United States Alabama The 10 Best State Parks in Alabama By Laura Scholz Laura Scholz Laura Scholz is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and editor who has called Atlanta home since 2000. She has written about the city for TripSavvy since 2018. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Published on 03/10/22 JimVallee / Getty Images From the sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Alabama's 21 state parks deliver dramatic landscapes, natural beauty, and recreational activities ranging from hiking to boating, golfing, and swimming. Parasailing along the beach, touring centuries-old caves, and hiking to the state's highest peak are some of the adventures that await visitors at the best state parks in Alabama, all of which offer overnight accommodations. 01 of 10 Gulf State Park Cheri Alguire / Getty Images Located on 6,150 acres along the Gulf of Mexico, this public recreation area includes a beachfront with 2 miles of sugary sand as well as three freshwater lakes. From hiking and cycling along 28 miles of backcountry trails, kayaking and zip-lining at the Gulf Adventure Center, swimming and paddle-boarding at Lake Shelby, and parasailing along the beach, this is a great spot for those seeking an active vacation. The area also offers Segway tours and has several restaurants and shops for pit stops between adventures or purchasing a souvenir. Overnight options range from rustic lakeside cottages and cabins to a modern RV campground with all the amenities to primitive campsites off the beaten path. View Map Address 20115 State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA Get directions Phone +1 251-948-7275 Web Visit website 02 of 10 DeSoto State Park Kyle Allingham / Getty Images Nestled on Lookout Mountain in the state's northeastern border, this 3,502-acre preserve is known for its towering hardwood forests and rushing waterfalls. Hike 30-plus miles of trails that wind through dense woodlands with views of colorful wildflowers, tumbling waterfalls, and local wildlife. Don't miss the views at Talmadge Butler Boardwalk that ends at Azalea Cascade, especially in spring and fall. The park also has 11 miles of dedicated mountain biking trails, horseback riding, zip-lining, aerial adventures, fly fishing, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool as well as campsites and rental cabins. View Map Address 7104 Desoto Pkwy NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967-7909, USA Get directions Phone +1 256-845-0051 Web Visit website 03 of 10 Oak Mountain State Park SergeYatunin / Getty Images At nearly 10,000 acres, Oak Mountain is the state's largest park and offers a variety of activities all in one place. Hike or cycle on more than 50 miles of trails, including the 4.2-mile Kings Chair Loop, which offers stunning mountain vistas year-round, and the Green and White Trail Loop, which leads to the dramatic Peavine Falls. Go for a swim or soak up the sun on two lakeside beaches, fish for largemouth bass and catfish, or paddle through the calm water via kayak or boat. The park also has a BMX course, cable skiing, horseback riding facilities, basketballs courts, a wildlife center, and an 18-hole golf course with driving range. View Map Address 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA Get directions Phone +1 205-620-2520 Web Visit website 04 of 10 Cathedral Caverns State Park Buyenlarge / Getty Images Its name derived from the underground caverns' resemblance to a cathedral, this park just 100 miles north of Birmingham is situated on 493 acres of woodlands. Cool off on a hot Alabama day with a 90-minute guided tour of the caverns, which are illuminated by LEDs and maintain a constant temperature of 60 degrees F. The 0.75-mile trip is easy and offers a close-up of cavern features, including Goliath, which at 45 feet tall and 243 feet wide is one of the world's largest stalagmites. The park also offers gem mining, 5 miles of hiking trails, and RV and primitive campsites. View Map Address 637 Cave Rd, Woodville, AL 35776-8700, USA Get directions Phone +1 256-728-8193 Web Visit website Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Lake Guntersville State Park Courtesy of Lake Guntersville State Park With lakeside beaches to mountaintop summits, the sprawling 6,000-acre Lake Guntersville Park is the best of both worlds. The 36 miles of hiking trails wind range from beginner-friendly to strenuous and wind along the river and lake shores and through dense forests dotted with leafy ferns and blankets of wildflowers. Stay at the park lodge, which has 112 scenic rooms as well as a mountaintop pool, fine dining restaurant, and golf course. There's also a lakefront campground with cabins, chalets, and RV hook-ups. View Map Address 1155 Lodge Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976, USA Get directions Phone +1 256-571-5440 Web Visit website 06 of 10 Cheaha State Park JimVallee / Getty Images For some of the state's best summit views, head to this park adjacent to the Talladega National Forest. Alabama's oldest operating park, Cheaha is home to the state's highest peak and encompasses 2,799 acres of majestic forest. The best overlooks are at Bunker Tower, a stone building built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the accessible wooden path at Bald Rock Trail. Connect into the storied Appalachian trail via the Pinhoti Trail system and swim, fish, or paddle in the 6-acre Cheaha Lake during the summer season. The park has a 30-room hotel as well as campsites and cabins. View Map Address 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA Get directions Phone +1 256-488-5111 Web Visit website 07 of 10 Meaher State Park mrolands / Getty Images Just 8 miles from downtown Mobile, this picturesque, 1,327-acre park is comprised of wetlands surrounding north Mobile Bay, part of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta—the second largest in the contiguous United States. Start your visit at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center with exhibits chronicling the area's 250,000 acres of scenic waterways, woods, and wetlands. The park has a 300-foot fishing pier as well as two ramp access points for boating, kayaking, and other water activities. Spot red-tailed hawks, pine warbler, blue grosbeaks, and other species along the Coastal Alabama Birding Trail, or take a short stroll along the boardwalk. Stay overnight in one of two furnished cabins, primitive campsites, or the 61-site campground with a climate-controlled shower house and laundry facilities. View Map Address 5200 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort, AL 36527, USA Get directions Phone +1 251-626-5529 Web Visit website 08 of 10 Wind Creek State Park Courtesy of Travel Alabama Nestled along the shores of Lake Martin—a 41,500-acre reservoir surrounded by hardwood forest—Wind Creek State Park is a water lover's paradise. Fish for crappie, striped bass, and other species in the massive lake; rent a boat or kayak to float through the calm waters; or swim off the beach, which is also equipped with grills and picnic tables. Other highlights include hiking and horseback riding trails, an archery range, zipline canopy tours, and a putt-putt course. Stay the night at the 586-site campground, one of the largest in the state's park system, with options ranging from waterfront cabins to shady RV and tent sites. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Lakepoint State Park David Dugan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Situated on the banks of Lake Eufaula, known as "The Bass Capital of the World," this park hosts nearly 100 fishing tournaments annually and has a full-service marina with boat rentals, slips, bait, and other supplies. If angling isn't your thing, there's plenty in the 1,220-acre park to keep you occupied: a saltwater pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, hiking and nature trails, geocaching, a wildlife refuge, and three on-site restaurants. Accommodations include a lodge, which has 101 fully furnished guest rooms, plus cabins, and a 192-site campground with amenities like hookups, a bathhouse, laundry facilities, and a community building available for functions like family reunions and birthday parties. View Map Address 104 Old Hwy 165, Eufaula, AL 36027-4612, USA Get directions Phone +1 334-687-8011 Web Visit website 10 of 10 Joe Wheeler State Park Courtesy of Travel Alabama One of North Alabama's gems, Joe Wheeler State Park is bisected by the mighty Tennessee River and offers water and land-based activities for visitors. The massive, 69,700-acre Wheeler Lake is popular for fishing, sailing, boating, water skiing, and more, and overnight docking and rentals are available at the marina. Traverse through wetlands and woodlands via a network of well-maintained hiking and cycling trails, play a round at the 18-hole golf course, or settle in for a day of sunning and swimming along the beach. The park also has a picnic area with grills, tennis and basketball courts, a disc golf course, a playground, and ground pavilions. For a splurge, stay at the Resort Lodge, which offers lakeside views, balconies, and a swimming pool. A quiet campground, as well as cottages, cabins, and primitive sites, are also available for overnight visitors. View Map Address 4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville, AL 35652, USA Get directions Phone +1 256-247-5466 Web Visit website Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Tell us why! Submit