Madison County Nature Trail, Central Alabama Travel Guide

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Discover a tranquil escape at Madison County Nature Trail in Huntsville: Hike around Sky Lake, explore a covered bridge and historic cabin.

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Madison County Nature Trail

Escape to the tranquility of the Madison County Nature Trail, a 72-acre park atop Green Mountain in Huntsville. The trail features a 17-acre lake, a 1.5-mile walking path, and historic structures like a covered bridge and log cabin, offering a peaceful retreat into nature [2, 3, 4].

A brief summary to Madison County Nature Trail

5000 Nature Trail Rd SE, Huntsville, Alabama, 35803, US
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Monday 7 am-6 pm
Tuesday 7 am-6 pm
Wednesday 7 am-6 pm
Thursday 7 am-6 pm
Friday 7 am-6 pm
Saturday 7 am-6 pm
Sunday 7 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Madison County Nature Trail.

Visit during the fall for stunning foliage views around Sky Lake [4].
The trail is mostly flat and accessible, making it suitable for strollers and wheelchairs [2, 4].
Bring a picnic to enjoy at the picnic area by the lake [4].
Check the park's website for information on events and chapel availability [4].

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Explore Madison County Nature Trail on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Madison County Nature Trail, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From downtown Huntsville, take US-231 S/Governors Dr E. Continue on Governors Drive, then turn onto Bailey Cove Road SE. Follow Bailey Cove Road to Green Mountain Road SE. Turn left onto Green Mountain Road, then turn left onto Nature Trail Road SE. The entrance to the Madison County Nature Trail will be on your left. Parking is free and readily available [4, 8].
Ride Share

From downtown Huntsville, a ride-sharing service (Uber/Lyft) to the Madison County Nature Trail will cost approximately $20-$30 [4]. The drop-off location is at the main entrance of the park, where you can easily access the trails and lake.

Discover more about Madison County Nature Trail

Nestled on Green Mountain in Huntsville, the Madison County Nature Trail offers a serene escape from city life [2, 7, 13]. This 72-acre park, also known as the Green Mountain Nature Trail, centers around the 17-acre Sky Lake, with a 1.5-mile trail encircling its scenic perimeter [2, 3, 13]. The trail is relatively easy, making it suitable for all skill levels, including families [4, 13].Along the trail, you'll find the charming Cambron Covered Bridge, a replica named after Joe E. Cambron, a former Madison County Bridge Foreman [3, 9, 13]. The bridge is a popular spot for photographs, especially during the fall when the foliage is ablaze with color [2, 4, 13]. Further along, explore a historic log cabin, originally built around 1810 near New Market and later reassembled on the Nature Trail [2, 3, 9, 13].The park is a designated Treasure Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary, boasting diverse plant life, including the state’s largest and oldest Champion Winged Elm Tree [3, 7, 13, 14]. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting various species, and the changing seasons bring a continuous display of natural beauty [4, 7, 13]. The park also includes an A-frame chapel, available for rent for weddings and memorial services, and an outdoor classroom [2, 3, 4, 13]. The Madison County Nature Trail is open daily from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes before sunset, offering a convenient and beautiful escape into nature [2, 3].