Many scenic places are located throughout the state of Alabama, including wildlife refuges. The Yellowhammer State is home to 10 National Wildlife Refuges, which are perfect destinations for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Listed below, we’ve mapped a road trip route that’ll take you to five of these wildlife refuges. With a driving distance of 692 miles and an estimated drive time of 12 hours and 48 minutes, it should take a couple of days to complete. You’ll most certainly want to visit all five wildlife refuges, so make sure to plan your road trip accordingly.
google maps Click here for complete driving directions.
- Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge - Decatur
google/Weishu Chen Your first stop is Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Alabama’s Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, which covers approximately 35,000 acres, is located along the Tennessee River in Decatur. This scenic wildlife refuge serves as a breeding spot for migratory birds during the winter, including thousands of sandhill cranes.
- Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge - Scottsboro
google/Jacob McDaniel Following a short drive, you’ll arrive at Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge. Covering 264 acres, Alabama’s Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is located just outside of Scottsboro. Originally known as Blowing Wind Cave, Sauta Cave is home to the world’s largest gathering of gray bats, which emerge from it each summer.
- Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge - West Blocton
flickr/Dystopos You’ll then travel south to the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge covers nearly 4,000 acres and is one of Alabama’s most beautiful outdoor spots. It protects a special area of the Cahaba River and is also home to the world’s largest stand of Cahaba lilies.
After visiting the previous three wildlife refuges, you’ll definitely need to rest and recharge for the following day. A great way to do this is to book an overnight stay at this tiny house in Dadeville on beautiful Lake Martin.
airbnb Click here for more information, including how to book your stay.
- Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge - Gilbertown
google/David Pugh The first stop on day two is Alabama’s Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge, which covers a little more than 4,000 acres. This wildlife refuge is located along the Tombigbee River and was named after the Choctaw tribe. Its purpose is to protect a variety of waterfowl each winter.
- Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge - Gulf Shores
flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region/Photo by: Jereme Phillips Following a scenic drive, your last stop will be the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the most beautiful places on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Covering approximately 7,000 acres and boasting five miles of trails, this wildlife refuge is also a great place to visit if you love exploring the outdoors.
Have you been to any of these Alabama wildlife refuges? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments below.
google maps
Click here for complete driving directions.
google/Weishu Chen
Your first stop is Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Alabama’s Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, which covers approximately 35,000 acres, is located along the Tennessee River in Decatur. This scenic wildlife refuge serves as a breeding spot for migratory birds during the winter, including thousands of sandhill cranes.
google/Jacob McDaniel
Following a short drive, you’ll arrive at Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge. Covering 264 acres, Alabama’s Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is located just outside of Scottsboro. Originally known as Blowing Wind Cave, Sauta Cave is home to the world’s largest gathering of gray bats, which emerge from it each summer.
flickr/Dystopos
You’ll then travel south to the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge covers nearly 4,000 acres and is one of Alabama’s most beautiful outdoor spots. It protects a special area of the Cahaba River and is also home to the world’s largest stand of Cahaba lilies.
airbnb
Click here for more information, including how to book your stay.
google/David Pugh
The first stop on day two is Alabama’s Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge, which covers a little more than 4,000 acres. This wildlife refuge is located along the Tombigbee River and was named after the Choctaw tribe. Its purpose is to protect a variety of waterfowl each winter.
flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region/Photo by: Jereme Phillips
Following a scenic drive, your last stop will be the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the most beautiful places on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Covering approximately 7,000 acres and boasting five miles of trails, this wildlife refuge is also a great place to visit if you love exploring the outdoors.
For more information about Alabama’s Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, be sure to take a look at the following article: The One Place On Alabama’s Gulf Coast That’s Filled With The Most Breathtaking Scenery.
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Address: 836 SW Rockhouse Rd, Madison, AL 35756, USAAddress: Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge, Scottsboro, AL 35769, USAAddress: Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, 3WXQ+6MJ, West Blocton, AL 35184, USAAddress: Dadeville, AL, USAAddress: 509 Wildlife Rd, Gilbertown, AL 36908, USAAddress: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, 12295 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
