04/20/2026
Big news worth celebrating 🎉
The Hugh Banyan Backcountry Trail just took home a huge win in 2026—and if you’ve ever experienced it, you know exactly why 🌿 From its scenic paths to the peaceful, nature-filled surroundings, it’s truly one of the Gulf Coast’s hidden gems.
Imagine having award-winning trails like this right in your backyard… morning walks, weekend adventures, and sunsets that never get old.
If you’ve been thinking about making a move to the Gulf Coast of Alabama, this is your moment. Living near the Hugh Banyan Backcountry Trail isn’t just about location—it’s about lifestyle.
Reach out to me today, and let’s find you a home where every day feels like a getaway 🏡
Give me a call if you're ready to make these trials a part of your daily routine!
Mary Kate Knight, REALTOR® MarMac Real Estate 🏖️ 225-247-6454 [email protected]
While the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail did not 4-peat as the nation's Best Recreational Trail in the 2026 USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, it did come in second place!
Congratulations to Pumpkinvine Nature Trail in northern Indiana for taking the crown.
A special thank you goes out to the City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources Trail crew for its hard work in helping to keep the Backcountry Trail system clean and safe for the more than 1.4 million trail-users who enjoy it each year. The trail is a wonderful and dynamic collaboration between Gulf State Park-Alabama, City of Orange Beach, and City of Gulf Shores.
The top 10 winners for Best Recreational Trail are ranked as follows:
1. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail (Indiana)
2. Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail (Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama)
3. Gitchi-Gami State Trail (Minnesota)
4. Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail (Spokane Valley, Washington)
5. Katy Trail (Missouri)
6. High Trestle Trail (Iowa)
7. Withlacoochee State Trail (Inverness, Florida)
8. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (Anchorage, Alaska)
9. Capital City State Trail (Madison, Wisconsin)
10. Great Allegheny Passage (Maryland and Pennsylvania)
Find more information on the trail awards at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-recreational-trail/.