Outdoors — Page 5

One way to take in the scenic landscape of Alabama and several neighboring states—while also scoring some bargains—is by joining the World’s Longest Yard Sale, returning August 7–10. Also known as the 127 Yard Sale, this massive, multi-state shopping event stretches 690 miles from Gadsden, Alabama, to Addison, Michigan. The route in Alabama begins in […]

2025 Alabama Red Snapper Season now open

The reef fish population in the Gulf is growing ahead of the 2025 red snapper season, according to the University of South Alabama’s annual fish survey. Researchers from the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences recently completed their annual presentation to the leadership at the Alabama Marine Resources Division on the condition of fish […]

Alabama hunters will soon have an opportunity to bid on hunting leases at a live auction being conducted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Lands Division. State Lands has identified 140 potential hunting lease tracts across 32 counties that will be part of the upcoming 5-year lease cycle.   The […]

The campground at Gulf State Park has long been recognized as one of the biggest for RV enthusiasts, with nearly 500 paved, full-hookup campsites. The campground can now officially be considered one of the nation’s best, according to the USA Today 10Best 2025 Readers’ Choice Award for Best RV Campground. The official announcement was made recently by USA Today. “If you want to […]

Challenging an Alabama statute that permits game wardens to search private property without a warrant, three northwest Alabama residents filed suit Tuesday in Lauderdale County Circuit Court. Killen residents Dalton Boley and Regina Williams, and Muscle Shoals resident Dale Liles joined the Institute for Justice to file the lawsuit after each faced multiple privacy intrusions from Alabama […]

USA Today recently reported on Dauphin Island as a great destination for those beach lovers wanting a laid-back, back-to-nature experience. For travelers seeking a quiet retreat far from the crowded boardwalks and bustling nightlife of high-energy beach destinations, Dauphin Island presents a compelling alternative. Tucked along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, this barrier island is known not […]

A new outdoor adventure program called “Kayak Eufaula” is set to launch this summer at Lakepoint State Park, thanks to a collaboration between the City of Eufaula Parks and Recreation Department, Alabama Power, and Innovate Alabama. The program will be set against the backdrop of Lake Eufaula and feature guided kayak tours, rentals, and educational […]

As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues efforts to deepen and widen the Mobile Bay ship channel, concerns are mounting from state lawmakers, environmental groups, and commercial fishermen over how dredged sediment is being handled and the potential consequences for local ecosystems and economies. According to Mobile Baykeeper, drone footage shows sediment being released […]

As warm weather returns and summer draws near, Alabama Power, which manages 12 major reservoirs across the state, is reminding residents and visitors to stay safe and prepared while enjoying Alabama’s scenic lakes and rivers. Alabama Power’s reservoirs collectively span over 157,000 acres of water and include nearly 3,500 miles of shoreline. These areas offer […]

Severe weather last weekend hindered travel across the state, limiting the number of Alabama Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) members who were able to meet at Troy University for the second CAB meeting of the year. Being one member short of a quorum to conduct any official business, the CAB members were apprised of what had […]

As National Safe Boating Week approaches, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is launching a statewide campaign to promote safe practices on the water ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend. The campaign aims to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities by focusing on education, enforcement, and community engagement across Alabama’s waterways. Recreational boating continues to […]

Visitors to Downtown OWA now have a new way to enjoy the water thanks to the opening of an outdoor attraction featuring glow-in-the-dark kayaking and other family-friendly water activities. Aura Adventures officially opened last weekend and is already drawing attention for its nighttime kayaking experiences on the lake at OWA. Guests can paddle across the […]

Exceptional Anglers event set for Oak Mountain State Park

The Exceptional Anglers event Gone Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’ will take place May 7-9 at Oak Mountain State Park. The event teaches basic fishing skills to students with disabilities from Alabaster and Pelham city schools and the Shelby and Jefferson county school systems. “Community fishing events like this one serve many children and seniors throughout the […]

Local officials, community leaders and cycling enthusiasts from across the region gathered at Birmingham’s Pepper Place Market on Saturday, April 26, for Celebrate Trails Day and to mark Birmingham’s momentum in building a world-class trail network that could boost economic opportunities and community connections. “As a city administration, we believe in connectivity,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. “Back in 2018, […]

2025 Power & Influence: Who's Next?

As a prelude to this year’s Yellowhammer News Power & Influence Top 50 list, launching next month in its thirteenth annual installment, we are proud to continue a tradition that asks an important question in the political landscape of Alabama: Who’s Next? Year after year, Power & Influence offers the most candid insight into the […]

For the third year in a row, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail has been chosen as the top recreational trail in the country in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The 29-mile multi-use trail connects Gulf State Park with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Baldwin County. “This year’s win is especially […]

It’s no mistake that our state is known as Alabama the Beautiful. Over the years, the area’s natural beauty has become more appreciated and widely recognized, and for locals, the interest in protecting it continues to grow. There is a range of incredible organizations, large and small, across the state that are dedicated to conservation […]

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-Saks) have introduced legislation that would expand the Talladega National Forest by 50,000 acres across three East Alabama counties, aiming to enhance conservation efforts and outdoor recreation while boosting local tourism economies. The Talladega National Forest Expansion Act would give the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) […]

On a cool spring morning in Coosa County, a few hikers gather outside the Pinhoti Outdoor Center. They sip coffee, double-check their gear and swap stories about where the trail might take them next. It’s a familiar scene, but one that didn’t exist here five years ago. Back then, there was no local outfitter, no shuttle […]

 Dr. Josh Wurman, a researcher at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, was recently named to the National Storm Chasing Hall of Fame. Alongside Dr. Karen Kosiba, Wurman leads the Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets in the Severe Weather Institute – Radar & Lightning Laboratories (SWIRLL), part of the Earth System Science Center at UAH. The award […]

There is a natural phenomenon that occurs in only two places on Earth—Mobile Bay in the U.S. and Tokyo Bay in Japan. This natural wonder, known as a jubilee, is a fascinating sight to see. At this time, fish and other wildlife are pushed into the shallow water on account of low amounts of dissolved […]

A buyer’s guide for Alabama azalea varieties

Birds are chirping, grass is growing, pollen is floating on the breeze, and azaleas are bursting with blooms. Springtime is showtime for azaleas in Alabama landscapes. Lucy Ellington, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s director for Chilton County, said azaleas may be the most popular flowering shrubs in Alabama.   Buying Plants   Gardeners will get the […]

So much is happening in the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division that it’s difficult to keep up with all the renovations, upgrades, and expansions at the 21 state parks. The newest expansion is at Meaher State Park on the Mobile Causeway (Battleship Parkway) at the head of Mobile Bay. The Meaher RV […]

A generous donation of 13 lots is enabling the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) to protect additional ecologically sensitive property on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. The Alabama Coastal Heritage Trust donated the Fort Morgan lots to Alabama State Parks to join previous acquisitions to preserve the sand dunes and maritime forests on […]