Biking, Hiking & ORVing Through the Beautiful Lands of Alabama’s Black Belt

Summer is hot in south-central Alabama, which makes Blue Springs State Park in Clio the perfect place to cool off after a 2.1-mile hiking-only Magnolia Trail. This park may be a secret swimming hole to the locals, but it is well worth the drive from anywhere in the state. While Blue Springs is a great summertime spot, it is welcoming year-round. If you are looking for a place to slow down and enjoy some peace and quiet, this Black Belt hiking spot is it!

Just a short drive from the Auburn/Opelika area, Chewacla State Park offers plenty of Black Belt hiking trails and challenging mountain bike trails built by the Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers. Visitors on the trails will see unique rock formations, various native flowers and plants, and, depending on the day, squirrels, chipmunks, red fox, deer, and turkeys. The 696-acre park offers plenty of rest, relaxation, and recreation just a short drive from the Auburn-Opelika area. In addition to the popular trails, facilities include a 26-acre lake, swimming area, playground, a modern campground, cabins, and picnic areas with tables, grills, and shelters.

Access the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge by walking or biking to experience a habitat teeming with birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Habitats range from lake to shallow shores, creeks to wetlands, and open fields to shaded woodlands.

There are four approximately one-mile Black Belt hiking and nature trails at the picturesque Lakepoint Resort State Park, located on the banks of the 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula, also known as “The Bass Capital of the World.” Lakepoint offers a variety of other amenities such as a six-mile ORV Course, full-service restaurant and lounge, marina, modern campground, swimming complex, tennis courts, playgrounds, convention, and meeting facilities.

More than 15 miles of Alabama Black Belt hiking trails offer excursions into the forest surrounding Paul M. Grist Park, which has a beautiful 100-acre lake as its centerpiece. The 1,080-acre park is located in Dallas County, near Selma. In addition to hiking, visitors can enjoy the lake’s relaxing atmosphere, which offers fishing, paddling, and swimming. Day-use opportunities include picnicking and barbecue grills throughout the picnic area and pavilions for family reunions, birthday parties, and other special events.

There are two Black Belt hiking and biking trails within the campground at Roland Cooper State Park, best known for its excellent fishing on the 22,000-acre Dannelly Reservoir, also known as Millers Ferry. Other park amenities include vacation cottages,  a scenic picnic area with tables, grills, pavilions, and a comfort station, and a boating and fishing pier.

Nature-lovers, birdwatchers, and history buffs will enjoy this Black Belt hiking trail’s hidden gems, including a hidden waterfall, nesting bald eagles, an old cemetery, and a wall built over 100 years ago. The trail, formerly known as the Eufaula Rail-Trail, boasts splendid views of Lake Eufaula.