A Local's Guide to Gulf Coast Summer: Three Rivers I Paddle and the Spots I Send Everyone To

Summer's here, and I've been getting the kayak out more weekends than not.

A few people have asked me lately where I like to paddle and what I'd point them to for a good day outside — so I figured I'd just put it all in one place. None of this is a secret, exactly. It's just my actual list: the rivers I paddle, the market I shop on Saturdays, and the handful of spots I send people to when they ask. I live here, I do these things, and when I tell you I love something it's because I actually do.

So here it is. Save it, screenshot it, ignore the parts that aren't your speed. And if I'm missing one of your favorites, I genuinely want to hear it.

Get on the water: three rivers I paddle

We're spoiled out here when it comes to paddling. Three of my regulars, in the order I'd send a newcomer to them.

Perdido River

This is the big one — an all-day paddle through tannin-stained water running over Southern white sand, with river beaches scattered along the way that are perfect for stopping to swim or just sit for a minute.

A few things you need to know before you go. Bring two cars. The Perdido is a point-to-point paddle, not a loop, and the shuttle between launch and take-out runs over long, worn-out gravel roads that take a while. Trying to do it with one car will eat your whole day in the worst way.

For launches, I use Gravel Landing (the northernmost put-in) and Staple Fork Landing, which sits about nine miles downstream. There's a third access point even farther south — Blue Lake Landing — that's mostly used as a take-out. The full trail runs about 19 miles end to end, so you can plan a shorter or longer day depending on which landings you pair up.

Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends and holidays in summer get busy, and the whole appeal of the Perdido is how quiet and wild it feels. You'll likely see bald eagles, ospreys, maybe white-tailed deer along the banks. One practical heads-up: there are no bathroom facilities anywhere along the route, so bring a portable toilet if you're out all day. And after a big storm, log jams can pop up — be ready to portage around one if you hit it.

If you want to make a whole thing of it, there are six screened-in camping shelters along the trail you can reserve at alabamacanoetrails.com.

Magnolia River

If the Perdido is the all-day expedition, the Magnolia is my perfect solo paddle. It's one of the most peaceful stretches of water in all of Baldwin County.

Launch at the south end of Rock Street in Magnolia Springs, right near Jesse's Restaurant. To find it: from Highway 98, turn south on CR 49, go to Oak Street, head west on Oak to Rock Street, then south on Rock all the way to the end.

Here's my one tip that makes this paddle: go upstream. When you paddle up, you hit clear, calm, narrow water quickly, and it's just gorgeous and still. It's the kind of paddle where you can hear yourself think.

Fish River

Fish River is my half-day option — easier shuttle, good current, less of a production than the Perdido.

I run it from Bohemian Park to Boone Landing, which is about 2.75 miles. The current does some of the work for you, and the shuttle's short enough that you won't lose your afternoon to it. A nice one when you want to be on the water but don't have a full day to give.

One thing to check before any paddle

Water levels matter, especially after a dry stretch or a big rain. Before I head out, I pull up the USGS National Water Dashboard at dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov, zoom in on Baldwin County, and click whichever river gauge I'm headed to. It's the official federal source and it's free — just a quick way to make sure you're not about to drag a kayak across a sandbar or fight high water.

Saturday mornings at the Foley farmers market

If you've never made the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market part of your Saturday routine, this is your nudge. It's open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., year round at 781 Farmers Market Lane in Foley — Gulf seafood, local produce, baked goods, honey, the whole spread. And it's not just a local favorite: it was named second in the country in the 2025 Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards for best farmers market, beating out some of the biggest names out there. Not bad for our little corner of Baldwin County.

Two vendors I always hit:

Eckman Farms for produce. Stop by their booth, grab whatever's in season, and tell them Katie said hello. ;)

Annette's Yummy for your Tummy Cakes for the sweet tooth — and I have one. She always has something amazing going, and it's very reasonably priced. I rarely leave without something I didn't plan on buying.

Go early if you can. By mid-morning in spring and summer it gets busy, and the best stuff moves fast.

Katie's picks: where I send people

A few spots I love, all worth the drive.

Johnson's Beach, Perdido Key — my favorite beach spot in the Pensacola/Perdido Key area. It's the locals' beach, and it stays that way for a reason.

Fisherman's Corner, Perdido Key — a great spot near the beach when you want to eat without going far.

The Jellyfish Restaurant, Perdido Key — another Perdido Key favorite worth a stop.

The Beach House, West Beach in Gulf Shores — a must-visit. Hard to beat for food with a view.

Before you head to the beach...

Quick safety note, because it matters and it's easy: text ALBEACHES to 888-777 for daily beach conditions and flag updates before you go. You can also reach the surf line at 251-968-SURF (7873) for Gulf Shores or 251-981-SURF (7873) for Orange Beach. And if you're at Alabama Point East, there are free life jacket loaners at the public access — use them.

That's my list

That's how I spend a Gulf Coast summer — on the water early, at the market on Saturdays, and at one of these spots when it's time to eat. None of it's fancy. It's just the good stuff, close to home.

If you've got a paddle, a vendor, or a dinner spot I should know about, I'd love to hear it. Half the fun of living here is trading notes with a neighbor.

Always happy to trade recommendations with a neighbor.

Katie Ragland Real Broker, LLC

Associate Broker, Alabama | REALTOR®, Florida

256-366-6974 | katieraglandrealtor@gmail.com

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