Gulf State Park and Pontoon boat.

I don't believe the lakes in the campground connect to the Gulf.

On a normal day, I don't think you would have any problems with the pontoon in the ICW. There is a launch ramp at Blue Lagoon State park, but there is probably one closer to your park in Alabama. Have a cheeseburger at Pirates Cove Marina, one of my favorite places. Keep in mind salt water is very hard on boats intended for fresh water.

Do any locals know of a rental place in that area? It never hurts to have another option.

You perked my curiosity as we go to Gulf Shores fairly often.
Go to Google Earth and get an overhead of the lake @GSP. Follow all the outlets on the lake. I can't find one that connects to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to get to Perdido Key/Orange Beach. Put your boat back on the trailer and haul it down to the Orange Beach Pass, several boat launches there. I'd be "very wary" of bringing a pontoon boat out into the Gulf though.

Dave

The Coast Guard takes a very dim view of pontoon boats in the Gulf of Mexico. Stay in the ICW.

Thanks.
I loaded google maps and it showed a canal to a larger lake then another connection to the ICW to perdido key.
But I do know how maps can be deceiving.

oops

oops again, never had it not post the post 3 times. Sorry

KA4EBU wrote:
Thanks.
I loaded google maps and it showed a canal to a larger lake then another connection to the ICW to perdido key.
But I do know how maps can be deceiving.

"Canal" is a very misleading word. More like an 8' wide, shallow, cut in the swamp.

Shelby Lake at Gulf State Park does not connect to the Gulf but Little Lagoon, located west of the park does allow for small craft to access the gulf. The inlet is shallow and there is an overhead bridge that may cause problems. A drive down West Beach road will give you a good look at the pass.

There is a Nice Canal that many barges and huge boats use, many bays and coves that you can use pontoon boats. I wouldn't recommend taking one out on the gulf, but there are plenty of other places in the area to put in pontoons.

And, there are several businesses that rent pontoons as well.