Lake 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.^[3]

Lake Guntersville State Park
Lake Guntersville State Park Location in Alabama
Location	Guntersville, Alabama, United States
Coordinates	34°22′52″N 86°12′13″W[1]
Area	5,909 acres (2,391 ha)[2]
Elevation	984 ft (300 m)[1]
Established	1947; opened 1974
Administered by	Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Website	Official website

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.^[4] The park opened in 1974.^[5]

In 2011, the park suffered severe damage when it was struck twice during the tornado outbreak of April 27.^[4] 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.^[6] A second tornado, rated EF1, followed shortly after the first, damaging the park entrance and golf course.^[7] Two years later, the campground officially reopened, following a rebuilding and upgrading of facilities and the planting of more than 400 new trees.^[8]

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.^[9]

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^[10] 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.^[3]