10 Things to Do Outdoors in Decatur, Alabama
/Decatur, Alabama is the perfect place to visit if you love outdoor activities—it’s even better if you are an outdoor enthusiast and want to live there. With the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, and multiple opportunities to fish, kayak, canoe, hike, bike, and hunt, there is also an abundance of camping options.
By Michelle Segrest, Navigate Travel Adventures
Outdoor enthusiasts love living in Decatur, Alabama and the towns in surrounding Morgan County (including Hartselle and West Morgan). With a mild year-around climate and friendly small-town atmosphere, outdoor lovers can find many opportunities to benefit from all that Decatur has to offer.
Here are 10 things to do in Decatur, Alabama if you love the outdoors:
Decatur is home to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
Established July 7, 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 35,000-acre Wheeler Wildlife Refuge protects various wildlife species, including thousands of wintering waterfowl each year along with the habitat of 12 federally-listed endangered or threatened species.
Originally established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife, making it the destination for thousands of bird watchers each year. Decatur-Morgan County is part of the Central Loop of the North Alabama Birding Trail and is host to the annual North Alabama Birding Festival.
The North Alabama Birding Trail features more than 50 designated stations that allow visitors to observe birds in their native habitats. Eight of the 18 stations are within the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.
Read More at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service site.
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge provides for a wide spectrum of wildlife, in addition to the 295 species of migratory birds, it is home to 115 species of fish, 74 species of reptiles and amphibians, 47 species of mammals, 38 species of freshwater mussels, and 26 species of freshwater snails. Its diverse habitat includes deep river channels, tributary creeks, tupelo swamps, open backwater embayments, bottomland hardwoods, pine uplands, and agricultural fields.
2. Decatur offers opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and water sports.
With several canoe launches and six public boat launches, the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge offers visitors and residents the chance to spend a quiet afternoon immersed in nature.
The nearby Sipsey River in Bankhead National Forest, often described as a “wild and scenic river,” is a popular spot for canoeing and is best in the spring and late winter.
The Ingalls Harbor features spacious launch ramps (up to 10 boats at a time), a 1,088-linear-foot dock, lighted parking and ramps, and 158 paved truck/trailer parking spaces. An events pavilion seats up to 1,200. It is located at 701 Market Street, NW.
Contact: 256-341-4930
Local marinas include:
Riverwalk Marina, located on the north bank of the Tennessee River, includes private slips and boathouses, public launching ramps; vending area, and dock side gas/oil. 256-340-9170
Brickyard Landing is at the South bank of the Tennessee River. It includes 240 dry-docks, boat repair, waterfront marina store, dock side gas/oil. There is no public boat ramp. 256-350-1449
Jay’s Landing Marina is at the South bank of the Tennessee River. It includes wet-slips, vending and public launching for a fee. 256-350-4722
To apply for Hunting, Fishing, or Boating Licenses, visit the Morgan County Courthouse.
Morgan County Courthouse
302 Lee Street, NE
Decatur, AL 35601
256-351-4730
Decatur is a great location with nearby access to other popular nearby lakes, including:
Wheeler Lake, which is the second-largest lake located along the Tennessee River. Spanning nearly 60 miles with a surface area of more than 67,000 acres, this man-made impoundment was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the late 1930s for hydroelectric power generation and regional flood control. It is now a popular recreation site in the Decatur region for the more than four million visitors who attend the lake annually for boating, fishing, hunting, and water sports. , partaking in seasonal outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, and water sports. The lake is located adjacent to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. It has a visitor center and areas for overnight camping and picnicking.
Lake Guntersville is located in North Alabama between Bridgeport and Guntersville. It is Alabama’s largest lake with 69,000 acres and stretching 75 miles from Nickajack Dam to Guntersville Dam. There are free boat ramps and private marinas along the lake’s perimeter. Fishing, boating, camping, hunting, and eagle watching are popular in the area. Lake Guntersville is home to quality angling for a variety of fish, including large-mouth bass, bream, blue gill, redear sunfish, longear sunfish, catfish, crappie, and sauger. Kayak anglers also enjoy this lake because of the many boat ramps.
3. Decatur offers many hiking and biking trails and historic walking tours.
If you want to experience nature first hand, check out the hiking and biking trails that crisscross through the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Center and Point Mallard. Hiking/biking guides are available at the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau (719 6th Ave SE). You can also pick up free walking/driving tour brochures at the Old State Bank Building and the Decatur Morgan County Tourism Office (719 6th Avenue SE).
Here are some of Decatur’s popular hiking/biking trails and walking tours:
Take the Downtown Turtle Trail and find the 10 bronze turtles located along Decatur‘s historic 2nd Avenue. Learn about the significant places and events that helped make Downtown Decatur what it is today along the way. A map of the trail and more information is available in the Downtown Turtle Trail brochure.
Check out the Trail of Tears Walking Tour to see the forced removal of Native American tribes from tribal lands as they passed through Decatur, Alabama.
The Amen Trail is located in Decatur and throughout Morgan County. Many of the churches are at least 100 years old, on its original site, and still hold services today. This self-guided tour recognizes churches that define the heart of Decatur and Morgan County’s rich and diverse cultural and spiritual heritage.Two of the 19 churches listed on the Amen Trail are also a part of North Alabama’s Hallelujah Trail, which was published in The National Geographic’s Driving Tours of Appalachia.The Amen Trail begins at St. John’s Episcopal Church (202 Gordon Dr. SE) and ends at Lacey’s Springs United Methodist Church (1036 Hwy. 36, Lacey Springs).
A Walking Tour of Historic Decatur takes you through Old Decatur and the New Albany Historic Districts, located near downtown off the southern bank of the Tennessee River. It boasts the largest concentration of Victorian-era cottages and bungalows in Alabama.
The Civil War Walking Tour is located in the Old Decatur and New Albany Historic Districts, just off the southern bank of the Tennessee River near downtown Decatur.
4. Decatur is an extraordinarily active place for youth and adult sports and recreation.
Sports enthusiasts will love living in Decatur and Morgan County. Facilities around the area cater to a variety of sports including cycling, soccer, softball, baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, fishing, tennis, and cross country. Decatur-Morgan County even has hot air ballooning.
The county hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Softball tournaments, Amateur Softball Association tournaments, and the Youth Alabama Basketball of America Championships.
Contact Decatur Parks and Recreation:
610 4th Avenue, SE
Decatur, Alabama 35601
256-341-4930
The Parks and Recreation Department operates three recreation community centers, one outdoor and one indoor swimming pool, 28 parks that include 19 developed playgrounds, 44 lighted tennis courts, walking trails, a splash pad, and numerous lighted and unlighted softball and baseball fields.
In addition, the department operates Wilson Morgan Softball Complex, Jimmy Johns Tennis Complex, Jack Allen Recreation Complex, and Point Mallard Park. The Jack Allen Recreation Complex is the newest facility and boasts an award-winning 27-acre laser-graded and irrigated soccer/football venue with sub-grade drainage and television-quality lighting.
Morgan County has its own Disc Golf Course located in Hartselle at Sparkman Park. This is a growing sport in which the object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc. The course was established in 2006 with 18 Mach5 holes.
Please also visit Morgan County Parks & Recreation as well as nearby Hartselle Parks & Recreation.
Decatur even has opportunities for those who enjoy archery. The Decatur Community Archery Park was developed through a partnership between the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, the Archery Trade Association and the City of Decatur.
The park features adult and youth known distance targets from 15-50 yards and 5-20 yards, respectively. A 12-foot-high elevated platform provides bow hunters with an opportunity to simulate hunting conditions at targets from 10-40 yards. There is also a 20 target walk through course for archers to shoot at targets at unknown distances.
The Decatur Parks and Recreation Department offers archery classes and other activities as part of their commitment to increase involvement in archery at the local level.
5. You don’t have to belong to a country club to play golf in Decatur, Alabama.
The Decatur-Morgan County area has four public 18-hole golf courses, ranging from the award-winning Point Mallard Golf Course, named one of the best public golf courses in Alabama, to the resort-like setting of the Quail Creek Golf Course. The oldest course in the Decatur area is the Burningtree Country Club which was designed by George W. Cobb, ASGCA and opened in 1966. The longest course is Canebrake Club, which is 7,110 yards. Southern Gayles Golf Course is rated the best course near Decatur.
Here are 7 golf courses near Decatur, Alabama:
18 holes over 6,988 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
2600A Point Mallard Dr SE
Decatur, AL 35601-6743
(256) 341-4925
5 miles from the center of Decatur.
18 holes over 7,005 yards with a par of 72 (Private)
2521 Burningtree Dr SE
Decatur, AL 35603-5138
(256) 355-5982
8 miles from the center of Decatur.
18 holes over 7,110 yards with a par of 72 (Private)
23015 Founders Cir
Athens, AL 35613-8129
(256) 232-2412
12 miles from the center of Decatur.
18 holes over 6,803 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
346 James Record Rd SW
Huntsville, AL 35824-1514
(256) 464-5050
14 miles from the center of Decatur.
18 holes over 5,074 yards with a par of 70 (Public)
26181 Nick Davis Rd
Athens, AL 35613
(256) 232-9759
16 miles from the center of Decatur.
18 holes over 6,056 yards with a par of 71 (Public)
233 Quail Creek Dr
Hartselle, AL 35640-6952
(888) 784-5033
18 miles from the center of Decatur.
18 holes over 6,757 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
22230 Mooresville Rd
Athens, AL 35613-3808
(256) 232-9888
20 miles from the center of Decatur.
6. The Decatur-Morgan County Area has eight public parks.
With lighted walking paths, family outdoor fun can be found throughout the Decatur area.
Adventure Park (Central Parkway/Beltline Road/Sandlin Road) offers a playground, lighted shelter, six tennis courts, six softball fields, soccer field, picnic areas and a one and a half-mile lighted walking trail.
Delano Park (Prospect Drive/6th AVE/Somerville Road/Gordon Drive) is the oldest park in the city of Decatur. The park features the historic WPA Rose Garden that was reconstructed in recent years and a Splash Pad, Trail of History, tennis courts, playground and picnic shelter.
Founder’s Park is a two-acre green space fronting the historic 1833 Old State Bank. The park was developed to honor the events and leaders that have shaped Decatur’s history and provides an important link between the Old State Bank, the historic downtown and residential districts, the riverfront, and other local attractions.
Frazier Park (309 Cherry St. NE), located at the corner of Line and Ferry Streets in the Old Decatur Historic District, features the Daikin Japanese garden. The authentic Japanese Tea Garden was given to the City of Decatur by the Daikin American Corporation. Plans are underway at Frazier Park to add a traditional English Garden.
Hospitality Park is located on Highway 31 marking the north entrance into the city of Decatur. The park offers bird sighting opportunities and picnic areas. The park is a favorite local fishing area.
The John Mark Stallings S.N.A.P. Playground was built specifically to be accessible by all children, including those with disabilities. The free playground is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park’s splash pad is open through October. The park is located at 406 Nanceford Road behind the Civic Center in Hartselle.
Rhodes Ferry Park (Harborview/Market/Oak) is on the banks of the Tennessee River. Summertime Concerts by the River and other local events are held in the park. Rhodes Ferry Park features a playground, picnic shelters and lighted walks throughout the park.
Sparkman Park is located just south of Decatur in Hartselle. The park offers a public swimming pool, baseball and softball fields, picnic areas, playgrounds and a lighted walking trail.
7. Decatur is a great place for horse enthusiasts.
The Joe Wheeler Wildlife Refuge has numerous gravel roads that meander through the grounds and allow horseback riders to see the area’s wildlife. Riders can also find great trails through the nearby Bankhead National Forest. Truck and horse trailer parking is provided at Owl Creek Horse Camp in the Bankhead National Forest.
Thousands of racking horse trainers and fans come to Morgan County twice a year for two of the sport’s biggest events. Hosted by the Racking Horse Breeders Association of America, The Spring Celebration, held in April, kicks off the racking horse show season. In September, The World Celebration closes the season with the crowning of the World Grand Champions for each class. The Spring Celebration and The World Celebration are held at Morgan County Celebration Arena (67 Horse Center Road) in Priceville.
8. Decatur has many family-friendly campgrounds.
If you like to camp, Decatur is the place to be. Here are a few options for family-friendly camping.
The Celebration Arena & Grounds is located just 2 miles from I-65. This year-ound campground on the grounds of the Morgan County Celebration Arena features 69 camp sites. 67 Horse Center Rd, Decatur, AL 35603, (256) 584-6725.
The Point Mallard Campground has 210 shaded camp sites located on 25-wooded acres. The “Good Sam Park” campground is full of amenities including three covered pavilions with restrooms and showers, enclosed meeting facility, and playground. The sites also have water, electricity, a picnic table, and charcoal grill. In addition, 115 sites have sewer hookups. The campground is within walking distance of Point Mallard’s many attractions. 2600 Point Mallard Dr SE, (256) 341-4826
The Quail Creek RV Resort is located outside the 600-acre Quail Creek Resort and Conference Center in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Most sites are 35’ x 95’ and have all-weather, pull-through and equipped with amp service, water, sewer, and WiFi. The bathhouse features full laundry and bath/shower suites. 233 Quail Creek Dr, Hartselle, (256) 784-5033
Jay Landings RV Park has 32 sites. Ten (10) of the sites are on the banks of the Tennessee River. It has 50/30/20 amp power, water, sewer connection, and free wireless internet connection. A bath house, laundry facilities, boat ramp and fishing are available. Jay Landings is close to dining, shopping centers and only 1 mile from the Ingalls Harbor where the area’s fishing tournaments are held. 1600 AL-20, Decatur, (256) 350-4722
9. Hunting opportunities are abundant in Decatur, Alabama.
A variety of wildlife, including turkey, whitetail deer, and waterfowl can provide many hours of sporting pleasure for the hunting enthusiast.
The Alabama Department of Conservation, Game & Fish Division, regulates seasons, bag limits, and license fees for deer, turkey and small game. Hunting licenses are available throughout Morgan County at many sporting goods stores and from the License Commissioner (256-351-4770) at the Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur. Licenses, complete permit requirements and state hunting regulations are available from the License Unit, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by calling 1-888- 848-6887 or online at www.dcnr.state.al.us.
Successfully completing an approved hunter education course is mandatory for all first-time hunting license buyers born on or after August 1, 1977. Hunting licenses are required for residents 16 years or older and under 65 years of age and non-residents 16 years of age and older.
Check out these local hunting spots:
Bankhead National Forest, located just southwest of Morgan County, offers 180,000 acres of natural wildlife habitat and recreation areas. The forest also includes Alabama’s first National Wilderness Area (Sipsey Wilderness) that has more than 26,000 acres of untouched forest. Hunting, as well as, camping, fishing and hiking are permitted in the Sipsey but motorized vehicles of any kind, including all-terrain vehicles, are not allowed. Bankhead is a popular destination for turkey and white tail deer hunting. For complete information on hunting in Bankhead National Forest contact USDA-Forest Service at (205) 489-5111.
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is Alabama’s oldest and largest national refuge. Public hunting on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is permitted on approximately 18,000 acres. Specific hunting dates are established each year for squirrel, raccoon, possum, rabbit, quail and deer. Hunting is allowed Monday- Saturday. For complete hunting guidelines on the refuge, contact: Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, 256-350-6639 or visit www.wheeler.fws.gov.
10. Decatur has embraced the free, family-friendly activity of Geocaching.
Using the ever-increasingly popular technology of GPS mapping systems, Geocaching connects individuals from around the world in a modern day treasure hunt. The sport of Geocaching, much like a traditional scavenger hunt, allows players to create caches around the world and share their location coordinates for others to find using their GPS units.
Caches, including numerous ones located in Decatur and Morgan County, are listed on websites such as Geocaching.com. Caches contain at least a logbook to track the cache’s visitors, and may contain other objects such as maps, books, software, or even money. Not all caches contain treasures.
Learn more about the fun family adventure of Geocaching – What is it, how does it work, and what do you find?
Decatur has joined the geocaching trend by hiding several caches throughout the city. The caches are located at some of the city’s favorite attractions including the Civil War Walking Tour, the historic Princess Theatre for the Performing Arts, and the Carnegie Visual Arts Center.
To participate, download a copy of the Decatur Geocaching Passport, or pick one up at the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, located at 719 6th Avenue SE. Next, visit Geocaching.com to get the coordinates for the seven geocaching sites included in the Passport.
