Suppose you only judge a park’s remoteness on its distance to the nearest town. In that case, Buck’s Pocket may get beaten out by other isolated Alabama gems. Yet it’s our opinion that Buck’s Pocket State Park gives you everything these other spots do while remaining accessible to those Alabamians who long to get off the beaten path. Check out this stunning destination for the best remote hiking in Alabama, containing trails that genuinely give you a sense of distance from life’s hustle and bustle.
There's some debate as to how Buck's Pocket got its name. These theories run the gamut from the legend of a man named Buck Berry, who hid out the Civil War draft somewhere along Indian House Trail, to a brave buck who leaped from Point Rock to escape his pursuers.
State officials set aside the land for the park in 1966, and it now comprises 2,000 acres of diverse terrain. Hidden within the park boundaries are pocket canyons, rivers, and thick forests.
The most popular trail is Point Rock Trail. This out-and-back walk takes you past waterfall views and stunning vistas of the Appalachian mountain chain.
Buck's Pocket attracts all sorts of outdoors enthusiasts. Besides hikers, bird-watchers, fishermen, mountain cyclists, and boaters all make the most of its miles of trail.
Given the deciduous habitat, the park is also an excellent location to visit in autumn, when the trees change color. The varying elevations will give you numerous vantage points to appreciate the mouth-dropping views.
Overnight camping spots allow adventurers to extend their stay, meaning you can spend as long as you'd like exploring the rugged beauty of Buck's Pocket. With its sprawling vistas, it will be easy to return to your daily life feeling like you got away from it all, even if the drive is far more convenient than it might have been had you visited more far-flung destinations.
Buck’s Pocket State Park is my favorite place for remote hiking in Alabama precisely because it doesn’t take a chopper ride, a boat journey, or a mule caravan to get there. Appreciating slices of the Cotton State’s beauty is every Alabamian’s prerogative. Besides, no matter our experience level, if we’re lovers of the great outdoors, most of us would prefer spending our vacation budget on exciting new hiking supplies over the gas to get there.
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