Blountsville: River, Water Park and History

Blountsville brings together several themes for trip planning: the Locust Fork River and outdoor activities, a water park, and history and public art. The specific attractions available locally can help you decide which focus suits your trip. River access and water sports offer a different emphasis from historic buildings, petroglyphs, and murals.

River Access and Outdoor Activities

Taylor Riverside Park is on the Alabama Scenic River Trail, at the start of a 12-mile stretch of river leading to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook. The associated project was completed in 2024. The park provides public access to the Locust Fork River in Blountsville. The county maintains this access, which was established in 2024.

Kayaking, canoeing, and hiking are also popular activities in Blountsville. The local options therefore range from activities on the water to hiking. Public river access at Taylor Riverside Park is a specific point of reference for anyone considering the river when choosing a destination.

Historic Sites and Their Dates

Blountsville originally developed from the Indigenous village of Wassausey and was the original county seat of Blount County. Blountsville Historical Park preserves a pioneer-era village, including restored log cabins and historic buildings. The park also includes the Freeman Cabin Museum. Together, the village, buildings, and museum provide a tangible setting for the area’s history.

Two other historic sites are listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage: Blountsville Methodist Church and the Warren Springs Petroglyphs. The register document for the church is dated September 22, 2020; the petroglyphs were listed on February 20, 1986. The dates refer to different events: the date of the register document for the church and the listing date for the petroglyphs.

Blountsville’s history can be viewed from several perspectives: through the town’s early development, its preserved pioneer village, and its listed landmarks. If you are interested in historic sites, these different highlights may factor into your choice of where to stay.

Water Park and Public Art

Spring Valley Beach Water Park is a family-owned outdoor water park in Blountsville, with 11 water slides. This offers a clear contrast with the historic destinations: the focus here is on the water park and its slides, while Historical Park, the church, and the petroglyphs offer a cultural focus.

The Blount County Mural Trail offers a self-guided way to explore large-scale public art. The art can be found in Blountsville, as well as in Oneonta and Cleveland. This sets the mural trail apart from the Blountsville sites mentioned above: it covers three cities. Anyone wanting to focus on public art can take this distribution into account when planning.

Putting Blountsville in Context as a Destination

For a sense of the town’s layout: U.S. Highway 231 runs concurrently with State Highway 53 through Blountsville in a northeast-to-south direction. When choosing a destination, you can first consider whether the river and outdoor activities, the water park, history, or public art should shape your stay.

For a broader travel overview: Blount County.