Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Here are the 7 best spots in Alabama to experience fall according to World Atlas
Fall in Alabama doesn’t just mean pretty colors, but also iconic events like festivals and football. World Atlas just released their picks for the “7 Best Places to Experience Fall in Alabama,” and we’re loving the list. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made it.
1. Alabama National Fair
For some old-fashioned fun, the Alabama National Fair still happens in Montgomery each fall. Though the festival is already behind us for 2023, this is one event you’ll want to mark on your 2024 calendar.
“The Alabama National Fair has been celebrated in Montgomery since 1954 and now runs for ten days in early to mid-October. Mid-fall is ideal fair weather in Alabama, when it is warm but not oppressively hot, and the leaves are beginning to reveal their autumn colors. The fair has the expected assortment of fun attractions, like midway rides, food vendors, stage shows, livestock exhibits, floral displays, and artistic competitions.”
WorldAtlas
2. Cheaha State Park
Alabama’s highest point means sweeping, breathtaking views—especially during autumn.
“Cheaha State Park covers nearly 3,000 acres in the eastern part of the state and includes Alabama’s highest point, Cheaha Mountain. During the peak fall foliage season around Halloween, the vantage point from Bunker Tower, a stone lookout structure on the mountaintop, offers unparalleled leaf-peeping. Campsites are available on the mountain, meaning you can both start and end your day enjoying the spectacular view.”
WorldAtlas
- Location: 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258
- More Info
3. Cherokee Rock Village
If you’re on the adventurous side, you’ll love Cherokee Rock Village in Leesburg.
“Cherokee Rock Village is the name of a rocky outcropping on Lookout Mountain, as well as the privately operated recreation park of which it is a part. Rock climbers flock here for both the climbing options suited to all skill levels and the seemingly endless views that await them. The park also offers a playground, pavilions, camping, and 14 miles of hiking trails. Beyond Cherokee Rock Village, Lookout Mountain provides one of the most impressive panoramas found anywhere, especially in autumn, with as many as seven different states within view under ideal conditions.”
WorldAtlas
4. DeSoto State Park
Though you probably won’t want to hop in the water during fall in North Alabama, DeSoto State Park is still an incredible experience.
“Like Cherokee Rock Village, DeSoto State Park is located along Lookout Mountain, which is, more accurately, a long ridge. The state park does contain some rock climbing sites, and it is best known for its 30+ miles of hiking and biking trails, including an accessible boardwalk trail. These trails often lead to the park’s numerous waterfalls, the largest of which, DeSoto Falls, cascades down more than 100 feet. Suppose you prefer to stay in your car while leaf peeping; a drive through DeSoto State Park offers excellent foliage views along the forest-lined access roads.”
WorldAtlas
5. Green Mountain Nature Trail
As a native Huntsvillian, this one is one of my favorites. The covered bridge, beautiful trails, lake and old dock at Green Mountain Nature Trail all contribute to its charming beauty.
“The Green Mountain Nature Trail is a 72-acre oasis on the southeastern side of the bustling city of Huntsville. The park’s 1.5-mile walking trail passes by Green Mountain’s Centerpiece, the serene Sky Lake, which beautifully reflects the fiery fall colors on a clear day. During the peak season, around late October and early November, the park’s elms, azaleas, dogwoods, and other trees reveal a soothing yet invigorating mix of colors.”
WorldAtlas
6. National Peanut Festival
It’s not fall in Dothan without the National Peanut Festival. A favorite of our team here at The Bama Buzz, this festival is an Alabama bucket-list item.
“If you are a fan of peanuts or just a fan of quirky community festivals, make plans for a fall trip to the small city of Dothan in southeastern Alabama. As the self-proclaimed ‘Peanut Capital of the World’ (although competitors like Suffolk, Virginia, beg to differ), Dothan hosts the annual National Peanut Festival each year in early November. Spanning ten days, the sprawling festival includes live entertainment, midway rides, agricultural displays, livestock shows, and lots of peanut-related foods and activities, including a ‘Miss Peanut’ competition.”
WorldAtlas
- Location: 5622 US-231, Dothan, AL 36301
- Dates: November 3-12, 2023
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. The University of Alabama
Growing up in Alabama, fall and football are practically inseparable. Whether you cheer for the Tide or not, gameday in Tuscaloosa is an that people travel from far and wide for.
“While cooler weather and colorful leaves are welcome signs of autumn, for many Alabamans, the main fall attraction is the arrival of college football season. College football is a huge deal all over the state, especially in big-time university towns like Auburn, but the city of Tuscaloosa stands alone because of the sustained success of the University of Alabama’s football team, which has won six national championships since 2009. Fall football Saturdays bring 100,000 fans to Bryant-Denny Stadium and tens of thousands more to the surrounding area, transforming Tuscaloosa into a football mecca that is hard to match anywhere else. Even if you are not a big college football fan, gameday is a sight to behold!”
WorldAtlas
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