It’s no secret that Alabama is the perfect place to call home. This Southern state is truly special because it’s filled with such a variety of unique places. From spectacular caves and scenic canyons, to majestic mountains and beautiful lakes, here are nine places in Alabama that are better than anywhere else in the country:
- Cheaha State Park - Delta
tripadvisor/Big_Globe_Traveler Cheaha State Park is located atop Mt. Cheaha - Alabama’s highest natural point. The views you’ll experience from this majestic mountain are some of the finest in the world. (19644 HWY 281)
- Dismals Canyon - Phil Campbell
flickr/Phillip Hendon Dismals Canyon is one of Alabama’s most breathtaking nature spots. Unless you’re from North Alabama, you might not even be aware that this hidden gem exists. Dismals Canyon is home to a group of rare insects called dismalites. (901 HWY 8)
- Mooresville
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Mooresville, which was incorporated in 1818, has approximately 60 residents and is one of Alabama’s most charming towns. It’s also home to Alabama’s oldest operational post office, and the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville is considered Alabama’s Mayberry and is definitely worth a visit.
- DeSoto Caverns - Childersburg
facebook/Desoto Caverns DeSoto Caverns, which is known as “Alabama’s Big Cave,” is a series of spectacular caves. Not only does DeSoto Caverns feature one of the world’s largest collections of onyx-marble stalagmites and stalactites in the world, but it was also America’s first recorded cave. (5181 DeSoto Caverns PKWY)
- Gulf Shores
flickr/Faruk Ateşflickr Alabama is well known for its gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches, and Gulf Shores is the state’s primary beach area. This coastal town’s beautiful white-sand beaches and turquoise-clear waters attract people from all over the state and beyond. Gulf Shores is one of Alabama’s top summer vacation destinations.
- Neversink Pit - Fackler
flickr/Peter Pham Neversink Pit, which has a 162-foot drop, is one of the most photographed sinkholes in the United States. Its fern-covered ledges and stunning waterfalls attract cavers from all over the world. Neversink Pit will most certainly bring out the explorer in you.
- Weathington Park - Section
wikimedia commons/Brian Stansberry Weathington Park, which is located only a few miles from Scottsboro and overlooks the Tennessee River, covers 13 acres and has one of the most amazing views Alabama has to offer. It’s located off the beaten path, but it’s so worth the trip. (6230 Tammy Little Dr)
- Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge - West Blocton
flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region/Photo Credit: Garry Tucker, USFWS The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2002, which makes it one of America’s newest National Wildlife Refuges. The one thing that makes this wildlife refuge truly unique is that it showcases the world’s largest stand of Cahaba lilies. (County Rd 24)
- Smith Lake
facebook/Smith Lake RV Resort Smith Lake is located in Cullman, Walker and Winston counties. Covering approximately 22,000 acres, it’s also the third cleanest lake in the United States. Smith Lake has been called the most beautiful lake in the Southeast.
Are there any other places you’d add to this list? If so, let us know in the comments!
tripadvisor/Big_Globe_Traveler
Cheaha State Park is located atop Mt. Cheaha - Alabama’s highest natural point. The views you’ll experience from this majestic mountain are some of the finest in the world. (19644 HWY 281)
flickr/Phillip Hendon
Dismals Canyon is one of Alabama’s most breathtaking nature spots. Unless you’re from North Alabama, you might not even be aware that this hidden gem exists. Dismals Canyon is home to a group of rare insects called dismalites. (901 HWY 8)
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Mooresville, which was incorporated in 1818, has approximately 60 residents and is one of Alabama’s most charming towns. It’s also home to Alabama’s oldest operational post office, and the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville is considered Alabama’s Mayberry and is definitely worth a visit.
facebook/Desoto Caverns
DeSoto Caverns, which is known as “Alabama’s Big Cave,” is a series of spectacular caves. Not only does DeSoto Caverns feature one of the world’s largest collections of onyx-marble stalagmites and stalactites in the world, but it was also America’s first recorded cave. (5181 DeSoto Caverns PKWY)
flickr/Faruk Ateşflickr
Alabama is well known for its gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches, and Gulf Shores is the state’s primary beach area. This coastal town’s beautiful white-sand beaches and turquoise-clear waters attract people from all over the state and beyond. Gulf Shores is one of Alabama’s top summer vacation destinations.
flickr/Peter Pham
Neversink Pit, which has a 162-foot drop, is one of the most photographed sinkholes in the United States. Its fern-covered ledges and stunning waterfalls attract cavers from all over the world. Neversink Pit will most certainly bring out the explorer in you.
wikimedia commons/Brian Stansberry
Weathington Park, which is located only a few miles from Scottsboro and overlooks the Tennessee River, covers 13 acres and has one of the most amazing views Alabama has to offer. It’s located off the beaten path, but it’s so worth the trip. (6230 Tammy Little Dr)
flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region/Photo Credit: Garry Tucker, USFWS
The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2002, which makes it one of America’s newest National Wildlife Refuges. The one thing that makes this wildlife refuge truly unique is that it showcases the world’s largest stand of Cahaba lilies. (County Rd 24)
facebook/Smith Lake RV Resort
Smith Lake is located in Cullman, Walker and Winston counties. Covering approximately 22,000 acres, it’s also the third cleanest lake in the United States. Smith Lake has been called the most beautiful lake in the Southeast.
For more ways to get closer to nature, here are 10 Unimaginably Beautiful Places In Alabama You Must See Before You Die.
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