Alabama

Around 5pm, we hiked down the only clearly marked trail that departs from the parking lot. The path begins with gentle switchbacks and great views of the forest, occasionally passing by small waterfalls, sinkholes, and caves; and arriving at the Hurricane Creek crossing (log with handrail) after ...

Start hiking at Cheaha Trailhead, located at the far end of a parking area just before you get to Cheaha State Park on Highway 281. Follow the Cave Creek Trail until you reach the Pinhoti connector, and hang a right to take the Pinhoti Trail northbound. Look for a sign that points to McDill overl...

The location of the pin leads you to a gravel road with a gated entrance. Park at the white gate and start to hike up the gravel road. The hike is not very strenuous and the waterfall is pretty easy to find. As you hike up the road for a little while the road will fork. Go left at the fork and co...

We camped in a rooftop tent, but many people used traditional tents and hammocks. After purchasing a camping permit, drive right up to your campsite. There are three general camping areas.First is the more exposed (to the often strong winds) campsites along the tops of the cliffs that are closest...

Sand Rock is a unique set of rock outcropping that erupts from Shinbone Ridge overlooking scenic Lake Weiss. The climbable rock runs for about a quarter of a mile along the ridge and is a maze of trails, small caves and literally wall-to-wall climbing.You can find just about any climb to satisfy...

Lake Nicol has several miles of unofficial trails that circle the west bank of the lake which features up to forty foot cliffs that provide both cliff jumping and an excellent view of the lake. Lake Nicol also has a boat/kayak/canoe launch area right next to the parking area. Nicol is over three ...

This 17.7 mile loop trail is actually the combination of three separate trails, the Chinabee Silent Trail, the Skyway Loop Trail, and a piece of the Pinhoti Trail. There are several places on the trail that are near vertical and are demanding, especially on the Pinhoti. Primitive campsites are lo...

Horse Pens 40 is a very well known place for bouldering throughout Alabama. The parking and location arepretty well-marked with signs as you get closer to arriving. Once you arrive and park at Horse Pens, you need to go inside the store to fill out a waiver and pay $6.50 to climb. The bouldering ...

Devil's Den Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Cheaha State Park. This is a state park within Talladega National Forest. The easiest access is from Lake Chinnabee which is about one mile round trip from the parking area. It can also be accessed from Turnipseed campground, but that is about six mil...

Flagg Mountain lookout tower and the cabins are inside the Weogufka State Forest. The state forest also has around 4 miles of hiking trails plus the entire Coosa WMA trails. The cabins and tower were built by the CCC to be part of a state park that was never finished, but the Alabama Forestry Com...

Little Lake Willis in the Talladega National Forest is lost in time. It was built in 1954. This place has few visitors. It is a stream fed 22-acre lake. Lost in the forest. Great fishing hole (bass, bream, and catfish) in a narrow southern Appalachian valley. No motorized boats permitted.  It is ...

Lake Guntersville State Park is a publicly owned recreation area located on the far north side of the city of Guntersville in Marshall County, Alabama. The state park occupies 5,909 acres on the eastern shore of Guntersville Lake, a 69,000-acre impoundment of the Tennessee River. Lake Guntersvill...