Alabama Gulf Coast beaches will reopen at 6 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) said after consultation with officials in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island and Baldwin County.

The beaches were closed as recovery got underway after Hurricane Sally made landfall in Alabama Sept. 16.

Dauphin Island beaches are among those opening Friday. The beaches have been closed since Hurricane Sally hit the Alabama Gulf Coast last month. (contributed)

While beaches will reopen, all public beach access points in Orange Beach, Gulf State Park and Gulf Shores will remain closed until further notice. Those access points in Gulf Shores include Gulf Place, West Gulf Place, West Fifth Street, West Sixth Street, West 10th Street, West 12th Street, West 13th Street and Little Lagoon Pass Park.

The extended closure of public access areas is strictly due to safety concerns, the ADCNR said in a release. Repairs to boardwalks and other damaged areas will take place as quickly as possible. Reopening of access points and parking lots should begin in mid-October as soon as they are repaired and deemed safe.

The Lodge at Gulf State Park and Woodside Restaurant are open; however, the Gulf State Park campground, pavilion and fishing pier remain closed.

Private accommodations that can reopen will have open access to the beach beginning Oct. 2. Visitors should contact their lodging provider for specific information.

For more information, contact the following:

Gulf Shores
Grant Brown
gbrown@gulfshoresal.gov
251-968-1848 (office)
251-747-2296 (cell)

Orange Beach
Ken Grimes
kgrimes@orangebeachal.gov
251-981-6979 (office)
251-747-0463 (cell)

Baldwin County
Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop
Sherry-Lea.Botop@baldwincountyal.gov
251-972-6809

Gulf State Park
Gary Ellis
gary.ellis@dcnr.alabama.gov
251-948-7275