Reader’s Digest rated this Alabama Town as one of the most stunning mountain towns in America.

Welcome to Mentone, AL, a breathtaking town nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Mentone is a small town full of coffee shops, southern restaurants, cozy AirBnbs, and antique shops. Waterfalls and views are hiding around every corner.

Outdoor activities rule Mentone, AL. There are dozens of hiking trails in the area full of waterfalls and views and is home to Alabama’s only Snow Skiing resort. (Yes snow Skiing).

See the full Reader’s Digest 25 Most Stunning Mountain Towns List here.

Desoto Falls is the crown jewel of the area. It is a massive 104 ft waterfall. There are several hiking trails in the area including hiking trails to a beautiful view of the canyon and the bottom of the waterfall. The river is dammed above the waterfall forming a lake. A place to rent kayaks is available above the waterfall. You can swim at the bottom or above the waterfall.

Guide: Desoto Falls

Desoto State Park

Little River Canyon is about 20 minutes south of the town of Mentone. The canyon has several waterfalls including Little River Falls and Martha Falls. There are incredible swimming holes including Hippie Hole, Blue Hole, and the bottom of Little River Falls. Several hiking trails will take you to the bottom of the canyon and you can see several lookout points driving along the canyon rim. This is the deepest canyon in the state of Alabama reaching depths over 600 ft. 

Guide: Little River Canyon

Find out the Gear you need for the outdoors!

Summer Hiking Essentials
Summer Camping Essentials
Outdoor Sandals

Like this Tour? Check out our other tours!

Bankhead Waterfall Tour
Alabama Big Waterfall Tour
Fall Colors in Huntsville

As of 2016, Forests cover an estimated 36.21% of the United States with 818,814,000 acres of forest. 

These rankings are based on Wise Voter data. Click here for more information. The data below is the percentage of the state currently covered in forest. It should be noted that states with lower percentages do not necessarily reflect a low coverage of wild areas as some states naturally have fewer forests. For instance, Kansas is mostly plains and will naturally have less forest coverage. 

Here are the rankings:

1. Maine 88.8%

2. New Hampshire – 81.9%

3. West Virginia – 78.1%

4. Vermont – 76.7%

5. Alabama – 71.3%

6. South Carolina – 66.8%

7. Georgia – 66.5%

8. Mississippi 63.9%

9. Virginia 63.6%

10. New York – 61.7%

11. North Carolina – 60.3%

12. Massachusetts – 59.8%

13. Pennsylvania – 58%

14. Connecticut – 56.9%

15. Arkansas – 56.8%

16. Michigan – 55.7%

17. Rhode Island – 54.5%

18. Louisiana – 54.3%

19. Tennessee – 54.3%

20. Washington – 51.9%

21. Florida – 49.3%

22. Kentucky – 49%

23. Wisconsin – 48.9%

24. Oregon – 48.4%

25. New Jersey – 42.3%

26. Idaho – 41%

27. Maryland – 39.2%

28. Texas – 37.1%

29. Hawaii – 35.8%

30. Alaska – 35.2%

31. Missouri – 34.8%

32. Minnesota – 34.7%

33. Colorado – 34.6%

34. Utah – 34.2%

35. California – 31.7%

36. New Mexico – 31.7%

37. Ohio – 29.9%

38. Delaware – 28.5%

39. Montana – 27.8%

40. Oklahoma – 27%

41. Arizona – 25.4%

42. Indiana – 20.8%

43. Wyoming – 17%

44. Nevada – 15.1%

45. Illinois – 13.7%

46. Iowa – 8%

47. Kansas – 4.7%

48. South Dakota – 3.9%

49. Nebraska – 2.9%

50. North Dakota – 1.8%

Find out the Gear you need for the outdoors!

Summer Hiking Essentials
Summer Camping Essentials
Outdoor Sandals

Like this Tour? Check out our other tours!

Bankhead Waterfall Tour
Alabama Big Waterfall Tour
Fall Colors in Huntsville

Quality of life starts with Clean Water.

These rankings are based on a US News article ranking the states from best drinking water to worst drinking water. The ranking system uses a weighted point system to track violations of the law, including contaminants and treatments. The metric measures the number of violation points against public water systems per 1,000 customers served. 

1. Hawaii

2. Alabama

3. Tennessee

4. South Carolina

5. Massachusetts

6. Kentucky

7. Georgia

8. Florida

9. California

10. Delaware

11. Maryland

12. Ohio

13. Mississippi

14. Minnesota

15. Virginia

16. North Carolina

17. New York

18. Nevada

19. North Dakota

20. Missouri

21. Rhode Island

22. Illinois

23. Washinton

24. Nebraska

25. New Jersey

26. Wisconsin

27. Arkansas

28. Iowa

29. Utah

30. South Dakota

31. Texas

32. Arizona

33. Colorado

34. Kansas

35. Louisiana

36. Michigan

37. Connecticut

38. Indiana

39. Oregon

40. Pennsylvania

41. New Hampshire

42. Idaho

43. New Mexico

44. Wyoming

45. Oklahoma

46. Vermont

47. West Virginia

48. Montana

49. Maine

50. Alaska

Find out the Gear you need for the outdoors!

Summer Hiking Essentials
Summer Camping Essentials
Outdoor Sandals

Like this Tour? Check out our other tours!

Bankhead Waterfall Tour
Alabama Big Waterfall Tour
Fall Colors in Huntsville

In order to get the expertise needed for vertical caving, you can join the Huntsville Grotto.

In this guide, I will go over how to get a permit. Directions to the cave are given when you receive a permit.

You can find a list of SCCi Caves using this link. If you are having issues with the permit process, below we address how to get a permit.

You’re forgetting this gear. Here’s the most underrated gear you’re missing.

To start, go to the SCCi Permit website. Click the button “Click here to register” and register an account. SCCi will send you a confirmation email. After you have successfully set up an account, move on to the next step.

https://permits.scci.org/

After you create an account, go back to SCCi Permit website and log-in. After you log-in, move onto the next step.

https://permits.scci.org/

After you log-in, if it does not automatically land you on the New Permit page, click the “New Permit” button. From here you can Fill out a New Permit.

After you fill out a new permit, SCCi will send you a release form. All members of your party must sign the release form. After the release form is filled out, SCCi will need to approve your permit and you will receive a permit you will need to print out and put on your dashboard as well as directions to get to the cave.

After you sign the release form, SCCi will send you an email with your permit which you will need to print and put into your dashboard. Directions and other instructions will be sent in this email as well.

Happy Caving!

Like Our Guide? Give Us a Like!

Difficulty: Easy – Difficult
Distance: Depends on hike. Details for each hike below
Fee: Monte Sano State Park, Cheaha State Park, and Cherokee Rock Village both have fees for entry. See guides for details.
Leave no trace.

North Alabama has some amazing “mountains” (or hills depending on where you’re originally from). No matter what you call them, North Alabama serves up some amazing views. Check out our list of the best views in North Alabama.

Everything in this guide is located in North Alabama. Parking is tagged for each location below.

Lake Guntersville State Park

Lake Guntersville State Park
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: No Hike
Difficulty: No Hike
Guide: No guide needed 

Pisgah Gorge

Pisgah Gorge
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: 1 Mile
Difficulty: Moderate
Guide: Should review the guide to find the overlook.

Blevin’s Gap

Deer Skull Falls
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: 4 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Guide: Should Read

Cherokee Rock Village

Cherokee Rock Village
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: No hike
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Guide: This park costs to enter. The guide is helpful for finding all the views from Cherokee Rock Village.

Cane Creek Canyon

Cane Creek Canyon
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: less than a mile to the overlook
Difficulty: Easy
Guide: This is a free park. There are miles of trails here. You can find the overlook (called the point) without the guide, but the guide might help find the waterfall as well.

Find out the Gear you need for the outdoors!

Summer Hiking Essentials
Summer Camping Essentials
Outdoor Sandals

Like this Tour? Check out our other tours!

Bankhead Waterfall Tour
Alabama Big Waterfall Tour
Fall Colors in Huntsville

Kuhl
To start off with, Kuhl is one of my favorite brands. I am not sponsored by them, but they did send me a pair of pants to try out. My favorite gear from Kuhl is their jackets. I have several jackets from Kuhl and love each one, so when they reached out to me to try a pair of pants I was ecstatic.

You’re on an epic hiking adventure, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, conquering rugged terrains, and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. You reach into your backpack to capture a stunning photo of that awe-inspiring sunset, only to discover that your smartphone battery is at 1%. Panic sets in as you realize you’re miles away from any power source.

Let’s talk about the most underrated gear of outdoor adventures—the power bank (portable rechargeable batteries).

First and foremost, the power bank is your portable power source, enabling your devices to have longer battery life. We live in a digital age where smartphones, cameras, and other gadgets are our constant companions. Whether you’re relying on your phone for navigation, capturing breathtaking photos, or jamming to your favorite tunes, the last thing you want is for your devices to fail halfway through your adventure.

The power bank can lend you a hand in your worst situations. When you’re out in the wilderness, unexpected situations can arise. It’s during these moments that having a fully charged phone can be a true lifesaver. Your power bank will ensure you can call for assistance, access maps, or first aid guides.

You can buy a power bank here.

Like Our Guide? Give Us a Like!

This is a guest blog post written by Matthew Wyatt from Everki.  They sell stylish backpacks and laptop bags!

Are you planning to go camping soon? Whether you’re an experienced camper or a first-timer, it’s important to remember that camping etiquette plays a vital role in creating a pleasant and respectful experience for all. Following the basic principles of camping etiquette, such as the do’s and don’ts, can help protect the environment and ensure everyone enjoys their time outdoors.

This article will explore five essential tips for being a responsible camper and practicing proper camping etiquette. So, before you hit the trail with your Everki backpack, read on and learn how to leave no trace and be a good steward of the environment.

Do: Respect Your Campsite and Leave No Trace

Respecting your campsite and leaving no trace is important for preserving the environment and wildlife and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same outdoor experience.

Here are some additional tips on how to respect your campsite and leave no trace:

• Use established campsites: Set up your tent and campsite in designated areas to minimize environmental impact.
• Avoid damaging natural features: Do not remove plants, rocks, or other natural features from your campsite. Avoid digging trenches or disturbing the soil.
• Use biodegradable soap: If you need to wash dishes or yourself, use biodegradable soap and dispose of wastewater at least 200 feet away from natural water sources.
• Dispose of trash properly: Pack garbage bags, including food scraps and wrappers, and pack all your junk. Do not burn or bury waste; it can attract animals and harm the environment.
• Respect nature: Remember that camping is an opportunity to enjoy nature, not to conquer it. Respect the environment and the animals that call it home by following all guidelines and regulations.

Don’t: Make Exorbitant Commotions or Upset Different Campers

When you go camping, you are likely looking to escape the noise and busyness of everyday life. It’s essential to be mindful of how your actions can impact the peace of other campers. Here are some tips for being considerate of others:

• Respect quiet hours: Many campgrounds have designated quiet hours, usually from around 10 pm to 6 am. Avoid making loud noises, playing music, or using generators during this time.
• Keep your voices down: Even during the day, it’s essential to be mindful of your volume. Keep conversations at a reasonable level and avoid shouting or yelling.
• Be mindful of pets: If you bring a pet with you camping, ensure it doesn’t bark excessively or disturb other campers. Keep it on a chain and tidy up after it.
• Be mindful of your surroundings: Pay attention to the volume of your voice and noise levels when walking around the campground. Avoid slamming doors, car doors, or trunk lids, as it can be disruptive to other campers.
• Avoid revving engines: If you have a vehicle, avoid revving the engine unnecessarily. It can be particularly disruptive if you are leaving early in the morning or returning late at night.

Do: Follow Fire Safety Guidelines and Use Stoves Properly

Camping often involves building fires and cooking meals on stoves, which can be dangerous if improperly handled. Here are some tips on how to follow fire safety guidelines and use stoves properly:

• look at fire limitations: Before lighting a fire, check for any nearby fire limitations. Some campgrounds may prohibit fires altogether, especially during dry seasons or high fire danger.
• Use designated fire rings or pits: If fires are allowed, use designated fire rings or holes and keep the fire small. Never leave a fire unattended, and smother it before leaving it altogether.
• Keep flammable objects away from the stove: Keep flammable objects, such as tents, chairs, and fuel canisters, away from stoves and fires to avoid accidents, and always use them in a well-ventilated area.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby: Always have one nearby and ensure everyone in your group knows how to use it.

Don’t: Feed Wild Animals or Leave Food Unattended

Feeding wild animals or leaving food unattended can negatively affect humans and animals. Here are some additional tips on how to avoid feeding wild animals and keep your food safe:

• Store food in bear-resistant containers: If you’re camping in an area with bears, use bear-resistant containers to store your food; if containers aren’t available, hang your food from a tree no less than 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet from the storage compartment.
• Don’t feed wild animals: Feeding wild animals can create dangerous situations, as it can cause them to become dependent on human food and lose their natural fear of humans. It can also lead to aggressive behavior, and animals may become a nuisance to other campers.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to your surroundings, and be on the lookout for signs of animals in the area. Avoid camping near areas where animals are known to gather, such as water sources or berry patches.

Do: Be Considerate of Other Campers and Share Resources

Camping is an excellent opportunity to get closer to nature and enjoy the great outdoors. However, you are not alone, and it’s essential to be mindful of other campers around you. Here are some tips to be considerate and share resources:

• Keep your noise level down: It includes everything from music to conversations. Be aware that sound carries in nature, and your neighbors might not appreciate loud noises.
• Respect the campsite boundaries: Be mindful of the space you and your fellow campers occupy. Don’t spread out too much or encroach on other people’s areas.
• Share communal resources: If your campsite has communal fire pits, bathrooms, or water sources, share them with other campers. Don’t take up all the space or resources.
• Be friendly and respectful: Take the time to say hello and acknowledge your fellow campers. Respect their privacy and space, but also be willing to lend a hand if needed.

Don’t: Trespass on Private Property or Ignore Park Rules

Respecting park rules and boundaries is essential for your safety and for preserving natural resources. Here are some guidelines to follow to ensure you don’t trespass on private property or ignore park rules:

• Stay on designated trails: Avoid wandering off designated trails to protect delicate plant life and minimize erosion. It’s also essential to avoid trespassing on private property that may border the park.
• Observe park rules: Each park has its own rules and regulations, so it’s essential to read and follow them carefully. Controls may include restrictions on camping, fires, and wildlife interactions.
• Respect wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance and avoid feeding or disturbing them. Remember, you are a guest in their home, and respecting their space and safety is essential.
• Be mindful of cultural resources: Historic and cultural resources, such as archaeological sites, may be present in parks. Avoid disturbing or damaging these critical resources.

Camping is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors, but it’s essential to do so responsibly. Following these do’s and don’ts of camping etiquette can help preserve the environment, ensure a positive camping experience for everyone, and create memories that will last a lifetime. So, be a responsible camper and leave no trace!