Jackson’s Oak // Photo courtesy Visit Coastal Alabama
With its cooler temperatures, blue skies and sunny days, October beckons us to get outside. Whether you are looking for a long hike, or just a peaceful spot to read or watch the sunrise, this list has something for everyone. Spending even just a few minutes in nature has health benefits for the mind and body. So, drop a line, take a stroll, or spot some wildlife as we celebrate the arrival of fall with MB’s outdoor “must-do” list.
Take a Hike
St. Stephens Historical Park
2056 Jim Long Road, St. Stephens
Fifteen miles of trails skirt the Tombigbee River for true peace that’s just an hour from downtown Mobile.
Take a Stroll
Longleaf Pine Treasure Forest
5151 Museum Drive, Mobile
Wildflowers blooming under the pines frame your quiet ambles.
Bird-watch
Audubon Bird Sanctuary
11 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island
Beautiful migrating songbirds swarm the island in October and November.
Read a Book In Nature
Mobile Botanical Gardens
5151 Museum Drive, Mobile
Find a bench or bring your picnic blanket!
Kick Back Under Spanish Moss
Jackson’s Oak at Village Point Park Preserve
27710 Main St., Daphne
This 95-foot tall oak is shown as a survey line marker in the original Spanish Land Grant map of 1787. According to local tradition, General Andrew Jackson made a speech to his army from one of its massive limbs during the War of 1812.
Go Mountain Biking
Chickasabogue Park
760 Aldock Road, Eight Mile
The park is currently closed for a major renovation, but when it reopens, the 17 miles of hiking and biking trails will be calling.
Cruise Your Bike
Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail, Orange Beach
Multiple entrances, map at backcountrytrail.com
Paved and flat, these coastal trails have plenty to see and enjoy on two wheels.
Photos by Kathy Hicks
Watch the Sunrise
Arlington Park
15th Street and South Broad Street, Mobile
Wake up early and enjoy the stunning eastern view from a covered wharf.
Spot a Gator
Meaher State Park
5200 Battleship Parkway, Spanish Fort
The Causeway is a great place to witness the smooth moves of some of Alabama’s 70,000 alligators.
Walk a Boardwalk
William Brooks Park
601 US-43, Chickasaw
An easy walk to a over-water pavilion provides the ideal place to spot waterfowl, waders and Osprey at work.
Hang Your Hammock
Langan Park
4901 Zeigler Blvd., Mobile
For many in Mobile County, Municipal Park is the quickest way to find some peace and quiet from the hectic world.
Combine History with Nature
Blakeley State Park
4745 AL-225, Spanish Fort
Civil war fortifications, colonial-era homesteads, indigenous artifacts and more await.
Hike Somewhere New
Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail
Aubrey Green Drive between Health Services Drive and the main traffic circle on the USA Campus
This hidden gem campus offers over three miles of trails winding through 95 acres of native pine and oak woodlands.
Dip Your Toes in a Creek
Bohemian Park
Highway 48, Fairhope
It’s nothing more than a little creek on the side of the road, but the rope swing and cool shade make it a fun destination.
Drop a Line
Gulf State Park
20115 State Park Road, Gulf Shores
This beachfront oasis offers both saltwater and freshwater fishing in one locale. Fishing license required!
Kayak and Canoe
Bartram Canoe Trail
Multiple entrances, map at alabamacanoetrails.com/bartram
This requires some gear (and planning) but it is well worth the effort.
Get Sandy
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
12295 AL-180, Gulf Shores
Bask in some of Alabama’s last remaining undisturbed coastal barrier habitat.
Watch the Sunset
Fairhope Duck Pond
1 N. Beach Road, Fairhope
Sandy beaches and sunsets are the perfect combo.
