Monte Sano Nature Preserve is, at 1107acre, one of the largest urban nature preserves in the US and is located on Monte Sano Mountain in Huntsville, Alabama. The Land Trust of North Alabama manages the nature preserve and Land Trust volunteers have created 23+ miles of public trails. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the multi-use trails for hiking, biking, running, bird watching, environmental education, and general recreation. The trail system was honored in 2011 by the Department of the Interior as National Recreation Trails making them the first NRT trails in Madison County.Take a look at our Huntsville trip site to schedule your visit to Monte Sano Nature Preserve and learn about what else to see and do during your holiday.
"Huntsville/Madison County's mountains form the final segment of the Great Appalachian chain and provide some of the southernmost habitats of broadleaf hardwoods such as the Sugar Maple. Monte Sano is home to several plant species important to the study of ecosystem stability referred to by scientists as "relics," because they provide clues to the climate of periods hundreds of thousands of years ago. Some of these species include the American Smoketree (Chittamwood), Morefield's Leather Flower, Price's Potato Bean, and Cumberland Rosinweed."
Special features of the Monte Sano Nature Preserve include a former limestone quarry known as Three Caves, an historic spring named Trough Springs which was the site of one of the last Alabama confrontations of the Civil War, and the remnants of the Monte Sano Railroad from the late 1800s. The Old Railroad Bed Trail is one of the first 500 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy projects.
Monte Sano Nature Preserve’s hiker parking lot on Bankhead ParkwayFrom University Drive and Memorial Parkway, follow Pratt Avenue East, through Five Points business district. Continue through Five Points on Pratt and continue straight as Pratt changes to Bankhead Parkway. Parking lot is 1/2mi past Toll Gate Road, on the right. The trailhead provides access to the Alms House, Bluff Line, Old Railroad Bed, and Toll Gate Trails.
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Monte Sano Nature Preserve reviews
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Very wooded. Cabins, camping, trails. Something for all ages. The Japanese garden trail is a nice walk.
Very wooded. Cabins, camping, trails. Something for all ages. The Japanese garden trail is a nice walk. more »
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Loved being immersed in nature and being able to pic which type of trail based on time or difficulty. Playground available at the top was a great way to break the time up and eat lunch. Gorgeous...
Loved being immersed in nature and being able to pic which type of trail based on time or difficulty. Playground available at the top was a great way to break the time up and eat lunch. Gorgeous... more »
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was a planned visit to do some geocaching ,did manage to close a few in area . there are so many more to go . if you not tried GEOCACHING give a try.
was a planned visit to do some geocaching ,did manage to close a few in area . there are so many more to go . if you not tried GEOCACHING give a try. more »
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