Scenic Outdoors

Alabama's location at the southern end of the Appalachian mountain chain gives visitors the unique chance to hike in some of the most diverse and beautiful woodlands in the nation, like Little River Canyon National Preserve, sitting peacefully atop Lookout Mountain. Tall pines line more than 30 miles of trails at Lake Guntersville State Park, where a lucky visitor may see the American bald eagle as it makes its winter home. Cheaha State Park, Alabama's highest point, offers a variety of hiking and mountain bike trails, while Tuskegee National Forest, in South Alabama, is equipped with fishing ponds and wildlife viewing areas.

Whether you prefer camping in your air-conditioned RV or hiking deep in the woods to find an isolated spot to put up your tent, Alabama has the right place for you. With campgrounds ranging from private and state parks to national forests, like the Chief Ladiga, paved trail in East Alabama, to camping a the Dauphin Island Campground, on the secluded beach to the beautiful state park at Oak Mountain, you're sure to find the perfect spot to sleep under the stars.

Alabama has dozens of public and private gardens where you can stroll among camellias, azaleas, dogwoods, day lilies, hydrangeas, mums and rare native species.

Explore theAlabama Garden Trail, a collection of seven signature gardens throughout the state, and discover all the natural wonders and beauty these gorgeous landscapes have to offer. Because of the range of climates and soil conditions in Alabama, visitors will enjoy a unique garden experience no matter the season. All year long, these destinations offer special events and programming with focuses ranging from education to the arts to music and more.

Whether you are water skiing, pulling a towable or just seeking a restful day on the water, our pristine lakes are ideal for boating, and depending on the season, Alabama's 1,600 miles of rivers can be peaceful and picturesque or wild and woolly. The Alabama Scenic River Trail is the longest water trail in any single state in the country. Beginning at the Georgia state line, paddlers can wind their way through 631 miles of gorgeous scenery.

For those who wish to leave the boating to the experts, the Harriott II Riverboat, modeled after the grand paddle-wheelers of the 1900s, provide the perfect getaway. For a special treat, sail on the Daedalus, which breaks shore from Orange Beach every day for swimming, sightseeing and sunset excursions.

Several locations in Alabama showcase unique rock formations and steep cliffs that climbers travel hundreds of miles to experience. Horse Pens 40, a 115-acre historical park, is perfect for climbing. Native Americans took advantage of the natural rock shelters for thousands of years, and visitors today can feel the experience for themselves.

Or, visit Cherokee Rock Village, at Lookout Mountain with its imaginary village made of enormous boulders.

With forests, mountains, meadows, swamps and beaches defining the state's landscape, a plethora of avian habitats awaits birders. From the majestic mountains of North Alabama to the sugar-white sands of the Gulf Coast beaches, outdoors lovers will find Alabama is a great place to visit, again and again.

Marked Alabama Birding Trails throughout the state make the experience even more enjoyable. The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, arranged as a series of loops, combines the birding spots most frequented by Alabama birders in the Gulf Coast region. Meanwhile, the North Alabama Birding Trail includes 50 sites and spans 11 counties.

Take a trip to any of Alabama's parks and woodlands, and you will find some of the best biking trails in the South. Bankhead National Forest in North Alabama is the ideal place for taking a bike ride along scenic wooded areas filled with natural foliage and breathtaking beauty. For those who prefer the sand under their toes, we recommend one of the many trails along the sugar-white dunes at Bridgeport Beach. Another favorite for bike lovers is Kiesel Park, which is also home to the annual Auburn CityFest held each April.

Alabama is one of the premier states in the nation for hunting white-tailed deer and eastern wild turkey. Other species provide good hunting as well, including feral hogs, waterfowl, rabbits, squirrels, mourning doves and bobwhite quail.

Our generous hunting seasons and bag limits are the envy of other states. Here, hunting enthusiasts enjoy more than 1.3 million acres of public hunting land, including 37 Wildlife Management Areas as well as 17 areas designed for physically disabled hunters. One of the best locations for game is the West Alabama Hunting & Fishing Trail located 50 miles southwest of Birmingham.

Whether you prefer saltwater or freshwater, we can all agree on one thing: Alabama has some pretty darn good fishing spots. Take Alabama's Gulf Coast, for example. There you can charter a boat and within minutes sail off after blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, amberjack, cobia, red snapper and more.

If it's wide mouth bass you're after, there's a reason Alabama has been selected as a host for the Bassmaster Classic. Freshwater fishing destinations abound, but don’t miss a chance to visit Lake Guntersville, where you'll find 69,000 acres to roam for that perfect fish tale, or go fly fishing in North Alabama at the Little River Canyon National Wildlife Preserve.