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Monte Sano State Park
Nearby Parks:
Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Cathedral Caverns
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Monte Sano State Park
5105 Nolen Ave
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
Phone: 256-534-3757
Toll Free: 800-252-7275
Reservations: 256-534-6589
Email: montesanostpk@dcnr.alabama.gov
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| Monte Sano, Spanish for ?Mountain of Health,? rises more than 1,600 feet above sea level. The mountain has attracted visitors since the mid 1820?s with the establishment of the town of Viduta, a derivative of the Spanish word ?Vida,? meaning life. Viduta was home to a sanatorium and a hotel resort, Hotel Monte Sano, which opened its doors on June 1, 1887 and closed in the early 1900?s due to a declining economy.
With the developments of the CCC in the 1930?s came 11 stone cabins, which are still used today, , picnic area and pavilions, an amphitheater and a stone lodge, which was destroyed by fire in 1947. February 2004 marked the completion of the reconstruction of the Monte Sano Lodge. Today all of these features are still in use and include the addition of three new cabins, one new pavilion and a campground with 89 improved camping sites.
The park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails so you may get back in the woods to enjoy the serenity of the mountain. An 8 mile mountain bike trail is being constructed and maintained by local riders.
The staff at Monte Sano State Park would like to personally invite you to come and visit the park we take such great pride in promoting. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Beautiful!
Beautiful vistas, hiking, incredible cabins!
Written by Marion
19-Jul-2008
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Great place
huntsville vacation rental on vrcbc.com vacation rentals city beach country.
http://www.vrcbc.com/vrcbc/Usa/Alabama
we have stayed in the area great park. with wonderful views
(name not given)
30-Aug-2008
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| Camping: |
| Improved Camping
All prices are for a maximum occupancy of 4 persons, an additional charge per person is charged for occupants over the age of 6 that exceed the 4 person maximum occupancy. Monte Sano also permits one additional tent per site for children under 16 for an additional charge. We do take reservation, but we do not reserve.
Full hook sites.There are 21 full hook up sites that are first come first serve and 63 water and electric sites.
Primitive Camping
Primitive campground rates are per night per 2 persons. An additional charge per person is charged for every person over the 2-person occupancy limit 6 years older and over. Any extra tents are charged full rate and must be approved by campground staff. No site can be occupied for more than 5 nights. Plus 5% lodging tax.
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| Trails: |
| Currently over 14 miles of hiking/biking trails service our state park and its patrons. The Park?s trail systems are maintained by our employees and with the help of local hiking and biking groups.
A short walk from the main trail head our ?NORTH PLATEAU LOOP? and ?SOUTH PLATEAU LOOP? offer stunning vistas of the Tennessee Valley, with mild trail elevation changes.
For our more serious hikers and bikers we invite you to try our ?Mountain Mist? and ?McKay Hollow? trails. Here you may find any number of exotic plants and wildlife ranging from wild roses to ginseng or whitetail deer to some our oldest residents, Feral goats. However, beware that you may come across a rattlesnake, copperhead or king snake. Please respect these animals and remember that our park is a wildlife sanctuary and the killing or harming of these beautiful specimens is prohibited by law. A new addition to Monte Sano is the Outdoor Interpretive Classroom. The Classroom is located From Hikers Parking Lot you go west on South Plateau Loop then South on the Firetower trail to the Bog Trail and the classroom is approx. 1/2 mile. There are 18 stops and two Kiosks. The classroom meets the requirements of the Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program for Grades K - 12. The Park Office has pamphlets and books available to teachers and students. For scheduled tours please call (256) 534-3757. For additional pictures go to the photo gallery.
Each year several hikers/bikers venture into our 2,400 acre park without having oriented themselves to our trails and their surrounding. This in-turn causes several ?lost & found? rescues and injuries each year. For this reason the Monte Sano staff would like to remind our hiking and biking visitors to purchase a map from our park office or country store. |
| Picnicking: |
| An admission fee of $2 per person on weekdays and $3 per person on weekends is charged to access the picnic areas and the pavilions, regardless of pavilion reservation. These prices exclude children under 5 years of age.
Large Pavilion
Located near the parking area you will find the larger of our two picnic area pavilions. This pavilion is wheel chair accessible and is accompanied by two stone fireplaces. With close access to the playground and the adjoining available restrooms this pavilion is more than suitable for larger family reunions and company picnics. Adjacent to the pavilion you will also discover a serving area, which may be opened for use during your reserved event upon special request. This Pavilion is reserved for $85.
Small Pavilion
Scenic mountain views and the sound of waterfalls grace the smaller of our two picnic area Pavilions. Restrooms are accessed at the larger of the pavilions, which is only a short stroll from the bluff. Also within walking distance you will find our playground and hiking trails. This pavilion is perfect for the more intimate reunions and gatherings. You may access this pavilion for unloading and loading of equipment for your event upon special request. This Pavilion is reserved for $50.
Y.A.C.C Pavilion
At our office you will find our final pavilion. Built by the Young Adult Conservation Corps (Y.A.C.C.) this facility shares a parking lot with the park office. Also at this pavilion you will find electrical outlets and a fire pit. Both men and women?s restrooms at the office service this pavilion. Although there are no playground facilities in the area there is no admission charged to access this pavilion. Its location to the Country Store and Park Office enhance its appeal. This Pavilion is reserved for $100. |
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| Lodge: |
| Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939, The Monte Sano Lodge catered to those who cherished the outdoors setting for family gatherings, business meetings, weddings and receptions until its destruction by fire in 1947.
For over 55 years the once majestic lodge lay in ruins atop Monte Sano Mountain. In 2002 the state of Alabama began a reconstruction of the old lodge; a project that not only restored the beauty of the facility but also modernized it, while keeping the original intent available to the public.
Today the Monte Sano Lodge offers a serene mountain setting not only to the outdoorsman and the family seeking to "get away from it all" but, also to the businessman who can now conference in this modern facility with modern internet connections and state of the art meeting rooms. |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Hike Web - Monte Sano State Park - Trail Notes: Monte Sano State Park General Location. On Monte Sano Mtn., adjacent to Huntsville. Length & Difficulty: 2 miles ... down. More Information Monte Sano State Park 5105 Nolen Avenue ... | | Hike Web - Monte Sano Mountain - ... mountain. Monte Sano has two good hiking areas: Monte Sano State Park and the trails of the Huntsville Land Trust. Since ... The Stone Cuts in Monte Sano State Park. This page authored by ... | | State Parks-Monte Sano - 5105 Nolen Avenue, Huntsville, Alabama 35801 Park Office: (256) 534-3757 Fax: (256) 539-7069 Country Store: (256) 534-6589 Located in Huntsville and in existence since 1935, Monte Sano's 2,140 acres ... | | State Parks-Camping - ... Meaher State Park Lake Guntersville State Park Gulf State Park Rickwood Caverns State Park Monte Sano State Park Lake Lurleen State Park Buck's Pocket State Park Oak Mountain State Park Desoto ... | | Monte Sano State Park - MONTE SANO STATE PARK 5105 Nolen Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 Park Office: (256) 534-3757 Fax: (256) 539-7069 Country Store: (256 ... 256) 534-6589 LOCATION: Monte Sano State Park is located at ... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Mixing the rustic environment created by the CCC with the modern demand for technology, Monte Sano State Park is the perfect place to plan your next retreat or ?get together.? Only a short drive from downtown Huntsville, you leave the serenity of the park to explore the space age lifestyle of ?The Rocket City.?
Take the family to the Space and Rocket Center to see what makes the space race so spectacular. Grab a bite to eat and settle in for a movie at the IMAX. Bring the family back to the park and catch a show at the on-site observatory operated by the Von Braun Astronomical Society.
Did you bring your fishing pole? Monte Sano State Park is less than an hour?s drive to Wheeler Lake or Lake Guntersville, both of which are home to several annual bass fishing tournaments. If your not in the mood in the for big waters and want to sit in the shade and relax on the banks, try wetting a line at the Madison County Lake or Sharon Johnston Park. If you?re still looking for something for else to do get out your golf bag and take the short drive down the mountain and play a few holes on the ?Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.? |
| Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Buster's Bait & Tackle
2902 Governors Dr SW
Huntsville, AL
(256) 536-1564
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| Directions: |
| From I-65, take exit to I-565 E (ALT US-72 E, AL-20 E). Continue on I-565 E approximately 19 miles. Exit onto off-ramp at exit 19C to Washington St NW. Bear left onto Washington St NW and travel less than a mile. Turn right onto Pratt Av NW and travel less than a mile. Continue onto Pratt Av NE and travel a little over a mile. Bear left onto Bankhead Pkwy NE and travel approximately 3 miles. Turn right onto Fearn St SE and travel less than a mile. Turn left onto Nolen Av SE and travel a little over a mile to the park entrance. |
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