Looking for ways to enjoy the beauty and bounty of the spring season that’ll be fun for the entire family? Check out some of our favorite fresh-air Alabama destinations and one spot that’s right next door. (pictured above: Lookout Mountain in DeSoto State Park. Photography provided by DCNR)
Hidden Treat
Buck’s Pocket State Park is one of Alabama’s best-kept secrets. Covering more than 2,000 acres, this old fella is hiding an expanse of craggy canyon scenery that’s tucked away in a natural “pocket” of the Appalachian Mountain foothills. Its trails take you through hills and glens dotted with waterfalls, and many are quite steep and rocky, so be prepared. The popular Point Rock Trail leads from the front door of the park office on the canyon floor all the way up to an overlook on a lofty bluff.
Family Float
The docile Cahaba River near Birmingham has garnered attention in recent years after a botanist accidentally came upon eight totally new species of plant life while discovering the Cahaba’s gentle waters for himself. The pale pink petals of Alabama gentian pinkroot, one of the rarest plants in the world, were among the discoveries, and who knows what you and your family might find with a leisurely paddle down this liquid path. Multiple outfitters rent canoes and kayaks and are a quick internet search away. (photography by Billy Pope)
Mountain High
Tucked into the northeast corner of Alabama atop Lookout Mountain, the little town of Mentone hides many treasures — great restaurants, cozy cabins, historic sites and some of the most extraordinary examples of Alabama’s vast natural beauty. Sweetly scented rhododendrons blanket the area each spring, and the city’s annual Rhododendron Festival is held in May. Other activities include hiking to DeSoto Falls and in Desoto State Park; exploring Native American caves, fishing, kayaking and hiking at nearby Little River Canyon; horseback riding at Shady Grove Dude Ranch; and shopping area antique stores. (photography by Guohai Jin)
Cool Below
Cathedral Caverns State Park, Woodville
The caverns’ 125-foot-wide, 25-foot-tall entrance is how this park got its name. Calling to mind a grand cathedral, it’s the starting point for finding geological formations created over eons. Daily cave tours (in the cave’s consistently cool 60-degree weather) allow you to uncover treasures like Mystery River, Big Rock Canyon, The Frozen Waterfall (one of the largest flowstones in the world) and Stalagmite Mountain.
Down in the Delta
Meaher State Park, Spanish Fort
The Mobile Delta consists of more than 20,000 acres of water, and this park is a great place to access this massive natural wonder whose ecological importance is equally large. Formed by the confluence of the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers, the Delta is a complex network of rivers, creeks, bays, lakes, wetlands and bayous that create a productive estuary with more than 120 different species of fresh and saltwater fish as well as 40 species of mammals (including black bears, wild pigs and deer), reptiles like alligators and the rare red-bellied turtle, over 500 species of plants and 300 species of birds, including eagles, ospreys, pelicans, herons and more. Boardwalk trails wind throughout the 1,327-acre park and provide an up-close look at the Delta. Just across the road from the park is the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, which features an exhibit hall, theater and canoe rentals. (photography by Chris Granger)
Garden Glory
Since opening in 1952, Callaway Gardens has been a welcoming outdoor retreat, beckoning families to trade their video games, TVs and tablets for bikes, fishing poles and fresh air. Amble along shaded trails to find acres of floral beauty in bloom, a vegetable garden, ponds and more. Swim in or boat on Mountain Creek Lake. Visit the Day Butterfly Center for a personal encounter with over 1,000 colorful butterflies representing 50 tropical species. And reach new heights of nature discovery on the TreeTop Adventure ziplining course. Golfers can play a round on one of two 18-hole, championship courses, while others relax at the spa. Plus, there’s almost always some planned activity or special event going on. Check the detailed events calendar on the spot’s website. (photography by Erika Tracy)