Saltwater and Songbirds: An RV Journey Along The Gulf Coast

Florida

Pensacola

Approximately 40% of all waterfowl and shorebirds migrating in North America travel over the Florida Panhandle, which is located along the Mississippi flyway, one of the four main bird migration routes across the U.S. Positioned in between the country’s longest stretch of protected seashore, Pensacola is also home to many species of native birds, and several sites listed on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail—all easily reached by RV along scenic coastal roads.

Uncle Sandy's Macaw Bird Park

For an up-close-and-personal look at exotic birds (or to adopt your own), head to Uncle Sandy’s Macaw Bird Park in Pensacola. After its eponymous founder died in 2013, the park was established as an attraction (the price of admission includes food to feed the birds), a rescue rehoming select birds, and a sanctuary educating visitors about the unique needs, challenges, and joys that come with owning a pet parrot.

Big Lagoon State Park

This 705-acre state park (a gateway for the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail) is located on the northwestern Florida coast. The park’s variety of landscapes—including pine flatwoods and saltwater tidal marshes—makes it an ideal place to spot shorebirds such as the snowy plover, least tern, sandpiper, and two dozen species of wood warbler during their spring and fall migrations. With a campground inside the park, you can rise early for sunrise birding or stay late for golden-hour photography—all from your RV base.

Gulf Islands National Seashore (Florida)

This 160-mile-long nationally-designated seashore comprises five barrier islands in Mississippi, seven unattached areas in Florida, and one U.S. Navy Base. Part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, the Gulf Islands National Seashore is one of the most-visited sites in the U.S. National Park system.

Millions of visitors each year explore the dunes, marshes, and maritime forests, which are home to hundreds of species of birds and other unique wildlife. RVing makes it easy to stay overnight at Fort Pickens Campground, giving you rare access to watch the dunes come alive with bird activity at dawn and dusk.

Alabama

Coastal BirdFest

Since 2004, birders of a feather have flocked together in Southern Alabama for Coastal BirdFest. Originally named for John L. Borom, a founder of the South Alabama Land Trust, the multi-day event held annually in April is now under the leadership of Alabama Audubon, which promises to continue and expand upon the festival’s guided birding excursions, workshops, and seminars.

Battleship Park

Decommissioned in 1947, the USS Alabama was built by the U.S. Navy for use in World War II, and is now preserved as a museum in Mobile Bay. Battleship Park is also known as a birders’ paradise, providing several distinct habitats for both waterfowl and grassland birds. Visit during low tide for a chance at spotting a heron, ibis, or egret. RVers can conveniently park nearby and explore both the park’s military history and birdlife without juggling hotel stays.

Dauphin Island

Voted "America's Birdiest City” for three years in a row, Dauphin Island is home to the 164-acre Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary. The refuge protects woodlands, swamps, and beaches along the southwestern Alabama Gulf Coast. Classified as a "Globally Important Bird Area" by the American Bird Conservancy, Dauphin Island is one of the best places in the U.S. to observe migratory birds on their way to (or from) the tropics.

Smallest Church on Earth

No matter what you believe in, you can commune with the spirits and exactly one other person (or pray for a rare bird sighting) at Loblolly Farm, a wedding venue in Semmes. Since 2020, the farm has also been the site of the Chapel of the Fields, a 14.44-square-foot non-denominational house of worship billed as the “smallest church on Earth.” Built by Loblolly’s owner, Gary Smith, the chapel is currently in the process of being verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

After a day of play and exploration, enjoy some R&R at one of the many campgrounds shared below. From Alabama’s largest dog park being stationed at Homestead RV Community to beachfront access just beyond your RV door, there’s something for everyone (and every paw)!

Mississippi

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1975 to protect endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes in their ecologically-unique native habitat, the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge is now home to 200 cranes (up from a 1970s low of 30). The refuge also preserves the wet pine savanna, a rare and important ecosystem—the last of its kind in the U.S.—packed with biodiversity, including carnivorous plants, rare orchids, and many species of birds living in harmony alongside the cranes.

Friendship Oak

Speaking of unique habitats, head to Long Beach to pay your respects to the 500-year-old Friendship Oak, located on the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus. This southern live oak has been providing shelter and shade along the Gulf Coast since the late 1400s; when it was officially measured in 2011, the 59-foot-tall tree had a trunk circumference of nearly 20 feet.

Desoto National Forest

Named for Spaniard Hernando de Soto, this national forest was established to protect critically-endangered pine forests in Southern Mississippi. The forest’s half a million acres provide shelter to many rare or endangered species of wildlife and provide myriad opportunities for hiking, fishing, and of course, bird watching. An RV gives you the flexibility to camp overnight in or near the forest, maximizing time in nature instead of driving back to town.

INFINITY Science Center

Learn about all the different ways humans have learned to fly at the 70,000-square-foot INFINITY Science Center, which opened to the public in 2012. The non-profit museum serves as the visitor center for the John C. Stennis Space Center, NASA's largest rocket engine test facility. With a carnivorous plants conservatory, 3D immersive theater, and educational exhibits, there’s something for everyone here—from down on Earth, into the skies, and beyond. Even better that there’s plenty of RV parking available!

Gulf Islands National Seashore (Mississippi)

As mentioned above, this 160-mile-long National Seashore that spans Florida to Mississippi has a beautiful portion in Mississippi named the Davis Bayou Area in Ocean Springs. This section offers a mix of coastal forest, marsh, and bayou habitats—excellent for both spring and fall bird watching of migrations, and with Davis Bayou Campground right inside the park, you can enjoy peaceful evenings among the coastal pines.

In fall and winter, check for Clapper and Sora Rails, Spotted Sandpipers, yellowlegs, and warblers along live-oak and pine trails. You’ll also find Osprey most seasons and Northern Harriers in winter.

Louisiana

Cypress Island Nature Preserve

50 miles west of Baton Rouge and along the shores of Lake Martin, you’ll find the Cypress Island Nature Preserve. These unique swamplands are home to one of Louisiana’s largest wading bird rookeries; more than 250 species of birds (including ospreys, gulls, and swallow-tailed kites) have been spotted within the 9,500-acre preserve, with birding opportunities both on land and by boat.

Grand Isle

Grand Isle is a barrier island located off the southern coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. The island’s diverse habitats attract raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, and more. Most of the migratory species from the eastern U.S. will pass over Grand Isle in the spring and the fall; seasoned birders and newbies alike have a chance to spot a groove-billed anis, western or gray kingbirds, black-whiskered vireo, or scissor-tailed flycatchers.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Barataria Preserve

Located less than 20 miles from New Orleans, this historical park and preserve is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street. Named for a French pirate, this park comprises several sites including a battlefield, multiple cultural centers, and the 26,000-acre Barataria Preserve. Protecting swampland, marshes, and hardwood forest, the preserve is a hotspot for birdwatching, fishing, and hunting.

Texas

Corpus Christi

Located along the Southeastern Gulf Coast of Texas, Corpus Christi has been officially designated as "America's birdiest place” by the San Diego Audubon Society. Birders flock from all over the country to marvel at the region’s diversity of species, who are drawn to or through Corpus Christi throughout the year thanks to its variation of habitats and multiple migratory paths. Come in April for the annual Birdiest Festival in America, which offers workshops, speakers, and guided bird walks.

Port Aransas

Port Aransas is located just north of Padre Island on Mustang Island, one of Texas’ longest barrier islands. Ranked as one of the Top 25 Best Beaches in the U.S. by TripAdvisor, Port Aransas comprises 18 miles of Gulf coastline and is home to six sites along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.

The Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas includes nine parks and nature preserves cumulatively known as the World Birding Center. The more than 10,000 acres stretching between Roma, Texas, and South Padre Island, are home to more than 500 species of birds and butterflies. In November, the town of Harlingen hosts the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, featuring family-friendly activities, a trade show, and live demonstrations with birds of prey.

Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning Center

This 162-acre nature preserve features four miles of hiking trails, classes, and guided tours. And no matter what time of year you visit, you’re guaranteed at least one bird sighting: Rusty, a 20-foot-high Blue Heron (and his freshly-caught “fish”), built from scrap metal by a local artist, has been welcoming visitors at the entrance to the preserve since 2015.