Blount County: Caves, River Landscapes and History

At Rickwood Caverns State Park, the landscape tells a long geological story: the cave contains formations created by water 260 million years ago. Outside, the Locust Fork River shapes the scenery with steep sandstone cliffs, woodlands, riverbanks, and rapids. Blount County offers a range of outdoor experiences, from cave tours and hiking trails to activities on the river. To plan your visit, it’s worth first considering which of these interests will shape your trip.

Caves, Rock Outcrops, and Hiking Trails

Tours of Rickwood Caverns are guided and about one mile long. The 1.25-mile Fossil Mountain Hiking Trail offers a different way to experience the landscape. These figures describe two different experiences: a guided tour underground and a hiking trail. The trail is therefore slightly longer than the approximately one-mile cave tour.

For visitors interested in natural rock formations, Wild Cave Adventure Tours offer a separate experience that includes climbing, crawling, rappelling, and rope-assisted passages. Reservations are required for these tours. At Palisades Park, distinctive rock outcrops and wooded trails define the park’s character. Mardis Mill Waterfall, located on Graves Creek near Blountsville, adds a waterfall to the area’s natural scenery.

Rickwood Caverns State Park also has 13 campsites with water and electrical hookups, as well as five primitive tent sites. If camping is part of your plans, check campsite availability in advance. This lets you consider camping separately from your search for a hotel.

River Access, Paddling, and a Scenic Drive

The Locust Fork Scenic Car Drive follows winding roads along the Locust Fork River. This self-guided drive connects covered bridges, river access points, waterfalls, overlooks, and parks. Alongside individual natural attractions, it offers a route whose appeal lies in the succession of different landscapes and scenic views.

Taylor Riverside Park is a public access point to the Locust Fork River at the Highway 26 river crossing. For paddlers, a six-mile stretch described as safe and calm runs from Bruce Phillips River Park to Taylor Riverside Park. At the recurring Locust Fork Whitewater Classic, paddlers navigate a slalom course with about 25 gates on Class II and III rapids in spring. The exact event dates vary.

Spring Valley Beach offers a different kind of activity. It has 11 water slides and a swimming pool of about two acres; the grounds cover 25 acres in total. The two area figures refer to different things: the pool and the grounds. This puts the figures in context without confusing them with the number of slides.

Bridges, Museums, and Regional Experiences

Built in 1933, Swann Bridge spans 324 feet across the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. Every October, Blount County hosts the Covered Bridge Festival, celebrating the county’s covered bridges. The festival dates vary, so check the schedule if you’d like to plan your visit around the event.

Blountsville Historical Park is a preserved village with restored log cabins and historic buildings. Freeman Cabin Museum is part of the park. Blount County Memorial Museum focuses on history and also honors military veterans. Together, the museums and historic sites offer different ways to explore the past: a preserved village, an associated cabin museum, and an institution that presents history and honors veterans.

Agricultural experiences are also among the options: Allman Farms & Orchards offers seasonal produce, orchards, and family-friendly farm experiences. Since the produce is seasonal, it may vary depending on when you visit.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

Cave tours and hiking trails offer a different focus from paddling, a drive along the Locust Fork, or visits to historic sites. If you’d like to attend a recurring event, you can also take the dates of the Covered Bridge Festival or the Locust Fork Whitewater Classic into account. First decide which of these experiences matter to you, then tailor your hotel search accordingly.

Explore more destinations: Blountsville, Calhoun County, Chilton County, Baldwin, Macon, Franklin County, Limestone County, Russell.

For the broader travel overview: Alabama.