In scenic northwest Alabama, the Elk River weaves through a diverse ecosystem.

Please note: due to local and state guidelines surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, some information below may not be accurate. Before you travel and plan your next adventure, make sure to check each business/park/campsite for any closures or guidelines and for the most up to date information. Enjoy your next Alabama kayaking adventure!

Kayaking is a perfect way to see nature from a different perspective, things look a lot different from atop the water rather than standing along the shores. Alabama’s 130,000 miles of rivers and streams give beginner paddlers plenty of opportunity to get their feet wet (or hopefully not!) with a new sport and fresh way of looking at things. Whether you’re on a mission to finally get that elusive photo of the Cahaba Lily in bloom or are just looking for a warming paddle with friends along the Flint during a sunny fall day, paddling can open up a new way to get outside solo or socially. If you are new to kayaking, don’t worry, it is an easy and rewarding sport to pursue, and the multiple outfitters along the waterways will help ensure you have the gear and knowledge you need to get started.

Here, six spots that offer easy kayaking day trips perfect for beginners to experience Alabama from the water.

1. Flint River

Flowing south through Madison County before emptying into the Tennessee River, the Flint is the perfect river for a beginner day trip in Alabama’s wilderness. The current runs less than two miles per hour and it’s shallow enough for you to stand for the majority of it. There are also plenty of bridges and roads to break up the paddle into manageable floats.

Most paddlers work their way south from the Highway 72 bridge put-in. Along this route you’ll find several islands, creeks, and even a few caves to be explored. The Flint is also known for the diverse array of fish that call it home, including different species of bass, and you can even find a few smallmouth in the bends. For inside info on the Flint, contact the experts at North Alabama Canoe and Kayak (NACK), where you can rent your gear and plan a trip.

2. Elk River-Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail

In scenic northwest Alabama, the Elk River weaves through a diverse ecosystem with untamed forest, lush fields, and sandstone bluffs. Part of the Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail, the Elk is nearly 22 miles long, and has five easy access points along its length. Depth is controlled by the TVA, making it navigable even during a dry summer season. If you don’t feel like packing a lunch, there are restaurants at the Maples Bridge and Mills Park sections of the river.

3. Cahaba River

The Cahaba River is a draw to photographers trying to grab a photo of the Cahaba Lily. Alan Cressler

Starting in Trussville and ending 194 miles south in Selma, the Cahaba River is known for being one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the country, and is home to more than 60 rare species of plants, including the Cahaba Lily. Photographers from across the country load up their watercraft for a chance to catch a photo of the lily, which is only found in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, in bloom every spring.

The Cahaba offers a variety of paddles, from a light float, where you can stop and use one of the rope swings, to slightly more technical areas where you will need to navigate shallow shoals.

There are many public access points a short distance from downtown Birmingham. Check out the Cahaba River Society for more information.

4. Tallapoosa River

Part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, the Tallapoosa River stretches 265 miles from the southern Appalachians in Georgia, through eastern Alabama, until it joins the Coosa River in Wetumpka. There are four dams along its path.

For your day trip, explore floating the Lloyd Owens section of the Tallapoosa. This 40-mile stretch, about an hour east of Birmingham near Helfin, is mostly flatwater and has five access points, making it a perfect spot for your first foray into kayaking. Check out the Tallapoosa River Outfitters or Southern Canoe Outfitters if you need to rent or plan a float.

5. Escatawpa River

Get away from the crowds and into Alabama’s backwoods on a paddle down the Escatawpa River. Stephanie Pluscht

If you are looking to get extremely adventurous and deep into backwoods Alabama away from the crowds, the Escatawpa River, one of few blackwater rivers, is your spot. Located in beautiful, yet remote west Mobile County, close to the Mississippi border, the Escatawpa’s contrast of the blackwater with white-sand banks makes this a memorable and unique float.

6. Terrapin Creek

Located east of Gadsden in Piedmont, Terrapin Creek is one of the most popular summertime floats in the state. At 8 miles, the creek is split into two sections, both of which can be done in one day. It’s an easy, quick paddle, where you can pull up on the bank of the creek and soak in the sun, relax, cool off with a swim, or refuel with a picnic in Alabama’s wilderness. There are outfitters nearby, like Terrapin Outdoor and the Redneck Yacht Club, that you can rent from, and they will also drop off and pick up at the put-ins, leaving you to enjoy a relaxing float.

Written by Hap Pruitt for Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

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Alabama Cheaha.

Please note: due to local and state guidelines surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, some information below may not be accurate. Before you travel and plan your next adventure, make sure to check each business/park/campsite for any closures or guidelines and for the most up to date information. Enjoy your next Alabama camping adventure!

With four national forests and 22 state parks, Alabama offers infinite opportunities to spend a weekend in the great outdoors—whether you prefer to find a campsite in the woods or pitch a tent practically on the beach. Alabama’s state parks typically play host to tons of amenities, often including restaurants, lodges, equipment rentals, and nature centers or museums; many state parks also provide access to incredible backcountry experiences.

Other public land—encompassing nearly 667,000 acres of Alabama—boasts much of the same fascinating history, much of it with the Civilian Conservation Corps, but in the company of fewer other visitors.

Regardless of where you plan to pitch your tent (and whether you plan to drive, hike, bike, or boat there) the time to hit the trail is now: Temperatures are cooling off, bugs have dissipated, and the fall camping season is in full swing. The wilderness is awaiting adventurers—and if you’re a camping newbie, here’s a rundown of some of the best spots for camping in Alabama.

Oak Mountain State Park

At nearly 10,000 acres, Oak Mountain is Alabama’s largest state park—and whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or a more rugged, off-the-beaten-path experience, this park has you covered. Oak Mountain boasts tent and RV sites, along with excellent hike-in backpacking sites for parties of up to eight.

It’s not just great camping: In addition to its 21 miles of hiking trails, this park’s mountain bike trail system was named to the international Epic Trail list by the International Mountain Bicycling Association in 2010. Oak Mountain rents canoes and SUPs for use on one of two 85-acre lakes—and, for those not ready to quite give up the summer, a beach specifically for campground guests.

Open Pond Recreation Area

Looking to skip the crowds? Open Pond Recreation Area has fewer amenities than many of Alabama’s state parks, but it also sees far fewer visitors each season—and, at just $8/night for a tent site, it’s a bargain. Sites boast panoramic views of the area’s namesake pond, as well as access to fishing, boating, biking, and hiking on the Conecuh Trail, which covers 20 miles of Conecuh National Forest. The trail—built by the Youth Conservation Corps—is open to backpackers, though it’s crucial to coordinate backcountry trips with the District Office to avoid scheduled deer hunts in the adjacent wildlife management area.

Cheaha State Park

Alabama’s oldest state park is also one of the best spots for great views—it encompasses the 2,413-foot Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state. The Civilian Conservation Corps built a stone observation deck on the summit of Cheaha in the park’s early days; visitors can still take in the sights from Bunker Tower today. Cheaha is also the starting point for the 335-mile Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, which winds through Talladega National Forest on its course to the Appalachian Trail.

The park’s semi-primitive tent sites allow campers to park adjacent to their spot along the Picnic Trail, while primitive sites feel isolated from the hustle and bustle of the park. Reserve either type in advance for the best spots.

Cathedral Caverns State Park

Cathedral Caverns is no longer called “Bat Cave,” but the moniker is still appropriate: The park’s main feature is its limestone cave system, which contains a forest of stalagmites—including Goliath, one of the world’s largest at 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference.

The park offers both improved and primitive campsites—no reservations required, and, unlike many state parks, no minimum stay, even on weekends—along with a backcountry site on Pisgah Mountain. Save a few bucks thanks to Cathedral Caverns’ cheaper camping fees (a benefit of its off-the-beaten-path nature), and splurge on a 90-minute cave tour, offered several times daily year-round.

Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve

With 12 miles of waterfront, Magnolia Branch is one of the best spots in the state to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, or tubing just steps from your tent. The reserve does have RV hookups and a few tent sites with water, but for folks looking to plan a last-minute trip, Magnolia Branch doesn’t put a limit on the number of primitive campsites—meaning you’re virtually guaranteed a spot, even on a busy weekend.

DeSoto State Park

This state park gets plenty of points for biggest variety both in terms of overnight options and daytime activities. In addition to its improved, primitive, and backcountry sites, DeSoto State Park is home to a wall tent site, four rustic CCC cabins, and the primitive Pioneer Cabin.

Start the morning off on the right foot by attending an hourlong session of outdoor yoga (weekend mornings; $5/person), then spend your days canoeing or kayaking a section of flatwater above 104-foot Desoto Falls—the park rents boats for $15/hour or $50/day for five hours—or hiking on the park’s 25 miles of trails.

Gulf State Park

Located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the aptly named Gulf State Park is home to 3.5 miles of white sand beaches, along with over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails in the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail Complex, which covers six distinct ecosystems.

The developed campground at Gulf State Park is enormous—it offers nearly 500 sites with hookups—but the park has also added 11 primitive campsites for a more intimate experience. Along with myriad other forms of wildlife, this park is home to alligators, and though attacks on humans are rare, park management asks that visitors stay aware of their surroundings while in the park.

Written by Blane Bachelor for RootsRated in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

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The Dismals Canyon in Phil Campbell is a must-see stop for you and your family.

Please note: due to local and state guidelines surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, some information below may not be accurate. Before you travel and plan your next adventure, make sure to check each business/park/campsite for any closures or guidelines and for the most up to date information. Thank you and enjoy our top 10 Alabama summer day trips and your next adventure!

Summer’s here, and that means it’s time for the big family vacation, right? Not necessarily. Due to time and budget constraints, plenty of families can’t always pull off a major trip while the kids are on summer break. Fortunately, in Alabama you have several great options for day trips that require a short drive and will entertain the whole family. Even if you do take a big-time family vacation, these days trips can fill up the remaining summer calendar when kids need additional activities to occupy their time.

Whether you and your kids like to hike, explore Alabama’s history or get an up-close look at fascinating wildlife, you’ll find plenty of rewarding excursions in the state. As you kick off your summer, consider these 10 great day trips.

Dismals Canyon

It’s dark. It’s mysterious. It’s a lot of fun! The Dismals Canyon in Phil Campbell is a must-see stop for you and your family. A 1.5-mile trail winds through the bottom of the canyon where sandstone bluffs tower above you and giant boulders covered in brilliant green moss brighten the path. The trail leads you to the picturesque Weeping Bluff and the tumbling waters of Secret Falls and Rainbow Falls. Kids can let their imagination run wild as they wind through the stone passageways of the Witches’ Cavern and cross a swinging wooden bridge that looks like something from Tom Sawyer Island. After your hike, fill your bellies at the on-site old-time soda fountain and grill, and stick around for a nighttime tour of the canyon when the glowing Dismalities illuminate the rock walls.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

For a fun and educational day trip, head to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, where you’ll encounter swamps, a fascinating landscape of sinkholes and caves, and lots of wildlife. Throughout the year, the refuge hosts more than 2,000 geese, 75,000 ducks, and countless other rare and endangered birds, including the Sandhill Crane and the Whooping Crane.

The refuge has so much to offer that you might find a day won’t cover it all. There is year-round fishing (a state freshwater license is required), hiking five designated trails, more than 100 miles of old dirt roads to bike, regular staff-led nature programs, and the interpretive center where you can learn more about this amazing refuge. The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from March to September, and it’s closed on July 4.

Monte Sano State Park Von Braun Planetarium

Monte Sano State Park is just an overall great park with a myriad of hiking and biking trails, great camping options, and a little something extra—the Von Braun Planetarium

The planetarium was the brainchild of famous rocket scientist Wernher von Braun who was instrumental in helping the U.S. land on the moon. Today, the planetarium is operated by the Von Braun Astronomical Society, which opens the doors of the planetarium every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for a fascinating tour of the stars. Sometimes the presentations are given by actual NASA astronauts. Following the show, weather permitting, the Society takes you outside to view the night sky through telescopes. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students, and free for children under 6.

Cathedral Caverns State Park

Named for its cathedral-like appearance, Cathedral Caverns in Woodville is as amazing as its name implies. Originally opened in 1950 by the property’s owner, the cavern was sold to the state in 1987 and turned into a state park. The cavern’s opening measures 126 feet wide and 25 feet tall, which might be a world record, according to park officials.

Inside, you will be cooled by nature’s natural air conditioning that keeps the cave at 60 degrees year round. You’ll see a “frozen” geologic waterfall, stalagmite forest, and a stalagmite that is 27 feet tall but only 3 inches in diameter. The cave is also home to Goliath, one of the largest stalagmites in the world, measuring 45 feet tall with a circumference of 243 feet.

Zipline Red Mountain or Lake Guntersville

On a zipline, kids can imagine that they’re birds, soaring through the forest among the treetops. Requiring no real technical climbing skills, a zip line provides kids and adults a chance to get a unique perspective of the forest and enjoy a bit of a thrill ride. Adults and kids at least 6 years old will find great courses to “fly” at Red Mountain Park in Birmingham. The Vulcan Materials Zip Trip is a one-hour glide above and through the canopy of the park. Seven zip-lines, a sky bridge, and rope swing take you over the mining history of the city with incredible views. There is also the Mega Zip at Kaul that starts 80 feet high atop the park’s adventure tower, and then heads downhill at speeds up to 30 mph. You can run it solo or race your friend in a tandem run.

At Lake Guntersville State Park in north Alabama, the Screaming Eagle zipline system includes 19 ziplines, including one that stretches 2,020 feet across a forested canyon. A highlight is the 80-foot wooden tower that provides access to lines with unmatched views of the river valley and rolling hills stretching for miles.

If you want to zip with kids, the Level 1 course accommodates children at least 8 years old, and Level 2 allows kids 10 and older. Both courses last about two and a half hours, depending on the size of the group. While zipline tours don’t require a lot of strength or stamina, you’ll get some exercise on the Level 2 course as you pull yourself up and across a variety of metal and wood suspension bridges.

Dolphin Paddle

It’s not SeaWorld, but rather a chance to see playful dolphins up close and personal in their own environment. Whether you want to paddle with Flipper yourself, or take a guided cruise into the Gulf to see them, it’s well worth spending a day with them. However you want to visit with the dolphins, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are lined with outfitters ready to help you have an experience you won’t soon forget.

Cheaha State Park

The state’s highest mountain, Cheaha, is the backdrop for a wonderful Alabama summer day trip, or maybe an overnight adventure.

Cheaha State Park has a number of easy walking and hiking trails that will take you to some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Talladega National Forest from atop rock outcroppings like Pulpit Rock and Bald Rock. Then, when you’re finished hiking and biking, take in dinner and a show at the park’s Vista Cliffside Restaurant. The show? A dazzling sunset over the mountains. Then, finish the day with a dip in the adjoining swimming pool.

Alabama Nature Center

The Alabama Nature Center (ANC), a project of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, is located in Millbrook and sets the bar high for fun, educational learning. But don’t tell the kids it’s educational. They won’t even realize it.

ANC is known for its work with public schools and colleges, but the public is invited to visit and learn as well, especially on Saturdays when the park hosts a wide variety of talks and tours.

About 5 miles of fun interpretive trails crisscross the grounds of the nature center and lead you through forests and fields to visit creeks and ponds. There are informative presentations about nature, guided hikes with ANC’s biologists, and the hands-on Discovery Hall.

ANC is open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, and free for children under 3.

Alabama’s Historic Gulf Forts

They were the centerpiece of one of the U.S. Navy’s most historic battles—the Civil War’s “Battle of Mobile Bay,” during which Union Admiral David Farragut, after seeing one of his ironclads sunk with most of the crew onboard, uttered those famous words, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Today, the massive stone fortresses of Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines sit quietly at the mouth of Mobile Bay, almost as if they were still guarding it from invaders from the Gulf. You will feel the history as you walk the ramparts and pass the long-quiet cannons.

Summertime is the best time to visit these forts as both host regular guided tours and demonstrations. Travel between the forts is just as much fun for the kids and the kid in you, as you ride the Mobile Bay Ferry, which lands right next to each fort on opposite sides of the bay.

Five Rivers Delta Center

On the Causeway (US Highway 90/98) that spans Mobile Bay between Spanish Fort and Mobile, you will find the “Gateway to the Delta,” the Five Rivers Delta Center.

The center is a fascinating educational tour of the country’s second largest river delta, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta (aka “America’s Amazon”). The exhibit hall highlights the wildlife of the delta and shows representations of life on the delta over the centuries. Also, the center’s theater regularly shows movies about the area.

When you’re ready to get outside for some fresh air, the center is your gateway to adventure. Kayak rentals are available so you can paddle a bit of the delta yourself. In addition, there’s an eco-tour boat that takes groups to see alligators. When you’ve worked up an appetite you can find plenty of seafood restaurants on the Causeway.

Written by Joe Cuhaj for RootsRated in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

Featured image provided by Chuck Clark

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