Alabama is home to an incredible range of state parks that have something to offer adventurers year-round. Our Alabama State Parks Passport series highlights all of the stunning outdoor spaces throughout the state that make for the perfect seasonal getaway. The seventeenth in our series is Paul M. Grist State Park.

According to Alabama State Parks, “The centerpiece of this beautiful 1,080-acre park is a 100-acre lake. Visitors enjoy the relaxing atmosphere surrounding the lake, which offers fishing, paddling and swimming.”

 

NATURE

Paul Grist State Park is an ideal destination for enjoying all that nature has to offer. A featured Alabama Black Belt Birding Trail site, visitors can expect to be wowed by the variety of species to watch and catalogue. From waterfowl to raptors, both local and migratory birds make their way through the state park regularly. Paul Grist is a great place to experience other wildlife, from turkey and deer to reptiles and amphibians.

RECREATION

Paul Grist State Park also offers nearly 20 miles of hiking trails that take adventurers through the forest areas within the park. For those looking to enjoy a peaceful morning or afternoon in the park, picnic areas and grill sites are easily accessible. For those looking to host a gathering or celebration, pavilions can be rented through the park.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The park offers a number of campsites with beautiful surroundings. A total of eleven modern campsites are tucked into a beautiful location surrounded by hardwoods and pines. The park is also home to a number of primitive sites. An ADA accessible bathhouse is in close proximity to both locations for campers’ convenience.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

For visitors looking to continue the adventure, Paul Grist State Park is conveniently located within a 30-minute drive of the city of Selma. “While staying at Paul Grist State Park, you can visit the nearby city of Selma, where there are many historic houses and The Old Depot Museum, an interpretive museum in an 1891 railway depot. Selma is also known for Civil Rights history and is home to the National Voting Rights Museum. Selma hosts several events throughout the year such as the Battle of Selma Re-enactment,” shares Alabama State Parks.