Summer is just around the corner, so there’s no better time than right now to think about where you’ll be spending it. Several types of places are located in Alabama that are definitely worth a summer visit. From lovely botanical gardens to breathtaking nature preserves, the options are endless.
Listed below are 12 photo-worthy outdoor spots in Alabama that’ll have you counting down the days until summer arrives.
- Gulf Shores
flickr/faungg’s photos Gulf Shores is located on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast and is one of the state’s top vacation destinations. Its beautiful white-sand beaches attract visitors from near and far, especially during the summer.
- Little River Canyon National Preserve - Fort Payne
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Little River Canyon National Preserve is located atop Lookout Mountain and is one of Alabama’s most popular outdoor areas. It offers a variety of recreational activities perfect for summer such as hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, etc. Its main feature is Little River Canyon, which is best known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
- Huntsville Botanical Garden
flickr/David Ellis Huntsville Botanical Garden is a beautiful garden that covers 112 acres. Over the years, it’s become one of Alabama’s top outdoor tourist destinations. It’s also home to the Purdy Butterfly House, which just so happens to be America’s largest open-air butterfly house.
- Bayou La Batre
flickr/Outdoor Alabama/Photo credit: Billy Pope Bayou La Batre is a charming fishing village that’s located on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast. It’s best known as the “Seafood Capital of Alabama,” and it attracts visitors from all across the U.S.
- Battles Wharf - Fairhope
flickr/Joseph Brooke Battles Wharf is an unincorporated community in the Fairhope area. It’s well known for its stunning sunsets and fantastic views of Mobile Bay.
- Turkey Creek Nature Preserve - Pinson
flickr/Rob Briscoe Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, which covers nearly 500 acres, is among Alabama’s favorite outdoor spots. It’s home to one of the Southeast’s most beautiful waterfalls and offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, etc.
- Lewis Smith Lake
wikimedia commons/Quintaped Lewis Smith Lake, which is commonly referred to as “Smith Lake,” covers more than 21,000 acres and is one of the nation’s clearest lakes. It’s located in Cullman, Walker, and Winston counties, and it’s a popular spot for swimming, boating, skiing, and more.
- Caney Creek Falls
flickr/JWagnonPhotography Caney Creek Falls, which is nestled inside North Alabama’s William B. Bankhead National Forest, is one of the Southeast’s most beautiful waterfalls. It’s also a popular swimming hole during the summer months.
- Bellingrath Gardens and Home - Theodore
flickr/C Thomas Bellingrath Gardens and Home is comprised of a 65-acre garden and a beautiful historic home. Located near Mobile, this outdoor garden attraction is open year-round, and it’s extra beautiful during the summer.
- Lake Martin
flickr/John Coley Lake Martin, which covers more than 41,000 acres, is located in Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa counties. This Alabama lake is quite unique because it’s one of America’s largest man-made lakes. Lake Martin also offers a variety of recreational activities for all ages, including swimming, boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and water skiing. It’s also home to Acapulco Rock Island, a popular swimming spot during summer.
- Noccalula Falls Park - Gadsden
tripadvisor/autigerrealtor Noccalula Falls Park covers nearly 250 acres and is home to Noccalula Falls, which is one of Alabama’s most visited natural attractions. This 90-foot waterfall is often referred to as “Alabama’s Niagara Falls.” It’s also one of the few waterfalls in the state you can walk behind.
- Dauphin Island
wikipedia/Jeffrey Reed Dauphin Island is a tiny coastal town that’s located on Alabama’s southernmost point. Because of its beautiful sunsets, this coastal town is best known as the “Sunset Capital of Alabama.” Over the years, Dauphin Island has become one of the state’s top summer vacation destinations.
Have you been to any of these photo-worthy outdoor spots? If so, what did you think? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments. Also, share with us some of your favorite outdoor spots in Alabama.
flickr/faungg’s photos
Gulf Shores is located on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast and is one of the state’s top vacation destinations. Its beautiful white-sand beaches attract visitors from near and far, especially during the summer.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Little River Canyon National Preserve is located atop Lookout Mountain and is one of Alabama’s most popular outdoor areas. It offers a variety of recreational activities perfect for summer such as hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, etc. Its main feature is Little River Canyon, which is best known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
flickr/David Ellis
Huntsville Botanical Garden is a beautiful garden that covers 112 acres. Over the years, it’s become one of Alabama’s top outdoor tourist destinations. It’s also home to the Purdy Butterfly House, which just so happens to be America’s largest open-air butterfly house.
flickr/Outdoor Alabama/Photo credit: Billy Pope
Bayou La Batre is a charming fishing village that’s located on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast. It’s best known as the “Seafood Capital of Alabama,” and it attracts visitors from all across the U.S.
flickr/Joseph Brooke
Battles Wharf is an unincorporated community in the Fairhope area. It’s well known for its stunning sunsets and fantastic views of Mobile Bay.
flickr/Rob Briscoe
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, which covers nearly 500 acres, is among Alabama’s favorite outdoor spots. It’s home to one of the Southeast’s most beautiful waterfalls and offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, etc.
wikimedia commons/Quintaped
Lewis Smith Lake, which is commonly referred to as “Smith Lake,” covers more than 21,000 acres and is one of the nation’s clearest lakes. It’s located in Cullman, Walker, and Winston counties, and it’s a popular spot for swimming, boating, skiing, and more.
flickr/JWagnonPhotography
Caney Creek Falls, which is nestled inside North Alabama’s William B. Bankhead National Forest, is one of the Southeast’s most beautiful waterfalls. It’s also a popular swimming hole during the summer months.
flickr/C Thomas
Bellingrath Gardens and Home is comprised of a 65-acre garden and a beautiful historic home. Located near Mobile, this outdoor garden attraction is open year-round, and it’s extra beautiful during the summer.
flickr/John Coley
Lake Martin, which covers more than 41,000 acres, is located in Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa counties. This Alabama lake is quite unique because it’s one of America’s largest man-made lakes. Lake Martin also offers a variety of recreational activities for all ages, including swimming, boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and water skiing. It’s also home to Acapulco Rock Island, a popular swimming spot during summer.
tripadvisor/autigerrealtor
Noccalula Falls Park covers nearly 250 acres and is home to Noccalula Falls, which is one of Alabama’s most visited natural attractions. This 90-foot waterfall is often referred to as “Alabama’s Niagara Falls.” It’s also one of the few waterfalls in the state you can walk behind.
wikipedia/Jeffrey Reed
Dauphin Island is a tiny coastal town that’s located on Alabama’s southernmost point. Because of its beautiful sunsets, this coastal town is best known as the “Sunset Capital of Alabama.” Over the years, Dauphin Island has become one of the state’s top summer vacation destinations.
For more information about Bayou La Batre, be sure to take a look at the following article: The Quiet Fishing Town In Alabama That Seems Frozen In Time.
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Address: Gulf Shores, AL, USAAddress: Little River Canyon National Preserve, 4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USAAddress: Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, USAAddress: Bayou La Batre, AL, USAAddress: Battles Wharf, AL 36532, USAAddress: Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126, USAAddress: Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama, USAAddress: Caney Creek Falls Trail, Double Springs, AL 35553, USAAddress: Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd, Theodore, AL 36582, USAAddress: Lake Martin, Alabama, USAAddress: Noccalula Falls Park & Campground, 1500 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904, USAAddress: Dauphin Island, AL, USA
