Spring is in the air and if you’re like us, this weather has you eager to get outside and enjoy all the beauty Huntsville has to offer. Nestled in the heart of North Alabama, the Rocket City is home to gorgeous mountains, riverfront views, stunning greenway trails, and iconic city landmarks. We’ve compiled this list of 10 free scenic spots in and around Huntsville to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family.
Hang on to this list as it is sure to become your go-to guide as you venture out this spring!
Blevins Gap Overlook
One of the best and most accessible free scenic overlooks in Huntsville is Blevins Gap Overlook. Just off Cecil Ashburn Road, you don’t have to hike to experience this stunning view overlooking the city. The parking lot also serves as the trailhead for multiple hikes that lead to other incredible vistas in the Blevins Gap Nature Preserve if you have more time!
(Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen and extra water.)
3470 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802
Ditto Landing
Ditto Landing offers one of the most picturesque free scenic vistas in North Alabama. Less than five minutes from the quiet, cozy neighborhoods of South Huntsville awaits a breathtaking view of the Tennessee River, surrounded by lush, green mountain foothills. Whether you arrive by land or water, this modest marina boasts impressive views and many opportunities for family fun outdoors. With a ample pavilions, picnic tables, camp sites, water activities, and community events— you’ll want to be sure to include this stop on your next Huntsville tour!
293 Ditto Landing Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803
Tennessee River Greenway
The Tennessee River Greenway is a stunning trail in the Huntsville Greenway system and begins right at Ditto Landing and runs along the Tennessee River. The waterfront trail is a short 1.4 miles and the views are hard to beat.
Ditto Landing Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803
Aldridge Creek Greenway
The Aldridge Creek Greenway is a 5.5 mile paved trail that has multiple access points and is home to some incredible scenic views. The paved trail is ideal for running, biking, inline skating—while the crown jewel of the greenway is Aldridge Creek itself. An easily accessible spot for fishing and exploring alike. The views all along this greenway make it a local gem.
Aldridge Creek Greenway, Huntsville, AL 35803
Green Mountain Nature Trail
Green Mountain Nature Trail—also known as Madison County Nature Trail—is an amazing place to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature. High above South Huntsville, atop Green Mountain, this delightful 72 acre park offers an escape from the city. A 1.5 mile walking trail surrounds Sky Lake, where a charming covered bridge is a scenic showstopper.
5000 Nature Trail Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803
Big Spring International Park
In the heart of downtown Huntsville, this beautiful park was built around its namesake, Big Spring, which played a big role in the settlement and founding of the city. The park stretches across Church Street and provides scenic panoramic views of greenspace surrounded by downtown’s Von Braun Center, Huntsville Museum of Art, and many restaurants and other businesses. The Japanese Friendship bridge and gorgeous cherry trees were a gift to the city of Huntsville from Japan in the 1970s. Spring is an amazing time to see these trees in bloom—making this scenic view even better!
420 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801
Saturn V at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
While entrance to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center does require a fee, it still finds a spot on this list of FREE scenic views because the Saturn V may be the most iconic structure to grace the skyline of the entire state. Visible from I-565 it is a scenic view of astronomical proportions!
1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805
Twinkle Lights Downtown + Stovehouse
There’s something simply magical about strands of twinkling bistro lights hanging overhead. The subtle glow instantly enhances the ambiance and makes ordinary sites feel special. Huntsville is home to multiple places where the magic of string lights commands attention, including: the corner of Franklin St outside of Commerce Kitchen downtown, Clinton Avenue—where the glow is so special they close a portion of the street to traffic on Friday and Saturday for pedestrians to walk and enjoy, and the outdoor patio at Stovehouse.
The rooftop deck at Stovehouse offers an incredible free scenic view. And the fact that it is often accompanied with live music from one of the multiple stages and your choice of eats, drinks, shopping, and yard games— it may be hard to leave!
300 Franklin St SE, Huntsville, AL 35801
101 Clinton Ave E NE, Huntsville, AL 35801
3414 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
Worth the Drive
Weathington Park (Section, AL)
Located less than an hour from Huntsville, Weathington Park is one of North Alabama’s best kept secrets and is definitely worth the short drive for its incredible views. The overlook in Section, Alabama, is just 48 miles from the Rocket City, and is home to an extraordinary viewpoint above the Tennessee River—making it a perfect place for a picnic or a family photoshoot. The park has a small parking lot and can fill up close to sunset, so if you’re planning to stay for an impressive twilight view, be sure to arrive early.
Tammy Little Dr, Section, AL 35771
King’s Bend Overlook Park (Blountsville, AL)
Just an hour outside of Huntsville, down Highway 231, King’s Bend Overlook Park in Blountsville, AL offers a great scenic view of the Locust Fork River. The park is popular put-in spot for kayakers, and has a large parking lot and pedestrian bridge over the river that is lined with benches. There are 55 stone steps that lead from the parking lot and provide easy access down to the riverbank.
King’s Bend Overlook Park Cleveland, AL 35049
Katie Ellis grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Journalism and Communications from The University of Alabama. She and her husband have lived in Huntsville since January of 2019, and together they enjoy spending their free time outside—hiking, biking, paddle boarding, camping, and exploring the natural beauty of North Alabama and beyond! They are also National Parks enthusiasts who are constantly planning their next adventure.
Katie is the editor for The Cottage Journal magazine, a national home decor publication owned by Hoffman Media, based in Birmingham. When she’s not traveling across the country leading photoshoots for beautiful cottage-style homes, she and her husband are tackling DIY home and garden projects at their own home in South Huntsville.
You can follow her outdoor adventures on Instagram at @outdoorellis, or spot her in town walking on her favorite greenways with their sweet yellow lab, Danner.
