Keel Mountain: A Natural Oasis in Alabama

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Explore Keel Mountain in Alabama: Hike to Lost Sink Falls, discover rare plants, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Cumberland Plateau.

Keel Mountain, a mesa spanning Madison and Jackson Counties in Alabama, offers a serene escape with hiking trails, a unique waterfall, and diverse flora and fauna. It's a haven for nature lovers and those seeking outdoor adventure.

A brief summary to Keel Mountain

Alabama, US

Local tips

Visit after a rainfall to see the Lost Sink Falls at its most impressive [8].
Wear sturdy pants and apply bug spray, as the trails can be overgrown and insects are common [7].
Download a trail map before you go, as the trails can be difficult to follow in some areas [11].
Bring plenty of water, especially during the hot summer months [7, 17].
Leashed pets are allowed on the trails [7, 17].

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Getting There

Driving

To reach Keel Mountain Preserve from Huntsville, take US Highway 72 East towards Scottsboro. In Gurley, turn right onto Little Cove Road, then left onto McMullen Road. Continue for 4-5 miles on McMullen Road, keeping left at the unmarked fork [4, 7]. Look for a small gravel parking area and a sign for the preserve on the left side of the road [4, 13]. Parking is free [17]. Be aware that McMullen Road is a narrow, shoulder-less country road [16]. GPS directions are recommended [7].
Walking

From the parking area [13], the Lost Sink Falls Trail is well-marked by a large sign [11]. The 1.9-mile trail leads to the Lost Sink Falls [8]. The trail is moderately challenging with rocky terrain and steep inclines [17]. The path is not always clearly marked, so pay attention to the worn path and trail markers [11, 17]. There are several downed trees on the path [11]. The trail can be muddy, especially after rain [8, 13]. The hike to the waterfall takes approximately 4 hours [12].

Discover more about Keel Mountain

Keel Mountain, a prominent mesa in northern Alabama, stretches across both Madison and Jackson Counties [3]. Rising to an elevation of 1,204 feet (367 meters), it stands apart from the Cumberland Plateau, separated by the picturesque Paint Rock River valley [3, 5]. The mountain is named after Jesse and Priscilla (Whitaker) Keel, early pioneers from North Carolina who settled here before 1810 [3, 6].Today, Keel Mountain is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking and exploring its natural beauty. The Land Trust of North Alabama manages the 360-acre Bethel Spring Nature Preserve on the mountain's south side, featuring nearly two miles of trails and a large waterfall, one of the largest in Madison County [3]. In 2021, the Bethel Spring Recreational Preserve Trail System was added to the National Trails System's list of National Recreational Trails [3].The Nature Conservancy also protects a 310-acre preserve on the mountain's south-facing slope [3, 4]. Here, a two-mile trail leads to the Lost Sink, a striking sinkhole with a waterfall that flows into it [3, 8]. This preserve was established to safeguard the federally-endangered Clematis morefieldii, also known as the Morefield's leather flower [3, 7]. The mountain's geology consists of sedimentary rock layers, including various types of limestone and sandstone [19].