Northern Outdoors

North Alabama is filled with dramatic and exciting adventures. Mountain panoramas, waterfalls, caverns and gorges await exploration.

Day 1

Arrive in Fort Payne. Tour Little River Canyon, one of the deepest gorges east of the Mississippi River. Experience this unique and dramatic natural attraction on foot, from the comfort of several overlooks at parking locations surrounding the canyon, or from a canoe on the water. See the canyon’s beauty, including Little River Falls. Later visit the Shady Grove Dude Ranch for an afternoon of horseback riding, wagon rides and square dancing. Chow down a meal around the campfire. Visit Mentone, a quaint and charming village atop Lookout Mountain with craft galleries and several Bed and Breakfast Inns. Overnight at the dude ranch, DeSoto State Park and Lodge, or other accommodations in the area.

Day 2

Take a tour of either Sequoyah Caverns in Valley Head with its amazing underground waterfall or travel to Grant and tour Cathedral Caverns which has the world’s largest “frozen” waterfall. Nearby in Scottsboro visit Unclaimed Baggage Center, where you will find unbelievable bargains on topquality items lost or unclaimed by air travelers and cargo carriers. The store covers a whole city block. Overnight in the area.

Day 3

The adventuresome will enjoy a hike through a remarkable natural area known as The Walls of Jericho, located in northern Jackson County. This 21,000-acre tract of land covers parts of both Alabama and Tennessee was once the hunting grounds of Davy Crockett. Water shoots out of the holes and cracks of the canyon during times of high water flow. Scenic beauty also abounds in nearby Guntersville where exciting outdoor recreation opportunities await visitors to Lake Guntersville. On weekends in mid- to late- January, make an appointment to take a guided field trip looking for some of the two dozen bald eagles that make their home around the lake during the winter. Overnight in the area.