Alabama State Parks October 2009 E-Newsletter

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Cheaha State Park Provides Mountaintop Getaway | by David Rainer

Tired of the hustle and bustle of life? Ready to get away from it all? There’s likely no place in Alabama better for a little peace and solitude than Cheaha State Park this time of year.

Settle in with a good book near the fireplace in one of the 10 stone cabins or rent one of the six chalets for a panoramic view from atop Alabama’s tallest mountain. There are also 30 hotel rooms, Bald Rock Lodge with 12 rooms that accommodate multiple guests, as well as a restaurant with observation deck on the mountain ridge.

Read more>>>

Equestrian Campground Opening Soon at Oak Mountain State Park | by Emily D. Cohen

Hey Horse Lovers! Do you want to take a trail ride at Oak Mountain State Park and then spend the night out under the stars with your horse? Well, now you can.

With a planned opening date of spring 2010, Oak Mountain will have an equestrian campground where you and your horse can enjoy the peaceful sounds of camping out together.

The equestrian campground is conveniently located next to the Oak Mountain Stables and the trailhead for the horse trail.

There will be 12 pull-through sites with full hookup, which includes water, electricity (20-, 30- and 50-amp service) and sewer.

Reservations are not required at this time.

There is more to do while you are visiting Oak Mountain. Take a hike down to beautiful Peavine Falls, wet a line in one of our many lakes, or even see gorgeous raptors up close and personal on the Treetop Nature Trail.

Since Oak Mountain is just minutes from downtown Birmingham, there are plenty of things to do outside the park as well. After that, come back, relax, and unwind in the serenity of nature.

Happy trails to you!

State Parks Celebrate 70 Years

Help the Alabama State Parks celebrate their 70th year by attending one of the birthday parties in your area. Take advantage of the discount offered by some parks on hotel rooms the weekend they are hosting a birthday party. Don’t forget, Alabama State Parks offer a great value, so plan to take your next vacation at an Alabama State Park! Read more>>>

OCTOBER

10/01 to 11/30	Frank Jackson – Second Annual Scarecrows in the Park
10/23 to 10/24	DeSoto State Park - Ghosts on the Mountain Spookapalooza
10/23 to 10/24	Wind Creek – Halloween Carnival
10/24	Oak Mountain – Creatures of the Night owl program at the Alabama Wildlife Center
10/30	Guntersville State Park Haunted Hayride

NOVEMBER

11/7, 11/14, 11/21	Lake Guntersville – Guided Nature Hike
11/26	Joe Wheeler, Lake Guntersville, Lakepoint, DeSoto and Cheaha – Thanksgiving Buffet at the lodge restaurants.

DECEMBER

12/12	Lake Lurleen – First Annual Nicholas Wilson Memorial Tashka Trail Run
12/12	Joe Wheeler – Parade of Lights

ONGOING

Oak Mountain - Audubon Teaches Nature 2009 – 2010 Series at the Alabama Wildlife Center

Coming in 2010

Lake Guntersville - January and February - Eagle Awareness

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF EVENTS CLICK HERE>>>

Did you know?

Cheaha State Park has some of the finest fall foliage views in Alabama? The months of October and November are peak season for this park. Cheaha State Park is surrounded by the Talladega National Forest giving you a drive that is breathtaking any time of year but it’s especially beautiful in the fall.

Oak Mountain Makes Top 5 State Parks to Visit During Fall

A national Web site has named Alabama’s Oak Mountain State Park as one of its Top 5 picks to visit for fall color. About.com’s U.S. State Parks site reports, “As the state’s largest park, Oak Mountain State Park boasts over 9,900 acres of abundantly green valleys, much of it quipped with peaks of pines. Colors shout from all directions and on many trails visitors find themselves completely immersed in foliage.”