# Sandstone rims, waterfalls and bald eagles – by camper from Birmingham via Cheaha Mountain and Little River Canyon to Huntsville

> From the highest point in Alabama past Noccalula Falls, the Canyon Rim Drive along the Little River, DeSoto State Park and Mentone on the Lookout Mountain…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-448-alabama-little-river-canyon-guntersville/

**At a glance:** 6-day road trip of about 465 km (289 mi) with 14 stops, from Birmingham to Monte Sano State Park. About 5 h 10 min of driving in total. Best time to go: April–May and October. No toll roads expected for a car. From the highest point in Alabama past Noccalula Falls, the Canyon Rim Drive along the Little River, DeSoto State Park and Mentone on the Lookout Mountain plateau to Lake Guntersville, into Cathedral Caverns and on to the Saturn V in Huntsville: some 650 kilometres of Appalachian foothills in north-east Alabama.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 465 km (289 mi) |
| Driving | 5 h 10 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Birmingham → Monte Sano State Park |
| States | AL |
| Best time to go | April–May and October |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-448-alabama-little-river-canyon-guntersville.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From the highest point in Alabama past Noccalula Falls, the Canyon Rim Drive along the Little River, DeSoto State Park and Mentone on the Lookout Mountain plateau to Lake Guntersville, into Cathedral Caverns and on to the Saturn V in Huntsville: some 650 kilometres of Appalachian foothills in north-east Alabama.*

## The spirit of the route

This is where the Appalachians end – not with a grand finale, but with long, wooded ridges, sandstone plateaus and rivers that have cut deep into the rock. Drive east from Birmingham and two hours later you are standing on Cheaha Mountain, looking out over the pines and oaks of Talladega National Forest all the way to the horizon. On the Lookout Mountain plateau, the Little River flows almost its entire course along the top of the ridge, carving a canyon along whose rim you can stand with a coffee in hand and watch the sun move across the rock walls. Through the sliding door comes the smell of resin and damp leaves; in the evening, tree frogs and whip-poor-wills call. At the end everything opens out into Lake Guntersville, where bald eagles circle in winter, before a moon rocket in Huntsville rounds things off – an unusual but fitting counterpoint to so much forest.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Birmingham to Cheaha State Park (approx. 135 km)

- **The drive:** From the eastern edge of Birmingham, take the I-20 east past Anniston and Oxford, at the Oxford exit turn south onto the US-431 and then onto the AL-281 into Talladega National Forest. The last kilometres to the summit are steep, winding and narrow, with a noticeable descent on the way back – in a motorhome, use low gears and go easy on the brakes. Pure driving time around 1.5–2 hours. Birmingham is only the starting point; fill up and shop for the last time in Oxford, as there is only a small shop at the top.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Cheaha Mountain: at around 735 metres (2,407 ft), the highest point in Alabama. On the summit stands the stone observation tower (Bunker Tower), built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
  - Bald Rock Boardwalk: a barrier-free boardwalk through the woods to a rock slab with a wide view to the west – the best spot for sunset. Slightly more demanding is the short trail to Pulpit Rock, with a view over the valley.
  - Talladega Scenic Drive (AL-281): the ridge road runs north from the park along the crest with several viewpoints; the long-distance Pinhoti Trail runs parallel to it.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Cheaha State Park: the upper campground near the summit has sites with water and electricity, some with sewer hookups, plus a bathhouse and dump station; the lower campground at Cheaha Lake is more basic with fewer hookups, and there are also primitive sites. Many pitches are sloping. Book through the Alabama State Parks online system (reserve.alapark.com); for autumn weekends during the leaf colour, book early. The park has a lodge on the summit; check alapark.com for current information on access roads, parking and possible construction work.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Talladega National Forest, dispersed camping is permitted in the general forest area for a maximum of 21 consecutive days, followed by a break of at least 10 days at the same location; in Wildlife Management Areas additional restrictions may apply during hunting seasons, and the designated hunt camps are then occupied by hunters. Check in advance with the Talladega Ranger District or on fs.usda.gov. Overnight stays outside the campground are prohibited in the state park and at the viewpoints.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Alabama State Parks charge a per-person day-use fee at many parks, including for people just driving through; campers are usually covered. Fill up with water before the climb if you are staying on a basic site. In a thunderstorm, the summit and the exposed rock slabs are the wrong place to be – lightning strikes frequently here.

### Stage 2: Cheaha State Park to Gadsden (approx. 130 km)

- **The drive:** Take the Talladega Scenic Drive (AL-281) north along the crest, then descend to the US-78 near Heflin and the I-20, head west to Oxford and take the US-431 north via Anniston to Gadsden. The Scenic Drive is well surfaced but winding, with long descents and few pull-outs; caravan rigs will get through but should be patient. Pure driving time around 2–2.5 hours. Petrol stations in Heflin, Oxford and Gadsden.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Viewpoints on the Talladega Scenic Drive: along the crest, several views open up over the wooded ridges of Talladega National Forest – in late October and early November with autumn colours in red and yellow.
  - Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden: Black Creek plunges around 27 metres (90 ft) over a sandstone ledge into a gorge; the Gorge Trail takes you behind the waterfall and through the gorge. The city-run park charges admission and also has a Pioneer Village and botanical garden.
  - Coleman Lake and Pine Glen in the Shoal Creek Ranger District near Heflin: two recreation areas in the forest, a good alternative for a quieter night before Gadsden.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Noccalula Falls Campground: city-run campground right next to the park in Gadsden, sites with water and electricity, many with sewer hookups, toilet block, dump station; walking distance to the waterfall. Book through the park's website. Alternatives in the forest: Coleman Lake Recreation Area (sites with water and electricity, showers, open seasonally) or the basic Pine Glen Recreation Area on Shoal Creek; check reservation or self-registration for each site on recreation.gov.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Gadsden, overnight stays in car parks and on streets are not permitted; supermarket car parks only with the store's express permission. The only legal free camping is in the National Forest under the rules above – on Shoal Creek there are forest roads with pull-offs used by locals.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The waterfall is at its most impressive after rain; in the dry late summer Black Creek is sometimes only a trickle. Gadsden is the starting point of the Lookout Mountain Parkway, which runs north along the ridge to Chattanooga – you take the section to Fort Payne on the next stage. Chattanooga and the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee are covered in the CampingSpirit guide “Whiskey, waterfalls and whitewater”.

### Stage 3: Gadsden to DeSoto State Park (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** Take the I-59 north-east to Fort Payne, then the AL-35 up the flank of Lookout Mountain to the Little River Canyon Center and the bridge at Little River Falls. From there, the Canyon Rim Parkway (AL-176) runs about 18 kilometres (11 miles) south along the western rim of the canyon to Eberhart Point. The NPS advises motorhomes and vehicles towing trailers against using this road: sharp and blind bends, steep crests, no hard shoulders. The access road into the canyon mouth (County Road 148/275) is closed to motorhomes and rigs. Afterwards, return the same way to the AL-35 and take County Road 89 north to DeSoto State Park. Pure driving time 2.5–3 hours; with the viewpoints, a full day.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Little River Falls: right next to the AL-35 bridge, the Little River drops over a broad sandstone ledge into the canyon; the boardwalk and viewing platform are a few minutes from the car park. The canyon is one of the deepest in the eastern USA.
  - Canyon Rim Parkway: eight viewpoints along the rim, including Wolf Creek, Graces High Falls (a seasonal waterfall that only cascades down the opposite wall after rain) and Eberhart Point, where the road leaves the preserve.
  - Little River Canyon Center: Jacksonville State University's visitor centre on the AL-35 with an exhibition, NPS information and a large car park – the best place for rigs and large motorhomes to park up and continue in a smaller vehicle or by bike.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** DeSoto State Park: the Improved Campground has 94 full-hookup sites in the woods on the plateau, plus primitive tent sites; bathhouses and a Country Store with groceries and firewood. Book through reserve.alapark.com or by phone with the campground. Check pitch lengths when booking; some are on a slope. There is no vehicle campground within Little River Canyon National Preserve itself.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The car parks at the viewpoints in the preserve are for day use only; sleeping in your vehicle is not permitted there. Parts of the area around the canyon are Little River Canyon Wildlife Management Area with its own rules; the NPS provides information on primitive camping at the Canyon Center.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Compact camper vans can manage the Canyon Rim Parkway if the driver is experienced; motorhomes larger than a van and anything towing a trailer are better left at the Canyon Center or at Little River Falls. In the late afternoon the east wall is in the light – that is when the view from Eberhart Point is at its best. The waterfalls carry the most water in winter and spring; after heavy rain the river rises quickly and swimming in the pools becomes life-threatening.

### Stage 4: DeSoto State Park to Lake Guntersville State Park (approx. 130 km)

- **The drive:** Take County Road 89 north to DeSoto Falls and on to Mentone, then the AL-117 down into the valley to Valley Head and the US-11 south to Fort Payne. The plateau roads are narrow, winding and without hard shoulders, slippery with shade and fallen leaves in autumn; the descents from Lookout Mountain are steep. From Fort Payne, head west across the Sand Mountain plateau and finally take the AL-227 to Lake Guntersville State Park – set your navigation to a motorhome profile so it does not route you along unpaved back roads. Pure driving time around 2.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - DeSoto Falls: below a small dam, the West Fork of the Little River plunges around 32 metres (104 ft) into a gorge; viewpoint at the picnic area, a separate section of the state park about ten kilometres north of the campground.
  - Mentone: a small summer resort on Lookout Mountain with wooden houses, shops and the Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel, a church built around a boulder.
  - Fort Payne, briefly: the old railway station houses the Fort Payne Depot Museum; thanks to its hosiery mills the town calls itself the “Sock Capital of the World”, and it is home to the country band Alabama.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Lake Guntersville State Park: large lakeside campground with nearly 300 sites, most with full hookups, bathhouses, dump station, shop; many sites right on the water. The lodge sits up on Taylor Mountain. Book through reserve.alapark.com; waterfront sites go quickly in spring, summer and on autumn weekends.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** There is hardly any public land on the Lookout and Sand Mountain plateaus; verges and church car parks are private property. At Lake Guntersville, the TVA manages shoreline areas where camping is only permitted at designated spots; observe the TVA rules on site.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In spring, azaleas and mountain laurel bloom on Lookout Mountain; in autumn, maple and hickory change colour – DeSoto Falls and Mentone are then packed at weekends, so it is better to go midweek. Fill up and shop cheaply in Fort Payne before heading across the sparsely populated Sand Mountain plateau.

### Stage 5: Lake Guntersville State Park to Cathedral Caverns State Park (approx. 55 km)

- **The drive:** Take the AL-227 to Guntersville, make a short detour to the TVA's Guntersville Dam, then head north on the US-431 and along country roads towards Grant and Woodville to Cathedral Caverns State Park. Rolling farmland, two-lane roads, little traffic. Pure driving time around one hour – time for a morning by the lake.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lake Guntersville: at around 280 square kilometres the largest lake in Alabama, a reservoir on the Tennessee River. The state park has hiking trails on Taylor Mountain and viewpoints over the water.
  - Bald eagles in winter: from roughly December to February, bald eagles winter at the lake; the state park runs guided viewings (Eagle Awareness) in January and February. Check dates with Alabama State Parks.
  - Cathedral Caverns: a cave with one of the largest cave entrances in the USA and the dripstone mountain “Goliath”, one of the most massive stalagmites in the world. Visits by guided tour only, at set times; the temperature stays around 15 °C all year.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Cathedral Caverns State Park: campground with full-service sites (water, 30/50 A electricity, sewer; no tents), basic sites with water and electricity, some for vehicles up to about 12 metres (40 ft), and primitive tent sites; bathhouse and dump station available. Book through reserve.alapark.com, primitive sites by phone with the park. If you would rather stay by the water, spend another night at Lake Guntersville and visit the cave as a day trip.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At Guntersville Dam and the TVA boat ramps, overnight stays are only permitted where expressly signposted. In Guntersville itself there is no legal free-camping option.
- **Insider tip for campers:** For the cave tour, bring a jacket and shoes with good tread, as the paths are damp. Tours may be cancelled in heavy rain because water runs into the cave – phone ahead. For eagle watching in winter, pack binoculars with at least eight-times magnification; the birds often perch far out in the trees along the shore.

### Stage 6: Cathedral Caverns State Park to Huntsville (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** Head to the US-72 and take it west through the Paint Rock Valley and past Gurley to Huntsville; four lanes, speed mostly 55–65 mph, heavy traffic on the edge of town. For the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, take the Memorial Parkway and the I-565. A steep, winding mountain road leads up to Monte Sano State Park on the city's local mountain. Pure driving time around 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - U.S. Space & Rocket Center: an original Saturn V, one of only three surviving moon rockets, hangs in the Davidson Center; there is also the Rocket Park, a Space Shuttle exhibition and the history of rocket building in Huntsville, home of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Large car park, usually sufficient for motorhomes.
  - Big Spring Park and the Twickenham Historic District: a spring-fed park in the centre and streets of houses from before the Civil War – by bike or on foot, not in the motorhome.
  - Monte Sano State Park: hiking trails on the plateau above the city, viewpoints to the west and buildings by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Monte Sano State Park: wooded campground on the mountain with water and electricity sites (30/50 A), some full-hookup sites, some with views over the rock edge, two bathhouses with coin-operated laundry and two dump stations, plus primitive tent sites. Book through reserve.alapark.com; only about 15 minutes from the centre, so ideal as a base for Huntsville.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Huntsville, sleeping in your vehicle on public streets and in car parks is not permitted; supermarket and department-store car parks only with express permission. There is no legal free-camping option within the city limits.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Allow a full day for the Space & Rocket Center and arrive early; it gets busy during school holidays. The road up Monte Sano has tight bends – long rigs should drive slowly and avoid the approach after dark. Huntsville has everything you need to restock: repair shops, propane, large supermarkets.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Alabama has no statewide ban on sleeping in your vehicle, but most towns and all state parks only allow overnight stays on designated sites. Supermarket and department-store car parks only with the store's express permission; rest areas on the interstates are for rest breaks, not camping.
- National Forests in Alabama (Talladega National Forest): dispersed camping in the general forest area is permitted for a maximum of 21 consecutive days, followed by a 10-day break at the same location; motorhomes and trailers must be registered. During hunting seasons (mainly autumn and winter), special rules may apply in Wildlife Management Areas – check with the Ranger District and wear high-visibility colours.
- Little River Canyon National Preserve: no vehicle campground, car parks at the viewpoints for day use only. Since 2026, visitors to US national parks without US residency have in some cases faced higher fees and surcharges; check current amounts on nps.gov.
- Reservations: Alabama State Parks (Cheaha, DeSoto, Lake Guntersville, Cathedral Caverns, Monte Sano) through reserve.alapark.com; National Forest sites through recreation.gov or on site. Many state parks also charge a per-person day-use fee.
- Ticks and chiggers: lone star ticks, American dog ticks and blacklegged ticks are common and transmit diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever; chiggers (harvest mites) cause intensely itchy bites. Check yourself after every hike.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and Recreation.gov; Park4Night is not widely used here.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: at the campgrounds of the large state parks (Cheaha, DeSoto, Lake Guntersville, Cathedral Caverns, Monte Sano) and at Noccalula Falls Campground; at smaller sites and in Forest Service areas, check in advance.
- Drinking water: at campground taps; tap water is drinkable. In the National Forest there is no water outside the recreation areas – arrive with full tanks.
- Empty grey water and chemical toilets only at dump stations; discharging in the forest, in streams or in the lake is prohibited.
- Propane: petrol stations, DIY stores, farm-supply stores and many campgrounds fill US cylinders; European cylinders are generally not refilled.
- Electricity: state park sites usually offer 30 and 50 A. In summer, air conditioners run non-stop, and the voltage can fluctuate on busy weekends – use a surge protector.
- Fuel and shopping: supermarkets in Oxford, Anniston, Gadsden, Fort Payne, Guntersville, Scottsboro and Huntsville; only small shops on the plateaus.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: interstates in Alabama mostly 70 mph (113 km/h), four-lane highways mostly 65 mph, two-lane country roads mostly 55 mph; considerably lower limits apply on the plateau and park roads. Motorhomes and rigs follow the same limits as cars unless signposted otherwise.
- Mobile phones: since June 2023 it has been illegal in Alabama to hold a phone while driving (with fines since June 2024); only hands-free use is permitted. On multi-lane roads, driving continuously in the left lane without overtaking is prohibited.
- Tolls: there are no toll roads on this route. There are no low-emission zones.
- Winding plateau roads: according to the NPS, the Canyon Rim Parkway is not recommended for motorhomes and rigs, and County Road 148/275 into the canyon mouth is closed to them; the climbs to Cheaha and Monte Sano are steep. Use low gears and do not let the brakes overheat.
- Thunderstorms and tornadoes: north-east Alabama lies in one of the most tornado-prone regions of the USA; the main season is spring (March to May), with a second season in late autumn (November and December). Tornadoes here often come at night and hidden in rain. In the event of a warning (“Tornado Warning”), leave the motorhome and take shelter in a solid building – the parks' toilet blocks or storm shelters; motorhomes offer no protection.
- Heat: from June to September, 32–35 °C with high humidity is normal, with the heat index well above that. Hike early in the morning, drink plenty and never leave dogs in the vehicle. Summer thunderstorms often bring heavy rain and lightning in the afternoon.
- Emergency: 911. Mobile coverage is good in the valleys but patchy in Little River Canyon, in Talladega National Forest and on parts of the plateaus.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Weather radio with alert function (NOAA Weather Radio) or a severe-weather app with push alerts: tornado warnings often come at night, and in the canyon's dead zone only radio reception helps.
- Permethrin for clothing and repellent with DEET or picaridin, plus a tick card or tick tweezers: ticks and chiggers are everywhere in the woods and grass along the whole route.
- Levelling ramps and blocks: the pitches on Cheaha, in DeSoto State Park and on Monte Sano are often sloping.
- Hiking boots with grippy soles: the sandstone slabs at Bald Rock, at the overlooks and at the waterfalls are slippery when wet and covered in leaves.
- Binoculars: for the bald eagles at Lake Guntersville and the rock walls on the far side of Little River Canyon.
- Light jacket: in Cathedral Caverns it is around 15 °C all year, even when it is 35 °C outside.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [National Park Service – Scenic Drive: Little River Canyon Rim Parkway](https://www.nps.gov/liri/planyourvisit/scenic-drive-little-river-canyon-rim-parkway.htm)
- [National Park Service – Little River Canyon National Preserve, Places To Go](https://www.nps.gov/liri/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm)
- [USDA Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama – Hunting, Fishing and Shooting (Dispersed Camping)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/alabama/recreation/opportunities/hunting-fishing-and-shooting?page=%2C2)
- [USDA Forest Service – Forest Order 14-day Camping Restriction, Bankhead and Talladega NF](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/alabama/projects/62863)
- [Alabama State Parks – Monte Sano State Park Camping](https://www.alapark.com/parks/monte-sano-state-park/camping)
- [Alabama State Parks – Cathedral Caverns State Park Camping](https://www.alapark.com/parks/cathedral-caverns-state-park/camping)
- [Outdoor Alabama – Cathedral Caverns State Park celebrates expanded campground](https://outdooralabama.com/articles/cathedral-caverns-state-park-celebrates-expanded-campground)
- [Encyclopedia of Alabama – Lake Guntersville State Park](https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/lake-guntersville-state-park/)
- [Outdoor Alabama – Eagle Awareness Weekends return to Lake Guntersville State Park](https://www.outdooralabama.com/articles/eagle-awareness-weekends-return-lake-guntersville-state-park-2023)
- [WBRC – Breaking down Alabama’s hands-free driving law now in effect](https://www.wbrc.com/2023/06/24/breaking-down-alabamas-hands-free-driving-law-now-effect)
- [NNPA – Hands-free law grace period ends June 15](https://nnpa.org/hands-free-law-grace-period-ends-june-15/)

## Which stops are on the route from Birmingham to Monte Sano State Park?

1. **Birmingham** (AL)
2. **Cheaha State Park** (Delta, AL): The summit area of the highest point in Alabama, with a stone tower and overlooks across the Talladega National Forest. Go on a clear day, and note that it can be much cooler and windier than the valley below.
3. **Noccalula Falls** (AL)
4. **Little River Canyon Center** (AL)
5. **Little River Falls** (AL)
6. **DeSoto State Park** (Fort Payne, AL): A forested park on Lookout Mountain with waterfalls, creek trails and rocky overlooks along the West Fork of Little River. Visit after rain for the best flow at DeSoto Falls, and in autumn for the leaf colour.
7. **DeSoto Falls** (AL)
8. **Mentone** (AL)
9. **Fort Payne** (AL)
10. **Lake Guntersville State Park** (AL)
11. **Guntersville** (AL)
12. **Cathedral Caverns State Park** (Woodville, AL): A cave with a 38 m wide entrance and Goliath, one of the largest stalagmites in the world. Guided tours of about 90 minutes on paved paths; the cave stays around 15 °C.
13. **U.S. Space & Rocket Center** (Huntsville, AL): A museum of rockets and space hardware, including a Saturn V displayed in the Davidson Center and a vertical Saturn V replica visible from I-565. Home of Space Camp; allow a full half-day.
14. **Monte Sano State Park** (AL)

## When is the best time for the route from Birmingham to Monte Sano State Park?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. Hot in July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Sandstone rims, waterfalls and bald eagles – by camper from Birmingham via Cheaha Mountain and Little River Canyon to Huntsville?**
6-day road trip of about 465 km (289 mi) with 14 stops, from Birmingham to Monte Sano State Park. About 5 h 10 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Sandstone rims, waterfalls and bald eagles – by camper from Birmingham via Cheaha Mountain and Little River Canyon to Huntsville?**
We suggest 6 days: about 5 h 10 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Sandstone rims, waterfalls and bald eagles – by camper from Birmingham via Cheaha Mountain and Little River Canyon to Huntsville start and end?**
It starts in Birmingham and ends in Monte Sano State Park.

**Which states does Sandstone rims, waterfalls and bald eagles – by camper from Birmingham via Cheaha Mountain and Little River Canyon to Huntsville pass through?**
Alabama.

**Where can you camp along Sandstone rims, waterfalls and bald eagles – by camper from Birmingham via Cheaha Mountain and Little River Canyon to Huntsville?**
OpenStreetMap lists 74 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Oak Mountain State Park Campground, Lake Guntersville State Park RV Campground and Cheaha State Park (Lower) Campground #2.