Lake Guntersville State Park
Map showing the location of Lake Guntersville State Park
Map showing the location of Lake Guntersville State Park
Location in Alabama
LocationGuntersville, Alabama, United States
Coordinates34°24′10″N 86°11′47″W / 34.40278°N 86.19639°W / 34.40278; -86.19639
Area5,909 acres (23.91 km2)[1]
Elevation886 ft (270 m)
DesignationAlabama state park
Established1947
AdministratorAlabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
WebsiteLake Guntersville State Park

Lake Guntersville State Park is a public recreation area located on the far north side of the city of Guntersville in Marshall County, Alabama. The state park occupies 5,909 acres (2,391 ha) on the eastern shore of Guntersville Lake, a 69,000-acre (28,000 ha) impoundment of the Tennessee River. The park features resort facilities and is managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.[2]

History

The state park had its beginnings in 1947, when the Tennessee Valley Authority transferred 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) on Guntersville Reservoir to the state to create what was first known as Little Mountain State Park.[3] The park opened in 1974.[4]

In 2011, the park suffered severe damage when it was struck twice during the tornado outbreak of April 27.[3] Hundreds of trees in the northern half of the park were destroyed by an EF2 tornado that struck in the early morning. The campgrounds also saw damage done to RV campers and the camp lodge.[5] A second tornado, rated EF1, followed shortly after the first, damaging the park entrance and golf course.[6] Two years later, the campground officially reopened, following a rebuilding and upgrading of facilities and the planting of more than 400 new trees.[7]

Awards

In September 2020, Lake Guntersville State Park was one of eleven Alabama state parks awarded Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award, which recognizes businesses and attractions that earn consistently high user reviews.[8]

Activities and amenities

The park features a resort inn, restaurant and convention complex on Taylor Mountain, 18-hole golf course, fishing center, beach complex, lakeview cottages, lakeside campground, and 36 miles (58 km) of National Recreation Trail-designated[9] trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The park opened a zip lining course in 2016, later adding a Level 2 course in 2017.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "State Parks Overview Chart" (PDF). Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 8, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Lake Guntersville State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Alabama State Parks: A Reflection on 75 Years of Successful Public Service" (PDF). Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  4. ↑ Ress, Thomas V. (March 7, 2019). "Lake Guntersville State Park". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Foundation. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Marshall and DeKalb Counties (Lake Guntersville State Park) EF-2". National Weather Service Huntsville, AL Weather Forecast Office. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Marshall County (Lake Guntersville State Park to Hwy 227) EF-1". National Weather Service Huntsville, AL Weather Forecast Office. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  7. ↑ Powell, Andy (May 13, 2013). "Lake Guntersville puts "welcome" sign out for campers". Gadsden Times. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Trip Advisor Awards 2020". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Lake Guntersville State Park Trail System". National Recreation Trail Database. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
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