Adventure!

are also available at no charge from September 13 to April 30, subject to approval. Visit congonaturepreserve.org for more information.

Cornwall Furnace Memorial Park

This park is located near Cedar Bluff and honors those who fought in the Civil War. The cold blast furnace was built in 1862 and was the first in the county to be powered by water. The furnace supplied iron ore for the Noble Foundry in nearby Rome, Georgia. The furnace stack and canal still survive at the 5-acre park. The site has been registered on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972. Currently, the park features a fireplace, pavilion, and picnic tables on the shore of Weiss Lake. You will also find an illustrated history display. For more information, visit ccparkboard.com.

411 Twin Drive-in Theatre & Grill

Located at 300 County Road 265 (Old Hwy 411) between Centre and Leesburg, 411 Twin Drive-in is the home of great food and great movies. The theater is open yearround, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and seven nights a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, playing all new release movies with two double features to choose from every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Great food and great prices; it’s fun for the whole family!

Indian Mountain ATV Park

Located near Spring Garden, Indian Mountain ATV Park is the largest off-road park in northeast Alabama. Covering over 4,700 acres in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the natural environment features over 150 miles of trails. The trails are of various elevations and difficulty, with some featuring natural water hazards. The family-owned park is a wonderful place to kick back and relax. In addition to OHV trail riding, Indian Mountain offers camping, fishing, and hiking. For more information, visit indianmtnatvpark.com.

Leesburg Landing & RV Park

Located on Weiss Lake, Leesburg Landing is a popular spot with a public four-lane concrete boat launch with two 50foot access piers. Ample paved parking accommodates up to 262 truck and trailer rigs. Due to its size and amenities, Leesburg Landing is the site of many local and regional fishing tournaments. The park also offers both primitive and RV camping. You can find the bath house located near the primitive campsites. In addition, there is a large pavilion that is used for large gatherings and events. The RV slips include full-service hookups. You can enjoy walks along the two-mile nature trail, or the one-mile paved walking track during your visit. For more information, visit leesburgal.com.

Little River Canyon National Preserve & Canyon Mouth Park

Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains atop Lookout Mountain, you will find diverse terrain and beauty. The Preserve consists of 15,288 acres featuring forested uplands with waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, and sandstone cliffs utilized for various recreational activities. Little River Falls is located on Hwy 35 with boardwalk access to overlooks that are handicapped accessible. In addition, picnic areas and trails can be enjoyed. For access in Cherokee County, Canyon Mouth Park is on AL Hwy 273, between Leesburg and Blanche. This day recreational area offers easy water access and an easy one-mile hiking trail along the river. There are grills and picnic areas to enjoy in the natural setting. Kids can enjoy the playground, which is also handicapped accessible. For additional information, visit nps.gov/liri.

Pirates Bay Waterpark at Great Escapes RV Resort Chesnut Bay

Fun for the entire family can be found at Pirates Bay in Leesburg. The park features swimming pools, tube slides, body slides, a water house, and a splash pad. The entire park offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. There is a separate water area for younger visitors to enjoy. With the admission price, you can also try your luck on the 9-hole putt-putt golf course built in the natural woods setting, enjoy the large playground for kids, and play games in the arcade room. For more information, visit piratesbaywaterpark.com.

Slackland Beach

Built by Alabama Power, Slackland Beach is open from dawn to dusk, with areas for fishing, swimming, walking trails, and birdwatching within this ADA-accessible park. Convenient from Leesburg, Alabama, on County Road 20, this delightful day-use park is ready for your next outing. Plenty of picnic tables are nestled within the wholesome environment, along with the gazebo centerpiece. There is plenty of room for activities or just relaxing and taking in the surrounding scenery of the lake and mountains. For more information, visit apcpreserves.com/weiss-lake.

(Continued on page 56)

(Continued from page 55)

Terrapin Creek

If you are ready for a day of kayaking or canoeing, head to Terrapin Creek near Spring Garden. There you will find a 14-miles of floatable water. The point-to-point trail is rated as a Class I-II recreational stream offering floating, fishing, and swimming. Flowing from the Talladega National Forest, it is an excellent float fishing stream. The broad expanse of the river also offers ideal locations for fly fishing. Redneck Yacht Club and Terrapin Outdoor Center offer services and rentals for this run of Terrapin Creek. For more information, visit redneckyachtclubcanoeandkayakrental. com or canoeshop.net.

Weiss Lake

The lake had its origins in the Alabama Power project to develop more of the Coosa River with the construction of Weiss Dam in the late 1950s and 1960s. As the lake is now, it currently covers 30,200 acres with a length of 52 miles and 447 miles of shoreline. The lake’s underwater terrain features shallow flats, large coves, underwater drop-offs, and deep channels. A fisherman’s paradise, Weiss is known as the Crappie Capital of the World and has numerous species, including catfish, bream, and bass. Alabama Power and its state and local partners operate and maintain dozens of boat ramps and bank fishing access sites along the shoreline. The company also supports thousands of acres of natural and undeveloped land along the lakes for use by hikers, birdwatchers, and primitive campers. For more information, visit apcshorelines.com/our-lakes/weiss.

Yellow Creek Falls

A favorite destination for boaters and kayakers, Yellow Creek Falls reach 100 feet in height and tumble to a blue hole at its base that is a favorite for swimmers. From the water, this scenic location is marked by giant stone trestles that once were part of the Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia Rail Line. The falls are located on Highway 273 near Leesburg and may be accessed by land and water. Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp is located nearby for canoe and kayak rentals. Find them on Facebook at Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp for more information.