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Bayfront Park: Coastal Beauty and Birding Paradise

Discover coastal serenity at Bayfront Park in Coden, Alabama: a haven for birdwatchers, families, and nature enthusiasts with stunning bay views.

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Bayfront Park in Coden, Alabama, is a revitalized coastal park on Mobile Bay, offering stunning views, a sandy beach, and diverse birdlife. Renovated in March 2025, it's a haven for birdwatchers, families, and nature enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape.

A brief summary to Bayfront Park - A Mobile County Park

Local tips

  • Visit during the early morning or late afternoon for the best bird watching opportunities [3].
  • Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a meal with a beautiful view of the bay [3].
  • Don't forget your camera! The sunsets here are spectacular and perfect for photography [3].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    If driving from Mobile, take I-10 West and exit onto AL-193 South (Cody Road) [3]. Follow AL-193 South until it merges with Dauphin Island Parkway (AL-163) [3]. Continue on Dauphin Island Parkway for approximately 15 miles [3]. Bayfront Park will be on your left at 15961 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Coden, AL 36523 [3]. Free parking is available at the park [3].

  • Public Transport

    From Mobile, take a Wave Transit bus towards the Coden area [3]. Check the Wave Transit website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules [3]. From the nearest bus stop in Coden, utilize a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft to reach Bayfront Park, as public transport may not directly stop at the park [3]. Expect to pay around $10-$15 for the rideshare from Coden to the park [3].

  • Ferry

    For a scenic route from Fort Morgan, take the Dauphin Island Ferry [3]. The ferry ride takes approximately 40-45 minutes [3]. Upon arrival at Dauphin Island, follow AL-193 N across the Dauphin Island bridge to the mainland [3]. Continue north on Dauphin Island Parkway (AL-163) [3]. Bayfront Park will be on your right [3]. The ferry costs $6 for pedestrians, $16 for a car and driver, and $4.50 for each additional passenger [3].

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Discover more about Bayfront Park - A Mobile County Park

Bayfront Park, located in Coden, Alabama, is a revitalized coastal gem offering a blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities [3]. Situated on the shores of Mobile Bay, the park has long been a beloved destination, drawing visitors with its stunning views and tranquil atmosphere [3, 4]. Originally a humble picnic spot and birdwatcher's paradise, Bayfront Park underwent significant renovations, reopening in March 2025 [3, 4]. These improvements, funded by Deepwater Horizon settlement funds, have transformed the park into a modern coastal retreat while preserving its natural charm [3, 5, 7, 11]. The park's location, about a mile north of the Dauphin Island Bridge, allows visitors to enjoy coastal scenery and observe ships traversing the Mobile Ship Channel [3, 4]. The park's most prominent feature is its newly constructed, 900-foot-long pocket beach, the largest on Mobile Bay [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. This protected sandy beach offers a safe space for swimming, paddling, fishing, and crabbing [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11]. The calm waters and gentle slope make it ideal for families, while the picturesque shoreline provides a backdrop for relaxation [3]. Beyond the beach, Bayfront Park boasts amenities to enhance the visitor experience [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. A nautical-themed playground provides a fun space for children, while new pavilions and picnic areas offer shaded spots for outdoor meals [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Walking paths meander through the park, allowing visitors to explore the wetland nature habitat and observe the abundant birdlife [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11]. Bayfront Park is designated as site #46 on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9]. The park's history is intertwined with the rise and fall of tourism in the Coden area [3, 10, 12]. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Coden was a popular resort destination [3, 10, 12]. A hurricane in 1906 and a fire in 1927 impacted the area's infrastructure [3, 10, 12]. Despite the decline of tourism, Bayfront Park remained a beloved local gathering spot [3].

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