There Are Several Great Places to Find Recreation in Alabama

Recreation in Alabama is second to none in the United States, as there are numerous activities for you and your family to enjoy.

However, what is not well known to most people in this historic state, is the size and the scope of these activities.

According to facts and figures by the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in the State of Alabama has a whopping $14 Billion, yes Billion, impact on the State’s economy.

Another little-known fact is that the outdoor industry supports twice as many jobs as what is considered to be the largest job producer: auto manufacturing.

It is also estimated to provide close to 4 billion in wages and salaries, each and every year.

In fact, the communities that provide numerous outdoor activities, have a better quality of life, which make them very attractive to live in.

The Recreation in Alabama cover numerous natural attractions and wonders of this beautiful state, from the rivers and lakes, the beautiful gulf, the mountains and valleys, as well as golf.

Here are the top spots for fun activities in the State for you and your family.

Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

The First Four Areas for Recreation in Alabama

Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
Alabama Scenic River Trail
Canoeing and Kayaking
Fly Fishing

Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

Leading the list of the first four types of recreation is the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, also known as the ADSFR.

It is the nations’ oldest saltwater fishing competition, and is held off of Dauphin Island, at the head of the Mobile Bay.

It is held during a three-day event in July, and attracts more than 3,000 contestants annually, as well as tens of thousands of spectators.

This magical event features both blackfish and white trout, as well as yellowfin tuna for the fishers offshore.

It offers 30 prize categories and is considered to be the most diverse of any fishing tournament in the entire country.

Alabama Scenic River Trail

Next on the of list of Recreation in Alabama is the Alabama Scenic River Trail, the longest recreational water trail in the entire United States.

It starts at the Alabama/Georgia state line, where the Coosa River enters the State, and ends 631 miles later at Fort Morgan at the Gulf of Mexico.

The original trail included parts of seven rivers in the state, including the Coosa, Alabama, Tensaw, Apalachee, Cahaba, and the Blakeley, as well as parts of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

In late 2010, the Tennessee River and Terrapin Creek were made part of this historic river trail.

The trail also crosses 9 rivers in its breath-taking journey.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Next on the list is Canoeing and Kayaking, and the numerous waterways in this naturally blessed State, offer numerous attractions for both canoeists and kayakers.

All skill levels can enjoy these waters, as there is flat-water floating trips available, as well as Class V whitewater trips.

While most of the challenging runs are found in the northern part of the state, whitewater runs can also be found as far south as Wetumpka, Tallassee, as well as Phenix City.

One of the best trips in the entire south is the 11.5 loop for both canoeists as well as kayakers on Rice Creek, just outside Minette.

Known as the Bartum Canoe Trail, it traverses the swampy and marshy landscape of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, and offers great ways to see nature as well as wild life.

If lucky, you may see alligators, rare birds, and maybe even a black bear.

Fly Fishing

The final of the first four of the sites for Recreation in Alabama, is Fly Fishing, which is most often associated with western states.

However, the numerous water sources of this state allow fly fishers to pursue various species of fish.

In fact, the striped bass is fast becoming one of the favorite targets.

While better known as salt-water fish, the river systems have been stocked in the last several years with striped bass.

These stripers can range up to 40 pounds and will eagerly take a fly.

Fly Fishing in Alabama in Oe of the Most Popular Types of Recreation in Alabama

The Second Four Areas for Recreation in Alabama

Hunting
North Alabama Birding Trail
Natural Wildlife Refuges
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Hunting

First on this list of Recreation in Alabama is Hunting.

This sport, from our rural past, is still extremely popular in the State, and Deer and Turkey lead the list of animals to hunt.

All hunting in the state requires a license, making it a large revenue source for the state.

The State’s extremely diverse lands range from the Appalachian Mountains in the north, to the coastal marshes and beaches in the south.

This wide and diverse range of areas to hunt make it both challenging and fun, and deer hunting is allowed during the fall and winter, and turkey hunting is allowed in the spring.

North Alabama Birding Trail

Next on the list is the North Alabama Birding Trail, which is not an actual physical trail, but rather it is made up of 50 individual sites.

These sites are scattered throughout 11 counties in the northern part of the State, and range in intensity.

They range from simple roadside pull-offs to short walking trails, and more remote locales accessed only by lengthy hikes or even canoes.

Each site was selected for its unique birding opportunities, by the number of birds present, or known to frequent the area.

This trail is very popular for sighting rare of very uncommon birds, and was officially opened in 2005, joining the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Natural Wildlife Refuges

The Natural Wildlife Refuges is next, and this beautiful State is home to 11 of these unique places for you and your family to enjoy.

The National Wildlife Refuge System was established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, when he designated the first national wildlife refuge at the Florida’s Pelican Island.

The refuge system has now grown steadily and today encompasses more the 150 million acres within 550 wildlife refuges.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trails

The final of the eight areas of Recreation in Alabama is the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trails.

These Golf Trails are known across the entire country and is a series of 11 championship golf courses throughout the State.

They are based on the designs of the legendary golf-course architect of Robert Trent Jones Sr., and these facilities include resorts, spas, and dining facilities.

The Trail has been praised by almost all critics for their affordability and quality of play.

These Trails are home each and every year for professional tournaments for both men and women.

While these areas of Recreation in Alabama are special, there are also numerous other sites like caves, waterfalls, state parks, as well as scenic drives for you and your family to enjoy.

References

Business and Industry | Encyclopedia of Alabama

The Alabama Birding Trails

The Alabama Birding Trails are one of the best recreation areas in the state for you and your family to enjoy.

Birds Along the Alabama Birding Trails

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Alabama National Refuges

Alabama National Refuges are one of the most popular and protected areas in this beautiful state.

The Cahaba River National Refuge

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The Alabama Scenic River Trail

The Alabama Scenic River Trail, also known as the ASRT, is just one of the recreation activities in this beautiful state to explore.

Cliffs on the Alabama Scenic River Trail

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The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, also known as the ADSFR, is one of the most interesting and fun things to do in the state of Alabama.

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Shack

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The Barber Motorsports Park

The Barber Motorsports Park is one of the most unique places in the state, for you and your family to explore for recreation.

Sign at the Barbers Motorsports Park Museum

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Hunting in Alabama

Hunting in Alabama is one of the state’s best recreation activities, for one very simple reason, a very wide range of environments.

Young Hunter with His Turkey

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The Coosa River Whitewater Festival

The Coosa River Whitewater Festival is one off the state’s most popular kayaking and partying events, and if you have never tried it, you are missing out.