Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The reason that there is a trail here at all is because of the efforts of the Conser-
vation Fund and Nature Conservancy (two national land conservation organiza-
tions) and the Alabama Forever Wild program. The land was originally owned by
International Paper (IP), but in 2006 the company decided to sell. Fearing that this
unique environment and important watershed would be divvied up into subdivi-
sions, the Conservation Fund and Nature Conservancy moved quickly to make IP
an offer, which the company accepted. Forever Wild then purchased the property
from the other organizations.
In addition to protecting the area and its natural beauty, the state began work to
open it up for public recreation. The result is an amazing area for birding, wildlife
viewing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding . . . well,
you get the idea.
There are two trails on the Perdido River: One is a new 20-mile paddling trail;
the other will be the first backpacking trail on Alabama's Gulf Coast and part of a
new long trail, the Alabama Trail, that will stretch from the Gulf to Tennessee.
When completed, this section of the Alabama Trail along the river will be over 20
miles in length, with camping allowed along the many sandbars it passes (see trail
contact for where to get more information). I will throw in a plug and a tip of the
hat to a group that I am proud to be a part of, the Gulf Coast Chapter of the
Alabama Hiking Trail Society. It is our volunteers that are getting out there and
building this remarkable trail year-round, including during some incredibly hot
weather.
The first 4 miles of the trail are completed, but the section I am describing here
is a nice 2.8-mile out-and-back that ends at a gigantic white sandbar, the perfect
place to spend some time catching rays, picnicking, and swimming in the deep,
cool water. (Remember, there are no lifeguards. Swimming is at your own risk,
and children need to be under adult supervision.)
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