Alabama Scenic River Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alabama Scenic River Trail |
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Overview of the Alabama Scenic River Trail route
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| Location | Alabama, USA |
| Area | approx. 632 miles long |
| Established | 2008 |
The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) is like a super-long water highway for boats and canoes! It stretches all the way across the state of Alabama. Imagine starting your adventure in the northeast, on the Coosa River at Weiss Lake, and paddling all the way to where Mobile Bay meets the huge Gulf of Mexico at Fort Morgan, Alabama.
This amazing trail uses parts of several big rivers. These include the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Alabama, and Mobile rivers.
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Exploring the Alabama Scenic River Trail
What is the ASRT?
The Alabama Scenic River Trail is a special kind of path called a water trail. It's designed for people who love to paddle. You can use canoes, kayaks, or other small boats to explore its waters. The trail covers more than 630 miles. That's a really long distance!
A National Treasure
The ASRT is known as "the nation’s longest one-state river trail." This means it's the longest river trail found entirely within a single state. It was given a special title in 2009: a National Recreation Trail. This title was given by Dirk Kempthorne, who was the United States Secretary of the Interior at the time. Later, in 2012, it received another important title: a National Water Trail. This honor was given by Ken Salazar, who followed Kempthorne as Secretary.
Nature Along the Trail
As you travel along the ASRT, you'll notice how much the land changes. The trail goes through many different types of environments. This means you might see a huge variety of plants and animals. Keep your eyes open for different kinds of trees, flowers, birds, and other wildlife!
There are also many places to stop and rest. The trail has over one hundred access points. These are spots where you can get on or off the water. Plus, there are nearly as many campsites. Many of these helpful spots are provided by private landowners. These kind people are sometimes called "trail angels" because they help paddlers along the way.
Ready for an Adventure?
Most people who paddle the ASRT choose to explore just a small part of it. But some adventurous people decide to paddle the entire route. These brave individuals are called "through paddlers." They complete the whole journey, from Weiss Lake all the way to Mobile Bay. It's a true test of skill and endurance!
