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Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge: A Montane Pine Haven

Discover a unique Appalachian treasure: Hike through rare mountain longleaf pine forests and witness diverse wildlife at this Alabama refuge.

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Nestled in the southern Appalachian Mountains near Anniston, Alabama, the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge protects a unique ecosystem where longleaf pine forests thrive at high elevations [4, 5]. Established on former Fort McClellan land, the refuge offers hiking, wildlife viewing, and a chance to experience a rare southern forest type [4, 9].

A brief summary to Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge

Local tips

  • Bring maps, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water when exploring the refuge [2].
  • Wear appropriate footwear for hiking the trails, as they vary in difficulty [2, 3, 8].
  • Be aware that portions of the refuge are closed to the public due to ongoing cleanup efforts [6, 16].
  • Visit during the spring or fall migration to see a variety of migratory songbirds [11].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Anniston, take Highway 21 North for approximately 12 miles. Just past the Anniston Museum of Natural History, turn right onto Summerall Gate Road [2, 16]. Follow Summerall Gate Road for about 2 miles, then bear right at the 'T' intersection onto Berman Road [2, 16]. In about 0.5 miles, turn right again onto Bains Gap Road [2, 16]. Continue on Bains Gap Road to enter the refuge [2, 16]. Parking is available at designated trailheads and the visitor center [16]. Note that Bains Gap Road is a narrow, winding road, so drive carefully [16]. There are no fees for parking [16].

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Discover more about Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge

The Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge, established in 2003, spans 9,016 acres of the southern Appalachian Mountain range, near Anniston, Alabama [4, 7]. This unique refuge aims to protect and restore a naturally regenerating mountain longleaf pine ecosystem [5]. It is located on land formerly part of Fort McClellan [4, 6, 9]. The refuge's geographical location creates an overlap between the ecosystems of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Coastal Plains, resulting in a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life [6, 16]. The longleaf pine forests, once widespread across the southeastern United States, have been drastically reduced due to timber operations [3, 16]. The Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge plays a crucial role in safeguarding this diminishing habitat [16]. Visitors can explore over 18 miles of trails that vary in difficulty [2, 3, 8]. The North Ridge Road Trail, near Moorman Overlook, is a popular 1.4-mile loop [2, 3, 8, 16]. The 3-mile Smoky Mountain Trail offers a walk to a mountain creek [2, 3, 8, 16]. Wildlife viewing is a popular activity, with opportunities to see various species, including migratory birds [3, 5, 11]. The refuge is also home to rare plants and wildflowers, such as the white fringeless orchid and the common juniper [3, 13].

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