Sometimes we need to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life in order to explore Alabama’s natural scenic places. From nature preserves and wildlife refuges, to rivers and lakes, Alabama’s natural scenic beauty doesn’t disappoint.
Listed below are 10 of Alabama’s most natural scenic places that’ll offer you a peaceful escape from the busyness of everyday life.
- Hays Nature Preserve - Owens Cross Roads
yelp/Peter S. Hays Nature Preserve is a little-known oasis that’s located on the outskirts of Huntsville. At this beautiful preserve, you’ll have access to 10 miles of trails and possibly encounter a variety of wildlife species. (7153 Hwy 431 S)
- Lake Martin - Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa Counties
flickr/John Coley Lake Martin covers more than 40,000 acres and is one of the largest man-made lakes in the U.S. Offering more than 750 miles of wooded shoreline, Lake Martin is a great place for rest and relaxation, whether it be on shore or in a boat.
- Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge - West Blocton
wikimedia commons/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is home to the world’s largest stand of Cahaba lilies. Having been established in 2002, it’s also one of the nation’s newest National Wildlife Refuges. This refuge area is absolutely breathtaking! (Co Rd 24)
- Perry Lakes Park - Marion
flickr/James Diewald Perry Lakes Park, which covers approximately 600 acres, is a natural river bottomland and one of Alabama’s most scenic lake areas. Its four oxbow lakes and miles of interpretive trails are guaranteed to bring you close to nature. (AL-175)
- Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge - Gulf Shores
flickr/Ken Ratcliff Covering more than 7,000 acres, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest undeveloped pieces of land on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. This natural oasis is best known for protecting migratory birds. (12295 State Hwy 180)
- Turkey Foot Falls - Bankhead National Forest
flickr/sradke Turkey Foot Falls is located within the Sipsey Wilderness area of Bankhead National Forest. It’s one of Alabama’s most beautiful and accessible waterfalls.
- Langan Park - Mobile
flickr/Pat David Langan Park, which covers 720 acres, is located in Mobile’s beautiful Spring Hill neighborhood. In addition to beautiful scenery, Langan Park also offers tennis courts, playgrounds and several picnic areas. This city park is the perfect place for a family outing. (4901 Zeigler Blvd)
- Ruffner Mountain - Birmingham
flickr/Rain0975 Covering 1,038 acres, Ruffner Mountain is one of Alabama’s most scenic nature preserves. It also offers one of the best views of Birmingham. If you’ve never viewed “The Magic City” from Ruffner Mountain, make plans to do so soon. (1214 81st St S)
- Audubon Bird Sanctuary - Dauphin Island
tripadvisor/adtn2016 Dauphin Island’s Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which is one of Alabama’s top birding spots, includes 164 acres of maritime forest, marshes and dunes. Visitors of this bird sanctuary enjoy strolling the 1,000-foot boardwalk that leads to Gaillard Lake. (213 Bienville Blvd)
- Lake Lurleen State Park - Coker
wikimedia commons/AJ4TBama Lake Lurleen State Park covers 1,625 acres and is situated on the banks of Lake Lurleen. It offers 23 miles of scenic trails, and it’s the perfect place to take a weekend getaway. (13226 Lake Lurleen Rd)
Have you been to any of these scenic places? Is so, what did you think? Share your thoughts with us! For another scenic place in Alabama that’s worth exploring, click here.
yelp/Peter S.
Hays Nature Preserve is a little-known oasis that’s located on the outskirts of Huntsville. At this beautiful preserve, you’ll have access to 10 miles of trails and possibly encounter a variety of wildlife species. (7153 Hwy 431 S)
flickr/John Coley
Lake Martin covers more than 40,000 acres and is one of the largest man-made lakes in the U.S. Offering more than 750 miles of wooded shoreline, Lake Martin is a great place for rest and relaxation, whether it be on shore or in a boat.
wikimedia commons/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is home to the world’s largest stand of Cahaba lilies. Having been established in 2002, it’s also one of the nation’s newest National Wildlife Refuges. This refuge area is absolutely breathtaking! (Co Rd 24)
flickr/James Diewald
Perry Lakes Park, which covers approximately 600 acres, is a natural river bottomland and one of Alabama’s most scenic lake areas. Its four oxbow lakes and miles of interpretive trails are guaranteed to bring you close to nature. (AL-175)
flickr/Ken Ratcliff
Covering more than 7,000 acres, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest undeveloped pieces of land on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. This natural oasis is best known for protecting migratory birds. (12295 State Hwy 180)
flickr/sradke
Turkey Foot Falls is located within the Sipsey Wilderness area of Bankhead National Forest. It’s one of Alabama’s most beautiful and accessible waterfalls.
flickr/Pat David
Langan Park, which covers 720 acres, is located in Mobile’s beautiful Spring Hill neighborhood. In addition to beautiful scenery, Langan Park also offers tennis courts, playgrounds and several picnic areas. This city park is the perfect place for a family outing. (4901 Zeigler Blvd)
flickr/Rain0975
Covering 1,038 acres, Ruffner Mountain is one of Alabama’s most scenic nature preserves. It also offers one of the best views of Birmingham. If you’ve never viewed “The Magic City” from Ruffner Mountain, make plans to do so soon. (1214 81st St S)
tripadvisor/adtn2016
Dauphin Island’s Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which is one of Alabama’s top birding spots, includes 164 acres of maritime forest, marshes and dunes. Visitors of this bird sanctuary enjoy strolling the 1,000-foot boardwalk that leads to Gaillard Lake. (213 Bienville Blvd)
wikimedia commons/AJ4TBama
Lake Lurleen State Park covers 1,625 acres and is situated on the banks of Lake Lurleen. It offers 23 miles of scenic trails, and it’s the perfect place to take a weekend getaway. (13226 Lake Lurleen Rd)
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
