Where you need to be in Alabama to make the most of the outdoors.

Whether you like to hike, bike, camp, run, hunt or fish, if you live in Alabama, you probably have a favorite outdoor spot. Here is a list of the top 5 Alabama towns to be in for guys and girls that like to spend their time outdoors.

5. Tuscaloosa, AL

When most people think about being outdoors in Tuscaloosa, it’s Saturdays in the Fall, but this town has much more to offer.

Get in touch with the West Alabama Mountain Biking Association for weekly rides at Sokol Park. Head to Downtown Northport for Art Nights and Festivals. Choose from parks, such as Deer Lick and Lurleen Wallace State park with campsites and trails for an adventurous weekend. Get outdoors and hit one of the 4 lakes close by for a great day of fishing with friends and family. With so many options, it’ll be hard to choose, but the city of Tuscaloosa makes enjoying Alabama’s Outdoors easy.

Team up with the University of Alabama Rec Center to rent some gear for the day or bring your own.

4. Auburn, AL

In Auburn, Chewacla State Park has invested in over 15 miles of single-track, mountain bike trails, as well as a 26-acre lake, waterfall and modern campsites. The Forest Ecology Preserve is supported by Auburn University and geared towards families and children of all ages, committed to environmental education.

With around 10 large parks, the Tuskegee National Forest and Auburn University committed to the betterment of the outdoor experience, Auburn, Alabama is climbing its way up the list of Alabama’s best outdoor towns.

3. Birmingham, AL

Birmingham is known for being one of the largest and most populated cities in Alabama. It is a hub for commerce and is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast. Birmingham has an incredible restaurant portfolio, as well as 4 local breweries. What people don’t realize is how much there is to do outdoors in and around the Birmingham area.

From Red Mountain to Oak Mountain, Birmingham has some amazing parks, with miles of trails to hike and bike. The Cahaba River flows right through Birmingham and is accessible to the public. Rent a canoe/kayak or float the Cahaba with friends on the weekend. Less than an hour away is Sipsey Wilderness. Located inside Bankhead National Forest, Sipsey Wilderness offers miles of trails, waterfalls, bluffs, and kayaking/canoeing.

Check out Tuesday Night Trails @ Red Mountain Park with Alabama Outdoors

 

2. Florence, AL

Listed as one of the top 8 southern towns by Garden & Gun magazine, Florence is truly an Alabama gem. Just across the river from Muscle Shoals, Florence is growing in popularity in the music realm with the W.C. Handy Music Festival every July. It’s a city that prides itself on being a small town and focusing on the revival of small business and sourcing product on a local level.

There’s many stories about the “singing” rivers and woods around Florence, stick around long enough, you’re bound to hear a few. Check out the Natchez Trace Parkway and the campgrounds around Florence. See how many species of Alabama’s 397 species of birds you can spot along the North Alabama Birding Trail. Shoal Creek Preserve and Cane Creek Canyon are great spots to spend the day outdoors. Visit Florence, you just might find an excuse to stay.

1. Fairhope, AL/Mobile Bay

Fairhope tops our list for the best outdoor towns in Alabama. There cannot be a list of Alabama towns and not talk about the gulf coast. Situated on the just across the bay from Mobile, Fairhope offers  the small town atmosphere, with a gulf coast feel.

Take a walk down the pier, or jump in a boat and enjoy the day catching Red Fish in the bay. Weeks Bay Reserve is over 6,000 acres of land and water protected by NOAA and Coastal Zone Management. It is an amazing place to spend an afternoon learning about the coastal environment surrounding Fairhope.

With the beaches less than an hour away, Fairhope is situated perfectly in Lower Alabama to take a long weekend and see where you end up… or you can just stay home. Either way, it’s a win-win.

These are just a few of the great towns committed to enjoying Alabama’s outdoors. If you live close by, check out one of the links and makes some plans for the weekend.

Be sure to visit Alabama Outdoors to pick up gear for the trip or to get advice on the best places to go.