More Day Trips

Huntsville is located in a central position between many large cities in Alabama, such as Nashville, Chattanooga, and Birmingham, which are all just a two-hour drive away. Today, we’ll discuss how you can take short day trips from Huntsville to visit the surrounding areas.

1. DeKalb County

DeKalb County is only an hour-and-a-half by car from Huntsville. It’s a small county located in the Northeast part of Alabama. The Lookout Mountain is situated in DeKalb County and is known as the 'Gateway to the Appalachians.'

The county has been welcoming visitors from all over the state and the country since 1836. It’s home to the most majestic landscape and bountiful stretches of natural beauty with looming mountains and rich culture.

DeKalb County is known as Alabama's Mountain Town, and it offers the perfect retreat for Huntsville residents who want to enjoy peace and quiet in a serene location or who’re looking for an adrenaline rush by hiking up a mountain.

2. Little River Canyon National Preserve

You can also visit the Little River Canyon National Preserve, which is named after the Little River in northeast Alabama. This river is special as it flows for the majority of its length on top of the Lookout Mountain.

The Preserve is a unique destination in the Southern Appalachians. It offers its visitors generous views of great forests, sparkling waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, canyon bluffs and rims, deep pools, and boulders.

You can observe the plentiful offerings of nature from breathtaking overlooks or immerse yourself in the woodlands with hiking trails littered with peaceful picnic spots.

3. The Shoals

If you feel deeply about music, there’s no better place to visit than The Shoals, an area in northwest Alabama which includes Sheffield town where the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is located, Tuscumbia town, which is the birthplace of Helen Keller, and the beautiful river city of Florence. These towns have played a significant role in the American music culture.

You can visit Muscle Shoals and tour around the Florence Alabama Music Enterprises Studio or FAMEwho has collaborated with legends in the rock music industry, including Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Jerry Reed, Bobbie Gentry, Otis Redding, Little Richard, and more.

Alternatively, you can opt for a relaxing day spent on the shores of Wheeler Lake, which is located between Huntsville and Rogersville. It’s the second largest lake made from the Tennessee River. It offers plenty of fishing opportunities for different species of fish, including bass, smallmouth, largemouth, spotted, catfish, crappie, and bream, etc.

4. Scottsboro

Ever wonder what happens to the lost luggage at the airports, which is never claimed? Well, it goes to Scottsboro, where America's only retailer, Unclaimed Baggage, is located. It’s a popular destination for tourists all around the year.

You can also take a trip to the nearby Guntersville Lake or walk around Weathington Park, which offers impressive views of nature.

To find out more about day trips from Huntsville, Alabama, visit our website.