Do you love the outdoors and are looking for state parks in Alabama to visit? Alabama’s state parks boast incredibly different landscapes that include caves, natural springs, and mountains. They offer a variety of outdoor activities from camping to fishing, hiking, and more.
As the seasons change and autumn rolls around, be in awe as canopies change from lush green to shades of orange and fiery red.
Get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Recharge by visiting any of these 5 state parks. It will open your eyes to Alabama’s raw beauty while giving you renewed appreciation for the outdoors.
Map of State Parks Near Montgomery AL
Here is a map of the Alabama state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Montgomery
Here are each of those state parks with distance from Montgomery and what is special about each.
1. Wind Creek State Park
Distance from Montgomery: about 40 miles northeast of Montgomery (straight-line).
Location: 4325 Alabama Highway 128
Alexander City, AL 35010
Wind Creek State Park is a public recreation area located seven miles (11 km) south of Alexander City, Alabama, on the western side of Lake Martin, a 41,000-acre (17,000 ha) reservoir on the Tallapoosa River.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, a boat launch, and a marina.
See our full Wind Creek State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Paul M. Grist State Park
Distance from Montgomery: about 44 miles west of Montgomery (straight-line).
Location: 1546 Grist Rd, Valley Grande, AL 36701
The Paul M. Grist State Park is a great place for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This state park is easily accessible via Highway 22. It’s known for Valley Creek Lake, a park lake covering 100 acres and home to a variety of fish.
The park also provides numerous boating and watersports opportunities as well as boat launch sites. You can bring your own boat or rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and other equipment from the park.
This state park has a network of 15 to 20 miles of trails with varying lengths and difficulties that will appeal to hikers of all skill levels. With its picnic areas, swimming area, and playground, it’s an ideal outdoor destination for families with children.
If you’d like to set up camp, the local campsites have 20, 30, and 50 amp electric, water, and sewage hookups. Campgrounds offer amenities such as ADA-accessible dump stations, flushing toilets, and a shower block. Pets are also welcome as long as they are properly leashed. Alternatively, you can settle in at the nearby RV park which has many similar facilities.
Learn more about the area by dropping by the First Whitehouse of The Confederacy and the Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum which are both close by.
Discover Paul Grist State Park in Selma AL – 17 miles north of downtown, offering fishing, boating, camping, and hiking in a peaceful wooded setting.
Highlights associated with Paul M. Grist State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Paul M. Grist State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Weogufka State Forest
Distance from Montgomery: about 45 miles north of Montgomery (straight-line).
Location: Weogufka State Park, AL
Weogufka State Forest is a state forest in Coosa County, Alabama.
Highlights associated with Weogufka State Forest include river access, mountain scenery, and wooded landscapes.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include rental cabins and hiking trails.
See our full Weogufka State Forest guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Chewacla State Park
Distance from Montgomery: about 50 miles east of Montgomery (straight-line).
Location: 365 days a year
Getting There
Chewacla State Park
124 Shell Toomer Parkway
Auburn, AL 36830
Chewacla State Park is a public recreation area occupying 696 acres (282 ha) below Interstate 85 on the far south side of Auburn, Alabama.
Highlights associated with Chewacla State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Chewacla State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Roland Cooper State Park
Distance from Montgomery: about 59 miles west of Montgomery (straight-line).
Location: 285 Deer Run Dr Camden, AL 36726
Roland Cooper State Park is a public recreation area located six miles north of Camden, Alabama, on the eastern shore of Dannelly Reservoir, a 22,000-acre (8,900 ha) impoundment of the Alabama River known locally as the Millers Ferry Reservoir.
See our full Roland Cooper State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
Which Alabama State Park Will You Be Visiting?
It’s easy to get caught up in our daily lives and forget about the beauty of the great outdoors. Once in a while, however, it’s time to recharge those batteries and get some fresh air. If you live in Alabama or are visiting, you’ll find many opportunities to do so with its many lovely state parks.
