The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Alabama Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure
By Lisa Battles|Published April 22, 2024
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
Spring in Alabama means beautiful blooms from top to bottom. To help you take it all in, we’ve curated a petal-powered adventure through seven places where you’ll see nature’s palette pop across our landscapes.
The spring road trip in Alabama begins at a lovingly tended city park in Decatur and ends at an enchanting former estate garden near Mobile, promising a kaleidoscope of colors and fragrances. Marvel at the meticulous spaces within two of our best botanical gardens and hike through the wildflower-studded forests of two state parks. You’ll also get to see a river of rare flowers blooming more boldly here than anywhere else on Earth.
Gas up the car and pack your road trip essentials – and you can leave your rose-colored glasses at home! Our blooms are #nofilter.
This adventure takes you from one end of Alabama to the other in about 10 hours of driving, so you'll definitely want to do it over a weekend to see every destination. Tap this map for guided directions or to customize stops to your liking and time frame.
Strolling through Delano Park in Decatur is like stepping into a storybook garden that dates to the late 1800s. While the Historic Rose Garden does have beautiful roses, lilies, and hostas, my favorite time is spring when the hydrangeas bloom throughout the park. The stone walls and pathways teem with their pretty poufs all season long.
Delano Park, 825 Gordon Dr SE, Decatur, AL 35601, USA
In spring, Huntsville Botanical Garden bursts with color across its carefully tended 112 acres. Explore over 20 stunning gardens and special spaces, including the nation's largest seasonal butterfly house, a tranquil water lily pond, a whimsical herb garden, and a delightful dogwood trail. As spring draws to a close, do not miss the 800 daylily cultivars in the Van Valkenburgh Daylily Garden.
Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA
Strolling through a world of wildflowers on the trails at DeSoto State Park in spring. With spring ephemerals filling the forest floor and blooms around every corner, this 3,502-acre park has so much to do and see. If you like your flower hikes with a side of waterfalls, this park has more than half a dozen! Of the park's more than 35 miles of trails, the 2.3-mile Laurel Falls and Lost Falls Trail Loop is a favorite for petal peeping.
DeSoto State Park, 7104 Desoto Pkwy NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA
Surround yourself in a flower-filled forest as you ascend Alabama's highest point at Cheaha State Park. At 2,407 feet, breathe in the fresh air as you take in some of the most beautiful overlooks in the state. There are several trail options to reach the top, or you can drive up the Talladega Scenic Byway.
Cheaha State Park, 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA
The 67-acre Birmingham Botanical Gardens create a delightful urban oasis in the heart of the state. Stroll through a tapestry of tulips, daffodils, azaleas, and more. The Southern Living Garden emulates a classic Southern home garden, while the Dunn Formal Rose Garden is also a must-see with its 100 types of roses. This destination is free to visit and open daily.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223, USA
Witness the unmatched beauty of rare Cahaba lilies in full bloom at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge from mid-May to late June. They make up the largest stand of these lilies in the world! Take a guided canoe tour for intimate views of the flower while paddling through the refuge's pristine waters.
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, 3WXQ+6MJ, West Blocton, AL 35184, USA
Explore the magnificent 65-acre former estate of Mobile's first Coca-Cola bottler Walter Bellingrath, and his wife, Bessie. Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a stunner in spring with seasonal blooms like azaleas, roses, and camellias. The gardens first opened to the public in 1932 for an event, which was so popular the Bellingraths chose to continue the tradition.
Bellingrath Gardens & Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd, Theodore, AL 36582, USA
There you have it! From the north to southern parts of the state, these are the best destinations to celebrate the season in full bloom. Are you ready to follow the flowers on this spring road trip in Alabama? We’d love to hear about your adventure and favorite stops along the way.
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