North Alabama Fall Color Trail: Best places to see fall foliage in North Alabama

From Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

NORTH ALABAMA – There’s a saying that says fall is a southerner’s gift for surviving summer. If that is indeed true, North Alabama’s fall gift is gorgeous, and north Alabama has many breathtaking spots to see some colorful scenery. Peak time for fall color in north Alabama is anywhere from the second week in October to the first week in November, so make plans now to see all the reds, oranges and yellows before it is too late.

Athens Area

Take a walk through the quaint, historic town of Mooresville, or hike along the Richard Martin Rails to Trails Walking Trail to see the fall color near the Athens area.

Huntsville Area

Burritt on the Mountain, Land Trust of North Alabama, and Monte Sano State Park are amazing places to see fall color in the Huntsville area! At Burritt on the Mountain, you’ll have a majestic view of Huntsville from atop Monte Sano Mountain. The Land Trust has many trails where you’ll see the leaves changing, and Monte Sano Mountain is a fave for people who want to camp or hike or both in the fall.

Guntersville Area

Buck’s Pocket, Cathedral Caverns, and Lake Guntersville state parks are gorgeous year-round, but they are exceptionally pretty during the fall.

Decatur Area

Take a walk or bike on the Point Mallard Park walking and biking trails to see the pretty fall color along the Tennessee River, and the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is certainly beautiful when it’s glowing with yellow and orange leaves.

Oneonta Area

Horton Mill, Easley, or Swann covered bridges, Mardis Mills Falls, Palisades Park, and Rickwood Caverns State Park are the best places near the Oneonta area where you can see some amazing fall foliage.

Centre Area

Cherokee Rock Village, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Terrapin Creek, and Yellow Creek Falls will not disappoint when you’re searching for fall color. Hike to the top of Cherokee Rock Village to see a beautiful view of Weiss Lake and the fall color surrounding it, and a drive along the Canyon Rim Road in Little River Canyon is gorgeous in the fall. You’ll have plenty of places to pull over and look out into the Canyon, too.

Muscle Shoals Area

Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, Spring Park, and the Natchez Trace are all absolutely gorgeous during the fall. You can hike the almost 18 miles of trails at Cane Creek Canyon and see the breathtaking overlook that’s sprinkled with oranges, yellows, and reds. Take a drive along the Natchez Trace to see even more beauty.

Cullman Area

Ave Maria Grotto, Hurricane Creek Park, and Clarkson Covered Bridge are the perfect places in the Cullman area to see fall color.

Fort Payne Area

DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve are both absolutely gorgeous this time of year! Take a drive along the Canyon Rim Road in Little River Canyon to see the color all through the park. DeSoto State Park has miles of hiking trails where you can see some fall color, and do not miss DeSoto Falls with the fall color as its backdrop.

Gadsden Area

Noccalula Falls Park is gorgeous when the leaves change. Take a hike along the Black Creek Trail to really see the vibrant color in the park.

Phil Campbell Area

Dismals Canyon is just gorgeous year-round! Whether it’s the lush green of the spring or the yellows and oranges of the fall, you’ll fall in love with Dismals Canyon.

Scottsboro Area

Russell Cave National Monument and the Walls of Jericho are both places where you can see gorgeous fall color in the Scottsboro area.

Florence Area

Take a drive along the Natchez Trace too see some beautiful fall color, and take a hike on one of Joe Wheeler State Park’s new hiking trails to see the pretty color in the park.

Moulton Area

Bankhead National Forest and Oakville Indian Mound Park & Museum are two places near Moulton that you are sure to see some pretty fall color. Take a hike in Bankhead to see the beauty up close, and visit the Oakville Indian Mound and take a walk around the pond at the center of the park.

Hamilton Area

The Buttahatchee River near Hamilton is so pretty this time of year!

Double Springs Area

Bankhead National Forest and Natural Bridge Park are the perfect places to see fall color in the Double Springs area. Take a hike in the Sipsey Wilderness in Bankhead to see the fall color surrounding some pretty waterfalls. And Natural Bridge Park has a mile-long trail that winds into the park where you can see the leaves changing.