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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – These four state park vacation packages to Alabama State Parks can make just about anyone enjoy an outdoor activity, from golf and boating to hiking, biking, fishing, and of course, swimming. Cost is around $300 for four days in the great outdoors for these vacation packages below.
Trip One: Love the lake in bass and golf country at Joe Wheeler State Park
Trip Two: Sink your toes in the sand at the Gulf of Mexico at Gulf State Park’s quiet cabins
Trip Three: View the fantastic from a rustic mountain lake lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park
Trip Four: Hike the trails of the Appalachian foothills or paddle boat at Cheaha State Park
It doesn’t get much better than teaching the kids outdoors, such as showing them how to play golf on an 18-hole course at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville. The championship golf course was designed by Earl Stone, set in rolling hills and along the river. Green fees are $25 for the 18-holes, with a golf cart ($15 without the cart) or $15 for nine holes with the cart ($10 without the cart). Read more in Trip One.
Trip One: Enjoy bass and golf country at Joe Wheeler State Park
Approximately 50 miles west of Huntsville, Ala.’s airport is a spot where water and golf lovers can go and might never want to leave: Joe Wheeler State Park.
Joe Wheeler State Park has just what familes want: lots of ways to enjoy themselves, but without a pricey lake house. There’s paddle boating and fishing, including boat rentals, with plenty of boat launch area, plus beautiful cabins for the evening and an 18-hole championship golf course.
Also, you can spend a full day hiking on numerous trails in the park. For details: http://www.alapark.com/GulfState/Trails/
STAY: At the park’s cabins, for $63 a night, on the south side of the Tennessee River near Wheeler Dam. The boat dock is there for Wheeler Lake, as well.
PARK INFO: (256) 247-5466; http://www.alapark.com/JoeWheeler/
Cabins are the way to stay at Joe Wheeler State Park, which are $63 a night for four people.
Paddle boats are a fun family activity at Joe Wheeler State Park, out on the lake. They cost $8 for an hour’s ride and can seat a family of four.
Joe Wheeler is the place to fish for bass. The annual freshwater fishing license in the state is $12. Order it now at https://www.alabamainteractive.org/dcnr/license/index.cgi or call (888) 848-6887. You can rent a fishing boat for $40 for a half day, too, at (256) 247-6971.
Trip Two: Sink your toes in the sand staying at Gulf State Park’s quiet cabins
Everyone wants to catch a wave in the summertime or sink their toes in the sand on the Gulf of Mexico Coast. The coast is 45 minutes away from Mobile Ala. Airport; Take Interstate 65 to Exit 287 for a mile, then continue on Alabama 59 South for 50 miles. Turn left onto Alabama 180 East at Fort Morgan Road to Gulf State Park.
The Gulf of Mexico beach town of Gulf Shores has tucked away cabins off the beaten tourist trail with a new private playground and an overall tucked away beach feel. The beach on the Gulf of Mexico is within a five minute drive to the south, with a beautiful giant beach pavilion and the construction of what will be the largest pier on the Gulf (inside the state park). There is also an 18-hole golf course (which you can use for the day for $34), the 900 acre lake for fishing (no park charge with the cabin stay, plus $12 annual state freshwater fishing license charge to fish in the fresh water lake https://www.alabamainteractive.org/dcnr/license/index.cgi) swimming, and water skiing, picnic areas (50 cents a child and $1 per adult at the swimming/picnic area) and nature programs.
STAY: At the park’s cabins on Lake Shelby for $125 a night, with two bedrooms, 1 bath, or for $85 a night in a small wood-side cabin.
PARK INFO: (251) 948-7726; http://www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=22
It’s $5 a car to hit the beach for the day a couple miles away from the cottages, all inside Gulf State Park.
Gulf State Park’s lakeside cabins have their own private pier, and new, free playground for young children.
Trip Three: Stay at a rustic mountain lake lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park
Drive scenic U.S. 431 from Huntsville, Ala.’s airport to the Tennessee River basin of Lake Guntersville State Park in Guntersville, Ala.
This is a postcard worthy venue to go to enjoy the outdoors, featuring a new $25 million, four-year-long lodge renovation that opened in January. Located along the Tennessee River basin, this 6,000-acre state park is known for its mountain beauty and its wildlife. The quiet, artsy town of Guntersville, Ala. is about four miles down Gunters Mountain for fun antiquing and shopping. Camping to deluxe suites are available within the park. Rent a canoe for $15 for half a day or an aluminum boat for $15 for half a day. Hikes are short along numerous trails, with a free Saturday interpretive guided hike at 9 a.m. (256-571-5445). Eat breakfast ($5 average per person), lunch ($6 average per person) and dinner ($6 salad bar) at the park. All children’s meals average $5.
STAY: At Lake Guntersville State Park itself, with a variety of hotel, lodge and camping accommodations. Rooms are $100 a night at the hotel or in one of the cabins for $125 a night which can accommodate up to six people.
PARK INFO: (256) 571-5440; http://www.alapark.com/LakeGuntersville/
The cabins are in the cooling woods at Lake Guntersville State Park.
Trip Four: Love the trails of the Pinhoti at Cheaha State Park
Drive west on Interstate 20 from Birmingham (Ala.) International Airport, exiting at U.S. 431 and driving southeast to State Road 281, which leads into Cheaha State Park, a little over an hour away from the airport.
Inside the Talladega National Forest of Western Alabama, Cheaha State Park is home to the Cheaha Trailhead of the Pinhoti Trail. These extended trails eventually connect into the Appalachian Trail. It would be a shame to visit Cheaha and not take advantage of its access trails like the Odum Scout Trail or the Chinnabee Silent Trails where you will find some amazing waterfalls. The Pulpit Rock Trail is a moderate hike here; Pulpit Rock is a quartzite rock facing where many guest come to rappel or just bask in the view. This is a park for paddle boats ($5 a person for 30 minutes) or jon boats ($10 for four hours). Fishing at Lake Cheaha requires an annual freshwater fishing license in the state ($12). Order it now at https://www.alabamainteractive.org/dcnr/license/index.cgi or call (888) 848-6887. Swim at the hotel pool with any overnight stay.
STAY: At the State Park’s cabins for four people for $100 a night; or for a double hotel room for $74 a night.
PARK INFO: 1-800-846-2654 or (256) 488-5115; www.alapark.com/parks/feature.cfm?parkid=7&featureid=15
Spend a summer day the old-fashioned way at Lake Cheaha at Cheaha State Park.