Explore Alabama’s State Parks In One Simple Weekend Trip

Do you ever find yourself feeling adventurous? Maybe you've got a free weekend and want to look into taking a weekend trip in Alabama? If so, you're in luck! The Cotton State is home to several places that are just perfect for exploring. If you're craving adventure, there are some wonderful state parks that are waiting for you. Even better, you don't have to plan the trip! If you've been wanting to take a few days to check out some of the best state parks to visit in Alabama, we've already got an itinerary planned for you. Check it out:

For complete driving directions courtesy of Google Maps, click here.

The entire driving time is just over five hours, though of course you'll want to plan for stays at each of the stops on the list. We recommend doing this over a three day weekend.

1. Cathedral Caverns State Park - 637 Cave Rd, Woodville, AL 35776

Your first stop on this fun trip will bring you to Cathedral Caverns State Park. The main feature of this state park is, as you probably have guessed, Cathedral Caverns. This natural wonder in Alabama has one of the largest cave entrances in the entire world. In addition to cave tours, this popular state park offers other activities, such as camping and gem mining. There are also plenty of trails here worth checking out. You can find out more information about this amazing park in our feature article.

2. Cheaha State Park - 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258

Next, you'll take a scenic drive to Cheaha State Park. This is the oldest continuously operating state park in Alabama. While exploring the park's 2,799 lush acres, you'll get to enjoy the views from Mount Cheaha. At 2,407 feet in elevation, it's Alabama's highest natural point. There are plenty of activities to enjoy here year round, including hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming. If you'd like to stop here for the night, Cheaha State Park offers a variety of accommodations, with your choice of campgrounds, cabins, and chalets. Find out more about this beautiful place here.

3. Oak Mountain State Park - 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124

Get up early the next day of your trip, because you've got another fun day ahead of you! On the second day, you'll take a drive to Oak Mountain State Park. At nearly 10,000 acres, it's the largest state park in Alabama. There are so many things to check out here, including the Alabama Nature Center and the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center. You also won't want to miss one of the most popular features here, Peavine Falls. You can easily access the waterfall by hiking one of the park's many trails. Other activities here include mountain biking, fishing, and camping. You won't believe how much there is to do here!

4. Wind Creek State Park - 4325 Alabama Highway 128 Alexander City, AL 35010

After spending your morning and afternoon over at Oak Mountain State Park, it's time for your next stop! You'll head to Wind Creek State Park next. This giant park spans nearly 1,500 acres right by beautiful Lake Martin. It offers a variety of activities, such as hiking, fishing, boating, and more. It's best known for its campground, which is one of the largest state-owned campgrounds in the United States. In addition to campsites, cabins are also available for rent year-round. The campground is as big as a small town and you'll never want to leave!

Have you ever explored any of the state parks in Alabama that we listed above? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments.

For a look at nine of Alabama's lesser-known state parks that'll absolutely amaze you, click here. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful state!