Dauphin Island Shell Mound Park
A self-guided tour through Shell Mound Park is a "must do" during any Dauphin Island vacation.
Shell Mound park is probably the single most visited spot for birds returning to the Alabama Gulf Coast after their long spring migration north over the Gulf of Mexico. For this reason Shell Mound Park is a hot spot for birders through the migration seasons.
But don't take our word for it. Read what the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has to say about Dauphin Island's Shell Mound Park:
The Shell Mounds and Dauphin Island in general are renowned "hot-spots" for observing neotropical migrant birds, and attract birders from around the U.S. each spring and fall. Dauphin Island is the first point of land encountered by migrants during their spring migration across the Gulf of Mexico. The entire Island is a bird sanctuary.
Indian Shell Mound Park is located on the northern shore of Dauphin Island. The park is maintained and administered by Alabama Marine Resources Division.
Shell Mound Park consists of eleven acres of subtropical natural beauty. The park is a botanical treasure-trove unlike that found on any other Gulf barrier island.
Many plant species which can be found at Shell Mound Park are representatives of families found as far inland as the Appalachian Mountains and from as far south as Yucatan state, Mexico. Many of them were likely transported here hundreds of years ago by Indian groups for medicinal and culinary purposes.
The park is full of giant moss-draped live oaks. Some are estimated to be in excess of 800 years old. You'll see trees which were mature specimens when the Spaniards first visited the shores of Dauphin Island in 1519.
Dauphin Island's Shell Mound Park is popular with vacationers, student groups, elder-hostels and birding groups. An estimated 25,000 people visit the Mounds each year.
Call Alabama Marine Resources Division (251) 861-2882 for more info.