6 great places to catch peak fall color in Huntsville + locally

Peak fall color in Huntsville and North Alabama starts to wane the week of Nov. 10, so you’d better get out there and catch it while you can!

We’ve rounded up the best places to enjoy the boldest colors of the season in the Rocket City and surrounding towns.

Map it: Where to find the nice fall color in Huntsville + beyond

Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville

Surround yourself in glorious color along the 20 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of biking trails throughout Monte Sano State Park’s 2,140 acres. While the fee to visit is small, many folks opt for an annual pass and make hiking here part of their regular, year-round routines.

• Where: 5105 SE Nolen Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801
• When: Daily, 8AM-Sunset (Trails close 30 minutes before sunset.)
• Cost: $5 for ages 12-64; $2 for ages 4-11, 65-plus + active military; free for ages 3 and younger
• More info: Website

Burritt on the Mountain

Cruise up Round Top Mountain to spend some quality time at Burritt on the Mountain, enjoying the vast and colorful views while on trails throughout the 1670-acre property that began as a farm in the 1800s. Today, you can learn about its earliest days from living history interpreters, meet barnyard animals and visit log structures.

• Where: 3101 Burritt Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35801
• When: Tuesday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM; Sunday, Noon-5PM
• Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for children + students; $10 for active military and ages 60+; free for kids age 2 or younger + Burritt members
• More info: Website | Facebook

Blevins Gap Nature Preserve

The South Huntsville sweet spot for gorgeous views certainly delivers in the fall, when you’ll get valley views bursting with color. While the entire preserve covers 1,127 acres, the address below leads to the main trailhead. There, you can access approximately eight miles of trails, if you’re up for a hike. (Or you can just drive up, park + enjoy the view.)

• Where: 3470 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802
• When: Daily, dawn to dusk
• Cost: Free
• More info: Website

Hays Nature Preserve

Explore over 10 miles of trails at this City of Huntsville-owned nature preserve in Owens Cross Roads, which is mostly flat and follows the Flint River. Fall colors pop in the still water reflections of hte river and its surrounding lakes. Bring your binoculars for birding! Leashed dogs are welcome, and so are horses on some parts of the trails.

• Where: 7161 US-431, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763
• When: Dawn to dusk
• Cost: Free
• More info: Website

Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve in Madison

This lovely preserve in Madison has only about three miles of trails, yet it offers 10 options, ranging from easy (Stoneridge) to moderately challenging rocky terrain (Rainbow Mountain Loop). Just choose where to get your glorious fall views. When the leaves clear, you can see Madison below.

• Where: 230 Stoneway Trail, Madison, AL 35758
• When: Dawn to dusk
• Cost: Free
• More info: Website

Point Mallard Trail in Decatur

A personal favorite is the Point Mallard Trails in Decatur, which include a 5.9-mile, out-and-back trail along the river. This one isn’t as much about jaw-dropping overlooks but taking in the joy of strolling beneath colorful canopies and seeing water reflect the treeline, especially at sunset.

There are two trailheads—one near the golf course and another within the park between the waterpark and pickleball courts.

• Where: 2901 Point Mallard Cir SE, Decatur, AL 35601
• When: Dawn to dusk
• Cost: Free
• More info: Website

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