When the fall season has finally arrived in Alabama, there’s no better way to celebrate this beautiful time of year than by taking a fall foliage road trip. For this special road trip, we’ve selected seven places in Alabama that are gorgeous during the fall season and a definite must-visit. So clear your calendar, gas up the car, and maybe make sure your windshield is clean because this road trip will take you on an adventure to the best fall foliage in Alabama that will simply mesmerize you. Ready? Let’s go!

Google Maps

As you can see, the total mileage for this “Alabama Fall Foliage Road Trip” is only 317 miles, with an estimated drive time of 6 hours and 33 minutes. Of course, you could certainly do the drive in one day if you really wanted to, but this is the type of road trip where you take your time, so we recommend you stop off along the way and make a long weekend out of it. You can view the actual Google map with directions on Google Maps.

Now, let’s take a look at seven gorgeous places that are perfect to visit during a fall foliage road trip in Alabama.

1. William B. Bankhead National Forest - Double Springs, AL
1070 AL-33, Double Springs, AL 35553, USA
flickr/Rocky Baker
Your first stop is the William B. Bankhead National Forest. The William B. Bankhead National Forest, which covers more than 180,000 acres, is one of Alabama's four National Forests and offers a variety of recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, camping, and hiking. Speaking of hiking, this National Forest is a great place to go hiking during the autumn season to see the beautiful fall colors in Alabama.
2. Oak Mountain State Park - Pelham, AL
200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA
flickr/Alby Headrick
Your next stop is Oak Mountain State Park. Oak Mountain State Park has a coverage of nearly 10,000 acres, making it Alabama's largest state park. This beautiful park is a great place for exploring on an autumn day.
3. Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Birmingham, AL
2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223, USA
flickr/Wally Argus
You've now arrived at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Birmingham Botanical Gardens is Alabama's largest living museum, and it's also open 365 days per year - free of charge. If you're looking for things to do in fall in Alabama, it's the best time to visit this amazing attraction because of its gorgeous foliage.
4. Palisades Park - Oneonta, AL
1225 Palisades Pkwy, Oneonta, AL 35121, USA
flickr/Kerry Sanders
Your next stop is Palisades Park, which is located within the foothills of the Southern Appalachians. This park is a great place to visit during the fall in Alabama because of its incredible views.
5. Cheaha State Park - Delta, AL
19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA
flickr/Shawn Trucks
Speaking of incredible views, your next stop is Cheaha State Park. Cheaha State Park is home to Mt. Cheaha, Alabama's highest point. During the fall in Alabama, you won't experience a more incredible view anywhere else. Guaranteed!
6. Noccalula Falls Park - Gadsden, AL
1500 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904, USA
facebook/Noccalula Falls Park and Campground
You've made it to Noccalula Falls Park. In addition to a beautiful 90-foot waterfall, Noccalula Falls Park also features a historic covered bridge, a botanical garden and several nature trails that are perfect for exploring to see the best fall foliage in Alabama.
7. Little River Canyon National Preserve - Fort Payne, AL
4322 Little River Trail, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA
Christian Linwood/Google
After a long, scenic drive, you've finally reached Little River Canyon National Preserve - the final destination of your fall foliage road trip in Alabama. Little River Canyon National Preserve, which is located atop Lookout Mountain, is one of Alabama's most beautiful areas. And now that fall has arrived, there's no better time to visit this beautiful nature spot.

This wonderful video does an excellent job of summarizing the amazing fall colors of Alabama:

What do you think? Can you see yourself taking this road trip to see the best fall foliage in Alabama? Let us know in the comments below if you plan on taking this road trip! If you’re the ultimate fan of road trips (same), here’s another great Alabama road trip you’ll want to check out.

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More to Explore

Fall Foliage In Alabama

Jackie Ann | August 24, 2019

What is the best time to see peak fall foliage in Alabama?

Alabama is a beautiful state, especially in the fall.

  • Fall colors traditionally peak in Alabama around late October and continue to early November.
  • The more northern parts of the state could peak in mid-October, depending on weather patterns during that month.

 

Where are the best places in Alabama to see fall foliage?

Our state is chock full of beautiful places to see fall colors in Alabama.

  • For those looking to see Alabama in a beautiful array of yellows, oranges, and reds, your best bet is to head to one of the many state parks that pepper the state including Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham and Cheaha State Park in Delta, Alabama.
  • Of course, Palisades Park in Oneonta and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens both offer dazzling displays of peak fall foliage, if you can time your visits correctly.

 

What are the best Alabama hikes to take in the fall?

  • If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a sea of spectacular fall foliage, visit the Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden.
  • In addition to a beautiful 90-foot waterfall, the park also features a historic covered bridge, a botanical garden, and several nature trails that offer picture-perfect views of some of the best fall foliage in Alabama.

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