When I think about fall in Alabama, I do not just think about the cooler mornings or the changing leaves. I think about the way the season feels.
One of my favorite memories is sitting by a campfire with my kids, the sparks lifting into the night sky while we roasted marshmallows. The laughter when the s’mores got a little too messy was as warm as the fire itself.
I also think about crisp October mornings at DeSoto State Park, hiking along the trails as my girls picked up leaves like priceless treasures. I think about how a fallen tree at Joe Wheeler State Park quickly became a seesaw for my girls to play on. Those small moments are etched in my memory far deeper than any photograph.
As the director of Alabama State Parks, people ask me all the time which park is my favorite. My answer is always that it depends on what you are looking for. Every park has something remarkable to share.
Some offer the simple peace of a campsite and a glowing fire ring. Others lift you up to sweeping views from a mountaintop. Still others let you wander along the beach with the sound of the waves and the salt air moving around you.
Fall is one of the best times to visit an Alabama State Park. The season announces itself gently. The air grows crisp, the light softens, and then, almost without warning, the hills of North Alabama begin to glow with red, gold and orange.
In the south, the colors arrive differently. Golden marsh grasses ripple in the breeze, the live oaks let their leaves fall in quiet rhythm, and the sunsets spill warm light across the dunes. Each place has its own kind of beauty, but together they tell the story of Alabama in autumn.
What makes fall special is more than the view. It is the smell of woodsmoke drifting through the trees, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, and the sight of a red-tailed hawk circling high above. It is gathering with family around a fire, sharing food, stories, and laughter. Fall has a way of slowing us down and reminding us of the simple, lasting things that matter.
Whether you are zip-lining through the trees at Wind Creek, biking through Oak Mountain State Park, breathing in the view from Bald Rock at Cheaha, or simply sitting still beside a fire with your family, fall is the perfect season to reconnect with nature, with loved ones, and even with yourself.
Our parks have a place for everyone to stay, play and explore. From cabins and chalets to lodges and campgrounds, there are plenty of ways to extend your adventure. But even a single day trip can give you what you are looking for – a deep breath of fresh air and a memory to carry with you long after the leaves have fallen.
If it has been a while since your last visit, I hope you will come see us this fall. Let the trails lead you, let the trees surprise you, and let yourself be drawn into the rhythm of the season. Find your next adventure at www.ALAPARK.com
I’ll see you on the trails!
Matthew Capps is the Alabama State Parks director.
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