<p>what are some natural areas to hike or enjoy nature in alabama?</p>
<p>Bama has lots of natural areas since it’s a good-sized state in area, but low in population.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, the Student Rec Center has groups that go out on hikes (and bike rides) on a regular basis.</p>
<p>more stuff…</p>
<p>[Hiking</a> Alabama](<a href=“http://www.alabamatrail.org/hikingAL/]Hiking”>http://www.alabamatrail.org/hikingAL/)</p>
<p>[Alabama</a> Hiking Trail Society | Building Partnerships](<a href=“http://hikealabama.org/]Alabama”>http://hikealabama.org/)</p>
<p>[Alabama</a> Hiking | Alabama Hikes](<a href=“AllTrails: Trail Guides & Maps for Hiking, Camping, and Running | AllTrails”>AllTrails: Trail Guides & Maps for Hiking, Camping, and Running | AllTrails)</p>
<p>Cheaha Mountain is great, and even has cabins, and chalets for rent. But be sure to bring your own food to prepare in the kitchens of your cabin or chalet for the restaurant food is a big disappointment.</p>
<p>Desoto Falls, Desoto Caverns are nice</p>
<p>Little River Canyon, is the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi</p>
<p>Tannehill State Park near Tuscaloosa</p>
<p>Lake Guntersville</p>
<p>Oak Mountain</p>
<p>Gulf Shores</p>
<p>ETC</p>
<p>I grew up in Alabama, but really havent explored the north Alabama area, but here it is beautiful.</p>
<p>hear</p>
<p>don’t know why typing makes me look like a bad speller</p>
<p>Any good spots for tent camping near Tuscaloosa?</p>
<p>There was a program for incoming freshmen called Roll Tide on the River, that may still be offered. You can inquire through the rec center. Good for kids who like camping/outdoor sports.</p>
<p>^haha interesting pun…</p>
<p>Roll Tide on the River
The University of Alabama Student Recreation Center</p>
<p>Roll Tide on the River (RTOR) is an adventure orientation trip exclusively for incoming freshman. RTOR enables new student to meet and develop friendships with classmates before arriving on campus.</p>
<p>Students will learn basic canoeing and camping skills, plus the ins and outs of college life from upper class students.</p>
<p>The trip begins with facilitated icebreakers & other group initiatives. To be followed by canoe safety and instruction. Participants will navigate on Lake Tuscaloosa to Treasure Island. Camp will be set up and dinner will be prepared as a group before dozing off to nature’s music. The following day, participants will break down camp and paddle back to the launch site and return to the Outdoor Recreation Department located within the University Recreation Center.</p>
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<p>Outdoor Action
Dialog - UA Faculty & Staff News Outdoor Action Takes to the Water</p>
<p>Outdoor Action is a program for incoming UA Honors College students who come to campus a week early to work on environmental projects to benefit the community. It also includes many fun activities including a canoe trip. See below schedule for details.</p>
<p>Here’s some info from last August’s Outdoor Action</p>
<p>We hope your summer is going well so far. It is about time for your college years to begin, so get excited! It is great to know that before your classes even start, you will enjoy a week full of memorable experiences with other incoming freshmen. We would like to inform you of a few things to expect during your upcoming week with Outdoor Action.</p>
<p>Residential Life will be allowing all Outdoor Action participants to check into their permanent residences beginning at 8:00-2:00 on Sunday, August 9th. Res Life personnel will be available in each residence hall to issue keys, etc. You and your parents may move your belongings in to your permanent room and get set up as much as possible.</p>
<p>Check in day for Outdoor Action will begin on Sunday, August 9 from1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. in the Riverside Commons. From there we will have a week full of activities ranging from canoeing to camping. You will be fully occupied with OA activities during the week. On Friday morning, August 14th, Outdoor Action will conclude.</p>
<p>We will be providing breakfast and lunch, but you may want to bring extra food (i.e. granola bars, crackers, etc…), which can be stored in your room and carried with you in your backpack. If any of you have a special dietary requirements, please be sure to let us know as soon as possible. We will be eating dinner as a group at local area restaurants; please budget accordingly. $8.00 per night is a good estimate for meal costs.</p>
<p>Let us know if you are a female and are interested in participating in Panhellenic Fall Recruitment. Due to our daily field trips, it is possible, though with some effort, for OA participants to take part in both.</p>
<p>Your readings in preparation for Outdoor Action 2009 are four chapters from Thomas Friedman’s bestselling book Hot, Flat, and Crowded. Those chapters can be read here, but you may certainly buy and read the entire book if you are motivated to do so.</p>
<p>Schedule: August 9, 2009
Sunday</p>
<p>8:00 - 2:00
Move into Dorms</p>
<p>2:00 - 4:00
Check-in for OA at Riverside Community Center</p>
<p>5:00 - until
Cookout & Evening Activities</p>
<p>Monday</p>
<p>All Day
Canoe Trip</p>
<p>Evening
Dinner and Quad Games</p>
<p>Tuesday & Wednesday</p>
<p>All Day
Service Project</p>
<p>Evening
Camping Tuesday, weather permitting</p>
<p>Return to campus Wednesday afternoon/evening</p>
<p>Environmental Movie night</p>
<p>Thursday</p>
<p>All Day
River Seining Field Trip</p>
<p>Evening
Environmental Engineering Speaker</p>
<p>Friday</p>
<p>Day
Hurricane Creek Walk and UA Arboretum Species Collection</p>
<p>Night
Banquet</p>
<p>camping in Tuscaloosa county</p>
<p>[Alabama</a> State Parks](<a href=“http://www.alapark.com/lakelurleen/]Alabama”>Lake Lurleen State Park | Alapark)</p>