There Are Ten Alabama Scenic Drives That Really Stand Out

There are several Alabama Scenic Drives that are beautiful and exciting as day trips for you and your family.

There are numerous different trips that you can take in this beautiful state, but there are 10 that really stand out.

The backroads of Alabama are just waiting for you and your family to come and explore them.

On this journey you will find breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful canyons, numerous rivers you did not know existed, as well as tons of historical sites. 

Talladega Scenic DriveTalladega Scenic Drive

The First Five of the Alabama Scenic Drives

  • Talladega Scenic Drive
  • Natchez Trace Parkway
  • William B. Bankhead National Forest Tour
  • Lookout Mountain Parkway
  • The Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail

 The Talladega Scenic Drive

First on the list of Alabama Scenic Drives is the Talladega Scenic Drive.

This beautiful trip starts in Heflin and ends in Lineville Alabama and is approximately 30 miles long.

It takes you straight to the Talladega National Forest, and at its highest point you will find yourself at 2,400 feet above sea level.

This gorgeous drive gives you a bird’s eye view of the Appalachian Mountains, where you can see several different small rural towns in the trees.

The quality of air in this higher elevation is much crisper, and on a clear summer day and you can literally see for miles.

On this drive you will find many areas where you can hike, fish, picnic or even camp. if that is what you are looking for.

The Natchez Trace Parkway

Next on the list of Alabama Scenic Drives is the Natchez Trace Parkway, which if you travel the entire route, is 444 miles long that takes you through 3 states.

It starts here in Alabama, and also runs through Mississippi and Tennessee.

It offers hiking, biking, as well as horseback riding, and also has picnic and camping areas.

It was the original path not only for settlers, but for several Native American Indian Tribes.

Along this route you can also see many of the original trails of the American Buffalo, as well as other large game animals.

The only drawback is a shortage of amenities, so make sure your gas tank is full.

The William B. Bankhead National Forest Tour

Next of the list is the William B. Bankhead National Forest Tour, which is a 54-mile drive.

This drive starts in Molten and ends in Jasper Alabama and takes you through the heart of the forest.

This very large forest covers over 181,000 acres and is home to the States ‘only National Wild and Scenic River, the Sipsey Fork.

There are six recreation areas that are spread throughout the Forest, and they offer all the amenities such as swimming, camping, picnicking and fishing. 

Lookout Mountain Parkway DeKalb Country AlabamaLookout Mountain Parkway DeKalb Country Alabama

Lookout Mountain Parkway

Next up of the Alabama Scenic Drives is the Lookout Mountain Parkway drive that is about 50 miles in duration.

This breathtaking drive starts in Gadsden and ends in Mentone but will also take you all the way to Chattanooga Tennessee.

On this scenic drive you will see not only waterfalls, but also awesome canyons as well.

This beautiful drive offers us four different seasons of not only beautiful flowering Rhododendrons in the summer, but light to moderate snow in the winter.

It is a must-see day trip for you and your family to enjoy pure and majestic nature.

The Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail

Next on the list of Alabama Scenic Drives is the Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail.

This historic trail is named after the rich black soil that made cotton famous in the state in the 1800’s.

This historic trail will take you through sites in Selma Alabama like the Edmund Pettis Bridge, to the Tuskegee Institute and Molton Field in Tuskegee.

You can also see glorious old Southern Plantations in Demopolis, as well as several different and unique rivers.

The Second Five of the Alabama Scenic Drives

  • The Leeds Stagecoach Route
  • Tensaw Parkway
  • The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Parkway
  • Alabama Coastal Connection National Scenic Byway
  • The Black Warrior Scenic Byway

The Leeds Stagecoach Route

First on this list of Alabama Scenic Drives is the Leeds Stagecoach Route that begins at Lake Purdy and ends in Moody.

This breathtaking route takes you to the town of Leeds which began as an Indian Trail and runs along the gorgeous Cahaba River.

The downtown area of Leeds is a great Historic place to take your family, as is this historic stagecoach route.

There are several landmarks along the way that will tell you and your family the history of several of the early cultures that settled the area.

The Tensaw Parkway

The Tensaw Parkway is next, and it is 58 miles long beginning in Mobile and runs to the Little River.

There are several visual treats for you and your family, and most all of them will involve water.

The water activities you can enjoy including boating, fishing, and kayaking, as well as numerous historical sites along the way.

It not only takes you where the Native Americans and our early European ancestors traveled, there are also several Civil War sites in the area as well.

The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway

The Appalachian Highland Scenic Byway starts at Heflin Alabama and ends in Fort Payne and is about 73 miles in distance.

It will take you to extremes such as the highest point in the state, to the deepest canyon.

Along this route you will find Lookout Mountain, Little River Canyon, as well as Cornwell Furnace, making it one of the best of the Alabama Scenic Drives.

The Alabama Coastal Connection Scenic BywayThe Alabama Coastal Connection Scenic Byway

Alabama’s Coastal Connection National Scenic Byway

This gorgeous drive is approximately 120 miles long and is located along the Gulf Coast.

Starting at Bayou La Batre, it travels to Daphne, and along this route your will find not only beautiful beaches, but also some of the freshest seafood in the country.

You will see firsthand literally thousands of acres of preserved and protected land, as well as several sites such as Dauphin Island and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

The Black Warrior River Scenic Byway

The last of the Alabama Scenic Drives is the Black Warrior River Byway, the takes you around the Black Warrior River on a 12-mile drive.

There are three bridges on this drive that will give you wonderful views of the river, as well as the natural scenery that surrounds it.

You can also see first-hand historic ruins as well as enjoy biking trails, picnic areas, and boating.

It is also very close to the town of Tuscaloosa, where you can set up to visit Bryant-Denny Stadium on one of the daily tours. 

References

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways

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Bankhead National Forest Tour

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The Talladega Scenic Drive

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The Tensaw Parkway

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