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Who says Alabama is only known for White Sauce and bushwackers? For the second consecutive year, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, nestled in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, has clinched the top spot as the nation's best recreational trail in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The announcement came on Wednesday, April 17, marking a remarkable achievement for the beloved coastal Baldwin County trail.

“I remember when the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail program started,” said Beth Gendler, President and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. “Seeing the trail system steadily grow over the years both in mileage and popularity, we have known we have something very special. For our Backcountry Trail to be named the BEST in the country for two years in a row is confirmation that the millions of people who visit Alabama Beaches agree it is special. This trail system is the gateway to our natural environment, providing residents and guests a peaceful place to enjoy at their own pace and see the unique heart of our community.”

According to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism website, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, which was also voted as the Best of Baldwin 2024 Best Bike Trail winner, was originally established in 2003, though it traces its roots to Native American hunting paths and later, logging roads used by European settlers. Named in honor of Hugh Branyon, former Gulf State Park Superintendent for more than 30 years, the trail system encompasses 29 miles of trails within the park. Collaborative efforts from individuals like Branyon and Coastal Resource Manager Philip West, along with support from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, have transformed the trail into a cherished Gulf Coast attraction. Designated as a National Recreational Trail in 2010, the Backcountry Trail offers amenities such as accessible trailheads, restrooms and picnic areas, catering to outdoor enthusiasts of all levels.

Today, visitors can traverse the 28-mile network of multi-use paved trails, immersing themselves in 6,150 acres of diverse ecosystems, from longleaf sand ridges to coastal dunes and freshwater marshes. Recreational opportunities abound, including biking, hiking, wildlife watching, playgrounds, fishing and camping.

"We are extremely proud the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail was awarded this honor for a second straight year,” said Greg Lein, State Parks Director for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), in an article on the Outdoor Alabama website. "Together with our partners in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, we have worked to offer access to some of the most unique habitats and recreational opportunities along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Thank you to everyone who voted for the Backcountry Trail again this year!”

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail's recognition in the USA TODAY 10Best  Readers' Choice Awards, emerging victorious over nine other exceptional U.S. trails, highlights the growing popularity of outdoor recreation. With approximately 59 million people using hiking trails each year in the U.S. according to Outdoor Alabama, the trail's success highlights the significance of recreational trails in communities, as noted by Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner, in the Outdoor Alabama article.

"Recreational trails provide many positive benefits to our communities and our economy," Blackenship said.  "Trails like the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail help connect cities and residents with the natural environment and provide recreational opportunities that are important to our well-being."

To explore the full list of the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for best recreational trail, visit https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-recreational-trail-2024/. For more information about the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail at Gulf State Park, visit www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park/trails or call the park at (251) 948-7275.