Rhodes Ferry Park is a nice park in Decatur, Alabama that offers a nice water view and is overall a…read morevery nice park to spend a bit of time at. I would definitely recommend a visit here. It has a lot to offer and I genuinely enjoyed my time here. Communities need parks like this where that community can gather in respite and recreation. Rides Ferry Oark is a great park that serves this community well. Go check it out. I give here five stars overall.

Very nice to watch the trains and I highly recommend it! Right off Highway 20/72 alternate that…read moregoes from Memphis to Chattanooga.

Excellent stop on road trip. Impressive platform mound and a…read moresignificant burial mound. Good museum displays and nice gift shop with friendly staff.

Wow, that's what I have to say. It's a small place and it has so much information and so many…read moreactivities for children in kindergarten till 5th grade. They have festival in May for 3 days they also have a corn run and they have a big property where you can walk around and get to know the place. They have a lot of arrows, skin of animal for demonstration and even technology from back then like apple grinder and corn grinders. This place is absolutely free but they do accept donations. The service was amazing it was an older gentlemen. He would tell us amazing facts and history of the the Indians did back then. He also let us play instruments from back then. He let us touch their weapons and showed us how they were used. He was always on top of everything interacted a lot of my family especially my little sister of 8 years. This was splendid. Please stop by and support them!!!

What a wonderful gem! I was in Scottsboro AL to visit the Unclaimed baggage store and stumbled…read moreupon this place. I love the great outdoors and had every intention of going hiking, but ran into a few issues. To satisfy my desire to embrace the great outdoors I stopped by this place. The view is of the TN river and you must check it out. I honestly don't think the pictures do it justice. It's a small area but would be great for jogging or walking, having a picnic or simply taking in the scenery. I was also impressed by the fact that they have at room facilities available. I did not go into the restroom, but from the outside it appears new and clean. I highly recommend making the stop if you are in the area.

It's a nice place to walk. An even better place to take photos. It's always clean and taken care of.read more

Stayed here for one night camping in hammocks. We actually got an tv spot because we were on the…read moreHarleys and it was a good place to park and also the bathhouse. Extremely clean park and the facilities were excellent. Will stay again if in the area.

First thing, They really need to offer sewer for campers…read more Second, bathrooms and bath house need much updating. Majority of the time the commodes were completely clogged. They have a great pool potentially. It's just empty sitting there. Went to the nature center, supposed to open at 10:00 but nobody there. The playground area needs so much help!! Overgrown weeds, needs mulch. This campground has potential but needs some major updating!!

One of my roommates and some friends of ours come to this park once a week and play pickleball…read morehere. We don't play competitive or on teams, just for fun. I use to play tennis in college and I quickly fell in love with pickleball while playing at Dublin Park. The park is kept well lit at night and is nice and clean. A lot of things to do here during the day as well

What an amazing place for people of all ages and hobbies! We came on a humid Wednesday around 5pm…read morefor the playground and my kids (almost 2 and 4) were immediately in love with the rock climbing walls, variety of swings for literally all ages, and the various structures. The only way we convinced our toddlers to leave was to promise smoothies/icees as a departure treat. Felt extremely safe, was spotlessly clean, and people there were friendly as well. Wish we had a spot like this near us.

Under new ownership and they have done an amazing job! Store is well stocked, outside sitting area…read moreis nicely done with the creak meandering past. The paths are well marked and clear. Past the Natural Bridge is rooty, so take care with those not sure footed. I highly recommend the visit and will return. Hosts were very informative as well, so ask questions

This was a last-minute stop based on a sign I saw along the side of the road, and it was absolutely…read moreworth it! I had some difficulty finding it, as there is a town called "Natural Bridge." Google directed me there, and not to the park, itself, which caused some confusion. Coming in from the I-10, take highway 13 North to road 278. Turning RIGHT takes you to the town. Turning LEFT takes you to the bridge. There are some signs, but they are worn, and obscured by vegetation. Arriving at the park, one is immediately greeted with picturesque views, and a trickling creek. The trees are majestic, and the parking ample. It's important to remember that this is rural Alabama, and not some big city. The admission is inexpensive, and the trails are simple. The people that run the gift shop are country folk, and are very kind. Mind your manners (and your children). Stay on the trails, walk carefully, and do what the sign says - "Take only pictures .....leave only footsteps. With that said, this place was amazing. The bridge is absolutely breathtaking, as is the rock formation called "Indian Head." Many inscriptions - some over 100 years old - are carved into the surrounding sandstone. There is dripping water under the bridge, so watch your step! The trail is primitive and there are roots sticking out here and there - be careful! Shoes with traction are a MUST here for safety reasons! Enough said - go enjoy this natural wonder for yourself!

Trail blazing in Madison? Even minor scrambling (the use of your hands for balance and pulling up)…read moreoff small slick rocks? Who would have thought we could do this just a few miles from home?! Hubby and I have been blazing this gem for over 2 yrs now since relocating to the south, and never once have we not enjoyed Rainbow Mountain nor have we left w dry clothing on our backs no matter what season we're in. PARKING Recently developed by the Land Trust is a 12-spot parking lot right near the entrance to Stoneridge Park. It's free. Once the lot is full, your alternative would be street parking which, of course, is also free. TRAILS The main trailhead is located next to the water tower. The trails here on Rainbow Mountain are relatively easy but can be strenuous depending on your experience, speed, and which direction one starts off with. So at an average, I'd say this is an easy to moderate trail to hike. Covering about 4 miles of single-track trails across 130 acres with a peak elevation of 1,150 and an elevation loss/gain of 388 ft, you are sure to break a sweat here. There are 4 trails that interconnect some how or another. And if you plan your route in advance, you can get a good 5 miles out of these. Rainbow Mountain Loop 1.5mi Ja Moo Ko Loop 0.9mi Spring Trail 0.3mi Wild Trail 0.34mi On a good Saturday morning after some light down pour, we usually cover 2.35 miles in about an hour hiking across damp ground and with minor scrambling through slick rocks on the Rainbow Mtn Loop and Ja Moo Ko Loop Trails. This hour timeframe also includes about a few quick pauses to quench our thirsts and another short break by the stream below. Most peeps prefer starting off on the leisurely southern route and taking in the panoramic views of Madison and the awe'ness of Balance Rock. We prefer starting off on the northern route. This IMO eliminates being caught in the crowd which often slows our pace. If I don't carry my DSLR, I tend to hike at a fast speed so don't get in my way! ;D It's a relatively quick hike for us but we're always drenched with sweat and ready for a shower by the time we're done. GEOLOGY and POIs Rainbow Mountain, known to be part of the Southern Appalachian Plateau, has many beautiful rock outcrops. Even the nearby homes have them as part of their natural landscape beauty. Here you'll find the Hartselle Sandstone formation which consists of sandstone, limestone, and shale. The erosive resistance of these rocks have resulted in what you'll see here - bluffs, very small seasonal waterfalls, and caves. Balance Rock is a must see. If you're trekking too fast, you just might miss it. It's located on the southern route of Rainbow Mtn Loop. I always find it interesting to see the wavy line features and pebbles in the sandstone on Balance Rock which supposedly was caused by the actions of water from long ago seas. There are also two caves here - Rainbow Pit (a 65 feet deep vertical cave), and Belly-Up Cave. These are known to be the result of water leaching the limestone rock. We've yet to search these out and explore these caves ourselves in fear of possibly falling in. However, I've heard that people have rappelled these in years past. It's also suspected that the nearby subdivision developer will seal the cave (if they haven't already) by placing a large boulder over the entrance to avoid potential lawsuits from ignoramus'. Funny but sad. Sad that such a beautiful piece of land can't be preserved for those of us that appreciate it and the history and features it holds. RECOMMENDATIONS & VERDICT Hike in the mornings especially if the forecasts includes humidity in the afternoon. Bring a minimum of 16oz bottled water per person, a snack (if you prefer), sunblock, hat/cap, hiking stick (if you have one), and a smile. And don't forget to stretch before & afterwards. That's the norm if we lead a hike here. This is close to home so we'll be back as often as our schedule permits, and weather permitting too. Check it out yourself! These trails are worth exploring!!

Great terrain for experienced hikers and other beautiful terrain for less experienced, older hikers…read moreand children. Be sure to bring camera... in the fall, this is called Rainbow Mountain for a reason. Balanced Rock is a just short walk down from the end of Stoneway Trail.

Ingalls Harbor is a cool place with an interesting history and also symbolizes the growth and…read moredirection of the evolving city of Decatur, Alabama. Built at the old Ingalls Shipyard (and there is a historic marker on the grounds with their history), this is definitely a cool place with a great view of the river.

Ingalls is the perfect place to launch your boat! They have a huge boat ramp and plenty of parking…read more There's also a twice the ice vending machine located in the parking lot. $2 for a bag of ice and it takes credit cards!

How can you not love a park on a brisk morning looking over a lake!…read more The playground area is made of rock base and there is a sand pit. We went in the morning around 10am and the park was not too busy maybe around 5 kids. It wouldn't matter though the park is pretty big and spaced out with fencing. So it is pretty easy to keep up with your child and not feel over crowded.. Plus as an adorable little bonus they do have a swing that is a wheelchair swing for children who are handicapped Just on the off-chance you go on the offseason it can be a little noisy during clean up but I always see that as a good sign because they're keeping the park clean and not many beautiful places are kept as nice as this one was being kept.. The trail has photo opportunities for kids and workout equipment along the way! Also tons of rest stops picnic tables and just beautiful views.. it also looks like there is a stage that could potentially be for music and you can rent gazebos with picnic tables under it.

I had asked some coworkers where to go for a simple pinic in Cullman. Two different people…read moresuggested Sportsman Lake which is behind the Cullman Fairgrounds. After going to a movie my husband and I picked up a pizza and set out to find Sportsman Lake. Heading north on 31 we found the sign and turned left. After passing the fairgrounds we headed into the park area. We found an empty picnic table and devoured our pizza. The small lake is beautiful with an elegant white pier. There were a lot of people but the park is spacious so we were still able to enjoy a peaceful meal by the water. There were several pavillions which are perfect for family gatherings, a playground for the children, and even a little train but I'm not sure of the operating hours. Several families were feeding the ducks and geese and couples were taking a stroll on the walking path. I definitely plan to come back the next time we are looking for a peaceful place to relax.

Monte Sano State Park is an absolute gem! The park offers stunning overlooks that provide…read morebreathtaking views, especially at sunset. There are endless hiking trails for all skill levels, each one more scenic than the last. Climbing the fire tower is a must--it gives you a whole new perspective of the area. To top it off, the disc golf course is one of the best I've played, with challenging holes surrounded by natural beauty. Whether you're here for hiking, disc golf, or just to take in the views, Monte Sano has something special for everyone. We managed to make it right before a huge storm opened up and enjoyed the overlook and a few hiking trails. The drive up is nice and scenic filled with windy roads. As we were leaving definitely be alert as the hill down is extremely windy and dangerous with a drop off. There is a fee you pay per person to enter which was not expected but it came to $5 per adult and the money goes back into the park.

Took my family on a nice little hike today. Took us about 2 hours and it was incredibly…read morechallenging! Such a beautiful part and I love the stone cut trail!