Alabamians are no strangers when it comes to hot summers. With that being said, there’s no reason to sit at home in the air conditioning when there are many other places you can spend a summer day.
Listed below are 10 places in Alabama that are perfect for beating the summer heat. You’ll want to visit them all!
1. Gulf Coast Beaches
Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches are some of the finest beaches in the United States. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are two beach towns that are among Alabama's top vacation destinations. A dip in the Gulf waters is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day.
2. Little River Canyon National Preserve - Fort Payne
Little River Canyon National Preserve, which is located atop Lookout Mountain, is one of Alabama's top outdoor attractions. One of its most popular spots to visit in the summer is the Hippie Hole - a famous swimming hole among the locals.
Address: 4322 Little River Trail Northeast, Suite 100, Fort Payne, AL, 35967
3. Cathedral Caverns State Park - Woodville
Cathedral Caverns State Park is home to Cathedral Caverns, which is a historic cave with one of the largest entrances in the world. Because this massive cave maintains a temperature of 60 degrees year-round, it's perfect for exploring when the outdoor temperature is high.
Address: 637 Cave Road, Woodville, AL, 35776
4. Point Mallard Park - Decatur
Point Mallard Park is a fun water park that's perfect for a summer day trip. It's home to America's first wave pool, which is a great spot for cooling off.
Address: 2901 Point Mallard Drive, Decatur, AL, 35602
5. Oak Mountain State Park - Pelham
Covering nearly 10,000 acres, Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama's largest state park. It offers several outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping, biking, etc. It's also home to a public beach that's great for cooling off and relaxing.
Address: 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham, AL, 35124
6. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve - Pinson
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is one of Alabama's most beautiful outdoor spots. Its most popular feature is its waterfall, which attracts people all summer long. This scenic waterfall is a fantastic spot for swimming, and many visitors have even turned it into a natural water slide.
Address: 3906 Turkey Creek Road, Pinson, AL, 35126
7. Alabama Splash Adventure - Bessemer
Alabama Splash Adventure is one of the Yellowhammer State's best water parks. It offers several spots that are perfect for cooling off this summer, including water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, etc. Alabama Splash Adventure is the perfect summer attraction for all ages.
Address: 4599 Splash Adventure Parkway, Bessemer, AL, 35022
8. DeSoto State Park - Fort Payne
DeSoto State Park covers more than 3,000 acres and is the perfect spot for anyone who loves the outdoors. Just like Little River Canyon National Preserve, this state park is also located atop Lookout Mountain. DeSoto State Park offers a variety of fun recreational activities for summer, including kayaking the Little River.
Address: 7104 DeSoto Parkway Northeast, Fort Payne, AL, 35967
9. Dismals Canyon - Phil Campbell
Dismals Canyon is a breathtaking canyon that's a true hidden gem. It's one of the few places in the world where you'll find dismalites, which are rare insects that resemble glowworms. Because this outdoor attraction is a canyon, it's a cool spot to explore year-round, including Alabama's hot summer months.
Address: 901 Highway 8, Phil Campbell, AL, 35581
10. Lake Guntersville State Park - Guntersville
Lake Guntersville State Park is located on the eastern shore of Lake Guntersville. Covering 69,000 acres, Lake Guntersville is Alabama's largest lake. It offers a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, water skiing, etc., and it's also one of the Yellowhammer State's top summer destinations.
Address: 1155 Lodge Drive, Guntersville, AL, 35976
Do you plan to visit any of these places this summer? If so, let us know in the comments below! Also, let us know some of your favorite places in Alabama to beat the summer heat.
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