Beaverdam Creek Boardwalk
at Wheeler NWR, AL

This is a most convenient park; right on I-565 between Decatur and Huntsville. Here You'll see a very old stand of Blackgum trees; their bases swollen from standing in the swamps. Unfortunately, a recently-fallen tree has put the bridge over Beaverdam Creek out of service, so the boardwalk now ends at the creek. It's about a half-mile round trip. Here's a summer-time photo of the boardwalk itself. Watch out for the Poison Ivy; it's very healthy here!

Directions:

If you're coming from Huntsville, exit to the right from I-565 at the Wall-Triana exit in Madison (exit 8). Then turn left on to U.S. Highway 20; it's not far from the interstate exit. Hwy 20 turns into the I-565 service road on the north side. Continue about two miles and turn left onto County line road. A couple-hundred yards further, turn right onto a two-lane road and continue till it dead-ends at the trails' parking lot.

If you're coming from Decatur, then exit at the Greenbriar exit off I-565 (exit 3). Turn left to cross over the interstate, then turn right onto the service road (it's two-way). You'll then come to County Line road in about 3 1/2 to 4 miles; turn right and follow the rest of the directions above.