From top to bottom, Alabama is an outdoor lover’s playground. Its lush, vibrant landscape stretches from the Appalachian Mountains down to the Gulf Coast. In between, you’ll find rivers, deltas, lakes, prairies, and caves to explore.
The moderate, warm climate makes staying outside for the day an absolute breeze. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a trail-traipser, Alabama has an adventure for every member of the family.
Multiple levels of access for observing wildlife
Bursting with life, Alabama is one of the most biodiverse states in the country. Connecting to its natural glory is as easy as visiting the Joe Farm. Their guide program, Connecting With Birds and Nature Tours, allows families to explore 200 acres of family-owned land. The 6-mile nature trail can be walked, biked, or toured on a tractor-trailer with an accessibility ramp.
The main event? Birdwatching. From bald eagles to ospreys to the state bird the yellowhammer, you and your family can spend the day learning about Alabama’s 430 documented bird species. Other animals like whitetail deer, bobcats, and rabbits also make frequent guest appearances. And don’t forget to tour the award-winning operations of Joe Farm. It’s a relaxing educational experience with a trusted guide like Christopher Joe, who operates the program. He has over 30 years of teaching experience and a passion for sharing his birding and wildlife knowledge with the community.
Waterfalls, milkshakes and glowworms
Dismals Canyon is Alabama’s one-stop shop for adventure. This privately-owned nature conservatory boasts a scenic canyon floor complete with caves, bluffs, rivers, and waterfalls. The 1.7 miles of trails wind past house-sized boulders and massive hemlock trees. After your outdoor adventure, stop by the historic Country Store for an old-fashioned milkshake at the Soda Fountain. There’s so much to see, you can hardly cram it all into one day. Luckily, Dismals Conservatory offers cozy cabins (which sleep up to 8) and campsites. One more reason to stay the night: the Dismalites. Underneath starry skies, a conservatory guide will show you the bluish “glowworms” dotting the mossy Dismal Canyon walls. As one of the few places in the entire world where you can spot these bioluminescent bugs, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Y’all go cool off in the swimmin’ hole
With an average temperature of 90 degrees (32.2 Celsius) in the summertime, Alabama can get pretty darn hot. The upside: it’s an excuse to cool down in one of the state’s numerous swimming holes. Naturally formed waters pepper the entire state, and many are open to the public.
A popular family favorite is Little River’s Hippie Hole, which has a dock, a small sandy beach, and a rope swing. The shockingly vibrant waters of Turkey Creek Nature Preserve’s Blue Hole are a must-see (and a must-swim). If you want to avoid the crowds, there are always a few more spots that locals keep on the down-low. One hidden gem is the Lower Two-Mile, located in Little River Canyon Nature Preserve. It’s quite literally off the beaten path, but don’t let the half-hour descent to the river scare you off. The location means it’s lightly trafficked, which is a rare find for a swimming hole with deep waters, large sunbathing boulders, and a substantial sandy beach.
Find even more swimming holes with this locator.
