There’s no better way to experience The Yellowhammer State’s natural beauty than by taking a long scenic drive. From waterfalls and canyons, to rivers and lakes, the best scenic drives in Alabama offer plenty of unbelievable sights. The next time you feel like taking a scenic drive across Alabama, consider taking one (or more) of these eight backroads:
- Talladega Scenic Drive
flickr/J. Stephen Conn Alabama’s Talladega Scenic Drive, which begins in Heflin and ends in Lineville, is approximately 30 miles long. This scenic drive will lead you straight to the Talladega National Forest.
- Natchez Trace Parkway
flickr/Jamie The Natchez Trace Parkway is 444 miles long and passes through Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. Not only will you enjoy a long scenic drive along the parkway, but you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy several recreational activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping.
- William B. Bankhead National Forest Tour
flickr/Michael Hicks The William B. Bankhead National Forest Tour begins in Moulton and ends in Jasper. This 54-mile-long drive will take you through the central part of the William B. Bankhead National Forest, and you’ll most certainly experience lots of beautiful scenery along the way.
- Lookout Mountain Parkway
tripadvisor/NorthAlabama16 The Lookout Mountain Parkway is approximately 50 miles long. This scenic drive, which begins in Gadsden and ends in Mentone, offers incredible views, canyons, waterfalls and more.
- Leeds Stagecoach Route
flickr/Wally Argus The Leeds Stagecoach Route begins at Lake Purdy and ends in the town of Moody. This scenic route, which was once a Native American trail, runs along the Little Cahaba River and through Leeds’ historic downtown.
- Tensaw Parkway
wikimedia commons/Bz3rk Alabama’s Tensaw Parkway, which begins in Mobile and ends at the Little River, is 58 miles long. Several waterways are located along this route that offer a variety of fun water activities such as kayaking, fishing, boating, etc.
- Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway
flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway, which is 73 miles long, begins in Heflin and ends in Fort Payne. This scenic drive will take you through forests and lead you to incredible views.
- Alabama’s Coastal Connection National Scenic Byway
flickr/Brian Hancill Alabama’s Coastal Connection National Scenic Byway, which is approximately 120 miles long, is located along the beautiful Gulf Coast. It begins in Bayou La Batre and ends in Daphne. This scenic drive will lead you to beautiful white-sand beaches, wildlife preserves, historic landmarks and more.
What’s your favorite backroad to take in Alabama? Have you ever taken any of the very best scenic drives in Alabama? Let us know in the comments!
flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Alabama’s Talladega Scenic Drive, which begins in Heflin and ends in Lineville, is approximately 30 miles long. This scenic drive will lead you straight to the Talladega National Forest.
flickr/Jamie
The Natchez Trace Parkway is 444 miles long and passes through Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. Not only will you enjoy a long scenic drive along the parkway, but you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy several recreational activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping.
flickr/Michael Hicks
The William B. Bankhead National Forest Tour begins in Moulton and ends in Jasper. This 54-mile-long drive will take you through the central part of the William B. Bankhead National Forest, and you’ll most certainly experience lots of beautiful scenery along the way.
tripadvisor/NorthAlabama16
The Lookout Mountain Parkway is approximately 50 miles long. This scenic drive, which begins in Gadsden and ends in Mentone, offers incredible views, canyons, waterfalls and more.
flickr/Wally Argus
The Leeds Stagecoach Route begins at Lake Purdy and ends in the town of Moody. This scenic route, which was once a Native American trail, runs along the Little Cahaba River and through Leeds’ historic downtown.
wikimedia commons/Bz3rk
Alabama’s Tensaw Parkway, which begins in Mobile and ends at the Little River, is 58 miles long. Several waterways are located along this route that offer a variety of fun water activities such as kayaking, fishing, boating, etc.
flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez
The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway, which is 73 miles long, begins in Heflin and ends in Fort Payne. This scenic drive will take you through forests and lead you to incredible views.
flickr/Brian Hancill
Alabama’s Coastal Connection National Scenic Byway, which is approximately 120 miles long, is located along the beautiful Gulf Coast. It begins in Bayou La Batre and ends in Daphne. This scenic drive will lead you to beautiful white-sand beaches, wildlife preserves, historic landmarks and more.
Can’t get enough of local beauty? Take a scenic road trip to the loveliest natural places in Alabama for a trip you’ll never forget.
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Address: AL-281, Alabama, USAAddress: Natchez Trace Parkway, Natchez Trace Pkwy, United StatesAddress: AL-33, Moulton, AL, USAAddress: Lookout Mountain Parkway, Lookout Mountain Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL, USAAddress: Cahaba Valley Rd, Leeds, AL, USAAddress: Alabama 225, AL-225, Alabama, USAAddress: Alabama Hwy, Cedar Bluff, AL 30165, USAAddress: Dauphin Island, AL, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives In Alabama March 29, 2020 Nikki Rhoades What are the best roadside attractions in Alabama? Traditionally, one may not consider The Heart of Dixie to be an ideal vacation destination, but this is an interesting state. When it comes to roadside attractions in Alabama, you can expect to spot landmarks like a Coon Dog Cemetery (which only provides an eternal home to authentic coon dogs), a saloon in a cave, and a trail surrounded by hand-carved trees. Yes, trees! With over 52,000 square miles of landscape awaiting exploration, it’s no wonder the lovely Alabama hides a few surprises. Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in Alabama? There sure are! Scenic backroads in Alabama are anything but an oddity, especially considering that our population is largely clustered around our big cities. Outside of places like Mobile and Birmingham, you’ll find a bit of countryside. Our state contains 22 million acres of forest, offering shade on sunny summer days. Of course, the Gulf Coast has its own incredible scenery. There’s nothing quite like filling up the tank and heading out into the unconquered beauty of Alabama for a scenic drive. Are there other similar things to do in Alabama when you have a free afternoon? There absolutely are! If you’ve never visited to The Yellowhammer State, you might be surprised by the multitude of things to do in Alabama. You can road trip to our best kept secrets, or you may set out in search of magnificent waterfalls. If you’re looking to get to know the landscape on foot, a good hike is a great choice for you. Many of our hikes are short and sweet… but they come with an incredible payoff. No matter what you do, you’ll find that our landscape has much to offer.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives In Alabama
March 29, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What are the best roadside attractions in Alabama? Traditionally, one may not consider The Heart of Dixie to be an ideal vacation destination, but this is an interesting state. When it comes to roadside attractions in Alabama, you can expect to spot landmarks like a Coon Dog Cemetery (which only provides an eternal home to authentic coon dogs), a saloon in a cave, and a trail surrounded by hand-carved trees. Yes, trees! With over 52,000 square miles of landscape awaiting exploration, it’s no wonder the lovely Alabama hides a few surprises. Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in Alabama? There sure are! Scenic backroads in Alabama are anything but an oddity, especially considering that our population is largely clustered around our big cities. Outside of places like Mobile and Birmingham, you’ll find a bit of countryside. Our state contains 22 million acres of forest, offering shade on sunny summer days. Of course, the Gulf Coast has its own incredible scenery. There’s nothing quite like filling up the tank and heading out into the unconquered beauty of Alabama for a scenic drive. Are there other similar things to do in Alabama when you have a free afternoon? There absolutely are! If you’ve never visited to The Yellowhammer State, you might be surprised by the multitude of things to do in Alabama. You can road trip to our best kept secrets, or you may set out in search of magnificent waterfalls. If you’re looking to get to know the landscape on foot, a good hike is a great choice for you. Many of our hikes are short and sweet… but they come with an incredible payoff. No matter what you do, you’ll find that our landscape has much to offer.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Traditionally, one may not consider The Heart of Dixie to be an ideal vacation destination, but this is an interesting state. When it comes to roadside attractions in Alabama, you can expect to spot landmarks like a Coon Dog Cemetery (which only provides an eternal home to authentic coon dogs), a saloon in a cave, and a trail surrounded by hand-carved trees. Yes, trees! With over 52,000 square miles of landscape awaiting exploration, it’s no wonder the lovely Alabama hides a few surprises.
Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in Alabama?
There sure are! Scenic backroads in Alabama are anything but an oddity, especially considering that our population is largely clustered around our big cities. Outside of places like Mobile and Birmingham, you’ll find a bit of countryside. Our state contains 22 million acres of forest, offering shade on sunny summer days. Of course, the Gulf Coast has its own incredible scenery. There’s nothing quite like filling up the tank and heading out into the unconquered beauty of Alabama for a scenic drive.
Are there other similar things to do in Alabama when you have a free afternoon?
There absolutely are! If you’ve never visited to The Yellowhammer State, you might be surprised by the multitude of things to do in Alabama. You can road trip to our best kept secrets, or you may set out in search of magnificent waterfalls. If you’re looking to get to know the landscape on foot, a good hike is a great choice for you. Many of our hikes are short and sweet… but they come with an incredible payoff. No matter what you do, you’ll find that our landscape has much to offer.
