Monte Sano State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monte Sano State Park |
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Overlook view in the spring
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 Monte Sano State Park
Location in Alabama
Monte Sano State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Huntsville, Madison, Alabama, United States |
| Area | 2,140 acres (8.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,608 ft (490 m) |
| Established | 1938 |
| Operator | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Monte Sano State Park |
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Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage
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| Designated: | June 19, 1996 |
Monte Sano State Park is a cool place to visit in Huntsville, Alabama. It's a big park, about 2,140 acres, located on top of and around Monte Sano Mountain. Here, you can find old-fashioned cabins built in the 1930s, lots of trails for hiking, and picnic spots with amazing views. The park also has modern campsites for tents and RVs. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources takes care of the park.
Park History
The name "Monte Sano" comes from Spanish words meaning "mountain of health." This name was chosen because in the 1800s, people thought the mountain air could help sick people feel better. They would come to the mountain to recover from illnesses.
In 1877, a fancy hotel called Hotel Monte Sano opened. It had 233 rooms and offered fun activities like bowling and horseback riding. A special train line was even built to bring visitors up the mountain! This train ran from 1888 to 1896. You can still see parts of the old train line in the nearby Monte Sano Nature Preserve. As new medicines were discovered, people stopped coming to the mountain for health trips.
In the 1930s, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build the park. The CCC was a program that gave jobs to young men during the Great Depression. They built an outdoor theater, a main lodge, and rustic cabins. These buildings were made in a style called Arts and Crafts, using natural materials. Monte Sano State Park officially opened on August 25, 1938. In 1996, it was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
Park Awards
Monte Sano State Park is a popular spot! In September 2020, it won an award from Tripadvisor. This award, called the Traveler's Choice Award, is given to places that get lots of great reviews from visitors. Monte Sano was one of eleven Alabama State Parks to receive this honor.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Monte Sano State Park offers many activities for visitors:
- Stay Overnight: You can rent one of the 14 cabins built in the Arts and Crafts style. They have cool stone fireplaces and original wood floors. If you prefer camping, there are modern spots for RVs and simpler spots for tents.
- Picnic with a View: The park has a picnic area that looks out over a beautiful valley. There's also a playground nearby for younger kids.
- Explore the Trails: If you love being outdoors, you're in luck! The park has over 20 miles of hiking trails. There are also 14 miles of trails perfect for mountain biking.
- Look at the Stars: The Von Braun Astronomical Society has a planetarium and observatory at the park. You can visit to learn about space and look through telescopes!
