9 Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities in Alabama

For river adventurers who want fast-paced excitement, Alabama’s rapids are ready to take care of that. Whitewater Express offers guided and guide-assisted trips beginning in Phenix City on the Chattahoochee River. Containing several Class IV rapids and 10 smaller rapids, this river is one of the longest urban white-water rafting course in the world.

Off Alabama's Gulf Coast in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach you can charter a boat and within minutes sail off after blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, amberjack, red snapper and more. 52 kilometers of white sand beaches, warm Gulf of Mexico waters, and family adventure parks are just three more reasons why Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a favorite for family fun.

Start in Anniston, Alabama on the Chief Ladiga Rails to Trails and continue to the Alabama/Georgia state line where you can continue on.  When you combine Chief Ladiga trail in Alabama with the Silver Comet trail in Georgia you have a 161 kilometer paved trail that is great for cycling or walking.

Several locations in Alabama showcase unique rock formations and steep cliffs that climbers come to experience. Horse Pens 40 is perfect for climbing. Native Americans took advantage of the natural rock shelters for thousands of years, and visitors today can feel the experience for themselves.

The Little River Canyon National Preserve is a wonderful place for a family to explore with its unique river that flows atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama.  Next to the U.S. Park Service’s Little River Canyon National Preserve is DeSoto State Park where additional waterfalls, hiking trails are found.

Dauphin Island, a barrier island situated off the Alabama Gulf Coast, has been named one of the top four locations in North America for viewing spring migrations. Dauphin Island is the first landfall encountered by many birds as they migrate north to the USA from South America, which results to many species can be found resting there before continuing their journey.

The family will enjoy an exciting visit to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta; often called America’s Amazon. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta near the city of Mobile is the richest river complex in North America in terms of the sheer number of species and types of habitat. You can take airboat rides  or venture out on a canoe. Delta Safaris offers a range of tours for all lovers of nature and creatures.

Hike the Bankhead National Forest in north Alabama where it is home to Sipsey River; an area known as “land of the thousand waterfalls.” Located in the center of the Sipsey Wilderness you can find what many say is the largest tree in the southeast, simply referred to as Big Tree.  It is a Yellow Popular approximately 46 meters tall and takes four grown men to encircle its circumference.

Visit America’s first wave pool at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Alabama. The family park also offers a lazy river, speed slides, and a young children’s area. Other features include, a hiking/biking trail, fenced in baseball fields, sand volleyball, and campgrounds. 

Learn more about what Alabama has to offer, visit our state guide.