Lake Guntersville State Park Is The Perfect Southern Winter Travel Destination
By Lisa Battles|Published December 13, 2023
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Get ready to experience the perfect winter trip in Guntersville, Alabama, revolving around a cozy stay at Lake Guntersville State Park. One of the state’s most popular spots in the summer, the park might surprise you with its uniquely wonderful winter atmosphere.
And the coolest time to visit? One of the three Eagle Awareness Weekends in late January and early February.
Lake Guntersville is known for its bald eagle population, especially during winter. That's because many eagles from northern states join the party with those who nest there year-round. They come for warmer waters and easier fishing. "Easier" meaning the lake and fish aren't frozen. Ever bitten into a burrito that's still frozen in the middle? These birds choose to skip the defrost setting and instead drop on down south.
For Guntersville folks and their guests, the winter influx of featured friends increases the odds of eagle sightings. One of the most popular places for spotting them nesting is along Sunset Drive Trail, which winds along the lake's shoreline and the road of the same name.
In addition to Sunset Drive, other great locations for eagle-spotting are Marshall County Park, Claysville School, and the Lake Guntersville State Park cabins. That's according to photographer John Pate of Bald Eagles of Lake Guntersville, who has become an expert on where to find them. He and his wife, Lisa, frequently go out onto the lake and surrounding areas specifically for that purpose. His images beautifully document the eagles around this area.
Speaking of the state park, it offers a few weekends each winter when you can fully dive into learning about these spectacular creatures. Eagle Awareness Weekends are three-day events that include tons of naturalist-led educational programming and tours, including live bird shows.
The special events occur over the last two weekends of January and the first weekend of February. Packages for the events include a Friday night social, breakfast buffets at the lodge on Saturday and Sunday mornings, a Saturday dinner, and the aforementioned educational programs and tours. The cost varies depending on the size of your party and your accommodations. For example, the two-night, inclusive package for two starts at $429 for a single queen room booking at the lodge and goes up to $636 for a luxury chalet.
At the lodge, the soaring ceiling and shimmering glass entry make an impression that only gets better when you see the view from your room. Most have incredible views overlooking the lake.
Meanwhile, in 2021, the park unveiled its freshly renovated. modern luxury chalets, which have been a hit with guests. All 20 of the chalets are situated atop Taylor Mountain and offer beautiful bird's-eye views. Each chalet sleeps up to six guests, with one handicap-accessible chalet that sleeps up to four.
The park's expansive campground is popular in winter months, too. If you're camping, you can add an Eagle Awareness Package to your campground rate at $110 per person.
The lodge, cabins, and chalet rates are all reasonable and in line with moderate commercial hotel rates. The campground is nice, well maintained, and averages around $35 per night. In terms of quality and cost, there's not a bad choice you can make here. All guests who purchase the full Eagle Awareness Weekend packages can enjoy the included meals and also order from the lodge's Pinecrest Dining Room. Yes, it has gorgeous views, too.
For folks who want to skip the full package, there's a day-pass option for Eagle Awareness Weekends, too. They're offered on a limited basis to keep group sizes within reason, so the availability depends on package bookings. The cost for the day passes is just $25 for adults and $10 for kids who are 11 or younger. The passes include just the Saturday educational programming and guided tours.
Of course, you can book a stay a little earlier in the winter season and see the lodge decked out in its holiday finery. Or consider a romantic getaway later in February to celebrate Valentine's Day. It's a lot less busy than the summer months and allows you to see the lake and surrounding nature in an entirely different way.
When you plan your visit, be sure to set aside time to explore all of Guntersville's entertainment and retail therapy. The most recent showpiece development, City Harbor, is home to a handful of hot restaurants, a taproom, a cigar shop, and more. Another must-do is the city's charming downtown historic district, which is full of specialty shops.
This perfect winter trip in Guntersville, Alabama checks all the boxes for me – beautiful scenery, majestic wildlife, niche shopping, cozy accommodations, and plenty of places to eat. Regardless of when you go, be sure to check the trail map for the Sunset Drive Trail, because it’s a winner even if you don’t spot eagles. You can find Eagle Awareness Weekend dates and rates on the Alabama State Parks Eagle Awareness event webpage. Get up-to-the-minute news from the park on the Lake Guntersville Facebook page. See more incredible local eagle photography on the Bald Eagles of Lake Guntersville Facebook page.
We would love to hear about your experience visiting Lake Guntersville State Park, especially if you give it a try this winter. If you’re a frequent visitor, share your tips for the best things to see and do.
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