtles; or the path to the sandy white beach! I recommend taking some water with you though; it can get kinda hot!

Very nice 550 ft boardwalk in the shade to a small lake with lots of turtles if you're looking for an easy stroll. Lots more trails if you want to get a good hike.

Worth a stop if you are in the area. Nice dog friendly trail through the woods. A large part of the beach was closed off for nesting birds. After all, it is a bird sanctuary

Beautiful scenic paths for short day hikes and bird watching. There is a large alligator who lives in the big pond. He likes to hang out near the pier!

Great place to stop while you are on Dauphine Island. Beautiful lake, swamp and ocean views. Fantastic place to relax sitting by the lake or the ocean.

Beautiful trail with diverse scenery including lakes, wetlands, forest, dunes and beaches. Not a lot of parking available but when we went there were only a few people on the trails. Very well maintained trails and boardwalks.

We enoyed a family hike here. Saw some turtles, fish and alligator at the pond. Strangely, we saw very few birds. Very doable hike for all ages/skill levels.

Bigger than I thought it would be. About 2 miles of trail I walked without even completing it and I had a great time admiring nature.

Very nice walk and the little dock out into the lake was a great spot to view turtles!

My husband was excited for this. He hoped to see birds and gators. Instead we got poor maps and lots of mosquitoes. I think if we returned with lower expectations we may enjoy it a little more.

Wonderful place to go walking. Not so many birds in winter, but very quiet and picturesque.

Oh so recommend!!!! They have handicap spaces but they are limited so plan accordingly. The Lake Loop trail is a mixture of boardwalk and nature trail. We took the boardwalk to the lake overview and got lots of great pictures from there, mostly of turtles. We then left the boardwalk and were able to take the nature trail. The trails are compacted enough to where a wheelchair can roll on them. You will have to watch for some really sandy spots and roots, but other than that my husband, in a wheelchair, was able to enjoy the sights of the trail and take some nice pics. When the trail looped towards the beach and we took the boardwalk up and over to the dune trail observation point we saw an Osprey in their nest. Got a great pic of a shrimp boat in the water. Finished the trail around to the boardwalk and got back to the parking area. One thing I enjoyed was that there were benches at random areas around the trail, that for folks like me, can take rest breaks and sit without being in the way and could be in the shade. Definitely will be back.

Quiet! The only negative is people parking in it to go to the beach, leaves no room for the ones actually going to the sanctuary

Clean, easy to follow trails and walkways. Took family throughout and loved it. The signage was a great plus to read up on and learn about all the plant and animal life. 100% recommend everyone come at least once. PSA- pack it in...pack it out.

Audubon Bird Sanctuary is a wonderful place for a tranquil walk with your leashed dog. The boardwalk meanders through the tall pines, ancient magnolias and live oaks. Visitors can overlook Gaillard Lake and perhaps spot one of the resident alligators. There is beach access as well. Hours are from dusk to dawn. Bird watchers might be interested to know that the island is on the migration route for many species. In fact over 400 bird types have been spotted on Dauphin Island.

Beautiful place but not a lot of birds, I must have not looked hard enough. lots of turtles though! The walkways are nice, able to bring strollers on the path! Bring bug spray and sunscreen though