If an outdoor adventure is what you’re looking for, the Greater Gadsden Area has got you covered. From the majestic Coosa River running through Downtown Gadsden to the cascading 90-foot Noccalula Falls, there’s an abundance of ways to get outside Greater Gadsden style.
Bike or Hike the Black Creek Trail System
Located adjacent to Noccalula Falls Park, this trail system offers over 15 miles of single track for hikers, bikers, runners, and walkers. The main Black Creek Trail is a wide, gravel path (1.7 miles) running alongside the Black Creek.
Kayak Big Wills Creek
Explore and enjoy the picturesque Big Wills Creek on a sixish mile-long float. Kayak and canoe rental, as well as shuttle service, are available from Big Wills Outfitters.
Hit the Links
Tee it up at Twin Bridges Golf, the Links at Briarmeade, or head out to Silver Lakes part of the famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail for a round.
Not quite ready for a full round. Enjoy mini-golf at Noccalula Falls Park.
Scuba Dive or Snorkel
Dive Land Park is open to all certified divers and snorkelers from the first weekend in April thru the last weekend in October. Located in north-central Alabama between Anniston and Gadsden, Alabama, on Hwy 431, Dive Land Park offers excellent quarry diving and is just a short drive from Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee metro areas.
Dive Land Park offers Discover Scuba for non-certified divers. Check out Discover Scuba in North Alabama to read about our blogger’s experience.
Coosa Boardwalk and Splash Pad
If fishing is your game, you’ll enjoy venturing along the banks of the Coosa River. The 1,000-foot boardwalk is an excellent place to toss in a hook and talk to some local fishermen.
The boardwalk also features a fun splash pad with a sitting area, pavilions, and restrooms and is located on S. Albert Rains behind Chilli’s Bar & Grill.
Stand Up Paddle Board on Lake Gadsden
Explore Lake Gadsden with knowledgeable guides and learn about the wildlife, tributary creeks, and history make this lake a destination for nature lovers. Sunset tours are enjoyable!
Read more about GadRock in our post Rock On In North Alabama.
Visit Noccalula Falls
After viewing the jaw-dropping 90-foot waterfall explore the pioneer village, botanical gardens, hiking trails, sightseeing train, playground, and animal habitat.
Want to see the waterfall from a different perspective? Be sure to make the short hikes into the gorge. Details at Hiking the Gorge.
Go Bouldering at Hospital Boulders
Just north of Gadsden and less than 30 minutes from Horse Pens 40, the Hospital Boulders boasts 150-200 high-quality sandstone boulder problems and even some short, traditional, sport and top-rope climbs on the west brow of Lookout Mountain. The area, with its spectacular scenic views, still has the potential for many more first ascents.
Interested in bouldering? Read our post I’ve Got 99 Problems, Most of Them Are Boulders.
Birding at James D. Martin Wildlife Park
This beautiful bird sanctuary is part of The Alabama Birding Trail and is located off Hwy 411, behind the Gadsden Mall. Elevated boardwalks with scenic vantage points, paved walking/biking paths, and hiking trails through the woods are some of the amenities offered to visitors to the Park.
Take a Walk on the Wildside
Visit Tigers for Tomorrow at Untamed Mountain, home to over 160 animals, including tigers, mountain lions, African lions, bears, wolves, black leopards, and many more beautiful animals.
We took one of their incredible tours, read about it in Lions, Tigers, and Bears!
What are you waiting for? Summer is here! Let’s go outside.
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What are you doing this summer?
