Information about our neighborhood

The lifestyle in the Fort Morgan community is "laid back". If you like heavy traffic, noise, condos, and crowded beaches, our neighborhood is not the place for your vacation. Ft. Morgan reminds us of how Gulf Shores, Destin, Panama City use to be- 30 to 50 years ago. The main highway leading from Gulf Shores to Fort Morgan ( ALA Highway # 180) is an improved paved road, our streets are paved; but there are no sidewalks, no traffic jams, and thus, no need for traffic lights.

Fort Morgan is a quiet and safe community. It is a mixture of full-time residents, and vacation homes.

Fort Morgan is located on the western end of a peninsula that is approximately 20 miles long. The west end of the peninsula ends at the mouth of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Directly west across the bay from Fort Morgan is Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island. A ferry operated by the State of Alabama provides auto, bicycle, and individual passage between Ft. Morgan and Dauphin Island on a regular, published schedule . A ferry ride with a visit to The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab ( which features live exhibits of the local marine habitats) and tour of Ft. Gaines is enjoyable.

At the end of Highway #180 is Fort Morgan. If you are interested in history, you will enjoy the Fort. You can explore the Fort grounds, view the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, watch the large ocean going vessels pass close by as they head to port at Mobile and back out to sea, and tour the air-conditioned museum on the Fort grounds. Also on the Fort grounds is the dock for the ferry that runs numerous times each day to and from Dauphin Island. You can actually drive your car onto the Ferry, ride to Dauphin Island, visit the sites, and return by Ferry; or, you may chose to drive back home by way of Mobile, stopping by Bellingrath Gardens, or venture west to Biloxi (about an hour from Mobile) to try your luck at the casinos. The Fort also has a fishing pier for your use to catch fish via rod and reel or throw net, crab, or simply relax and take it easy. Also, there is a public boat launch that may be used for launching boats and personal water craft for a $1.00 fee. A Family Pass to the Fort grounds can be purchased and will entitle you and your family unlimited access to the Fort grounds during your stay- otherwise, you will have to pay an admission fee each time you go onto the Fort grounds (no admission fee except the $1.00 boat launch fee is charged to launch your boat or watercraft).

Between our homes and the Fort is the former Ft. Morgan Marina, now know as Gulf Shores Marina and Yacht Club. The Marina is a half-mile from our homes. It has a convenience store, bait, tackle, ice, boat storage, Tacky Jack’s II restaurant and bar and a boat launch. Capt. Gary Bryant is a good fisherman, and has a beautiful boat (the Red Eye) that can accommodate up to six fishermen/women on half or full day trips of bottom fishing, trolling and bill fishing. Gary charters out of Ft. Morgan Marina. Gary is a great guy and can be reached at (251) 540-6982 (home) or (251) 978-4694 on his boat.
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Approximately 5.5 miles East towards Gulf Shores is The Pines public boat launch. It has a well maintained, concrete ramp and is a good place to launch small water craft, such as jet-skis, flat bottom fishing boats, etc. into Mobile Bay. It also features a small pier. There is no charge to use the boat ramp, but be careful - as the Bay is very shallow for a hundred yards or so.

Further East towards Gulf Shores are several places to eat. West Plaza offers some good pizza and a Mexican restaurant as well. You can call ahead and pick up- not much room for dining in. Also, there is a small convenience store, and a bar. Approximately 7 miles East toward Gulf Shores is Epsco’s Restaurant. There is also a convenience store with hardware and fishing items, and gas station located on site.

The Beach Club, located approximately 6 miles East toward Gulf Shores, is a new and very nice community-type development offering shopping and fine dining. It is fancy, but we have eaten there in casual clothes. The food is good. Also, within The Beach Club development, there is a newly opened shopping area, The Village Market, with fresh produce, wines, beer, deli meats and cheeses, convenience food items, beach attire, etc.

Approximately 10 miles East is the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Various hiking trails exist for your viewing of beautiful, native plants and wildlife; also offers a fresh water fishing pond.

Little Lagoon is approximately six miles long, and approximately a half or three quarters of a mile wide at its widest point. The lagoon offers shrimping, crabbing, and fishing for mullet, speckled trout, white trout, and flounder. Because the Lagoon is sheltered, if the Bay or Gulf are too rough for fishing or boating, the Lagoon can be enjoyed. There is an outlet from the Lagoon to the Gulf, but we would suggest that you launch from the Marina instead if you plan on boating in the Gulf.

For wildlife and bird watchers, a portion of Fort Morgan is a National Wildlife Refuge, and within a mile or so of our homes are several sites established by the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail for your viewing pleasure.