FAQs
Land trusts are nonprofit organizations that permanently conserve the lands we need and love, ensuring they will be there for today and tomorrow. Our work is made possible through membership and community support.
Our area is lucky to have lots of great spaces to enjoy the outdoors, including state, county, and city parks and preserves. While these properties are funded through tax dollars, Land Trust nature preserves are made possible by support from our members and donors.
Monte Sano State Park is part of the Alabama State Park system. The Land Trust’s Monte Sano Nature Preserve is adjacent to Monte Sano State Park and our trail systems connect providing an impressive recreation destination in the heart of Huntsville. While we partner often, we are not associated with the state park.
Madison County Nature Trail is located just down the road from our Green Mountain Nature Preserve on South Shawdee Road in South Huntsville. This picturesque property, owned and managed by Madison County, features a lake, walking trail, pavilion, chapel, and covered bridge.
Hays Nature Preserve is a City of Huntsville park located along the Flint River. The City of Huntsville also offers Dallas W. Fanning Nature Preserve in West Huntsville and Goldsmith-Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary in southeast Huntsville.
No. All Land Trust nature preserves are free to access. However, the Land Trust is a nonprofit organization so support from the community is critical to make these important amenities available for all to enjoy.
Review our trail rules before you go for a complete list of permitted activities.
- All Land Trust nature preserves offer multi-use trails for hiking and biking.
- Horseback riders are permitted only at Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve or Wade Mountain Nature Preserve.
- Fishing with a valid permit is allowed only at Harvest Square Nature Preserve.
- Rock climbing is only permitted ONLY at Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve.
Land Trust of North Alabama offers three outdoor pavilions for small gatherings of up to 50 people, including Bankhead Pavilion at Monte Sano Nature Preserve, Dale W. Strong Community Pavilion at Harvest Square Nature Preserve, Terry Education Pavilion at Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve. These facilities are available from dawn to dusk daily.
Pavilions are also available at Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve and Wade Mountain Nature Preserve. However, these facilities are not owned/managed by the Land Trust of North Alabama. Contact the City of Madison for information about the pavilion at Rainbow Mountain and the City of Huntsville for the pavilion located at Wade Mountain.
- Amenities: Bankhead Pavilion at Monte Sano offers a grill. Terry Education Pavilion at Chapman Mountain includes restrooms and a larger gathering space.
- Cost: A non-refundable maintenance fee ($50 for Monte Sano and Harvest Square, $100 for Chapman Mountain) and $50 refundable deposit are required to confirm your reservation. Please submit a Reservation Request and we’ll follow up shortly.
We do not offer public camping sites. However, scouts/civic organizations may reserve Matthews Nature Preserve in Limestone County (not open to the public) and Cane Creek Nature Preserve in Colbert County for overnight primitive camping. Call 256-534-5263 for details.
Land Trust of North Alabama partners with CartoTracks, a local mapping company, to provide an interactive map app only available for Land Trust members. The map app is a perfect tool to help you navigate miles and miles of Land Trust trails. You can use it to track your hike or figure out where that next trail intersection will take you. You have access to the map app for the lifetime of your annual membership. Want the Map App? Become a member! New members receive download instructions via email about 1 week after joining. If you’re a current member and need assistance accessing the map app, download the instructions here or let us help you.
*Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is not currently available on the map app.
No, we do not. You can contact State of Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division for more information. For avian species, Alabama Wildlife Center or Auburn University Raptor Center may be able to help.
You can find more information about wildlife rehabilitation in Alabama at outdooralabama.com/wildlife/wildlife-rehabilitation