The Alabama State Parks Division operates and maintains 21 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains providing opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurant and golfing areas.
Mission:
To acquire and preserve natural areas; to develop, furnish, operate and maintain recreational facilities, and to extend the public’s knowledge of the state’s natural environment.
Goals:
- To manage and operate the parks system in an economically sound and efficient manner on the most self-sustaining basis possible.
- To provide and maintain high quality facilities and services to meet the needs of visitors; to provide an opportunity for personal growth and development of individuals through outdoor experiences.
- To promote use of state parks facilities.
- To preserve unique natural features and integrity of state parks for future generations.
- To promote good will and enhance the public image of Alabama, and the Alabama State Parks through dedicated, courteous employees.
Download this parks overview chart to help you with your planning.
In 2014, the Alabama State Parks system celebrated 75 years of service. Seventy-five years of vigilance and dedicated effort has produced a parks system with three major resort park facilities that are capable of lodging and hosting large group events within the tranquil outdoor settings at Joe Wheeler, Guntersville and Lakepoint state parks. Similar but smaller opportunities are offered at DeSoto and Cheaha state parks. Camping opportunities abound, with 20 of the 21 parks offering more than 2,500 modern campsites, cabins and related amenities.
The recreational opportunities are equally impressive. Sixteen of the 21 parks offer extensive public access to outstanding waterways that host boating, fishing, water skiing, wildlife viewing and other related opportunities. The parks are rich with trails that accommodate biking, horseback riding, hiking and backpacking, as well as running and walking. Two parks host some of the most spectacular cave features in the southeastern United States. Golf courses are offered at three of the parks. Geocaching and birding trails have become popular new activities.
This Fact Sheet gives you great info at a glance.
To help educate people on the historical significance and economic impact of the Alabama State Parks we created the brochure below.
State Parks 75th Anniversary Report
Recreational Capital Development Assistance Fund Regulation Supplement
Funding
Over the last 20 years, the Alabama State Park system has hosted a consistent visitation rate of 4 to 5 million customer occurrences each year, demonstrating that people love their parks. This same park system has consistently been recognized as being one of the most efficient in the nation, with 80 to 90 percent of the annual funding coming from customer fees, not taxes. These achievements did not happen by accident. They are the result of over 80 years of dedicated effort on the part of our elected officials, park employees, local partners and of course, the loving patronage of our park customers.
Dog-Friendly Policies at Alabama State Park
We love dogs and we understand that our visitors travel and vacation with their entire family, including their dogs. They are always welcome on a leash and we offer some dog-friendly overnight accommodations to make your stay more enjoyable.
Specific park dog rules and dog-friendly overnight facilities
