Autumn is Calling and You Must Come!

Autumn is Calling and You Must Come!
By Mark Ethan Ford

With cool weather approaching, it’s time to make our way outside and enjoy a break from the heat. What better place than Buck’s Pocket State Park? The vistas offer unique views of the gorge below, soon to be a canvas painted with warm colors of fall. Whether you enjoy camping, hiking, or rock climbing, this is the destination for you. And the exciting new addition of the ORV trail highlights some of the rarely seen landscapes of the park.

With over 6 miles of trails, you’re sure to find plenty to do under the colorful hardwood canopy. Experience the rugged terrain of Buck’s Pocket with a ride along South Sauty Creek and discover the breathtaking scenery like never before. Cruise through the cool, silky air and relish in the short-lived beauty of fall – riding along the creek to the banks of Morgan’s Cove.

Kayakers and anglers alike can grab a paddle and awe at the vivid foliage reflecting off the waters. The cove, just upstream from Lake Guntersville, is a secluded fishing destination for wrangling largemouth and spotted bass, as well as crappie. For bird watchers, this is an oasis for migrating waterfowl. You may be able to spot a bald eagle perched on the crags above the creek, leering across the cove!

After an intense day of exploring, you can hang it up and drift to sleep on the banks of South Sauty Creek at the newly remodeled campground. Just put yourself there: sitting in front of a warm campfire with the crisp, autumn air to your back, enjoying the water’s melody as it rustles across the rock beds. Sounds like paradise to me.

If something about your visit feels incomplete, head on over to Down on the Farm for some wholesome family fun just a few short miles down the road in Rainsville. You can take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin, enjoy the corn maze, and visit the barnyard for some up-close encounters with their friendly farm animals.

Whatever your trip entails, this is a one stop destination for fall.  Click here to plan your own autumnal adventure and check out #VisitLookoutMountain on your favorite social media feed for some travel info. Check the Fall Foliage report here.