Img 7988 Beat The Heat, Outdoors — Looking over Weeks Bay in Fairhope. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

The heat is pretty much the only thing on my mind right now. Every time I walk outside my glasses fog up and I start sweating immediately. Heat like this has me looking for ways to cool off—but a trip to the beach just isn’t in the cards for me right now.

If you’re in the same boat (pun intended), we’ve compiled a list of five places to cool down and get the perfect shot for your July IG photodump.

1. Lake Guntersville

City Harbor In May 2022 135 Beat The Heat, Outdoors — From City Harbor in Lake Guntersville. (The Bama Buzz)

A trip to Alabama’s largest lake had to be on our shortlist. Lake Guntersville State Park is truly the next best thing to the beach—they even have a sandy shoreline for you to sunbathe on.

With 36 miles of hiking trails surrounding a gorgeous lake, there are activities for all ages and abilities from a laid-back swimming sesh to ziplining through the trees.

Amenities: Boat rentals, beach area, golf course + horseback riding
Activities: Fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, golfing, mountain biking, ziplining + more
Where: 1155 Lodge Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976
Hours: Dawn-dusk (day-use areas)
More info

2. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1938 by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Originally founded as a refuge for migratory birds, Wheeler has since blossomed into a multi-park complex, encompassing 36,000+ acres of gorgeous Alabama wildlife.

Amenities: Visitor’s center, kayak launches, motorized boat launches
Activities: Fishing, boating, wildlife photography, birding, hiking, biking, fishing + more
Where: 3121 Visitors Center Rd, Decatur, AL 35603
Hours: Dawn-dusk (day-use areas)
More info

3. Hurricane Creek in Tuscaloosa

Visittuscaloosa 20230919 164100 Beat The Heat, Outdoors — Hurricane Creek Park (The Bama Buzz)

Looking for a place to cool down near T-Town? Hurricane Creek Park is just northeast of the Tide’s hometown and is quite the stunner. Scientists say it’s where the Gulf Coast region ends and the Appalachian region begins, which draws some interesting, unique plant life to the park.

Amenities: Picnic tables, pavilions
Activities: Hiking, biking, swimming + more
Where: 7005 Old Birmingham Hwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Hours: Dawn-dusk (day-use areas)
More info

4. Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in West Blocton

Cahabalillies 24 Beat The Heat, Outdoors — The Cahaba River in Spring 2024. (Nathan Watson / The Bama Buzz)

Fun fact for you, the Cahaba Lilies bloom in only 3 states—and we’re in one of ’em! I’m partial to think the lilies are most beautiful in their namesake Cahaba River, Alabama’s longest stretch of free-flowing water. Though the lilies may only bloom for a month each year, the river’s biodiversity (128 species of fish are native to the river!), ample opportunities for paddleboarding/kayaking and bountiful fishing waters make it a year-round attraction.

Amenities: Kayak + canoe launches, picnic tables
Activities: Swimming, hiking, biking + more
Where: West Blocton, AL 35184
Hours: Dawn-dusk
More info

5. Weeks Bay in Fairhope

Img 7994 Beat The Heat, Outdoors — Taken from the Weeks Bay Tonsmeire Resource Center. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

If you’re on the Alabama Gulf Coast, but don’t want to fight that I-65 traffic to hit the beaches, try Weeks Bay in Fairhope. It’s the ideal spot to soak up the coastal feel—brackish water, coastal wildlife and plentiful fishing—without having to operate a boat in the Gulf. Nearby, there’s a ski and wakeboarding center, if you’re feeling like watersports.

Amenities: Visitor’s Center, Resource Center, pitcher plant bog (undergoing renovations) + boat ramps
Activities: Boating, fishing + more
Where: 11525 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532
Hours: Dawn-dusk
More info

Looking to get out and about in Alabama’s great outdoors? Check out these stories:

Which spots did we miss? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn!