Buck's Pocket State Park — Attraction in Alabama

We’ve found a gem! Tucked away in a "pocket" in northeast Alabama is the Buck's Pocket State Park. It’s truly an unexpected gem that offers a serene escape for campers, hikers, and nature lovers. While it may not be as well-known as some of Alabama's other state parks, its rugged beauty and tranquil atmosphere make it a truly special destination. And it’s now in our top #3!

One of the first things you'll notice about Buck's Pocket is its well-maintained campground. With a recent renovation, the park offers a variety of camping options, from primitive tent sites to spacious RV sites with full hookups. Many of the sites are large and level, featuring concrete pads, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills. The campground is clean, and amenities like the modern bathhouses and the community pavilion draped in Edison lights are a welcome convenience. While cell service is spotty due to the park's remote location, a reliable Wi-Fi signal in the main camping area helps you stay connected if you need it. The only real downside is the winding, sometimes steep road to get into the park, which can be a bit tricky for larger RVs—but the peaceful environment at the bottom of the canyon is well worth the careful drive.

The real draw of Buck's Pocket is its stunning hiking trails. The park boasts over 15 miles of trails, offering something for all skill levels. The most popular hike is the Point Rock Trail, which takes you from the canyon floor, along Little Sauty Creek, and up to the breathtaking Point Rock Overlook. This moderate-to-difficult trail is a rewarding trek, with beautiful scenery, a small waterfall, and a final payoff of panoramic views into the "pocket" below. For those who prefer a less strenuous experience, you can also drive to the overlooks for the same spectacular views.

Beyond the trails, Buck's Pocket offers other activities to enjoy. The park is home to Morgan's Cove on South Sauty Creek, a popular spot for fishing, especially for bass. Birdwatching is also a favored pastime here, with sightings of bald eagles reported by careful observers. For off-road enthusiasts, the park features Alabama's first-ever State Park OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) trail, a six-mile track that takes you through the park's rugged terrain.

The location of Buck’s Pocket is perfect for those who love adventures. You’re less than an hour from Little River Canyon, Mentone, DeSoto, Lake Guntersville and Fort Payne. The High Falls was our absolute favorite park of this trip. Put it on your list! Trust me.

Buck's Pocket State Park is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a peaceful and immersive outdoor experience. It's a place where you can truly unplug and reconnect with nature. The combination of beautiful scenery, well-maintained facilities, and a variety of recreational activities makes it a standout destination. Whether you're a serious hiker, a laid-back camper, or just looking for a new place to explore, Buck's Pocket State Park is a must-visit. Just be sure to pack your supplies, as the nearest stores are about a 30-minute drive away. By the way, Sidney offered terrific suggestions and keeps a...

Small. Quiet. Intimate. Peaceful. Beautiful. If any of these words are important to you, you MUST visit Alabama Buck’s Pocket State Park Campground. Only 23 (improved) campsites, about half of which are sewer sites, and 11 primitive sites. All level, well spaced and fully treed. The deep stony creek bed that runs through the pocket is dry most of the year, but runs fast and deep during the rainy season (January-March). This is a truly beautiful, natural and unspoiled place. The camp store is small, quaint and charming but it doesn’t stock much, so bring what you need. It also serves as the only bathouse, and it is large and clean. The pavilion is very nice and can host a lot of folks for a variety of events. Definitely ride up to the bluffs on a clear day. Breathtaking. It’s only a short drive. It’s an even shorter hike if you think you can do 500 feet of elevation in 1.14 miles (phew!). Rappelling is even allowed (STRICTLY BY PERMIT), and there is even a class offered for beginners. The playground area is very basic, but clean and in good repair. This park is meant to appreciate the outdoors, so that’s what it has over any other amenities. The park also hosts a large complex of ATV trails and is home to lots of group and ATV club events. Contact the campground office directly for more info on those! Lastly, understand that all of this unspoiled nature comes with remoteness. It’s about 8 miles to the nearest Dollar General. And be prepared for a STEEP CURVY ROAD coming in and out. It’s nerve racking, especially if you’re a bigger rig. But trust me, it’s more than worth it for this beautiful...

This is a moderate out and back 3 mile trail that's starts near the campground and works it's way up the gorge to this lovely lookout point. Small creeks to cross,small waterfall,lots of lush green moss covers much of the trail.( you can also drive up to this lookout but you'll miss out on the other beautiful gems the park offers) I highly suggest visiting from fall to early spring after a couple days of rain to see the parks full potential. On a side note be careful after a week worth of some hard rain it floods easily and the roads into the park get flooded and they usually close the roads when this happens . People have tried to cross these in vehicles and got swept away. For the extremist the Sauty Creek that runs through the gorge into the park offers some great technical whitewater kayaking but it's dependant on the rain . Summer time here is lackuster because the vegetation is highly overgrown and the creeks are bone dry and when I say bone dry ,there's not even enough water for a dog to find and drink out of. The park however had a facelift last year and now offers some ORV trails so if you're into getting the razors and 4wheelers on a trail this would make the summer time spent there much better. Over all it's a great little park to...