5 Natural Wonders to Enjoy on Your Next Road Trip

May 2020

If you’re hitting the open road, sometimes the trip is more about the ride than the destination. Here's a list of a few natural wonders from Sweet Home Alabama to enjoy without having to leave your vehicle. 

Gulf Coast Beaches

Miles of sugar-white sand accompany each sunrise and sunset along the turquoise waters. This serene view can be enjoyed from your vehicle alongside Alabama’s beach towns. For those looking to make the beach a destination, the Gulf offers tons of fresh-catch meals with incredible views to match. While visiting Gulf State Park, take a break from the road by hitting the 27-miles of trails located all throughout the property. This experience will allow you to get the reprieve you need to refresh your senses in nature. One of Alabama's Natural Wonders, the Gulf Coast, can offer panoramic views and relaxing sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the shore that can be enjoyed year round from the seat of your car or motorcycle as you stop along the way.

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Almost thirty years ago, Little River Canyon was recognized as part of the National Preserve. Situated in the northeastern corner of the state, Little River Canyon is located in the Lookout Mountain area of Alabama. Little River Canyon Rim Parkway, also known as Alabama Highway 176, is a 12-mile stretch where travelers can take in the vista points of Little River Canyon and other interesting formations.Park-goers can relax at this stop on their route with opportunities to walk the trail or rest with a picnic in the preserve.  For those interested in taking a virtual trip, you can also enjoy the view of a road trip provided in photographs from the National Park Service. 

Noccalula Falls

Noccalula Falls cascades 90 feet into the Black Creek Ravine. Noccalula Falls is home to the legend of Noccalula, the daughter of a great Native American chief. Legend has it, the princess leapt to her own death to avoid an arranged marriage, which is depicted through a 3,000-pound sculpture located at the edge of the falls. Although you can experience the falls from your vehicle, if you have some extra time, we recommend enjoying the many amenities and paved walking trails located throughout the park. On the beautiful Gorge Trail, visitors can enjoy this natural wonder up close by passing under the falls. There is also a bridge leading over Black Creek that provides guests with unbeatable panoramic views of this beautiful natural waterfall. 

Cahaba River

The Cahaba River is Alabama’s longest remaining stretch of free-flowing river covering 194 miles in length. This river is one of the most biodiverse waterways on the planet and is home to 139 rare and endangered species. The beauty of this waterway can be found all throughout Central Alabama. On Grants Mill Road in Irondale, you can find the Cahaba River bridge that looks over the rushing river. However, if you want to experience it fully, you should take a trip to the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. During the summer months, this refuge holds the largest known stand of one of Alabama’s other natural wonders ‒ the Cahaba lily. A type of spiderlily, the Cahaba lily or Hymenocallis coronaria, is known for its three-inch-wide white flowers that can only be found in Alabama, and two other states.

Mobile-Tensaw Delta 

Known as “America’s Amazon,” Five Rivers Delta is located in Mobile, Alabama. Here, the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakeley rivers flow into Mobile Bay. While you can witness this natural wonder from Battleship Parkway in Spanish Fort, Alabama, the full adventure begins when you journey into the 250,000 acres of scenic waterways, woods and wetlands. Once you’re there, you can experience a variety of flora and fauna including 500 plants, 300 birds, 126 species of fish, 46 mammals, 69 reptiles and 30 amphibians. 

No matter where your journey takes you in Sweet Home Alabama, there is a natural wonder you can enjoy. Learn more about Alabama’s natural wonders at alabamanaturalwonders.com.