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 cozy winter retreat and holiday adventures in Alabama!

When the first blast of cold air descends on Alabama, it makes us dream of cozying up to a warm fire in a rustic cabin. And for outdoor lovers in Alabama, there are three state parks where you can rent old stone cabins, many with handcrafted fireplaces and other amenities for a comfortable getaway.

While the cabins are rustic, they include creature comforts you won’t get while camping—think TVs, kitchen appliances, and showers. Plus, the great advantage of these cabins is that they lie within state parks, so you also have quick access to trails for hiking and biking. And after a day of adventure, you can relax around the fire with firewood purchased in the state park.

The cabins come with some impressive history, too: In the 1930s, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the cabins as part of the work program that brought relief to unemployed Americans during the Great Depression.

To help you plan your retreat, we’ve detailed the features of cabins in each park, plus suggestions for outdoor activities during your stay.

Monte Sano State Park

Monte Sano State Park features 14 cabins, including 11 CCC cabins built in the Arts and Crafts style. All of the cabins, except #7 and # 8, have stone fireplaces, and some come with a screened-in porch that’s perfect for relaxing in warmer weather.

Measuring 500 square feet, the CCC cabins have a studio layout, with full and twin beds, a love seat, dining table, full bath, heat and air conditioning and cable TV. In the kitchenette there’s a microwave, oven, fridge, toaster and coffee maker.

Best picks: For more privacy, try to snag cabin #10 or #11, as these are nestled in the woods and more secluded. For a bluff view, choose #6, which also has a screened-in porch. If you bring a pet, you can stay in #7 or #8, but keep in mind that these don’t have fireplaces.

Outdoor Fun

Covering more than 2,000 acres, Monte Sano State Park has 22 miles of hiking, biking and running trails, and the adjacent Land Trust Monte Sano Preserve covers about 1,100 acres, with more than 20 miles of trails.

You’ll enjoy nice bluff views and easy, flat ground if you hike the South Plateau Loop in the park. For a short hiking or biking loop in the park (about 4 miles), begin at the biker’s parking lot and take the Sinks Trail to the Stone Cuts Trail and pass through a lengthy hallway of stone. From the Stone Cuts, you can retrace your steps or loop back on the Sinks Trail or Mountain Mist Trail.

For a loop hike or bike ride over diverse terrain, begin at the Land Trust Bankhead Trailhead and take the Bluff Line trail through a hardwood forest with small streams and falls. Then, turn onto the Waterline Trail to descend a singletrack path, or scramble down boulders in a creek basin to reach Three Caves, a limestone quarry dating to the 1930s. From Three Caves. The Alms House Trail weaves through remote woods to deliver you back to the trailhead.

Chewacla State Park

Six rustic cabins at Chewacla State Park make for cozy retreats. Outdoor Alabama

On the banks of Chewacla Lake in this resplendent state park, there are six rustic cabins, including five built by the CCC in the 1930s. All the cabins were renovated in 2003 (with the exception of No. 4, which is new construction) and include a kitchen with an oven and range, refrigerator, toaster, microwave, and coffee maker.

Small cabins accommodate up to four people, while the larger ones hold up to six people. The small cabins have a studio layout with a main bedroom/living area with a fireplace, a queen size bed, and a couch with a pullout full-size bed. Off the main room there’s a bathroom with a shower. Large cabins have the same layout, but with an extra bedroom.

Best Picks: All cabins have lake views, except #1 and #3.** **For the best lake views, choose #4, #5 or #6.

Outdoor Fun

Bring your mountain bike, because Chewacla State Park is one of the best places to ride in Alabama. To experience some of the finest terrain, link together the Kick Six, Rocky Bottom, and Tiger Woods trails in Upper Chewacla. For the biggest thrill ride in the park, take Dell’s Trail and head for the Great Wall of Chewacla. After a steep and swift descent, you’ll speed across a wooden wall at a height of 10 or 15 feet above the ground. After you negotiate the wall, you’ll cross a series of serpentine bridges, skinnies, and a few pumps and jumps.

Chewacla also has several hiking trails that lead to natural and man-made waterfalls. To reach one of the most popular natural falls, you only have to hike about a mile from the parking area near the Creek View Trail. To see the most impressive flow of water in the park, take the Mountain Laurel Trail to Chewacla Falls. Formed by a dam spillway, the falls form a 30-foot curtain of water.

DeSoto State Park

Cabins at DeSoto State Park come with beds, cable TV, and other creature comforts. Outdoor Alabama

DeSoto State Park’s four CCC cabins are surrounded by mountainous terrain and beautiful hardwood forest. Each cabin has a bedroom with a full-size bed, plus a living room with a fireplace, cable TV, two twin beds and one sleeper sofa. There’s also a full kitchen, one bathroom and a shower.

Best Picks: Cabin #9 is most popular due its good bluff view. Also, all cabins are pet-friendly.

Outdoor Fun

DeSoto State Park has 25 miles of hiking trails, including numerous paths that lead to waterfalls. While Laurel Falls drops only about six feet, it’s still beautiful, and you can reach it by hiking less than a mile on the Orange Trail, a rugged path with moderate climbs.

Just behind the DeSoto Lodge you can see Lodge Falls, which drops about 25 feet. But, you can get a better look at it by hiking into a ravine and walking on the Yellow Trail.

If you’d rather bike, the park also has 11 miles of trails to ride, including the easy Family Loop near the Lost Falls trailhead. While the Family Loop traverses rugged terrain, it’s generally flat. For a more ambitious ride, challenge yourself on the steep inclines of the CCC Quarry Bike Loop, or try the 3.8-mile Never-Never Land Loop, rated moderate to strenuous. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, take the DeSoto Scout Trail Exits, where bike racks and benches are located.

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

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 Fall adventure!

In Alabama, fall seems to hit suddenly. One morning, around mid-October, you walk outside and realize that the humid weight of summer has lifted, and cool, crisp air fills your lungs. Like an alarm clock, it’s everyone’s signal to get outdoors and make the most of the South’s best season.

But once fall arrives, you have just a few weeks until the rain and cold winds blow in. So, you need a plan to score as many autumn adventures as possible. To help you map out the season, we’ve compiled an Alabama bucket list for the fall—15 outdoorsy pursuits, bike rides, hikes, festivals, and some Halloween-themed fun.

Let this bucket list be your guide for a spectacular fall full of outdoor fun. Otherwise, you could wind up in a dark field waiting in vain for the Great Pumpkin, while your better-informed pals grab all the candy. Hey, don’t be that kid. Use our list, and have an awesome fall.

1. Climb world-class boulders at Horse Pens 40.

Climb world-class boulders at Horse Pens 40. Gail Reich

No sweltering heat and no sweaty palms: In fall, the cool, dry air creates ideal conditions for scaling the sandstone boulders at Horse Pens 40 in Steele. Situated atop Chandler Mountain, northwest of Birmingham, Horse Pens 40 boasts one of the most concentrated boulder fields in the world, with hundreds of problems ranging from V0 to V12. To add some stoke to your trip, visit in October when top climbers gather for the Triple Crown Bouldering competition.

2. Hike through spectacular fall colors.

Hike through spectacular fall colors. Alby Headrick

From late October to early November, the trees in Alabama glow as the leaves shift from green to bright yellow and blood red. When the oaks, maples, and hickories show their colors, the trails in Alabama are spectacular, and few things are finer than a brisk fall hike. At Little River Canyon, and other parks across the state, you’ll find backcountry trails that hug high bluffs and provide great views of forests that form a patchwork of orange, bronze, and scarlet.

3. Camp at the Gulf Shores Outpost.

For a wild and unique Gulf Shores experience, avoid the concrete condos and camp in an Outpost tent at Gulf State Park. In the fall, evening temperatures hover in the high 60s, so you don’t need air conditioning to sleep comfortably. Surrounded by trees, each secluded tent includes cots and accommodates four. Plus, there’s a portable toilet nearby. And don’t forget a swimsuit, since the ocean is still warm enough for swimming.

4. Relax in a mountain cabin.

Relax in a mountain cabin. Bart Everson

Looking for a serene escape during the fall season, but not up for a full-on camping excursion? A weekend in a state park cabin provides the perfect antidote. During the day, you can hike, ride or run park trails to get the endorphins pumping, and then retreat to your cabin for evening drinks beside a crackling fire. At Monte Sano State Park, 14 rustic cabins perched on the side of the mountain come equipped with amenities like kitchens, fireplaces, separate showers and baths, cable television, outdoor grills, picnic tables, and porches where you can enjoy the sunrise. You also find rustic cabins at DeSoto State Park and Cheaha State Park.

5. Battle zombies in a corn maze.

In the fall, dozens of farms in Alabama offer pumpkin patches and Halloween entertainment. But every October, Magnolia Farms in Summerdale takes it up a notch with hayrides through a haunted corn maze. In the dark of night, you’ll board a hay wagon and ramble through an eight-acre corn maze armed with a paintball gun to shoot encroaching zombies.

6. Camp in a hammock.

Camp in a hammock. rebamesir

Hammock camping is wildly popular because it puts you closer to nature. From a high perch on the Pinhoti Trail, you can relax in your hammock and watch the sunset, without a tent obstructing your view. From the Cheaha Trailhead, near Cheaha State Park, climb a little more than three miles to McDill Point, a west-facing outcrop with dramatic views and ample trees to support your hammock.

7. Kayak to see eagles at the Coastal Bird Fest.

Each fall, hundreds of species of birds migrate to the Alabama Gulf Coast. During the Alabama Coastal Birdfest in early October, you can join experts on birding trips to the woods and beaches on the coast. Some of the field trips take place at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge on Fort Morgan Peninsula, a world-class birding location. During the festival, you can also join a kayaking trip at Meaher State Park to visit an eagle’s nest accessible only by water.

8. Hunt ghosts on the streets of Birmingham.

You’ll feel a nip in the air and a chill in your spine while strolling the haunted streets of Birmingham. Beginning in October, the Birmingham Historic Touring Company leads two-hour walks that include tales of spiteful murders, haunted hotels, hidden cemeteries, and the legend of May Hawes, the “Mermaid of the Lake.” In 1888, the body of 7-year-old Hawes was discovered in Birmingham’s East Lake, and people still claim to see her apparition wandering the shoreline.

9. Explore an ancient culture at the Moundville Native American Festival.

Spanning 185 acres beside the Black Warrior River, the Moundville Archaeological Park has a majestic and mysterious vibe. From A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1450, Native Americans occupied this land and created some of North America’s tallest earth mounds. Today, 29 mounds still stand, including one 58 feet high. Each fall, descendants of the Moundville inhabitants gather at the site to share their customs and traditions. During the festival, Native Americans demonstrate traditional dances and share techniques to pit fire pottery, weave baskets, and carve a hunting longbow.

10. Bomb down the Bomb Dog Trail.

For the ultimate riding experience in Alabama, bomb your way down the Bomb Dog Trail, one of state’s top-rated mountain biking trails. Located in Anniston, this 2-mile route is one of the state’s longest downhill runs. For a real challenge, park at the Anniston Trailhead and climb through beautiful hardwood forest to the top of Bomb Dog. From here, you’ll begin a classic descent with plenty of rollers, table-top jumps, and a few optional black-diamond lines.

11. Run the Monte Sano Mountain Mist Trail.

Run the Monte Sano Mountain Mist Trail. Shannon McGee

A top-rated trail run in Alabama, the Mountain Mist explores the hardwood coves and hilltops near Huntsville’s Monte Sano State Park. Beginning at Bankhead Parkway, the 7.5-mile route climbs to O’Shaughnessy Point at 1,500 feet and scrambles through the “stone cuts”—a narrow corridor of split boulders. In winter, this route is part of Alabama’s toughest trail race, the Mountain Mist 50K, which is a bucket list competition for U.S. trail runners.

12. Ride the zip line at Red Mountain Park.

Don’t just stare at the fall colors—immerse yourself in the foliage with a zip-line tour. During Red Mountain Park’s 90-minute tour, you’ll zoom through the forest on zip lines, traverse bridges, swing on ropes, and climb walls. On the 1,300-foot Mega Zip, you’ll reach 30 miles per hour as you fly through the sky head-first like Superman.

13. Immerse yourself in subterranean spookiness in a haunted cave tour.

Join a Cathedral Caverns Haunted Cave Tour. Tennessee Wanderer

As darkness falls, you step into Cathedral Caverns State Park and the massive entrance—126 feet wide and 25 feet high—swallows you whole. During the tour, guides share spooky tales as you wind through dimly lit stone corridors with stalagmites measuring 45 feet tall and more than 240 feet around. While Cathedral Cavers offers daytime tours all year, these special night tours, from 6:30 to 11:30 pm, are only offered for a few days in October, so plan ahead to take advantage.

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

Gulf State Park is the home of arguably the most popular campground in the state.

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!

“Location, location, location.” While that’s the mantra for investing in real estate, it’s also a guiding force when you’re choosing a place to camp. There’s no doubt that a trip outdoors is even better when you score the campsite with the sweeping mountain view, the perfect spot on the lake, the prime position near the beach, or even the site that sits near the restroom or other creature comforts. We all have our own definition of what makes a campsite the best. But, no matter how you define it, Alabama’s state parks and other natural areas boast several ideal campsites, from the rocky outcrops of Cheaha Mountain to the Gulf Coast.

The trick is knowing just exactly where to find the best campsites at your destination. To give you a leg up, we’ve highlighted seven destinations and specific, highly coveted campsites at each place. Just remember, you’ll need to plan and book early to score the best location.

Gulf State Park

No matter what season you plan a trip to visit Alabama Gulf Coast you had better make your reservations far in advance if you want a campsite at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores.

The park is the home of arguably the most popular campground in the state. Even with 496 improved campsites it’s difficult to reserve a spot. The reason? The Gulf beaches, of course. The campground is located only 1.5 miles north of those sugary white beaches and turquoise waters. But, that’s not the only reason the campground is popular. There’s hiking at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, walking and biking on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, restaurants, nightlife, you get the picture.

The campground has 11 air-conditioned bath houses (a must along the coast almost year round), swimming pool, laundry, even tennis courts. The best sites? On the water, of course. Sites 11-37 and even numbers from 220 to 226 are right on the beautiful shimmering waters of Middle Lake, while site numbers 469 through 496 are along the narrow Boat Canal that feeds the lake. Either way, you’ll have great views and an easy put-in for you canoe or kayak.

Joe Wheeler State Park

Beautiful, tranquil, serene. These are just a few of the words used to describe the campground at Joe Wheeler State Park.

Located on the banks of Wheeler Lake between Florence and Huntsville, this resort-style state park and campground features 116 improved and 30 primitive campsites with plenty of shade and more-than-adequate spacing for a restful night’s sleep.

While there, hike one of the park’s three trails, grab a racket and hit the tennis court, or maybe hit the links on the 18-hole course.

And, if you get tired of S’mores (but really, who would?) take in a beautiful sunrise breakfast or sunset dinner at the park’s lakeside restaurant.

The campground has three loops, and each has wonderful waterside sites. In Section A, try to get sites 24, 25, or 26. In section B, the best sites are 17, 20, 22, 24, and 26 through 28. The absolute best is site 9 in Section C—it’s right on the water. Each loop has its own clean bathhouse with three hot showers and plenty of space.

Cheaha State Park

You can’t go wrong with any of the tucked away in the forest campsites at Cheaha. André Natta

Cheaha State Park has one of Alabama’s highly desirable campgrounds because it makes the perfect basecamp for exploring the miles and miles of trails, thundering waterfalls, and awe-inspiring overlooks of the Talladega Mountains.

Atop the state’s highest mountain there are 72 improved sites in two campgrounds, 25 semi-improved sites at the CCC tower, and plenty of primitive sites. The stone bath houses are the original facilities built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, updated, of course, with more modern fixtures. Both are heated, which is a welcome touch if you camp here in winter.

In the spring, the is hopping as people flock to enjoy the blooming wildflowers and flowing waterfalls. It’s also a popular place in summer when the swimming is cool and relaxing in Cheaha Lake, and in fall when the leaves put on a dazzling show. Things really get busy the weekend of the Talladega 500 NASCAR race. During winter, visitation drops significantly, but it’s still a good time to spend a night or two, when a dusting of snow enshrouds the mountains.

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the improved sites at Cheaha. Tucked away in the forest they’re all pretty nice. But, you might want to be closer to the bathhouses if you have kids or if it’s very cold out (they are heated, after all). Sites 3, 8, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, or 25 in Campground #1 are each located next to one of the bathhouses. If you visit in the summer, check out the 30 sites in the lower Campground #2, which is only a short walk or drive to Cheaha Lake for some swimming.

Wind Creek State Park

Wind Creek along the shores of Lake Martin is touted as the largest state-operated campground in the United States with 586 improved campsites. Of those, 156 are waterfront.

Of course, the lake is the big draw here for fishing and swimming, and most of those 500+ sites are reserved well in advance. The campground itself has beautiful, clean and modern bath houses scattered throughout, as well as two laundries.

The park is located only a few miles from the remarkable hiking trails that were built by the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association, including the Smith Mountain Fire Tower Trail and the new John B. Scott Forever Wild Trail. But, within the park, there is plenty to keep you and your family busy like the archery range, paddle boats and kayaks, a visit to “Creem on the Creek” for a sandwich, pizza, or maybe some ice cream, and the brand new Zipline Canopy Tour.

Choice sites are located near the camp store in the Orange loop, including sites 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 32 through 40. Odd numbered sites 13 through 32 in the Red Loop are located near the swimming beach area. Sites 122 to 128 in the Blue are nice waterfront sites as well. All of the loops are located at the tips of fingers that jut out into the lake.

Meaher State Park

The real draw of this park, is the delta itself. Stephanie Pluscht

Small in size but not in popularity, the campground at Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort is coveted for its location—right smack dab in the middle of Mobile Bay, less than 10 miles from Mobile and right at the gateway to the second largest delta in the country, the Mobile-Tensaw.

The park has nice renovated bath houses and boasts 61 improved RV sites and 10 improved tent sites. It’s a cozy setting, maybe a little too cozy for some. The park itself is only 1,300 acres in size, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in nearby activities. You can head to Mobile for the nightlife, museums, or even experience Mardi Gras at the birthplace of the celebration.

The real draw, however, is the delta itself. Just across U.S. Highway 98 from the park is the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, which has an exciting and educational exhibit hall, a theater where outdoor- and nature-related movies play almost constantly, and a gift shop. The Center also has pontoon tour boat or kayak rentals so you can view alligators in the wild.

The best sites to catch a beautiful sunset on Mobile Bay are the odd numbered sites from 7 to 35, and also numbers 52 and 54. A real favorite is site 52, which is furthest away from the Causeway and more secluded.

Deerlick Creek

If you’re looking for something more downscale from a resort-style state park—a more traditional camping experience—then one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer campgrounds will be to your liking. All USACE campgrounds combine peaceful, beautiful landscapes with clean facilities and plenty to do.

One of the most popular is Deerlick Creek, tucked away in the oak, beech, and pine forests along the banks of Holt Lake in Tuscaloosa.

Deerlick has 46 sites in all, and 6 of those are primitive. While primitive sites are normally an afterthought at most parks, these are phenomenal and are located on a bluff overlooking the lake.

The campground has several short hiking trails, a road biking trail, laundry, and a nice, clean central bath house.

Keep in mind that this place is hopping during college football season when the Alabama Crimson Tide have a home game. The campground is closed November through February.

Some of the best sites are actually not directly on the banks of the lake. Instead, they’re up just high enough where you get a good, unobstructed view. These sites are 5 through 9, 13 through 18, and 34 through 39. The best part for tent campers is that the facility doesn’t restrict the number of tents per pad.

Corinth Recreation Area

One of the most fascinating areas to explore in Alabama is the Bankhead National Forest and the Sipsey Wilderness, also known as the “Land of a Thousand Waterfalls, ”which lies within the national forest. The most popular site to pitch camp and explore this wonderland is the USDA Forest Service Corinth Recreation Area.

Located 7 miles from Double Springs, the campground has 102 campsites in 4 loops, each with ample room between sites and plenty of shade from the hardwoods. The bath houses are nice and clean, with one located in each loop.

Of course, being on the banks of Lewis Smith Lake there is great swimming and fishing, with striped bass being the main catch. There are also basketball and volleyball courts, and you can swim in the lake. And, of course, you are only a short drive away from the waterfalls and canyons of the Sipsey.

The best sites include 15 and 18 in the Yellow Hammer loop, and 38 through 41 in the Firefly loop. All of these sites have good shade (a blessing in summer heat), and they offer a view of the lake. Of course, some views are better than others. The best is Yellow Hammer 15, which sits on a bluff above the water’s edge.

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

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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