Fort Gaines, Central Alabama Travel Guide
Explore a historic Civil War fort with original cannons and stunning views of Mobile Bay on Dauphin Island.
Historic Fort Gaines, located on Dauphin Island, Alabama, has guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay for over 150 years [3, 4]. A pre-Civil War masonry fort, it's best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay [5, 8]. Visitors can explore original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, and tunnels [3, 4].
A brief summary to Fort Gaines
- 51 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, Alabama, 36528, US
- Click to display
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- Monday 9 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
- Thursday 9 am-5 pm
- Friday 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday 9 am-5 pm
- Sunday 9 am-5 pm
Know before you go
Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Fort Gaines.
- Check the event schedule for cannon firing demonstrations and blacksmithing to enhance your visit [3, 4].
- Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the fort's ramparts, tunnels and grounds [3, 5].
- Bring sunscreen and a hat, as much of the fort is exposed to the sun [3, 5].
- Consider visiting during the off-season for fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience [14].
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Getting There
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Driving
From anywhere on Dauphin Island, follow Bienville Boulevard (AL-193) east towards the end of the island. Fort Gaines is located at the very eastern tip of Dauphin Island. Parking is available at the fort [6]. Parking fees are collected using the ParkMobile system [6, 14]. During peak season (April 1 through Labor Day), the fee is $10 per day from 8 AM to 7 PM [6, 14]. Off-season (post-Labor Day through March 31) the fee is $5 per day from 8 AM to 5 PM [6, 14].
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Ferry
Travelers can take the Mobile Bay Ferry from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island [7, 15]. From the ferry landing on Dauphin Island at 112 Bienville Blvd, follow Bienville Boulevard east for approximately 1 mile [7, 25]. Fort Gaines will be on your right. The ferry cost for a car and driver is $16, with an additional $4.50 per passenger [21]. Adult walk-on passengers are $5 each [21]. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes [15, 25].
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Ride Share
From Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), a taxi or rideshare to Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island is approximately a 45-minute drive [13]. Ride share services such as Uber and Lyft are available on Dauphin Island, but pick up times may be longer than usual [11, 19]. It is best to arrange transport in advance [13, 19]. The typical cost for a ride share from Mobile Regional Airport to Dauphin Island ranges from $138 to $2157 [11].
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Explore More of Central Alabama
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Explore Central Alabama
Explore Battery Duportail at Fort Morgan: A historic coastal defense site offering a glimpse into military engineering and Mobile Bay's strategic importance.
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