National Great Outdoors Month in June reminds us to explore our nation’s abundant wildlife refuges, parks, and natural beauty.
Whether we hike or bike the trails, kayak or canoe the many rivers and canyons or pitch a tent in the forest or on a hillside,
No matter our preferred mode of enjoying the great outdoors – hiking, biking, kayaking to name a few – nature is calling. Pursue the beauty and majesty of the big skies and open spaces the outdoors offers.
This month also raises awareness of the accessibility of the great outdoors. Depending on where we live, sometimes reaching nature is more difficult. Many cities create relaxing and vibrant green spaces with trails and paths designed for easy access by the community. However, in some inner-city neighborhoods, access to parks or the ability to get outside the city to visit State or National Parks is difficult.
National Great Outdoors Month is an excellent time to consider making access possible.
Visit a State or National Park.Volunteer as a summer camp counselor. Take an outdoor photography class. Hike, Bike, Camp, Fish, Swim, and Have Family Fun.
ALABAMA STATE PARKS
https://www.alapark.com/about-alabama-state-parkshttps://www.nps.gov/state/al/index.htm
LITTLE RIVER CANYON
A beautiful place to take in scenic canyon views and enjoy picnicking, solitude, nature, or walking in the woods.
Wheelchair Accessible
For more information visit:
http://www.nps.gov/liri
4322 Little River Trail NE, Ste. 100
Fort Payne, AL 35967
256-845-9605
Hours of Operation
Open dawn-dusk. Canyon Center 10-4 daily
LAKE GUNTERSVILLE STATE PARK
The park features a lodge with 112 hotel rooms and suites, 20 chalets, 15 cottages, a full-service restaurant and an 18-hole golf course. Camping and cabins are available on the lake. Enjoy more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnicking, fabulous vistas and numerous sites for viewing wildlife. It is a winter home of the American bald eagle and the Park features educational programs.
For more information visit:
http://www.alapark.com/LakeGuntersville
Lake Guntersville State Park
1157 Lodge Drive
Guntersville, AL 35976
256-571-5444
Hours of Operation
Office open M-F 8-5 (plus weekends in summer); park open daily sunup-sundown
SMITH LAKE
Activities include fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicing, bird watching, walking, jogging, bikes, exploring shoreline on Lewis Smith Lake, family reunions, and special events.
For more information visit:
http://www.cullmancountyparks.com
Smith Lake Park
403 County Road 386
Cullman, AL 35057
256-739-2916
Hours of Operation
Open year-round for camping
OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
The day-use activities at Oak Mountain State Park set it apart from the rest. With over 50 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails set in a picturesque 9,940-acre park, there is something for all outdoor enthusiasts to appreciate and enjoy. Mountain bikers will especially enjoy the bike trails that are certified by the International Mountain bicycling Association(IMBA).The park’s day-use picnic facilities include large picnic pavilions and picnic tables with grills, two fishing lakes on the north end of the park and in the Main Day-Use one recreational lake with pedal boat and canoe rentals, a sandy beach swimming area, a large open playing field, ample shoreline for bank fisherman and a boat launch for your personal boat. We also offer a 18 hole golf course with pro shop & driving range, mountain bike trails, demonstration farm, and rental horseback riding facilities.
If you want to stay longer than a day, the park offers cabins and camping facilities.
With the largest area and variety of outdoor recreational pursuits, Oak Mountain is sure to provide excitement for every member of the family!
Wheelchair Accessible
For more information visit:
http://www.alapark.com/OakMountain
Oak Mountain State Park
200 Terrace Dr.
Pelham, AL 35124
205-620-2520
Hours of Operation
Opens at 7am year round
NOCCALULA FALLS
The Noccalula Falls Botanical Gardens is an extensive botanical garden displaying over 25,000 azaleas.
Noccalula Falls, which drops into the Black Creek ravine, is marked with a bronze statue of Cherokee maiden Noccalula who, according to local legends, plunged to her death after being ordered by her father to marry a man she didn’t love. The bronze statue of Noccalula was, at the time of its creation, the first statue of a person jumping off a cliff. This legend is much similar to Princess Winona. The bronze used in the statue was made from pennies collected from local school children in the mid-1960s.
Although no peer-reviewed historic journals have evaluated the veracity of the legend, at least one independent researcher has published evidence suggesting that the story is apocryphal.
Wheelchair Accessible
For more information visit:
http://www.cityofgadsden.com/index.aspx?NID=134
Noccalula Falls Park
1500 Noccalula Road, Gadsden, AL 35904, USA
Gadsden, AL 35904
256-549-4663
Hours of Operation
9am-5pm
GULF SHORES
Gulf State Park has 6,150 acres with 2 miles of sugar white beaches. We have 496 modern campsites, 31 cabins/cottages (27 of which are on a lake), 18-hole golf course, a beach pavilion with snack bar, a 1,540 ft. fishing pier with a restaurant, picnic areas, group pavilions and nature programs. We also offer walking, hiking and biking trails. Gulf State Park also has a swimming pool and splash pad( camping and cabin guests only) a camp store and laundry facility. There is a nature center located in the campground and is open to the public for a small fee of $1.00 per car upon entering the gate. The nature center hours are Mon.-Sat. from 9am-4pm.
Wheelchair Accessible
For more information visit:
http://www.alapark.com/GulfState
Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park, 20115 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251-948-6353
Hours of Operation
Open daily
DESOTO STATE PARK
Stop by and see falls that plunge 104 feet. Dense woodlands, seasonal wildflowers and spectacular views await. Also available are a restaurant, meeting rooms, motel, chalets, cabins, campground, picnic area, nature center, hiking, pool, ADA-accessible playground, and boardwalk trail.
Wheelchair Accessible
For more information visit:
http://www.alapark.com/desotoresort
DeSoto State Park and Lodge/DeSoto Falls
7104 DeSoto Pkwy. NE
Fort Payne, AL 35967
256-845-5380
Hours of Operation
Open all year; pool open Memorial Day-Labor Day 11-6
HARMONY PARK SAFARI
Visit this federally licensed nature preserve of free-ranging exotic and endangered animals. Remain in you car for this 2-mile route and see zebras, zebus, buffalo, camels, ostriches, pythons, rams, highlanders, alligators, water fowl, waterfalls and more. Antiques buildings also are on the route.
Harmony Park Safari
431 Clouds Cove Rd. SE
Huntsville, AL 35803
https://www.huntsville.org/listing/harmony-park-safari-(open-mar-through-nov)/100/
256-723-3880
Hours of Operation
Open Mar.-Nov. 10-dusk
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is an executive and administrative department of the State of Alabama created by statute. The Commissioner, appointed by the Governor as a member of the Cabinet, advises the Governor and Legislature on management of freshwater fish, wildlife, marine resources, state lands, state parks, and other natural resources.
The Department has four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
https://www.outdooralabama.com/
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