15 Incredible Natural Wonders In Alabama That Defy Explanation

There are so many ways to enjoy the Little River Canyon National Preserve, a national park in North Alabama. One option is to cruise along on a 23-mile drive with stops at its most popular sights. If you choose to tackle one of many hiking trails, you can wander around waterfalls and plunge into cool, sparkling swimming holes. Meanwhile, the pristine Little River draws kayakers, guiding them along aquatic adventures along the bottom of this dramatic, 700-foot gorge.

This cave's grand entrance is one of the largest in the world and earned it a name change from Bat Cave to Cathedral Caverns. The stalactites and stalagmites resemble the soaring architecture of cathedrals, creating a fitting entryway for the rest of your journey. You'll see the massive, aptly named Goliath stalagmite, a "frozen" waterfall, and many other curious formations. The cave stays a cool 60 degrees year-round, making it an especially refreshing adventure in our humid southern summers.

Descend 175 feet below the earth's surface to explore formations over 260 million years old at Rickwood Caverns State Park. You'll hear about how waters formed the cave and see evidence of how it was sculpted from what was once an ocean bed. The cave's chilly waters feed an Olympic-size swimming pool and kiddie pool that are popular in warm weather months. During the holidays, the caverns transform into a surreal seasonal attraction of light displays for Wonderland Under Warrior.

At 107 feet, this is our tallest and most popular waterfall in the state. One of the best things about it is its accessibility. You can drive straight to it via the Lookout Mountain Parkway, where you park a the DeSoto Falls Picnic Area seven miles from DeSoto State Park main entrance. While a paved path leads to an overlook of the A.A. Miller Dam and upper falls, seeing the lower falls does require descending 50 steps. The best times to see the falls at their highest flow rates are winter and early spring.

The main feature of a city-owned park and campground, Noccalula Falls drops 90 feet into the Black Creek gorge on the eastern end of the property. The campground lies to the north of the creek and falls, where you'll find a system of hiking and biking trails. The park and its many amenities are situated along the south side. There, you'll find paved walking paths that wind through the park's botanical gardens, animal habitats, a pioneer village, and more.

Few can deny the natural beauty of Alabama's beaches, and people come from all over North America and beyond to experience the pristine white sands of the Gulf Coast. The sand on our beaches and next door in Florida comes from quartz deposits from the Appalachian Mountains at the end of the last Ice Age. In Alabama, you aren't forced to decide whether you're a beach or mountain person. And why would you with how rich we are with both?

Just 15 miles west of Double Springs near Bankhead National Forest, you'll encounter the surreal landscape of Natural Bridge Park. The bridge itself is a 148-foot span that's 60 feet tall. Its composition is sandstone and iron ore exposed by the sea over 200 million years ago. There's a two-mile out-and-back trail to explore the park, see the bridge, and tuck into the cavern beneath it. Along the way, you'll see 27 varieties of ferns, other interesting rock formations, and more.

Horse Pens 40 is a historic recreational park that's just southwest of Gadsden and attracts hikers and campers from all over America – and especially rock climbers. That's because it's home to one of the world's most spectacular boulder fields. Estimated to be from 600 million to 1.3 billion years old, some believe the boulders may be among the oldest naturally exposed rock formations in the world.

Covering approximately 260,000 acres, this is the largest wetland in Alabama and the second-largest river delta in the contiguous US. Because of its biodiversity, it has been likened to the Amazon rainforest of Brazil. An excellent place to experience it? The 1,327-acre Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort, just north of Mobile Bay. The park's boardwalk caters to sightseers and birders, and there is a boat ramp and fishing pier for anglers. You can stay overnight in one of four cabins, 61 RV spaces, or 10 improved tent campsites. To get even closer to the delta's unique plant and animal habitats, go kayaking on a Delta Wildlife Kayak Tour with WildNative Tours.

The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is one of the newest in America, established in 2002. Yes, you'll want to see the largest stand of Cahaba lilies in existence, which bloom in late spring and throughout the summer. While the flowers may be the most visible signs of the preserve's natural beauty, the area also protects five federally listed species of fish and snails. It also is home to 13 plants and animals you won't find anywhere else in the world.

When viewing Wetumpka's scenic hills along the Coosa River, you might never consider some of them were formed by a meteor strike 85 million years ago. The Wetumpka Impact Crater is one of only 200 or so known throughout the world. While there is an official historic marker, and parts of the eroded rim appear to the eye, much of the impacted land is private property. However, The Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission created a self-guided tour of viewpoints and hosts a guided tour each spring.