A weekend at Lake Guntersville: the lake, the town and the state park

Two days is enough to get a real feel for Lake Guntersville: a morning on the water, an evening in town, a hike in the woods and a trip underground. This plan works from spring to fall, with a few changes for winter at the end.

Day 1: the lake and the town

• Morning: get out on the lake early, when the water is calm. Go fishing with a guide, rent a pontoon boat for a few hours, or paddle a kayak along a quiet slough.
• Lunch: eat in town, then have a look around the shops on Gunter Avenue.
• Afternoon: drive out to Guntersville Dam to see how the lake was made, and watch for boats in the lock.
• Evening: have dinner at City Harbor, on the waterfront in downtown Guntersville, and watch the sun go down over the water.

Day 2: the state park and the cave

• Morning: drive to Lake Guntersville State Park and hike one of the trails through the forest. Our guide to hiking in the park has some ideas.
• Lunch: eat at the lodge on top of Taylor Mountain, with views over the lake.
• Afternoon: head north to Cathedral Caverns, about 30–40 minutes away, for a 90-minute guided tour of the giant cave. Check tour times before you set off.
• Evening: back at the lake, take a dip at the state park beach in summer, or end with a slow dinner in town.

With an extra day

Drive to Huntsville for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, about 45 minutes away, or spend a long day in Chattanooga, about 90 minutes away. See our guides to a day in Huntsville and a day in Chattanooga.

In winter

From December to February, swap the boat trip for eagle watching. Go out early with binoculars, or book a place on one of the state park’s Eagle Awareness weekends. Read our guide to eagle watching at Lake Guntersville.

Tips

• Book ahead: rooms around the lake fill up on summer weekends and during big fishing tournaments.
• Bring the right papers: you need an Alabama fishing license to fish, and most boat drivers need an Alabama boating license.
• Watch the sky: summer storms build quickly in the afternoon, so plan time on the water for the morning.