Rattlesnake Ridge Trail

Rattlesnake Ridge was once an unimproved "service road" between the new Orange Beach City Hall, and Gulf State Park. The first Mayor of Orange Beach and Hugh Branyon, Gulf State Park Superintendent were walking the path one morning, discussing the possibility of converting this two-track into a walking trail. Along the way, they came across a giant diamondback rattlesnake. Orange Beach's Mayor wanted no part of the trail project after that!

Twenty years later, this path was indeed converted into the trail now called "Rattlesnake Ridge", owing its name to the story told by Mr. Branyon. Interesting fact: The base material for this trail was crushed concrete from the former Gulf State Park Lodge, which was condemned after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.