The falls were beautiful and we got a little bit of exercise getting to them. It's worth the trip…read moreto see it!

We were close by and decide to check it out. Definitely a quick stop, beautiful falls and a few…read morehikes. We just drove up and did the falls. Quick walk from the parking to the waterfalls.

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!

USE GOOGLE MAPS FOR THE RIGHT ADDRESS. The one listed in the closest I could find. Search Sipsey…read moreRiver Trail. We found this one day googling "best day hikes in Alabama". Every blog and site that we found made it sound like a dream.. They they couldn't have been more true! This is such a beautiful hiking/camping spot! We went on a raining day in early December and it was still AMAZING. We only hiked around for an hour or so but it was so beautiful and there is so much to see. This trail cost $3 a car. It's also pet friendly! I have been told that people swim in the beautiful river in the summer. I'm in awe of the beauty of Bankhead National Forest. I can't wait to explore more of it!

This bridge is a hidden gem. It is in really good shape for being so old. My daughter and I went…read morehere to take her senior pictures. It was the perfect spot. There are also some small cabins and a waterfall that make great photo opportunities. I want to go back and do some walking around. It's definitely a place to visit.

A beautiful park. Showing some of the history of the area. Great place for a picnic. Nice and…read moreshaded. It's Free. The bridge construction is very interesting. You can walk across it. There is also a Dog Trot Cabin and Grist Mill.

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.

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

Highly recommend booking online ahead of time as their tours do fill up. Make sure to bring a…read moresweater as it gets to about 60° inside the caves. The tour itself you learn alot about the history of the cave and it's absolutely beautiful.

It only $3.00 for adults ( discount for veterans ) and kids under 4 get in free to the park. Cost…read moreis very reasonable . Camping, swimming, hiking and even walking trails. Underground cave tour. Park is very shaded with lots of oak and pine trees. You can rent a pavilion for family gatherings, birthday party and children's playground. Gift store has some souvenir items they also sell a few snacks and drinks. People in gift shop very friendly and knowledgeable of park. Give you a printed guide of park trails. Park is very well maintained and restrooms are very clean. I'll different go back again.

Came here on a weekend morning around 9AM, not many cars parked in the parking lot although there…read morewere quite a few when leaving around noon. Well-marked trail, pretty flat for the most part, fine views. Slightly muddy in some parts, dead trees and lots of leaves on the ground.

Some of the best hiking trails in hsv! Always a different view. Perfect to watch sunrise, sit…read moremidday, or sunset!

The scenery here is beautiful! But, what is not is most of the staff. The restrooms are small…read morecompared to the camping space. There are only 2 toilets and 1 shower per bath house. I went over to another bathhouse in another loop and was given a courtesy ticket of the way I park. I was parked in a parking space. Then they complained I could not park in another loop as over flow. It was explained that was not the case. The lack of communication between the staff and campers is terrible. Another thing that the staffs does is drive around our loop almost every 15 to 20 minutes. They patrolled our area so often that when we drove to another loop to use the restroom, that restrooms didn't have any toilet paper for that whole day. This was a lovely camp site, however, we will not be back due to the staff.

We camp here every season they are open. Sometimes more than once depending on what we have going…read moreon, but you need a reservation. It's very clean, the camping spots are spacious and they have a nice bicycle trail you can walk or ride your bike on. The "beach" for the campground is a short walk away or you can drive too it. Bathrooms there are locked and you have to use a port a potty so be prepared for that negative....but the beach area is clean. They so NOT have a playground so If you have little kids, bring your entertainment and toys with you for them. The water spots do get crowded and loud so if you want quiet get higher up on bear or fawn. They do have hiking trails but lots of spiders and I got eaten alive with mosquitos despite using "off" so make sure you are prepared!

It's such a lovely spot to visit! There's an adorable little wedding chapel, a charming old…read morebuilding you can explore, and a fantastic playground with picnic tables scattered throughout the park. Perfect for a fun day out!

I drove past the entrance to the park every week for years for my job, and never knew what a treat…read moreI was missing out on. If you're having a bad day, a few minutes spent at Meditation Point will surely take some weight off your shoulders. Just look out over God's creation, and your stress will fall away like the rolling hills before you. This gorgeous little park tucked away in Oneonta is worth driving out of your way for, but if you are nearby you absolutely must go. Even just driving through it is nice. There was apparently a wedding taking place at one of the buildings, and there are pavilions and picnic tables for a nice relaxing lunch. There are also numerous trails and pathways but unfortunately I did not get to explore them because I was not dressed to hike. We have placed this high on the to do list and I absolutely can't wait to get back!