North Alabama, Northeast Loop | Marshall | Best Seasons: Winter
Guntersville State Park (Site # 34, Northeast Loop) is one of the premier birding areas in northeastern Alabama. Known for Eagle Awareness Weekends, the park is best visited in the winter. During this time, look for dense populations of waterfowl, and the chance to spy a vagrant such as a Red-necked Grebe or an unusual gull. And, of course, Bald Eagles!
Check the woodlands through the park during migration for a variety of warblers, vireos, tanagers, and grosbeaks. Migration is also the best time to search for shorebirds on any exposed mudflats. Wading birds, such as Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets, occur year-round and nest on islands in Guntersville Lake.
GPS: N 34.3697, W 86.2169
Fee: Free
Amenities: Parking, Food, Restrooms, Handicap Access, Hiking, Biking, Canoeing, Boat Access, Driving Trail, Fishing, Camping, Swimming, Picnic Area, Beach
Contact Info:
ADCNR, Lake Guntersville State Park
7966 Alabama Hwy 227
Guntersville, AL 35976
(256) 571-5444
http://www.alapark.com/lakeguntersville/
Site Accessibility
Several locations throughout the park are easy to view from the car. There is an accessible trail. This trail runs from the lodge to the Mabrey Overlook, is paved, and has two benches along the way. There is also accessible parking available at the Mabrey Outlook, located in front of the golf course entrance.
From the intersection of US Hwy 431 and AL Hwy 227 in Guntersville, AL, take Hwy 227 east for 5.6 miles to the birding trail orientation kiosk at the state park.
Amenities Available: Boat Launch, Camping (tent/RV), Food Available, Gravel or Dirt Trails, Lodging (hotel/cabins), Paved Trails, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Viewing Platform, Wheelchair Accessible
Nearby Sites
Buck’s Pocket State Park, Morgan’s Cove, and South Sauty Creek
Buck’s Pocket State Park’s wooded pocket canyon is complete with singing Red-eyed Vireos, Wood Thrushes, and Scarlet Tanagers. The park is also host to some interesting surprises during migration.
Guntersville Dam North
The north side of Guntersville Dam is similar to the south side and also provides boat access to Painted Bluff a few miles downstream. However, the north side of the dam is usually better for viewing Bald Eagles. Active eagle nests have been seen on …
Guntersville Dam South
Guntersville Dam (Site #36, Northeast Loop) impounds the 67,900-acre Guntersville Reservoir in northeastern Alabama. The Tennessee Valley Authority manages the dam for electricity production and flood control. The dam makes an excellent vantage point …
Guntersville Peninsula
The reservoir is at its best in winter, when waterfowl is plentiful, often supporting rafts of Red-breasted Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, Gadwalls, Ruddy Ducks as well as Common Loons and Horned Grebes.
Kudzu Cove Cabins
Kudzu Cove is located on Buck Island in Guntersville, AL. It began as a rental cabin property that has several cabins available to rent. Three fishing ponds are available for visitors as well as birds to catch fish. Resident Belted Kingfishers and Gr …
Murphy Hill
Murphy Hill was supposed to be developed as a power plant. Fortunately for both birds and birders, these plans fell through and the area now hosts a huge variety of habitats ripe for exploration. As you walk through open areas, listen for Yellow-brea …