Cahaba River
For an enchanting trip, try the Cahaba River, Alabama's longest free-flowing river. Located near Birmingham, the Cahaba's rich biodiversity includes the most fish per mile of any other river in the country. It's also home to the rare and beautiful Cahaba water lily. Enthusiasts will find everything from day-long paddles to overnight trips to moonlight floats. The Cahaba River Society (see References below) is the source of information for organized trips.
Bartram Canoe Trail
A wilderness adventure awaits you on the Alabama Gulf Coast, next to the state's second largest city, Mobile. The Bartram Canoe Trail offers more than 150 miles of river and bayou paddling that will take you deep into the second largest river delta in the country. Spanish moss-adorned oak and cypress trees line the narrow channels, giant golden orb spiders spin heavy webs to catch their meals and alligators plunge into the waters from steep banks. It's an area that has remained virtually untouched for hundreds of years. Floating camping platforms are available on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are required.)
Sipsey River
It's called the "Land of a Thousand Waterfalls" and one visit to the Sipsey Wilderness near Double Springs, Alabama, will tell you why. Floating down Borden Creek or the Sipsey River will take you past 30- to 100-foot tall sandstone canyon walls, rock shelters and caves. All around you nature continues its work as hundreds of waterfalls sculpt the landscape. The rivers are cold, clear and spectacular.
