State guide
When to catch Alabamathrough the year
We follow 3 places in Alabama for fall foliage, spring migration, wildflowers and winter wildlife: fall at Little River Canyon and Talladega National Forest, winter at Wheeler Refuge and spring at Wheeler Refuge. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Fall in Alabama
- USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGELittle River CanyonLate October and early NovemberAlabama
“late October and early November” · National Park Service ↗
Also good in fall
- Little River CanyonWildflowers
- Wheeler RefugeBlue-winged teal migration at its peak
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Alabama
- PHASE · WINTER WILDLIFEWheeler RefugeLate December to the first half of January (and 2 more phases)Alabama
“late December to the first half of January” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in winter
- Little River CanyonRiver high enough to paddle
- Wheeler RefugeSandhill cranes: arriving from late November, numbers peak in early January (best seen from the Observation Building)
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after winter
“April: Teal migration is at its peak.” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Spring in Alabama
- USUAL PEAK · SPRING MIGRATIONWheeler RefugeApril: Teal migration is at its peak.Alabama
“April: Teal migration is at its peak.” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in spring
- Little River CanyonWildflowers
- Wheeler RefugeWildflowers at their peak
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in Alabama
Next peak here after summer
“late October and early November” · National Park Service ↗
Places in Alabama
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a Alabama trip
Towns to stay in
- Huntsville, ALWheeler Refuge · 19 mi
- Birmingham, ALCahaba River Refuge · 33 mi
- Tuscaloosa, ALCahaba River Refuge · 29 mi
- Enterprise, ALSt. Marks Refuge · 129 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Current park alerts (NPS)
- Little River Canyon: SEASONAL SAFETY MESSAGE ↗
Browse by season and event
- Fall foliage · 2 places hereFall foliage, everywhere →
- Spring migration · 1 place hereSpring migration, everywhere →
- Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 1 place hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
Questions people ask
Can I drive the Rim Parkway in an RV at Little River Canyon?
RVs and vehicles with trailers aren't recommended on it.Source: National Park Service, Little River Canyon Rim Parkway ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How close can I get to Little River Falls?
Stay at least 50 feet from the edge of the falls: it's the law.Source: National Park Service, Little River Falls ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When can I walk the trails at Wheeler Refuge?
The refuge is open in daylight. The Atkeson Cypress Trail by the visitor center keeps the visitor center's hours.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wheeler NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wheeler NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do I get to the Beaver Dam Boardwalk at Wheeler Refuge?
From I-565 take Exit 7 (County Line Rd), go south over the interstate, then turn right within 0.1 mile onto Old Hwy 20, which dead-ends at the trailhead in about 2 miles.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wheeler NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the refuge open at Wheeler Refuge?
Visitors are welcome during daylight hours.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wheeler NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the visitor center open in spring at Wheeler Refuge?
From March to October it's open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm, and closed Sunday and Monday, buildings and grounds included. From November to February it's open every day, 9 am to 5 pm, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Atkeson Cypress Trail keeps the same hours.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wheeler NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wheeler NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Tennessee · Mississippi · Kentucky · South Carolina
Alabama in pictures
How we know
- Sep 26Park ServiceA one-to-two-week peak, usually late October and early NovemberSource (opens National Park Service, Little River Canyon fall colors in a new tab)
- Sep 30SightingsVolunteer observations of deciduous trees and shrubs: share with half or more of their leaves colored, per stateSource (opens USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceMonth-by-month wildlife calendar: wildflowers at their peak in April, teal and songbird migrations, winter waterfowl and cranesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wheeler NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.