Lake Guntersville State Park

Why visit

The state park is the best place to enjoy the lake without a boat. You can hike through hardwood forest to waterfalls and rocky overlooks, swim from the beach, play a round of golf on a mountain course or watch the sunset from the lodge. It is one of Alabama’s most popular state parks, and it is just a few minutes from Guntersville.

What to do

• Hiking and biking: the park has more than 30 miles of trails through the forest, from easy walks to rocky climbs. See our guide to hiking in the park.
• The lodge: the Lodge at Lake Guntersville sits on top of Taylor Mountain, with a restaurant and wide views over the lake.
• The beach: a sandy swimming area on the lake, popular with families in summer.
• Golf: the 18-hole Eagle’s Nest Golf Course is laid out on the mountain.
• Zipline: the Screaming Eagle zipline runs canopy tours through the trees.
• Fishing: fish from the bank, the piers or your own boat.

Eagle Awareness

Each winter, usually on two weekends in late January and early February, the park holds Eagle Awareness weekends, with talks, live bird shows and early-morning field trips to see bald eagles around the lake. The program celebrated its 40th year in 2026. Places on the field trips are limited, so book early. Read our guide to eagle watching at Lake Guntersville.

Where to stay

You can stay in the lodge, in chalets on the mountain, in cabins near the water or at the campground. All of them get busy on summer weekends and during Eagle Awareness. See where to stay for other options nearby.

Tips

• Check the Alabama State Parks website for opening times, fees and the current program of events.
• Bring water, good shoes and bug spray on the trails in summer.
• Watch for snakes on rocky trails in warm weather, and check for ticks after a hike.
• Combine the park with Cathedral Caverns, about 30 minutes away.