Outdoor Adventure Ideas in Alabama the Beautiful
Growing up in Northern Alabama, you find out pretty quickly that there’s not much to do during the summer.
There are only so many times you can go to the pool in 90-degree weather before it gets old. Thankfully, I have been able to meet people who have taken me on amazing outdoor adventures over the past few years. It really opened my eyes up to how big and beautiful Alabama can be. These are some of my top picks of must travel destinations to fill up your summer.
Hiking
Walls of Jericho (Scottsboro)
This hike is definitely on the advanced side, but it is completely worth it. It is 12 miles round-trip of hiking to a waterfall. Bring a group of friends, some snacks, tons of water, and good hiking shoes (the trail is steep and can get muddy at times) to embark on this day hike.
Sipsey Wilderness (Double Springs)
The Sipsey is an area that I have just recently hiked around, but it is huge. There are tons of trails to pick from and endless possibilities of things to see. Make sure you have a map or download the app AllTrails to help navigate you through the woods!
Waterfalls
High Falls (Geraldine)
High Falls has huge waterfalls with such a scenic view. Whether to take pictures, have a picnic, or wade through the water, High Falls is a nice place to enjoy the afternoon.
Little River Canyon/Hippie Hole (Fort Payne)
Fairly close to High Falls, this is a hot-spot destination during the summer since it’s the perfect place to go for a swim! There is a huge watering hole, rocks to lay out on, and a great spot for cliff jumping. There are even some hiking trails around the area too. If you’re trying to ditch the pool, this is a fun alternative.
Monkey Canyon/Short Creek Falls (Albertville)
One of my personal favorites, Monkey Canyon (as I like to call it) is difficult to find but opens up to a very intimate, secluded waterfall and watering hole. It is the perfect place to bring a group of friends and spend the day cliff jumping and swimming in the water.
Caves
Stephen’s Gap (Woodville)
Although you need to sign a permit to go to Stephen’s Gap (along with most other caves), it is worth the added effort. After a short hike, you’ll see a cave with a huge opening of water falling hundreds of feet. Make sure to bring good shoes if you’re walking into the cave since the rocks are slippery.
There are so many more spots I could write about, but these are some of my favorites. Each summer, I try to discover more outdoor adventures to go on through the help of friends or the internet to guide me. I hope you use this guide to check out these spots and look into some of your own this summer!
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Jennifer F.
Writer
Growing up as a military child, Jennifer moved from state to state, until her family settled in Madison, AL. Spending the majority of her life there, she got introduced to video production and decided to pursue that field of study at Auburn University. As a senior in Visual Media with a minor in Business and Marketing, Jennifer keeps her options open for whatever direction graduation will take her. Jennifer starts every day with her favorite drink, Dunkin’ iced coffee. Besides that, she loves going to concerts, planning road trips, being crafty, and doing anything adventurous. She considers herself to be open-minded, except when it comes to trying new foods. Overall, Jennifer thrives off a busy schedule while making a balance of personal and quality time with others.
