Muscle Shoals Reservation

Muscle Shoals Reservation

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: There are 17 miles of trails available
Entry Fee: Free

Muscle Shoals Reservation is located in Muscle Shoals alongside the Tennessee River. There are several highlights of this area including an old Railroad Bridge, a waterfall, and the Wilson Dam.

Muscle Shoals Reservation is located he Broken Road Trail is located in Muscle Shoals about an hour and 15 minutes west of Huntsville. There are several parking lots depending on where you want to go.

Click here for Wilson Dam overview
Click here for Wilson Dam river view
Click here for TVA Trail Complex
Click here for Railroad Bridge

Download Trail Map Here

Wilson Dam Overview

Dam Overview Parking

The parking lot for the overview of the dam is not well marked. It will look like you are going into a secure area. Right before the entrance to the secure TVA area, you will take a left into public parking. From there, the short trail is well marked and you will easily be able to find a beautiful view of the dam.

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Wilson Dam River View and Waterfall

Wilson Dam River View Parking

This parking lot is well marked and easy to find. There is a boat ramp here. The Tennessee River runs right next to parking lot and offers a river view of Wilson Dam. There are public restrooms as well as a playground and a waterfall. This portion of the park is sometimes closed!

Railroad Bridge

Wilson Dam River View Parking

You’ll park at the Wilson Dam River View Parking and will follow the walkway upstream towards the dam. This is an easy walk and is accessible by wheelchair.

Water Tunnel

Wilson Dam River View Parking

You’ll park at the Wilson Dam River View Parking and will follow the walkway upstream towards the dam this is located right next to the Rockpile Falls. This is an easy walk and is accessible by wheelchair.

Railroad Bridge

Railroad Bridge Parking

The railroad bridge is the most unique part of the Muscle Shoals Reservation. The railroad bridge is no longer in service but is still a beautiful bridge to visit. You can walk along the river bed for different views, or cross the bridge on the lower level beneath the tracks.

TVA Trail Complex

TVA Muscle Shoals Trail Complex Parking

The Trail complex is very accessible area great for everyone. There is a playground and pavilion located right next to the parking lot as well as several trails that connect all the way to the dam and the railroad bridge. There are several trails you can choose from depending on what you are looking for.

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Dismal’s Canyon

Dismal’s Canyon

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.5 miles
Entry Fee: Day Admission, Adult $12, for complete fee list, see “Fee” section below

Dismal’s Canyon is a secluded park in Northwest Alabama. The park offers a fantasy world looking canyon filled with amazing rock formations, beautiful plant life, hidden paths, and bioluminescent flies. Though this park is not “kid-friendly” as far as ease of access and kid-friendly hiking, it is built for a child’s imagination.

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Dismal’s Canyon is located an hour and a half’s drive west from Huntsville. It is located in Phil Campbell, AL.

Google Maps Dismal’s Canyon or look at the map above!

Download Trail Map Here

Download Rim Map Map Here

Entry Fee: Individual

Day Tour:
Adult – $12
Over 60 – $11
Under 12 – $8.75

Night Tour (guided):
Adult – $10
Over 60 – $9
Under 12 – $7.75

Day & Night Tour:
Adult – $18
Over 60 – $17
Under 12 – $14

2 Day & 1 Night Tour:
Adult – $30
Over 60 – $27
Under 12 – $21.25

Entry Fee: Groups (20 People+ / Ages 3+)

Day Tour:
Adult – $10
Under 12 – $7.25

Night Tour (guided):
Adult – $8
Under 12 – $6.75

Day & Night Tour:
Adult – $15.50
Under 12 – $11.75

Entry Fee: Schools (1 Supervisor Free per 10 students)

Day Tour:
Grades 1 – 6 – $6
Grades  7 – 12- $8

Night Tour (guided):
Grades 1 – 6 – $5
Grades  7 – 12- $7

Day & Night Tour:
Grades 1 – 6 – $9
Grades  7 – 12- $13

Parking Lot/Country Store

The parking lot is well marked with plenty of parking spots for a couple of dozen cars. When you enter the parking lot, on your right is the bathroom and straight ahead going past the bathrooms is the paved road that leads you to the country store and entry into the park. You will pay your entrance fee at the country store.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is the first thing you come across heading down into the canyon. It is a beautiful waterfall with plenty of different angles you can take pictures of it to show to your friends. This area is also where you’ll find a beautiful swinging bridge. Cross the swinging bridge and safely climb up the rocks for a different view!

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Trail

The trail here is absolutely magical. There is amazing rock formations with moss covering almost every inch of the boulders. There are secret passageways and stunning deadends. I highly suggest finding a split between two rocks and just finding where it leads!

Secret Falls

The Secret falls is hidden after the weeping bluff and right before the stepping stones on your way back upstream (assuming you are following the path as the provided trail map shows). The path veers off to the right, right before you cross the river for your second time. It is a hidden waterfall in between some large boulders. You can view this waterfall from above, or below!

Dismalties

Photo Credit: By ChattOconeeNF – Foxfire at Anna Ruby Fall, Chattahoochee National Forest, CC BY 2.0

Only seen on a Night Tour!

The Dismalties are the only glowing flies in North America. They can be found in Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. The flies build sticky webs and use their bioluminescence to attract prey and they can be found right here in Dismal’s Canyon.

Camping

Dismal’s Canyon offers primitive campsites and cabins to sleep in. Reservations are taken by phone :
(205) 993-4559

To learn more about Spending the night in Dismal’s Canyon
Campsites – $27+ per night (plus one time $5 cleanup fee)
Cabins – $175+ per night (plus one time $85 cleanup fee)

View a Campsite Here

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Sougahoagdee Falls

Sougahoagdee Falls

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 4 miles Round Trip
Entry Fee: Free

Sousougahoagdee Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Bankhead National Forrest Southwest of Huntsville. The trail is heavily trafficked and offers wonderful views.

This area is part of dispersed recreation in Bankhead National Forest. There is NO MAINTAINED TRAIL. Please note that dispersed recreation sometimes has a "social trail" that you can follow. Some of these are easy to follow and some of them you cannot follow. Please note that these trails can change very quickly and may be easy to follow one season and completely overgrown the next. Always bring a map, compass, and GPS with you while hiking Bankhead National Forest.

If you are still using your phone for navigation. You should at least buy a power bank.

Bankhead Map
Buy a printed map here.

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Sougahoadee Falls is an hour and a half drive from Huntsville and is on the East side of Bankhead National Forest.

Google Maps Sougahoagdee Falls Parking or look at our map above!

Trailhead

The trailhead is in a remote part of Bankhead National Forest right next to a bridge. There is limited parking for maybe 2 or 3 cars. Following the GPS is by far the easiest way to get there. It is very obvious where you are supposed to park. There is only one trailhead and it is well marked.

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Trail

The trail is mostly well marked and easy to follow. The trail follows the river and is partially an old dirt road. As long as you are following the river, you won’t get lost. There are a few places the trail splits and a small trail follows the river while the dirt road goes off another direction. We found it best to follow the river, but the road does meet back up with the river farther down the trail. There are several downed trees to navigate through, but mostly it’s an easy, flat trail.

No Name Waterfall

The no name waterfall is visible from the trail. Sougahoagdee Falls is not far from here, but this no name warterfall is definitely worth exploring. It trickles down tall steep rock into a small pool at the bottom. 

Sougahoagdee Falls

The waterfall is just around the corner from the previous waterfall. It is a beautiful waterfall well worth exploring! When you are done, head out the same way you came in.

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Buck’s Pocket

Buck’s Pocket

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.5 mile
Entry Fee: Free

Buck’s Pocket is a secluded park in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It offers amazing views from the parking lot all the way to the cliffs. Currently, the bottom of Buck’s Pocket is closed, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the top!

Buck’s Pocket is located a little over an hour’s drive southeast from Huntsville. It is located near Guntersville Lake.

DO NOT Google Maps Buck’s Pocket. It will take you to the bottom of Buck’s Pocket. Instead, click here or the map above!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

The parking lot is well marked at the end of a small street right before you make the loopback. You can’t miss it. There is enough parking for a few dozen cars including a handicap parking spot. The trailhead has a giant sign that says “Jim Lynn Overlook Area”. You get your first views are from the parking lot, so take it in!

Entrance

The trail is very accessible. It moves from a wooden boardwalk to a gravel path, to walking on flat rock. There are small paths that shoot off the path in both directions as you’re walking to the overlook, but none of the views at the end of these paths are as spectacular as the main overlook area.

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Overlook Area

After a short hike, there is a beautiful overlook area. Make sure to bring a camera and look around! When you are done, head back down the same path you came in from.

Camping

There are camping spots along the top portion of the park near the parking lot. The campgrounds follow the road and according to the website are currently walk-in camping only and first come first serve.

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Mardis Mill Falls

Mardis Mill Falls

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 0.2 miles
Entry Fee: Free

Mardis Mill Falls is a beautiful and serene waterfall just south of Blountsville, AL. Enjoy swimming, bouldering and hiking along the river bed.

Posted By: Anton Etenko

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Mardis Mill Falls is only an hour south of Huntsville.

Google Mardis Mill Falls or look at the map provided above!

 

Trailhead and Parking

This is not a park, so there are no trailhead signs. The trailhead is near the bridge on the Northside of the road. You can park on the road right before the trailhead. 

Trail

The trail is easy to follow despite that it isn’t marked. Once you cross the one-lane bridge, it will be on your right before the 90-degree turn. Walk down the rocky path to the falls and enjoy walking the river bed downstream!

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Waterfall

There is plenty of depth in the water to swim, even in periods of light rain! A rope swing is provided for those brave enough to jump. Swim across the falls to the overhead rock formations or walk down the rocky river bed for more scenic views!

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Lost Sink Trail – Keel Mountain Preserve

Lost Sink Trail – Keel Mountain Preserve

Rating: Moderate
Distance: 3 Miles Total
Entry Cost: Free

CAUTION: 
Beware of Sinkholes
Hard to follow trails
Plenty of thorns

Download Trail Map from the Land Trust of North Alabama website!

Lost Sink trail on Keel Mountain Preserve is an uphill hike to a very cool large sinkhole with a waterfall disappearing underground.

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Lost Sink Trail is located on Keel Mountain in Gurley southeast of downtown Huntsville.

Google Maps Keel Mountain Preserve or look at our map above!

Video by: SparrowDroneHSV

Trailhead/Parking Lot

This parking lot is not marked but is still apparent when you are passing by. Looking in, you will see a gravel parking lot with a trailhead map in the back right corner (shown in picture) and a Keel Mountain Sign. The trailhead is very well marked by a large sign.  The parking lot is big enough to hold about a dozen cars.

Trail

The trail continuously changes from rock path to dirt path the entire way. There are plenty of thorny vines around, so be careful to stay on the path. The path is not always well marked so pay attention! If you lose the path, just backtrack until you find the trail again. The path is heavily uphill, so be prepared to hike hard!

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Downed Trees

There are several downed trees on the path. Some of these trees appear to have several paths coming off of them. When you see this downed tree (shown), be sure to go down and to the left and not up and to the right. If you feel like there shouldn’t be downed trees, we agree! Help the land trust clear these paths and Volunteer!

Trail Signs

All of the trail signs looked like the picture provided (Yellow arrow with green background). Most of them direct you exactly where you need to go.

WHEN YOU SEE THIS TORN SIGN, GO UP TO THE RIGHT, do not go straight. It is the only sign I found misleading.

Waterfall

CAUTION: Be careful going down to the bottom of the falls and around the falls! The bottom is very slippery and is a 30ft+ drop into a cave where you are not likely to have cell phone service!

The waterfall is visually spectacular and unique, especially Spring/Summer/Fall when everything is very green and there are thick moss and ferns growing everywhere. You can hike up behind the sinkhole, but be sure you respect the no human zones!

Sink Holes

CAUTION: If you are with CHILDREN or DOGS, please keep them CLOSE! There are sinkholes around this area which have provided us with the beautiful waterfall, but also give us dangerous sinkholes that go straight down 100 ft. We repelled into one once and I remember ascending every foot of rope. If you are not an experienced caver DO NOT attempt to repel into these caves. Verticle caving is a VERY DANGEROUS activity and there is plenty that can go wrong. If you are interested in learning how to cave, please join the Huntsville Grotto.

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