There are many places in Alabama that make great summer destinations. While some are quite obvious, others aren’t, unless of course you’re a local. From whimsical parks to secluded swimming holes, Alabama is home to several under-the-radar destinations waiting to be discovered this summer, including the nine listed below. Check them out!
- Red Mountain Park - Birmingham
tripadvisor/Cil F Red Mountain Park is a unique adventure park hidden within a forest. It’s best known for its zip lining courses, which are fun for all ages. For more information, click here. Address: 2011 Frankfurt Drive, Birmingham, AL, 35211
- Dismals Canyon - Phil Campbell
flickr/Phillip Hendon Dismals Canyon is one of Alabama’s true hidden gems. It covers 85 acres and is one of the only places in the world where you’ll find dismalites. Hiking and camping are two of the canyon’s most popular recreational activities. For more information, click here. Address: 901 Highway 8, Phil Campbell, AL, 35581
- Spring Valley Beach - Blountsville
facebook/Spring Valley Beach Water Park Spring Valley Beach, which covers 25 acres, is a fun waterpark for the entire family. It’s home to the Southeast’s largest pool, and it features 10 waterslides. For kids, Spring Valley Beach offers a water playground area unlike any other. For more information, click here. Address: 2340 County Highway 55, Blountsville, AL, 35031
- Perry Lakes Park - Marion
tripadvisor/AdrianD0 Perry Lakes Park is one of Alabama’s most beautiful natural areas. Covering approximately 600 acres, this scenic park features trails, lakes, a birding tower, and more. It’s perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors. For more information, click here. Address: Alabama Highway 175, Marion, AL, 36756
- Styx River Tube & Canoe Rental - Robertsdale
facebook/Styx River tube and canoe rental The Styx River, which is located in Baldwin County, is one of the best natural lazy rivers in Alabama. Because of this, it’s the perfect spot for tubing. If you’re ever in the area and interested in tubing down the Styx River, be sure to stop by Styx River Tube and Canoe Rental. They’ll make sure you have a tubing adventure like no other. For more information, click here. Address: 25625 Water Rapids Road, Robertsdale, AL, 36567
- Delano Park - Decatur
facebook/Delano Park Conservancy Delano Park is one of the South’s most beautiful parks. From its whimsical statues to its scenic paths, this city park is perfect for a summer day trip. For more information, click here. Address: 825 Gordon Drive Southeast, Decatur, AL, 35601
- Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge - Scottsboro
google/Rachel Kilgore Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, formerly known as Blowing Wind Cave National Wildlife Refuge, covers 264 acres and is one of North Alabama’s most unique attractions. Sauta Cave is unique because it’s home to the world’s largest concentration of endangered Gray Bats. Each summer evening in June, July, and August, approximately 300,000 bats emerge from the cave. For more information, click here. Address: Scottsboro, AL, 35769
- Devil’s Den Falls - Lineville
google/Miranda brunn Devil’s Den Falls is tucked away inside Cheaha State Park. It’s situated on the Chinnabee Silent Trail and flows into one of Alabama’s best swimming holes. Over the years, Devil’s Den Falls has become a popular gathering spot among locals, especially during summer. For more information, click here. Address: Lineville, AL, 36266
- Hays Nature Preserve - Owens Cross Roads
tripadvisor/BC10183 Hays Nature Preserve is a little-known oasis that’s located along the Flint River. It offers several recreational activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing. Hays Nature Preserve’s most unique feature is its playground, which includes equipment built from old logs. For more information, click here. Address: 7153 Highway 431 South, Owens Cross Roads, AL, 35763
Have you ever visited any of these under-the-radar destinations in Alabama? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments below. Also, share with us some of your favorite summer destinations.
tripadvisor/Cil F
Red Mountain Park is a unique adventure park hidden within a forest. It’s best known for its zip lining courses, which are fun for all ages. For more information, click here. Address: 2011 Frankfurt Drive, Birmingham, AL, 35211
flickr/Phillip Hendon
Dismals Canyon is one of Alabama’s true hidden gems. It covers 85 acres and is one of the only places in the world where you’ll find dismalites. Hiking and camping are two of the canyon’s most popular recreational activities. For more information, click here. Address: 901 Highway 8, Phil Campbell, AL, 35581
facebook/Spring Valley Beach Water Park
Spring Valley Beach, which covers 25 acres, is a fun waterpark for the entire family. It’s home to the Southeast’s largest pool, and it features 10 waterslides. For kids, Spring Valley Beach offers a water playground area unlike any other. For more information, click here. Address: 2340 County Highway 55, Blountsville, AL, 35031
tripadvisor/AdrianD0
Perry Lakes Park is one of Alabama’s most beautiful natural areas. Covering approximately 600 acres, this scenic park features trails, lakes, a birding tower, and more. It’s perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors. For more information, click here. Address: Alabama Highway 175, Marion, AL, 36756
facebook/Styx River tube and canoe rental
The Styx River, which is located in Baldwin County, is one of the best natural lazy rivers in Alabama. Because of this, it’s the perfect spot for tubing. If you’re ever in the area and interested in tubing down the Styx River, be sure to stop by Styx River Tube and Canoe Rental. They’ll make sure you have a tubing adventure like no other. For more information, click here. Address: 25625 Water Rapids Road, Robertsdale, AL, 36567
facebook/Delano Park Conservancy
Delano Park is one of the South’s most beautiful parks. From its whimsical statues to its scenic paths, this city park is perfect for a summer day trip. For more information, click here. Address: 825 Gordon Drive Southeast, Decatur, AL, 35601
google/Rachel Kilgore
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, formerly known as Blowing Wind Cave National Wildlife Refuge, covers 264 acres and is one of North Alabama’s most unique attractions. Sauta Cave is unique because it’s home to the world’s largest concentration of endangered Gray Bats. Each summer evening in June, July, and August, approximately 300,000 bats emerge from the cave. For more information, click here. Address: Scottsboro, AL, 35769
google/Miranda brunn
Devil’s Den Falls is tucked away inside Cheaha State Park. It’s situated on the Chinnabee Silent Trail and flows into one of Alabama’s best swimming holes. Over the years, Devil’s Den Falls has become a popular gathering spot among locals, especially during summer. For more information, click here. Address: Lineville, AL, 36266
tripadvisor/BC10183
Hays Nature Preserve is a little-known oasis that’s located along the Flint River. It offers several recreational activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing. Hays Nature Preserve’s most unique feature is its playground, which includes equipment built from old logs. For more information, click here. Address: 7153 Highway 431 South, Owens Cross Roads, AL, 35763
For more summer fun, be sure to check out our previous article: 10 Things You Must Do Underneath The Summer Sun In Alabama
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