There are so many beautiful country drives in Alabama. Travelers are blessed with some of the most amazing views in the nation. There are so many scenic places in Alabama that you’ll be enthralled with the landscape no matter what season you are traveling in. If you feel like taking an afternoon trip, here are 10 of the best scenic drives in Alabama that we think you should definitely check out.
- Natchez Trace Parkway
flickr/Jamie The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive that starts in Mississippi and winds up through Alabama and Tennesse. It offers beautiful scenery and over 10,000 years of history. The pathway follows “Old Natchez Trace,” an ancient pathway that was used by Native Americans and European settlers. Find out more information about the Natchez Trace Parkway on the National Park Service website. Natchez Trace Parkway, Natchez Trace Pkwy, Natchez, MS, USA
- Lookout Mountain Parkway
facebook/Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast The Lookout Mountain Parkway stretches across Lookout Mountain from Chattanooga, Tennessee all the way to Gadsden Alabama. Three states are spanned in its 93 miles. Travelers will come across waterfalls, canyons, unique towns, and wonderful state parks. This is easily one of the best scenic drives in Alabama! Lookout Mountain Parkway, Lookout Mountain Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL, USA
- Selma to Montgomery March Byway
flickr/Wayne Taylor The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail is 54 miles long and celebrates the three 1965 civil rights marches that occurred along the path. The marches were a major factor in that year’s passing of the Voting Rights Act that allowed African Americans the right to vote. There are many museums along the path, so it’s not only a beautiful drive, but a great way to experience the history of the area. The National Park Service website has more information about some of the stops along this historic route. Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, 7318 US-80, Hayneville, AL 36040, USA
- Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM If you’re looking for scenic Gulf Coast views, it doesn’t get any better than Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway. With beautiful beaches, charming downtown areas, wildlife preserves, and historic sites, this road has it all. And don’t even get us started on the amazing seafood! Just check out all these incredible places to stop! Alabama’s Coastal Connection, Orange Beach, AL, USA
- Barbour County Governors’ Trail
wikimedia commons The Barbour County Governors’ Trail recognizes the eight former governors from Barbour County. This is not only one of the best scenic drives in Alabama, but it’s got many historic and recreational opportunities. The 36-mile trail begins in Clio and ends at Shorter Mansion in Eufaula. This is a beautiful byway! Barbour County, AL, USA
- Talladega Scenic Drive
flickr/J. Stephen Conn The Talladega Scenic Drive (officially Alabama State Route 281) provides the access route to Cheaha State Park. Cheaha Mountain, located within the park, is 2,407 feet high and Alabama’s highest point. The 26-mile drive will show you a view of Alabama you don’t normally get to see! Alabama 281, AL-281, Alabama, USA
- Cheaha State Park Road
flickr/l0fty This road is located within Cheaha State Park’s 2,799 acres. No matter what time of year you go, it’s beautiful, but autumn is the most popular season. It’s one of the best places to see fall foliage in Alabama. It’s Alabama’s first official state park and one of the best. Since the road is right inside the park, you can spend an entire weekend there enjoying all the recreational activities. Cheaha State Park, 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA
- Huntsville Mountaintop Road
flickr/Steve Driskell This mountaintop road in Huntsville is so quiet and peaceful. Located within the Madison County Nature Trail area, it’s a great place to observe wildlife. Get out and walk around the lake, it’s only a 1.5-mile trail and it’s absolutely stunning. This is one of the most scenic places in Alabama! Madison County Nature Trail Lake, Alabama 35802, USA
- Black Warrior River Scenic Byway
wikipedia The Black Warrior River Scenic Byway is about 12 miles long. Located in Tuscaloosa and Northport, the route includes three bridges. You’ll get breathtaking views of the Black Warrior River as it flows towards the Tombigbee River. Did you know “black warrior” is a translation of the Choctaw word “Tuscaloosa?” Black Warrior River, Alabama, USA
- The Oak Alley
flickr/faungg’s photos Oak Alley is a short road winding down Spring Hill College off of Shell Road. It’s absolutely gorgeous and one of the most beautiful places in Alabama. Spring Hill College Road, Spring Hill College Rd, Mobile, AL 36608, USA
Have you driven any of these Alabama byways? Can you think of more nominees for “best scenic drives in Alabama” that you want to suggest? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments!
flickr/Jamie
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive that starts in Mississippi and winds up through Alabama and Tennesse. It offers beautiful scenery and over 10,000 years of history. The pathway follows “Old Natchez Trace,” an ancient pathway that was used by Native Americans and European settlers. Find out more information about the Natchez Trace Parkway on the National Park Service website.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Natchez Trace Pkwy, Natchez, MS, USA
facebook/Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast
The Lookout Mountain Parkway stretches across Lookout Mountain from Chattanooga, Tennessee all the way to Gadsden Alabama. Three states are spanned in its 93 miles. Travelers will come across waterfalls, canyons, unique towns, and wonderful state parks. This is easily one of the best scenic drives in Alabama!
Lookout Mountain Parkway, Lookout Mountain Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL, USA
flickr/Wayne Taylor
The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail is 54 miles long and celebrates the three 1965 civil rights marches that occurred along the path. The marches were a major factor in that year’s passing of the Voting Rights Act that allowed African Americans the right to vote. There are many museums along the path, so it’s not only a beautiful drive, but a great way to experience the history of the area. The National Park Service website has more information about some of the stops along this historic route.
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, 7318 US-80, Hayneville, AL 36040, USA
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
If you’re looking for scenic Gulf Coast views, it doesn’t get any better than Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway. With beautiful beaches, charming downtown areas, wildlife preserves, and historic sites, this road has it all. And don’t even get us started on the amazing seafood! Just check out all these incredible places to stop!
Alabama’s Coastal Connection, Orange Beach, AL, USA
wikimedia commons
The Barbour County Governors’ Trail recognizes the eight former governors from Barbour County. This is not only one of the best scenic drives in Alabama, but it’s got many historic and recreational opportunities. The 36-mile trail begins in Clio and ends at Shorter Mansion in Eufaula. This is a beautiful byway!
Barbour County, AL, USA
flickr/J. Stephen Conn
The Talladega Scenic Drive (officially Alabama State Route 281) provides the access route to Cheaha State Park. Cheaha Mountain, located within the park, is 2,407 feet high and Alabama’s highest point. The 26-mile drive will show you a view of Alabama you don’t normally get to see!
Alabama 281, AL-281, Alabama, USA
flickr/l0fty
This road is located within Cheaha State Park’s 2,799 acres. No matter what time of year you go, it’s beautiful, but autumn is the most popular season. It’s one of the best places to see fall foliage in Alabama. It’s Alabama’s first official state park and one of the best. Since the road is right inside the park, you can spend an entire weekend there enjoying all the recreational activities.
Cheaha State Park, 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA
flickr/Steve Driskell
This mountaintop road in Huntsville is so quiet and peaceful. Located within the Madison County Nature Trail area, it’s a great place to observe wildlife. Get out and walk around the lake, it’s only a 1.5-mile trail and it’s absolutely stunning. This is one of the most scenic places in Alabama!
Madison County Nature Trail Lake, Alabama 35802, USA
wikipedia
The Black Warrior River Scenic Byway is about 12 miles long. Located in Tuscaloosa and Northport, the route includes three bridges. You’ll get breathtaking views of the Black Warrior River as it flows towards the Tombigbee River. Did you know “black warrior” is a translation of the Choctaw word “Tuscaloosa?”
Black Warrior River, Alabama, USA
flickr/faungg’s photos
Oak Alley is a short road winding down Spring Hill College off of Shell Road. It’s absolutely gorgeous and one of the most beautiful places in Alabama.
Spring Hill College Road, Spring Hill College Rd, Mobile, AL 36608, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Scenic Places In Alabama September 01, 2021 Lisa Sammons What are some natural wonders in Alabama? We have so many incredible natural wonders in Alabama. This is a really stunning state that truly has everything. Beaches, mountains, caves, waterfalls: the Cotton State has it all. The Cathedral Caverns are wonderful and if you’ve never been, you should definitely check them out. There are plenty of other natural wonders in Alabama worthy of a pilgrimage! What are some scenic places in Alabama? Cheaha Mountain is the highest point in Alabama and gives you a bird’s eye view of the state! You can see for so far up there. There are a ton of gorgeous places in Alabama, though. Perry Lakes Park has beautiful lakes that will make you feel like you stepped back in time. Check out this list for some more beautiful places in the Cotton State. What are great places to view fall foliage in Alabama? We’ve got a whole road trip planned out for you! Fall is a beautiful time in Alabama, and with all our state parks and mountains, the changing leaves make for a kaleidoscope of colors.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Scenic Places In Alabama
September 01, 2021
Lisa Sammons
What are some natural wonders in Alabama? We have so many incredible natural wonders in Alabama. This is a really stunning state that truly has everything. Beaches, mountains, caves, waterfalls: the Cotton State has it all. The Cathedral Caverns are wonderful and if you’ve never been, you should definitely check them out. There are plenty of other natural wonders in Alabama worthy of a pilgrimage! What are some scenic places in Alabama? Cheaha Mountain is the highest point in Alabama and gives you a bird’s eye view of the state! You can see for so far up there. There are a ton of gorgeous places in Alabama, though. Perry Lakes Park has beautiful lakes that will make you feel like you stepped back in time. Check out this list for some more beautiful places in the Cotton State. What are great places to view fall foliage in Alabama? We’ve got a whole road trip planned out for you! Fall is a beautiful time in Alabama, and with all our state parks and mountains, the changing leaves make for a kaleidoscope of colors.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We have so many incredible natural wonders in Alabama. This is a really stunning state that truly has everything. Beaches, mountains, caves, waterfalls: the Cotton State has it all. The Cathedral Caverns are wonderful and if you’ve never been, you should definitely check them out. There are plenty of other natural wonders in Alabama worthy of a pilgrimage!
What are some scenic places in Alabama?
Cheaha Mountain is the highest point in Alabama and gives you a bird’s eye view of the state! You can see for so far up there. There are a ton of gorgeous places in Alabama, though. Perry Lakes Park has beautiful lakes that will make you feel like you stepped back in time. Check out this list for some more beautiful places in the Cotton State.
What are great places to view fall foliage in Alabama?
We’ve got a whole road trip planned out for you! Fall is a beautiful time in Alabama, and with all our state parks and mountains, the changing leaves make for a kaleidoscope of colors.
