The Monte Sano State Park picnic area is a lush green area on a bluff overlooking a scenic mountin valley. A modern playground is adjacent to the picnic area. Admission to the picnic area and playground is included in you park entrance fee.

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 can be reserved please call to make a reservation.

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 can be reserved please call to make a reservation.

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. Its location to the Country Store and Park Office enhance its appeal. This pavilion can also be reserved please call to reserve.

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.

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."

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.