Huntsville’s fall colors are some of the most beautiful in all of Alabama. Here, amateur and professional photographers alike can take breathtaking pictures of the scenic overlooks of Monte Sano State Park, the tranquil beauty of Green Mountain, and so many other picturesque locales that come alive with brilliant hues throughout October and November.
But knowing when to look is just the beginning. When deciding where to head for the most beautiful fall photos, consider these colorful sanctuaries.
Madison County Nature Trail on Green Mountain
5000 Nature Trail Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803
The dog-friendly Green Mountain Nature Trail offers an ideal setting to take in the beauty of nature. Stroll wooded paths, along the edge of a 16-acre lake, to enjoy the vibrant colors of fall and head for the enchanting covered bridge—the perfect backdrop for your autumn photo shoot.
Monte Sano State Park Overlook
5105 Nolen Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801
Monte Sano rises more than 1,600 feet above sea level. Atop the mountain, you’ll discover a 340-acre park featuring a Japanese Garden, hiking trails, a planetarium, and so much more. These peaceful surroundings provide a relaxing escape with stunning views.
Photo Credit: @booksnflats
The View at Burritt on the Mountain
3101 Burritt Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35801
Burritt’s 3,000-square-foot overlook, The View, is a must-visit when it comes to Huntsville fall colors. The historic park features a restored farm building, while a nature trail winds through heavily wooded forest. The grounds offer a breathtaking panoramic view of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley, as well as the towering NASA rocket test stands.
Photo Credit: @sophiaposey
Blevins Gap Nature Preserve
3470 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802
Blevins Gap Nature Preserve is a 1,086-acre natural oasis. Bring your pooch along the Blevins Gap Trailhead for eight miles of woodland hiking trails offering spectacular valley views. Then, find some of the most striking fall foliage on the Fanning Trailhead, which leads to a rocky incline with wet-weather waterfalls.
Photo Credit: anywheretakes
Huntsville Botanical Garden
4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
The Huntsville Botanical Garden’s diverse ecosystems spread across 112 acres, offering endless opportunities to seek serenity in the cool shade of trees bursting with red, orange, and yellow fall leaves. Snap pretty fall pictures in grassy meadows, woodland paths, and garden settings while admiring collections of Alabama’s native plants.
Twickenham Historic District
603 Adams St SE, Huntsville, AL 35801
The Twickenham Historic District covers 13 blocks and takes visitors back in time to the 1800s. Here, large, upscale homes ranging in style from Queen Anne to Gothic Revival provide an enchanting setting for fall foliage tours that are best explored on foot.
Maple Hill Cemetery
202 Maple Hill St SE, Huntsville, AL 35801
Another treasury of Huntsville’s historic past, Maple Hill Cemetery, offers a haunting look for your fall photos. A guide will take you on a walking tour that reveals the many fascinating stories behind the cemetery’s inhabitants, and the headstones are true works of art worth capturing on film.
Scott's Orchard
2163 Scott Rd, Hazel Green, AL 35750
For beautiful fall pictures of the whole family, visit Scott’s Orchard, a century-old, family-owned business that comes alive during autumn apple picking season. It’s a place where kids can really get in the fun as they pick their own produce and smile for the camera.
Tate Farms
8414-A, Moores Mill Rd, Meridianville, AL 35759
Another amazing rural setting where you can soak up Huntsville fall colors is Tate Farms, where 72 acres of pumpkins and gourds come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, providing a seasonally appropriate feast for the eyes. Hop aboard a hayride to the pumpkin fields to pick a fresh pumpkin off the vine and snap the perfect picture for your home gallery.
JDM Family Farm
1614 Old Gurley Pike, New Hope, AL 35760
JDM is also a family-owned farm where fall pumpkin picking is in season. A trip to the onsite petting zoo allows you to not only enjoy the pretty fall foliage but also capture cute moments of kids of all ages cuddling up to furry friends.
J.D. & Annie S. Hays Nature Preserve
7161 US-431, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763
An undisturbed wonderland filled with Huntsville fall colors, Hays Nature Preserve is one of the region’s largest and most undeveloped parklands. Wander along 10 miles of trails that wind through bottomlands, swamps, and sloughs, or bring your horse to explore the northern trails. No matter where you roam, wildlife abounds with deer, rabbits, raccoons, and birds.
Beaverdam Swamp Boardwalk
Old Hwy 20, Madison, AL 35756
The Beaverdam Swamp Boardwalk, an easily accessible and wheelchair-friendly trail, is a popular spot for visitors of all ages and abilities. Part of the North Alabama Birding Trail, the boardwalk offers a chance for observant shutterbugs to capture not only the fall leaves but also everything from Barred Owls to Downy Woodpeckers.
Big Spring Park
420 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801
Big Spring International Park’s famous red bridge and cherry trees make it a draw for photographers any time of year, but a visit during the colorful fall foliage season offers a chance to see the park alight in even more vivid, colorful hues.
