A luscious green park with a tinge of history is the perfect getaway location if you are looking to unwind and take a break.
The rich history and enchanting scenic overlook of the National Parks in Alabama offer recreational body workouts with a dose of historical details dotted in. Let’s find out the top National parks, shall we?
Top National Parks in Alabama
1. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park commemorates the valorous military personnel who combated the freedom battle of the Creek War of 1814.
This historically enlightening National Park in Alabama is preserved by the National Park Service and captivates nearly 59,000 tourists all year long.
Background:
The sun on 27th March 1814 rose with the departure of General Andrew Jackson from Fort Williams to Horseshoe bend.
He deployed General John Coffee and mounted infantry and Cherokee and Creek allies to encircle the Horseshoe bend across the Tallapoosa river to prevent the Red Sticks from gaining assistance and disable their escape.
The Tennessee militia commanded by Jackson and the 39th USA Infantry began artillery attacks from behind the barricades built by the Red Sticks.
Simultaneously, the Cherokee crossed the river along with Coffee’s army and overwhelmed the Upper Creek Red Sticks by bombarding from the rear.
Eventually, the escape of Chief Menawa prompted the defeat of 800 Upper Creek Red Stick warriors, which led to the victory of General Jackson, assisting to be the seventh president of the United States in 1828.
The peace treaty signed in August 1814 at Fort Jackson demanded 20 million acres of land from Upper and Lower Creeks to the United States, which shapes Alabama and Georgia to date.
2. Little River Canyon National Preserve
The Lookout Mountain adorns the Little River Canyon in the Southern Appalachians, constituting the aesthetic National Parks in Alabama.
This river was authorized by National Preserve 1992 by Public Law to conserve the panorama of the Little River Canyon. Its unique scenic beauty and varied recreational activities are enjoyed by the locals as well as the tourists.
The most spectacular landform of the region, comprising sedimentary rocks and sandstones, has eroded to form a dissected plateau at the Southern periphery of the Cumberland Plateau.
The freshwater of the contoured Little River from the deepest canyons runs from the headwaters of Georgia and cascades an entire length down from the flat atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama and then unites with the Weiss Lake underfoot.
The shelter of the diverse species of plants and animals, Little River Canyon, glimmers with three glistening waterfalls; Little River Falls, Grace High Falls, and Little Falls, making the breathtaking vistas from forest highlands.
Little River Canyon, the National Park in Alabama with its varied topographies, hilltops, wooded trails, canyon rims and bluffs, plunge pool, and stone cliffs, sets out a wide array of recreational activities such as diving, fishing, bird watching, cycling, rock climbing and trekking making it the epicenter of adventures.
3. Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument, the Birmingham Civil Rights is also recognized as one of the National Parks of Alabama. It is administered by the National Park Service to conserve and honor the Civil Rights Movement.
Background:
Birmingham monument captures the Birmingham campaign and delivers the letters from Martin Luther King Jr from the Birmingham jail.
A.G Gaston motel, the headquarters where the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights abode to formulate strategies and advance the Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr, is the core of the national monument today.
The Civil Rights Movement gained momentum with the images made public of the attack on children by fire hoses and unleashed ravel dogs by police officials against the peaceful protesters.
Media, an eye-opener of African Americans’ segregation and racial injustice infuriated the civilians pressurizing the political power to introduce the Civil Rights Act in June 1964.
This memorable National Park in Alabama never fails to draw tourists with its tragic historical trace.
4. Freedom Riders National Monument
Barack Obama, in January 2017, officialized the location by signing the act of Congress to list ‘Freedom Riders’ as National Monument.
This recognized National Park in Alabama pays homage to Freedom Riders for their strong conviction in the Civil Rights Movement.
At the Greyhound Bus Station (1033 Gurnee Avenue), on 14 May 1961, a bus loaded with black freedom riders and white freedom riders was firebombed by a segregationist mob jointly with the Ku Klux Klan’s associates.
The aghast public impelled the Federal Government to ban the segregationist’s travel.
The building adjoining the bus depot narrates the past events of 1961 through the elucidative mural of the Greyhound Bus as the Greyhound Bus Station is not yet opened to the public.
Six miles away from Anniston, the Burning Bus site seizes the flames and echoes of the interracial Freedom Riders by dint of educational panels and mural paintings.
5. Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
One of the top National Parks in Alabama, Tuskegee Airmen, commemorates the first pursuit of African American men and women in military aviation of the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. It was admitted in National Park Service in November 1998.
This historical site, the flight Training center in Moton Field, laid the foundation for equality and racial desegregation, providing a chance for the interracial to demonstrate their abilities and tenacity to serve the United States military.
With the need for military aviators in World War II and the influence of civil rights groups, the United States Army Air Force permitted black civilians to aspire to military airmen.
In 1903, the successful flight by Wright Brothers ruled Americans’ hearts to become a military pilots. Still, it caused hindrance for African Americans in the 1920s and 1930s with the widespread racial segregation.
The military allotted a segregated training program at Tuskegee Institute in the South for Tuskegee Airmen considering the racially discriminatory ambiance in the United States.
The remarkable success of Tuskegee Airmen in the air force describes the story of their hardship to attain a respectable position and equal rights with non-violent resistance. The scenic view with 20 exhibits and museums retrospect the past listing it the National Parks in Alabama.
6. Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site
The African American School of Alabama, established on 4th June 1881, identified as the Tuskegee Institute, is a well-known National park in Alabama.
This historical site has endowed thousands of African Americans with academic and higher education blessings. In 1965, the Tuskegee campus was marked as National Historic Site.
In Alabama, Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute received the power to act independently under the administration of T. Washington, who prospered the institute during his mandate.
Upon the arrival of Booker T. Washington in Tuskegee, the construction of the Tuskegee institute was followed by the recruitment of reputed teachers.
George Campbell and Lewis Adams, the former slave owner played a vital role in founding the University of Tuskegee.
George Washington Carver, the first African American to secure an advanced degree in Agricultural Science, was hired as Director of Agriculture at Tuskegee Institute.
The historical National Parks in Alabama, the Tuskegee site uncovers the Tuskegee Institute campus alongside the Oaks, T. Booker Washington’s home, and George Washington Carver’s Museum, which exhibits Carver’s crops, paintings, knitting, and much more.
7. Trail of Tears National Historic Site
This historical site immortalizes native Cherokee who deceased in the travel to Indian territory after being forcefully driven from their motherland in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
The rumbling challenges of the past, the Trail of Tears, received National Historic recognition in 1987 and entered the trail of National Parks in Alabama.
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 commenced the sad history of American Indian tribes by foot with obligatory relocation from the southeastern United States to Oklahoma during harsh weather conditions from 1838 to 1839, leading to abandonment, ill health, and deaths.
The door to Trail of Tears is open through Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, driving back to the Teary tales of the past.
With its scenic view and the prettiest and most lively National Parks in Alabama, Trails of tears captivates thousands of tourists for its perfect picnic spot, horse and hiking trails, and camping sites.
The magnificent Lake Boutin and the Mississippi River from the major center for fishing. Trails of the teary past offer exciting activities, symbolizing a happy trail to the future even with its teary past.
8. Russell Cave National Monument
National Monument, Russell Cave in Northeast Alabama, recognized in May 1961, is listed under one of the National Parks in Alabama and is governed by National Park Service.
Russell Cave, a tour back to the prehistoric period of Southeast United States, unravels the mysteries of cultural heritage. An underground erosion carved a limestone cave inhabited by thousands of native Americans ages ago in shallow waters.
The rich forest provided necessities for survival which can be traced even today. This oldest underground chamber bestows a golden opportunity to decipher the lives of prehistoric Americans.
Excavated artifacts in the museum are a sneak peek at the prehistoric lifestyle and culture in the cave shelter. The aesthetic trail along the boardwalk leads to the entrance of archaic history.
The serene park drifts an eye toward the diverse birds and wandering animals enhancing the rich flora and fauna along the adventurous hiking trail of 1.2 miles.
Traces of history plus recreational activities and an ideal reserved picnic spot are the best getaway to the National Parks in Alabama.
9. Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
As per the wish of local communities, to strengthen the cultural aspects and quality of life of Muscle Shoals, legislation was signed in 2002.
In 2009, Muscle Shoals was officialized as the National Heritage. As a result, it was listed as one of the best National Parks in Alabama and came under the administration of the National Park Service.
The six counties neighboring the Tennessee River Basin showcase their cultural heritage in northwest Alabama.
Three themes: Music, Native American Heritage, and the Tennessee River are the major accent of the conservation of Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Music ran in the blood of the Muscle Shoal region, the ruffling waves of the Tennessee River were music to the ears of Native Americans, naming it the Singing River. Today’s music world is influenced by the rich music heritage of the Muscle Shoal.
Tennessee River is a significant flow in the United States with underground streams, shallow holes, and caves encircling it. The versatile river basin is a dwelling for endangered wildlife than any other basin on the continent.
Early native American and European settlements trace back the importance of the Tennessee river, and it followed in the later years as a source of energy with the development of the hydroelectric power plant.
Nine dams and numerous canals were built along the river by Tennessee Valley Authority. The central idea of these National Parks in Alabama is to preserve and conserve the cultural heritage of American history whilst promoting educational tourism.
10. Natchez Trace Parkway
A 444 miles nature trail down three states of northwest Alabama, the Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the most beautiful National Parks in Alabama.
The scenic drive journey begins from Natchez of Mississippi and extends through Lauderdale and Colbert Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee. To preserve and maintain the historic trail, in 1983, the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail was found.
The historic trail, Old Natchez Trace discovered by early Native Americans was the common route of European settlers, Native American explorers, merchants, military men, and the boatmen ‘Kaintucks’.
Numerous narrow trails resulting in one parkway is a marveling aspect of the National Natchez Trace Parkway coupled with its historical details.
Colorful National Parks in Alabama, Natchez Trace Parkway enhances its extraordinary beauty during spring and autumn, sprinkling the parkway with blooming-glooming shades of nature.
A scenic drive is not the only charm of Natchez Trace, there are diverse recreational opportunities of hiking, biking, and horseback riding through the forest trail are exhilarating with the picture-perfect picnic spot towards the north shoreline of the Tennessee River.
End Note
The exhilarating features of the National Parks in Alabama, with their picturesque and historical details, make it an ideal vacation setting. A drive through national monuments and preserves, historic sites, and the heritage of National Parks in Alabama are worth a trip.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
