Visiting Alabama on Your Next Road Trip

Alabama's natural beauty stretches from theencompasses the southernmost points of the
gentle Appalachian foothills of the north to theAppalachian Range. Talladega's Lake Chinnabee
Gulf coast's sandy shores in the south. Plus enjoyRecreation Area is a peaceful paradise for
a variety of Alabama campgrounds along yourboaters and fishermen while appealing footpaths
way, from small, rustic tent campgrounds to thethrough the mountains and valleys are mainstays
best Alabama RV camping resorts the state hasof the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail System.
to offer.For those who'd rather ride than walk, Talladega
The northern segment of this state is renownedScenic Drive offers automobile tours of spring
for outstanding fishing and boating, and visitorswildflowers or colorful autumn leaves.
here experience wonders like rushing waterfallsAnother of this state's natural treasures is
and cool caves. William E. Bankhead NationalTuskegee National Forest in Tuskegee. Besides a
Forest in Double Springs contains four separaterelaxing picnic area for hungry travelers, the
zones offering diverse samples of Alabama'sTaska Recreation Area features a true
great outdoors, as well as the Sipsey Wilderness,reproduction of Booker T. Washington's boyhood
the largest such preserve east of the Mississippicabin. The gentle, clearly marked Bartram Trail,
River. Brushy Lake Recreation Area has scenicAlabama's first designated National Recreation
hiking trails and excellent opportunities for boaterTrail, is suitable for hikers of all ages and abilities. It
and anglers. The Clear Creek territory at Smithoffers close-up views of spring wildflowers, fall
Lake features sandy beaches for swimming and afoliage, blooming magnolias and dogwoods, and
picturesque, lakeside bike trail. At Corinthlocal creatures like turkeys and deer. Tuskegee
Recreation Area, picnicking and swimming arestaff also maintains Tisinia, a protected area that's
popular options, while at the more isolatedtops for observing wildlife. For sportsmen, the
Houston area, visitors enjoy quiet explorations offorest manages a rifle range and two fishing
Smith Lake.ponds.
Rickwood Caverns State Park is located inAlabama's southeast is a surprising land of
Warrior, near Birmingham. This unique recreationrattlesnake rodeos, insect monuments and peanut
area boasts a "miracle mile" of subterraneanstatues. Frankly, based on those attractions alone,
caverns with limestone deposits dating backyou'd be crazy to miss it. However, it's also the
(gasp!) an astounding 260 million years. Rickwood'shome of Conecuh National Forest in Andalusia,
exhibition cave contains such curiosities as anwhere fishing trips, picnics, scenic hikes and
underground pool and sightless fish that havebirdwatching opportunities are easily at hand.
never been exposed to the light of day. The parkNamed "land of the cane" by Muskogee Indians,
also offers more typical amusements - a bigwho noted canebrakes in the forest, Conecuh's
swimming pool, walking trails and a miniature traintwo recreation areas at Blue Lake and Open Pond
tour, just for kicks.have loop trails, a fishing pier, boat launch, a
There's more than the NASCAR speedway inswimming beach and wildlife in the forms of
Talladega. Travelers shouldn't miss the Talladegaalligators, woodpeckers and raccoons. The 20-mile
National Forest's Talladega Division, spanning theConecuh Trail winds past holly leaves, pine trees,
four counties of Calhoun, Cleburn, Clay andchilly springs and streams, and picture-perfect
Talladega. Hiking and backpacking are the maincypress ponds.
events in the forest's Cheaha Wilderness, which