Planning Your Park Visit
The Alabama State Parks website has several tools to help you plan your next visit. In addition to each park having its own information page, you can download brochures for many of the parks as well as rate information. Visit the maps page to see locations of all Alabama State Parks.
A comprehensive calendar of events is available online so you can see what’s taking place throughout the year. Want to know what lodging specials are available? Check those out online as well.
When you get ready to make your reservation, several parks have online reservation capabilities now. You can check availability and make online reservations at DeSoto, Lakepoint, Guntersville and Joe Wheeler.
Like other parts of the Gulf Coast, Gulf State Park is open and welcoming visitors. A swim advisory is still in effect from the heath department, but the beaches are being cleaned on a daily basis and are open for sunbathers.
The pier at Gulf State Park is open for sightseers and catch and release fishing. Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley opened state waters to catch and release on June 24, 2010. For a small fee, sightseers can spend time on the pier watching anglers or catching a sunset.
Freshwater fishing is available at Lake Shelby. Other amenities at the park include golf, picnicking, hiking and biking. Lodging options include camping, cabins and cottages.
Lake Guntersville State Park provides the perfect backdrop for your wedding and reception. Outdoor spaces can accommodate an intimate wedding and a guest list of up to 150 people and offer panoramic views of the 69,000-acre Guntersville Reservoir. Interior spaces range from small to large, accommodating 10 to 500 people. Stately hotel rooms and suites are perfect for the bridal party to relax and unwind before the big day and are also ideal as the location for your honeymoon.
Outdoor venues for weddings include the beach pavilion at the main campground, other smaller pavilions, and the Mabrey Overlook near the golf pro shop. Rental fees apply for the pavilions. The Mabrey Overlook is a free location but must be pre-reserved.
The park can provide all catering services for your wedding with the exception of the cake. Menus can be planned for a stand-up reception, a buffet spread or a plated elegant dinner. You plan and design what you want and the staff will work with you to provide it.
Reservations for a wedding can be made as much as two years in advance. A down payment is not required when reserving your space, but the park requires a credit or debit card number to secure the location with no charges posted to the account.
Upcoming Events
7-23-2010
An evening of free entertainment; bring your own chair; food for sale.
7-24-2010
Take a moderate 3-mile hike in Lake Guntersville State Park with park’s naturalist. Meet at the Country Store at the entrance to the main campground at 9 a.m. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
7-24-2010
Oak Mountain State Park’s naturalist Emily Cohen will present this program at 10 a.m. at the B-side pavilion in the campground.
7-31-2010
Join NPS’s Interpretive Ranger Larry Beane for this program about the insects found on Lookout Mountain.
7-31-2010
Find all of the items on the list and get a prize. Join park naturalist Emily Cohen at 10 a.m. at the Campground Beach.
8-1-2010
8-7-2010
This guided hike is rated easy and follows a 1.5 mile path. Meet where the Cave Trail crosses the road by the driveway into the lakeside cabins. 9 a.m.
8-14-2010
Join astronomer Dr. Laura Weinkauf as she reveals the science and mysteries of our closest celestial neighbor and other moons in our solar system. Look at our moon through a telescope!
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Did you know that many Alabama State Parks have dog-friendly cabins? Dogs are always welcome in the campgrounds, and now visitors have the option of staying in one of the dog-friendly cabins or chalets. An additional charge of $15 per dog is applicable.
New Trail
Signs for DeSoto
GH Metal Solutions, located in Fort Payne, Ala., recently donated new trail signs to DeSoto State Park. These signs, many of which are constructed of stainless steel, are laser cut and powder coated to withstand years of use and exposure to the elements.
Pictured next to one of the signs is Brad Scott, co-owner of GH Metal Solutions.
Alabama State Parks is grateful to businesses such as this that help create a better experience for our many visitors.
RECIPE OF
THE MONTH
West Indies Salad
By Hugh Branyon,
Retired Superintendent, Gulf State Park
1 Pound crabmeat
1 Onion – coarsely cut up
1/2 Cup red apple cider vinegar
2/3 Cup Wesson oil
1/2 Cup ice water
Dash chili powder
Dash Accent
Dash paprika
Salt
Black pepper
Place crabmeat in mixing bowl with last five ingredients. Mix well.
Use a container with a cover. Place layer of onions in container, then a layer of crabmeat, then top with a layer of onion. If using a deep container keep alternating onion and crabmeat but always end up with onion on bottom and top.
VERY IMPORTANT - after layers are finished, pour in vinegar, then oil and then ice water. Just pour on top - DO NOT STIR! Place lid on container and refrigerate immediately. Chill at least 24 hours.
Remove from refrigerator 25 minutes before serving. Leave lid on. Stir only when you are ready to place in bowls and serve; then mix well. Do not use a slotted spoon. For large amounts, keep stirring as you serve. Serve with crackers.
Alabama State Parks is once again offering a camping “double discount” to senior citizens and disabled persons on Sundays through Thursdays from August 2 to September 30, 2010 (September 5 excluded).
The normal discount of 15 percent will be doubled to 30 percent on base camping rates during this time. The senior citizen discount is available to people ages 62 and up.
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