Alabama is filled with lots of natural scenic beauty, and one of the best ways to experience it is to take a road trip. Listed below, we’ve included a mapped road trip route that’ll take you to five of the most scenic places in Alabama. Because the distance on this Alabama road trip is only 527 miles, and the estimated drive time is less than 10 hours, this scenic road trip can be done in a single day. However, if you’d like to spend a great amount of time at each place, you could also stretch the road trip out over a weekend.

Let’s get started on the most scenic road trip in Alabama:

google maps
Take a look at this Google map for complete driving directions.
1. Dismals Canyon - Phil Campbell
Dismals Canyon, 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, USA
google/Jaime Britt
This road trip begins at Dismals Canyon. Dismals Canyon, which is located off the beaten path in Phil Campbell, is a picturesque canyon that's part of an 85-acre preserve. What makes this nature spot unique is the fact that it's one of the only places in the world where dismalites (glowworms) live. Over the years, Dismals Canyon has also become a popular place for hiking and camping.

See Dismals Canyon in stunning detail:

2. Little River Canyon National Preserve - Fort Payne
Little River Wildlife Management Area, 4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA
flickr/Shawn Taylor
You'll then take a scenic drive to Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne. Covering more than 15,000 acres, this preserve is one of Alabama's most beautiful outdoor attractions. It's home to Little River Falls, one of Alabama's most stunning waterfalls, and the Hippie Hole, which happens to be one of the state's most popular swimming holes.

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3. Cheaha State Park - Delta
Cheaha State Park, 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA
flickr/Brian Collins
Your next stop will be Cheaha State Park. Cheaha State Park was established in 1933, making it Alabama's oldest continuously operated state park. It's located atop Mount Cheaha, which offers some of the state's best scenic views. It's also Alabama's highest natural point.

Enjoy the serenity of Pulpit Rock at Cheaha State Park:

4. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve - Pinson
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126, USA
flickr/Andy Montgomery
Following a short drive, you'll arrive at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve covers nearly 500 acres and is considered one of Alabama's most scenic outdoor areas. It's home to one of the state's most beautiful waterfalls. It's also one of Alabama's most popular swimming spots.
5. Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge - West Blocton
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, West Blocton, AL, USA
flickr/Dystopos
Your final stop on this scenic road trip before heading back is Alabama's Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in West Blocton. Covering nearly 4,000 acres, this scenic wildlife refuge is home to the largest known stand of Cahaba lilies in the world. These beautiful flowers usually bloom from mid-May to mid-June, so make plans to check them out this year.

These are some of the gorgeous views you'll see at this wildlife refuge:

Have you ever visited any of these scenic places in Alabama? What other places might make for the most scenic road trip in Alabama? Let us know in the comments.

For more information about Cheaha State Park, let’s take a closer look at some of the most stunning scenery in Alabama.

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More to Explore

Road Trip-Worthy Destinations in Alabama

William Suphan | February 05, 2023

What are the most iconic attractions in Alabama?

The most iconic attractions in Alabama include:

  • Gulf Coast Beaches. Many of these beaches have fine, white sand and clear, turquoise waters which bring people from all over the state to the coast.
  • Little River Canyon National Preserve. This is an utterly stunning place that is great for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and scenic views.
  • Fort Morgan. This historic site was part of the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War and is an intriguing abandoned site.
  • USS Alabama. The state’s namesake ship was in service during World War II and is a significant landmark for locals.

Learn more about the most iconic attractions in Alabama.

What are the best road trip stops in Alabama?

The best road trip stops in Alabama include:

  • Cheaha State Park in Delta. This park opened in 1933 and spans almost 3,000 acres on top of Cheaha Mountain. It’s the highest point in the state.
  • Birmingham Zoo in Birmingham. This massive zoo holds over 500 animals including about 180 species, including several endangered species.
  • Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman. This is a rock garden with miniature models of well-known religious temples and churches from all over the world.
  • Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville. This 112-acre garden is absolutely gorgeous and is home to the largest open-air butterfly house in the nation.

Discover more about the best road trip stops in Alabama. 

What are the most underrated attractions in Alabama?

The most underrated attractions in Alabama include:

  • Holmes Medical Museum in Foley. This was a hospital from 1936 to 1958 and is now a museum with exhibits featuring medical instruments and machinery from decades past.
  • Orr Park in Montevallo. This park is unique in that it has a trail with faces, dragons, and other characters carved into the trees.
  • Old Courthouse Museum in Monroeville. This is the courtroom that inspired the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”. The movie recreated this place as a set.
  • Old State Bank in Decatur. Come here to see a museum of what banks were like in the 1800s, with teller cages and an old walk-in vault.

Find out more about the most underrated attractions in Alabama. 

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