School’s out, now what? Discover exciting summer activities for families in North Alabama

DECATUR – As the school year concludes, families are seeking engaging and enriching activities to fill the summer months.

From enriching camps to vibrant festivals and outdoor adventures, the North Alabama region offers a plethora of options to keep children and families entertained and inspired.

• The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville offers immersive space, aviation, and robotics camps for ages 9 to 18 years old, providing hands-on STEM experiences.
• The Land Trust of North Alabama hosts the Nature Play Camp at Monte Sano Nature Preserve, where children ages 6 to 11 years old can delve into topics like water ecology, animal tracking and tree identification.
• The North Alabama Agriplex in Cullman offers a variety of camps allowing kids to engage in farm life, hands-on gardening and wildlife discovery.
• Campers aged 6 to 10 years old can learn about fun, educational topics during the STEAM inspired lessons at EarlyWorks in downtown Huntsville.
• Camp programs at the Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur can vary from half-day camps to a full week of fun for campers for ages 4 to 12 years old. Check their calendar for a schedule of activities.

For families eager to explore the great outdoors, North Alabama offers numerous scenic destinations.

• Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville offers over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails great for beginner to moderate hikers, scenic overlooks and picnic areas.
• Waterfalls and well-marked trails make DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne a favorite for family-friendly hikes and nature photography. K
• nown as “The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls,” Bankhead National Forest and Sipsey Wilderness is perfect for hiking, waterfall spotting and backcountry exploring.
• The Screaming Eagle zipline canopy tour at Lake Guntersville State Park offers an exhilarating way to see the park from above.

The Alabama Tourism Department has designated 2025 as the “Year of Alabama Trails,” celebrating the state’s extensive and diverse trail systems.

As part of this initiative, they’ve highlighted the “25 Must-Tread Trails for 2025,” encouraging residents and visitors to explore Alabama’s top hiking, biking and paddling routes. Five of the trails are located in North Alabama. Click here to read more about the Year of Trails and see locations in North Alabama.

There is no shortage of water in North Alabama. The region is home to several water parks, each offering something different for families to experience.

• Point Mallard Park in Decatur is home to America’s first wave pool. Along with the wave pool, the waterpark offers speed slides for an adrenaline rush and a lazy river for relaxing in.
• The waterpark in Sand Mountain Park in Albertville has two 25-foot waterslides, splash pad with 48 spray elements, 3-lane lap pool, interactive stream feature, sports/leisure pool with volleyball net and basketball hoop, 600-foot lazy river with waterfall feature, vortex pool, shade features, sunbathing chairs and poolside concessions.
• Spring Valley Beach in Blountsville has numerous water slides, a kiddie area, and a huge pool. It’s also home to the 360 Rush, a super adrenaline-pumping ride. Guests can bring food in and they have pavilions for rent with grills.
• WildWater in Cullman features a 22,000-square-foot wave pool, 10 thrill rides, a kid’s area with eight slides, a drift river and an assortment of food and beverage options.
• Read more about North Alabama’s waterparks here or tune in to an Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama podcast.

“As summer approaches, North Alabama comes alive with activity,” said Karen Beasley, vice president of marketing and communications of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. “It’s a great time for families to reconnect, try something new and create unforgettable memories together.”

AMLA has also released a “99 things to do this summer in North Alabama” blog which can be read here, providing additional family-friendly activities available in the region.

To explore more events, visit the North Alabama events calendar at northalabama.org/events, which offers a comprehensive listing of festivals, concerts and activities throughout the region or visit northalabama.org to plan your family’s summer adventures.