From scenic parks to nature preserves, to mountains, lakes, and rivers, Huntsville, Alabama offers a variety of outdoor destinations for the outdoor enthusiast to explore.
Walk Back in Time
Downtown Huntsville is a very walkable destination, especially for exploring Huntsville’s history. Take a walk through downtown Huntsville and the historic districts and see Huntsville’s history for yourself.
Huntsville is home to the largest number of pre-Civil War homes in Alabama in the historic Twickenham district. The charming homes in the Twickenham Historic District date back to 1814, showcasing a variety of architectural styles such as Greek Revival, Federal, and Italianate. The beautiful houses are rich in history, which you can follow along by reading the green signs scattered around the district.
Stroll, jog, or bike to Big Spring International Park, the founding place of Huntsville, and see the spring where Huntsville was established and where the park gets its name.
On the way to the park, make a stop at Constitution Hall Park, a historical site that served as the venue for Alabama’s first constitutional convention and the place where Alabama became a state. Access to the park is free or plan ahead and book a guided tour.
Journey into Nature
Huntsville Botanical Garden hosts one of the largest open-air butterfly habitats in the nation. Complete with a beautiful event venue, discovery center, amphitheater, lots of walking trails and multiple gardens, Huntsville Botanical Garden has it all!
If you’re up for a challenge, Monte Sano State Park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails. In Spanish, Monte Sano means “Mountain of Health.” In the late 1800s, travelers from across the United States came to experience and enjoy Monte Sano’s refreshing air and mineral springs, believing that the elements had healing properties. Today, Monte Sano is a popular attraction for those looking to explore Huntsville’s natural beauty.
At the southern edge of Huntsville, you’ll find Ditto Landing Marina on the Tennessee River. In addition to hosting many events, Ditto Landing is an excellent place for boating, camping, fishing, hiking/walking, picnicking, and cycling. The Flint River is another local waterway that is especially popular for kayaking and canoeing and a relaxing afternoon float. To make a day of it, follow the Flint River to the Hays Nature Preserve, which features over 10 miles of trails and greenways.
Just Outside Huntsville
About an hour outside of Huntsville is beautiful Lake Guntersville. Created by the Guntersville Dam in 1939, the lake offers a variety of outdoor activities for nature lovers and adventure seekers. With more than 69,000 acres of water, Lake Guntersville is perfect for boating, fishing, and kayaking. Anglers can try their luck catching bass, crappie, and catfish. Surrounding the lake, Guntersville State Park features miles of hiking and biking trails.
Near Lake Guntersville is Buck’s Pocket State Park, a hidden gem tucked away in a secluded pocket of the Appalachian Mountains. Here, visitors can explore the park’s many hiking trails that wind through dense forests and alongside peaceful streams. The park also features a campground near Morgan’s Cove on Lake Guntersville, ideal for fishing, kayaking, and relaxing by the water.
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, along the Tennessee River, is one of the most significant wildlife refuges in the United States in terms of size and biodiversity. Less than an hour’s drive from Huntsville, the refuge attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl each year as well as manages and protects habitats for 12 federally endangered or threatened species. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hosts several events at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge for the community to learn about and appreciate local species.
Huntsville has no shortage of outdoor adventures. Surrounded by gentle mountains, rivers, streams, caves, waterfalls, and more, there’s always a reason to get out and explore.
