Red Mountain Park

Red Mountain Park

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult depending on trail
Distance: Depends on the trail. There are 16 miles of trail in the park

Entry Fee: Free (donation box available – suggested $3 donation)

Red Mountain Park is the largest urban park in Alabama at 1500 acres and is full of views and interesting old mining equipment left over from the late 1800s/early 1900s.

I only did the west side of the park, but the park has many more miles of trails that you can explore!

You can get the official trail map here. 

Red Mountain Park is located an hour and a half south of Huntsville, just south of Birmingham.

If you just Google “Red Mountain” it will take you to a different parking lot than the one I suggest.  Click this link for directions to our suggested parking.

Parking

There’s plenty of parking in the parking lot for dozens of cars.  Parking lot has a port-a-potty and a trailhead with a map. Park here.

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Trails

The trails vary greatly, depending on which trail you are on. Some of them are wide and flat, some are narrow and winding. The trails ARE NOT WELL MARKED. Typically they have a sign where trails meet, but some of them have been ripped down, and some of the trails are unmarked. This place is a bit of a maze so keep up with where you are. 

Haskell Hideaway

The Haskell Hideaway is located in the tree tops on Trail #8 (Green Trail on map). The bridge goes OVER trail #16, but is not accessible from that trail. You must take Trail #8 to get here. The easiest way to get here is to follow trail #17 until it meets with trail #8 and take trail #8 to the hideaway. The more fun approach is to take trail #17 unit it meets with trail #9. Take #9 to #10 and the follow trail #10 until it meets with #8/

Overlook and Big Chairs

The Big Chairs and Red Mountain overlook are a great place to sit and take in a view. This also has an old Mine tunnel you can see as well as old mining machines.

Mining History

The entire park has old mining infrastructure with bits of history. You can find old abandoned buildings, old walls, and even an old mine tunnel (pictured) in the park. 

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Swann Covered Bridge

Swann Covered Bridge

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Difficulty: Easy
Distance: No Hiking
Cost: Free

Swann Covered Bridge is an old covered bridge. It used to be a drivable bridge, but has been closed down. You can still cross the bridge on foot and play in the river. There are hiking trails, but we did not get a chance to explore them.

Find nearby hikes:
Mardis Mill Falls
Rickwood Caverns

Don’t sweat all night camping during summer. Find the essentials here.

Swann Covered Bridge is located a little over 1hour south of Huntsville.

Google Swann Covered Bridge or click here for directions.

 

The Bridge

There isn’t a ton to this park, but it’s beautiful. There’s a few hiking trails to walk around on.

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Little River Canyon

Little River Canyon

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult depending on the hike
Distance: Each hike differs
Entry Cost: Free except Canyon Mouth Park and Congo Falls

Little River Canyon is located just east of Fort Payne, AL and is the largest canyon in the state. This canyon’s max depth is over 600 ft in some areas and provides incredible waterfalls, views, and rock features.

Find nearby hikes:
Desoto Falls
Griffin Falls
Yellow Creek Falls

Summer is hot. Find the gear you need.

More Waterfalls
Map directions to Little River Canyon

Little River Canyon is located a little around 1.5 hours from Huntsville, but can be a bit further depending on where you go in the preserve.

Click here for directions to the main parkway. GPS locations for each site are tagged in the sections below under the corresponding picture.

Little River Falls

I have a complete guide to Little River Falls located here.

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Hippie Hole

Hippie Hole Swimming Area

I have a complete guide to Hippie Hole located here.

Hippie Hole Swimming Area

Little River Falls Overlook

The overlook is a quick stop for snapping pictures of Little River Falls along the rim right off the road.

You can park here.

Canyon Overlooks

There are 6 marked overlooks into the canyon. As you go further south, the deeper the canyon gets for these marked overlooks. Below I have them listed in order from the furthest north to the furthest south. Click on the name for a link to google maps.

My favorite 2 are Eberhart Point and Wolf Creek.

Lynn Overlook
Hawks Glide Overlook
Canyon View Overlook
Wolf Creek Overlook
Crow Point Overlook
Eberhart Point Overlook

 

Brooks Branch Falls

Looking down onto Brooks Branch Falls is accessible by parking at Lynn Overlook and following the canyon south, or downstream until you hit this waterfall. 

Where I’m standing to get to this waterfall is very difficult and dangerous. I do not recommend for people without expert hiking and climbing skills. You can still see the waterfall from the top without any skills required.

Lynn Overlook Parking

Mushroom Rock

The Mushroom Rock is a famous rock in the middle of the road. If you drive the rim of the canyon, you will pass this. There’s a nice boulder field you can walk around right next to it.

Mushroom Rock Directions

Grace’s High Falls

Grace’s High Falls is the tallest ABOVE GROUND waterfall in the State of Alabama with a height of 133 ft.

This is just a stop for the overlook. Check here for directions to the bottom.

Directions to Overlook

Dee’s Branch Falls

Dee’s Branch Falls has no trail and a steep incline to get down to it. It is short, but you will be bushwhacking and have a risk of sliding the entire time. 

Parking for Dee’s Branch Falls

Congo Falls

Congo Fall’s (Also known as Johnnie’s Creek Falls) is a short stop along the Rim with a waterfall. This stop requires a paid permit which you can get here.

Congo Falls Directions

Canyon Mouth Park

Canyon Mouth Park is a great swimming hole in the summer, has a mile of parking, bathrooms, and other features like picnic tables and grills.

This area does cost (updated (4/13/2023) $15 per car.

You can find out more about Canyon Mouth Park here.

Canyon Mouth Parking

That Spot You Cannot Miss

This is one of my favorite spots in Alabama. There’s no marker, no trailhead, nothing but a spot where you can fit 1 car next to the side of the road. When you park and walk 20 ft it opens up to this view. There are bolts here for either climbers or rappelers. This is an absolute must-stop.

Directions here.

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Cathedral Caverns

Cathedral Caverns

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.5 mile

Cost:
$20 Ages 13 and over
$18 Military (With ID)
$9 Ages 5-12
Free Ages 4 and under

Tour Times
Mon, Tues, Wed: 12PM, 2PM, and 4PM
Thurs, Fri: 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, and 4PM
Sat, Sun: 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, and 4PM

Reservations are not required but may be made up to 2 days in advance. These are recommended but are nonrefundable. To make a reservation call 256-728-8193

Cathedral Caverns is a beautiful cavern located just east of Huntsville. It is a tour guided cave in a beautiful state park that offers hiking trails and campsites.

Website for Cathedral Caverns.

Find nearby hikes:
Roy B Whitaker Preserve
Sauta Cave
Walls of Jericho

Hiking essentials you must have for summer.

Cathedral Caverns is located about 35 minutes east of Huntsville with a short drive off of Hwy 72.

Google Maps Cathedral Caverns or look at our map above!

Cave Entrance and Ticket Office

The building for the ticket office for the cave tour is located directly in front of the mouth of the cave. The office offers food, snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.

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Cave Tour

The cave stays 58º F year around.  The tour is 1.5 miles round trip. The path is paved the entire way, but there are several spots that have a steep incline. The tour lasts about 90 minutes.

Other Activities

There is plenty to do at Cathedral Caverns State Park! A list of a few

  • Hike
  • Camp
  • Cabins
  • Gem Mining
  • Park Events
  • Races

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Indian Creek Greenway

Indian Creek Greenway

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 Miles of trail
Fee: Free

Indian Creek Greenway is a paved road built for walking and bikes in Madison. 

Find nearby hikes:
Rainbow Mountain
Beaverdam Swamp Boardwalk

This is a great place to wear your outdoor sandals. See why.

Indian Creek Greenway is located in Madison, 20 minutes from downtown Huntsville.

Google Indian Creek Greenway or click here for directions!

Parking

There is plenty of parking at the trailhead. The trail begins on a clearly marked walkway.

Walkway

The path is super easy to follow and is built for everyone of all ages and abilities. The trail is wheelchair accessible. When the greenway ends, you will come out the same way you went in.

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