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Splinter Hill Bog Preserve: A Carnivorous Wonderland

Explore a unique Alabama preserve with rare carnivorous plants, diverse wildlife, and scenic trails for hiking, biking, and birdwatching.

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Discover a unique ecosystem at Splinter Hill Bog Preserve, home to rare carnivorous plants like pitcher plants, diverse wildlife, and scenic trails. Explore the beauty and ecological significance of this Gulf Coast gem in Baldwin County, Alabama.

A brief summary to Splinter Hill Bog Preserve

  • Monday 7 am-7 pm
  • Tuesday 7 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday 7 am-7 pm
  • Thursday 7 am-7 pm
  • Friday 7 am-7 pm
  • Saturday 7 am-7 pm
  • Sunday 7 am-7 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during the spring or summer to witness the peak blooming season of the pitcher plants and other wildflowers [5].
  • Bring binoculars to enhance your birdwatching experience, as Splinter Hill is a stop on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail [5].
  • Wear waterproof shoes or boots, as the trails can be wet, especially in the bog areas [5].
  • Apply insect repellent before your visit, particularly during warmer months, to protect against mosquitoes and other biting insects [5, 8].
  • Check the Nature Conservancy's website for any temporary closures due to controlled burns or other management activities [5].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From I-65, take exit 45 (Perdido/Rabun) [2, 4, 7]. Travel west on County Road 47 for approximately 2 miles [3]. The parking area for the George W. Folkerts Bog Trail is on the left (south) side of the road, about 200 yards past Dyas Creek [3, 5]. Parking is free [5]. County Road 47 is a rural road, so drive carefully and watch for wildlife [5]. There are no restrooms or facilities available at the preserve, so plan accordingly [5].

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Discover more about Splinter Hill Bog Preserve

Splinter Hill Bog Preserve, near Bay Minette, Alabama, protects some of the most intact seepage bogs along the Gulf Coast [3, 5]. This 3,000+ acre preserve showcases a biologically rich ecosystem with wetlands, longleaf pine forests, creeks, and rolling hills [3, 4, 5]. It's renowned for its impressive collection of carnivorous plants, boasting 12 species, including five types of pitcher plants, butterworts, and sundews [3, 5]. The white-topped pitcher plant bogs create a surreal landscape where these plants thrive in nutrient-poor soil, luring insects to their doom [3, 5, 7]. The preserve is managed through a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, the Forever Wild Land Trust, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' State Lands Division [5]. This partnership ensures the long-term protection of this unique ecosystem and provides opportunities for public recreation and education [5]. Regular prescribed burns help maintain the open conditions required for this habitat to thrive [3, 5, 11]. Visitors can explore the preserve's diverse habitats via well-maintained trails [5]. The Pitcher Plant Loop Multi-Use Trail System offers over four miles for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders [4, 5]. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting Bachman's sparrows, Henslow's sparrows, LeConte's sparrows, and other avian residents [3, 4, 5]. Keep an eye out for the Eastern wood-pewee, brown-headed nuthatch, blue grosbeak, and indigo bunting [4, 6].

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