Whenever you’re wanting to be surrounded by lots of beautiful scenery, there’s no better place to be than right here in the South. Some of the best places to experience this beautiful scenery are Alabama’s nature preserves. Listed below is a mapped loop trail that’ll take you to seven of Alabama’s most beautiful nature preserves. With a driving distance of 432 miles and a drive time of 8 hours and 8 minutes, this preserve loop trail can be completed in a single weekend.
Now, let’s get started:
google maps Click here for complete driving directions.
- Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve - Tuscumbia
alltrails/Melissa Biffle Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, which covers approximately 700 acres, is one of North Alabama’s most scenic areas. It features more than 15 miles of hiking trails that feature waterfalls, streams, boulders, etc. There’s also an incredible overlook that lets you see for miles and miles. Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is a true gem that’s open year-round.
- Green Mountain Nature Preserve - Huntsville
google/Noah Hansen Green Mountain Nature Preserve covers approximately 500 acres and features beautiful flowing streams and waterfalls. This scenic preserve also offers more than five miles of trails and a prehistoric rock shelter, which attracts many archaeologists from near and far.
- J.D. & Annie S. Hays Nature Preserve - Owens Cross Roads
google/Brittney Mcillwain J.D. & Annie S. Hays Nature Preserve, best known as Hays Nature Preserve, covers 538 acres and features more than 10 miles of trails. Flowing through the property is the Flint River, which is a popular fishing spot. Bar Lake is another one. In addition to Hays Nature Preserve having lots of beautiful natural scenery, it’s also part of the North Alabama Birding Trail.
- Little River Canyon National Preserve - Fort Payne
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Little River Canyon National Preserve, which covers more than 15,000 acres, is located atop North Alabama’s Lookout Mountain. Its main feature is Little River Canyon, aka the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Another popular feature at Little River Canyon National Preserve is Little River Falls. This is one of the Southeast’s most beautiful waterfalls.
- Turkey Creek Nature Preserve - Pinson
google/Gottfried Kibelka Turkey Creek Nature Preserve covers nearly 500 acres and attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all across the Southeast. One of its main features is a beautiful waterfall. The preserve also offers six miles of scenic trails, which range from easy to moderate.
- Ruffner Mountain - Birmingham
flickr/Andy Montgomery Ruffner Mountain is a beautiful nature preserve that covers 1,038 acres. It offers a wonderful view of a former quarry and an incredible view of Birmingham’s skyline. Fourteen miles of trails are also located throughout the preserve. While hiking these trails, you’ll experience lots of beautiful scenery and different types of wildlife.
- Moss Rock Preserve - Hoover
google/John I. Wallin III Moss Rock Preserve covers approximately 350 acres and offers more than 10 miles of trails. While hiking these scenic trails, you’ll encounter waterfalls, a stream, boulders, and more. This preserve truly is a hidden gem.
Have you ever explored any of these Alabama preserves? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments.
google maps
Click here for complete driving directions.
alltrails/Melissa Biffle
Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, which covers approximately 700 acres, is one of North Alabama’s most scenic areas. It features more than 15 miles of hiking trails that feature waterfalls, streams, boulders, etc. There’s also an incredible overlook that lets you see for miles and miles. Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is a true gem that’s open year-round.
google/Noah Hansen
Green Mountain Nature Preserve covers approximately 500 acres and features beautiful flowing streams and waterfalls. This scenic preserve also offers more than five miles of trails and a prehistoric rock shelter, which attracts many archaeologists from near and far.
google/Brittney Mcillwain
J.D. & Annie S. Hays Nature Preserve, best known as Hays Nature Preserve, covers 538 acres and features more than 10 miles of trails. Flowing through the property is the Flint River, which is a popular fishing spot. Bar Lake is another one. In addition to Hays Nature Preserve having lots of beautiful natural scenery, it’s also part of the North Alabama Birding Trail.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Little River Canyon National Preserve, which covers more than 15,000 acres, is located atop North Alabama’s Lookout Mountain. Its main feature is Little River Canyon, aka the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Another popular feature at Little River Canyon National Preserve is Little River Falls. This is one of the Southeast’s most beautiful waterfalls.
google/Gottfried Kibelka
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve covers nearly 500 acres and attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all across the Southeast. One of its main features is a beautiful waterfall. The preserve also offers six miles of scenic trails, which range from easy to moderate.
flickr/Andy Montgomery
Ruffner Mountain is a beautiful nature preserve that covers 1,038 acres. It offers a wonderful view of a former quarry and an incredible view of Birmingham’s skyline. Fourteen miles of trails are also located throughout the preserve. While hiking these trails, you’ll experience lots of beautiful scenery and different types of wildlife.
google/John I. Wallin III
Moss Rock Preserve covers approximately 350 acres and offers more than 10 miles of trails. While hiking these scenic trails, you’ll encounter waterfalls, a stream, boulders, and more. This preserve truly is a hidden gem.
For additional information about Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, be sure to take a look at the following article: The Unrivaled Canyon Hike In Alabama Everyone Should Take At Least Once.
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Address: Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, 251 Loop Rd, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, USAAddress: Land Trust of North Alabama: Green Mountain Nature Preserve Alum Hollow Trailhead, 13800 S Shawdee Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803, USAAddress: 7161 US-431, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, USAAddress: Little River Canyon National Preserve, 4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USAAddress: Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126, USAAddress: Ruffner Mountain, 1214 81st St S, Birmingham, AL 35206, USAAddress: 617 Preserve Way, Hoover, AL 35226, USA
