Travel Alabama

Noel Newton
Dec 29, 2022
5 min read

Introduction

Alabama is a state full of natural wonders. From the Appalachian Mountains in the north to Mobile Bay on the Gulf Coast, Alabama has something for everyone. From high peaks and deep caves to beautiful beaches and lush forests, Alabama has it all! Here are some of my favorite places to explore:

A Guide to Alabama's Natural Wonders

Alabama is home to a vast array of natural wonders, from high mountain peaks and deep caves to the amazing Gulf Coast.

Alabama is home to a vast array of natural wonders, from high mountain peaks and deep caves to the amazing Gulf Coast. The state has a great variety of natural wonders with opportunities for outdoor recreation in every corner of Alabama.

Cheaha Mountain

Cheaha Mountain is the highest point in Alabama. It's 2,407 feet tall and accessible by car or by hiking trail. There are lots of wildlife in the area and it's great for camping and hiking.

Irondale Furnace Ruins

This historic site is located in Irondale, Alabama. The furnace was built in 1855 and was the second iron furnace in Jefferson County. It’s no longer operational but it can still be viewed today along with its grounds and ruins. The site honors both Union and Confederate soldiers who fought for control over this region during the Civil War.

Lake Lurleen State Park

Lake Lurleen State Park is located in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It is a 2,355-acre park that features a lake and campgrounds as well as cabins for rent. Lake Lurleen State Park has plenty of activities for families to enjoy including fishing and swimming.

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is located just off the eastern edge of Highway 8 in Alabama. The park consists of a small visitor center, gift shop and hike/bike trails that include interpretive signage. There are also three picnic shelters available for use by families or large groups who want to get away from the crowds at Horseshoe Bend.

To get to Horseshoe Bend National Military Park from Selma, take Alabama HWY 21 east for about eight miles until you reach US HWY 80 (Grand Ave). Turn right onto US HWY 80 and drive south towards Demopolis; once there continue driving south on US HWY 80 towards Clanton until you see signs indicating that you're entering Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson State Historic Site; then turn left into the parking lot for this historic site which will lead directly into Horseshoe Bend National Military Park!

Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge

Key Cave is a limestone cave on the Alabama Gulf Coast. It's one of the largest caves in Alabama, with over three miles of passages and chambers.

The cave is home to many rare species of bats, including the big brown bat, eastern pipistrelle, Indiana bat and gray bat. The most famous resident is an endangered colony of gray bats that roosts here during summer months. In 1996 they numbered over 1 million; now there are only about 20,000 left in this region! You can visit Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge (free) year-round from 8am-4:30pm daily or take one of their guided tours ($10).

Dismals Canyon Nature Preserve

Located in the Troy State Forest, this preserve is Alabama’s only National Park and one of the largest canyons in North America. The area was named after the Dismal Swamp because of its dark appearance, which comes from its dense tree cover.

Dismals Canyon has three landmarks: a waterfall, cave and natural bridge. The waterfall is located on Dismals Creek and flows into a pool before flowing under an old roadbed; it’s a great spot for photos! The cave is located within a large rock formation called “The Bats Cave” due to its high number of bat colonies inside it; here you find stalagmites and stalactites as well as bats flying around your head! Finally there is also an amazing natural bridge at the end of the canyon that spans across another creek below -- definitely worth checking out during any visit here!

The Walls of Jericho Trail

The Walls of Jericho Trail is one of the best hiking trails in Alabama. It's part of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,190-mile-long footpath that stretches from Maine to Georgia. The trail passes through 14 states and goes through some beautiful landscapes along its journey.

The Walls of Jericho Trail runs 100 miles between Talladega National Forest and Coosa Bald Mountain in Georgia. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1937 and 1940 as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal program during the Great Depression.

Gulf Shores Beaches

There are several miles of beaches in Gulf Shores. The majority of these public beaches are located on the west side of town and have been voted repeatedly as some of the most beautiful in America. In addition to their pristine waters, you'll find an abundance of beachfront restaurants, shops, and hotels that offer a wide selection of accommodations.

If you're looking for something more secluded than your average beach vacation experience but still want to keep your feet in the sand, then consider booking one with Gulf Shores Blue Crab Rentals (www.gulfshoresbluecrabrentals.com). This local company offers weekly rentals along with daily packages so that you can spend days lounging on its private beach without feeling like a tourist.

Coral reefs off the coast of Fort Morgan

Coral reefs are home to thousands of species of fish, mollusks, invertebrates and algae. Coral is made up of calcium carbonate, which forms a hard skeleton that protects what's inside from predators and storms. Coral reefs provide food for millions of people worldwide. They also support jobs in tourism and fishing, as well as protect coastlines from erosion. However, coral reefs are threatened by pollution and overfishing that can cause bleaching (when corals lose their colour). Climate change also affects them by increasing water temperature and acidity levels at sea

Mobile Bay Ferry Cruise

The Bay Ferry Cruise is a great way to see Mobile Bay, and they offer several different routes. They also allow you to bring your own food and drinks on board, and they even let you bring alcohol! You can find the ferry at the terminal in downtown Mobile (just ask a local where it is if you're not sure), or take one of their cruises that circle around the bay.

Alabama has lots of natural beauty

Alabama has a lot to offer. Here are some reasons you should visit:

Alabama is home to many natural wonders, including mountains and caves. You can visit these places by going on a hike or cave tour, or simply driving through the area and taking in the beauty of nature as you go.
Alabama also has beautiful beaches with white sand and crystal-clear water that are great for swimming! There are several towns along Alabama’s Gulf Coast where you can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating—or even just relaxing on the beach while reading your favorite book.
Don't forget about wildlife! If you're an animal lover like me then this section will be right up your alley because there's plenty of native fauna here too such as bears (or "black bears" in our case), deer (which we call Whitetail Deer) turkeys...and much more!

Conclusion

The beautiful state of Alabama is a great place to visit. From the natural wonders of Cheaha Mountain and Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, to the deep caves at Lake Lurleen State Park, this state has something for everyone. From sea turtles and dolphins off the coast of Fort Morgan, to alligators at Dismals Canyon Nature Preserve, there are many beautiful creatures that call this place home. If you want to see more wildlife than just animals though...don't forget about all those butterflies!