Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve - Springville, AL
Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve – Dog-Friendly Park in Springville, Alabama
Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville, Alabama offers dog lovers and nature enthusiasts a welcoming, scenic spot for adventures with their pets. With several well-marked, pet-friendly hiking trails ranging from easy strolls to moderately challenging treks, this expansive preserve is perfect for those seeking dog-friendly hiking, quiet family picnics, or a peaceful nature escape with their four-legged companions. The preserve features wide trails, stunning creek overlooks, benches for resting, and plenty of shaded areas under mature trees.
Amenities at Big Canoe Creek include multiple parking lots, covered picnic tables, clean restrooms (porta-potties available), a playground for kids, paved walking tracks, and areas with turf surfaces. While there is no designated off-leash or fenced dog park area, the interconnected trails provide ample room for leashed pets to explore. Whether you want a serene walk or a more adventurous hike, Big Canoe Creek is a must-visit dog park in Springville, AL, known for its cleanliness, community spirit, and pet-friendly environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Dogs must remain on leash at this nature preserve; there is no designated off-leash area.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? No, there is not a fenced-in dog area at this park.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are porta-potties available for visitors near the parking area.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, benches and covered picnic tables are available along the trails and near the playground area.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there are shaded areas from trees and covered picnic structures throughout the park.
- Is parking available? Yes, there are multiple parking lots, including options for trailers and shaded spots at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the preserve features several interconnected and well-marked hiking trails suitable for dogs on leashes.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, there is a playground with shaded benches and various activities for children.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, reviews report that the park and facilities are well-maintained and clean.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Some trails can become muddy and slippery after rain, so plan hikes accordingly.
Reviews
Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve is an absolute gem in Springville! The trails are easy to navigate, moderately challenging, and perfect for a peaceful hike. There’s plenty of parking, which makes getting started a breeze, and I love that it’s not crowded, ideal for enjoying nature without the hustle and bustle. The views along the trails are simply stunning, and every visit feels refreshing and rejuvenating. I’ve added a few photos from my trips to capture the beauty of this preserve. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a serene, scenic nature escape!
Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve is an absolute gem in Springville! The trails are easy to navigate, moderately challenging, and perfect for a peaceful hike. There’s plenty of parking, which makes getting started a breeze, and I love that it’s not crowded, ideal for enjoying nature without the hustle and bustle. The views along the trails are simply stunning, and every visit feels refreshing and rejuvenating. I’ve added a few photos from my trips to capture the beauty of this preserve. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a serene, scenic nature escape!
Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve is an absolute gem in Springville! The trails are easy to navigate, moderately challenging, and perfect for a peaceful hike. There’s plenty of parking, which makes getting started a breeze, and I love that it’s not crowded, ideal for enjoying nature without the hustle and bustle. The views along the trails are simply stunning, and every visit feels refreshing and rejuvenating. I’ve added a few photos from my trips to capture the beauty of this preserve. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a serene, scenic nature escape!
Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve is an absolute gem in Springville! The trails are easy to navigate, moderately challenging, and perfect for a peaceful hike. There’s plenty of parking, which makes getting started a breeze, and I love that it’s not crowded, ideal for enjoying nature without the hustle and bustle. The views along the trails are simply stunning, and every visit feels refreshing and rejuvenating. I’ve added a few photos from my trips to capture the beauty of this preserve. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a serene, scenic nature escape!
I have hiked several Forever Wild tracts and they are all fantastic, but with Big Canoe Creek they really hit it out of the park. Trails are very well marked- the best I’ve seen on any trail- with directional arrows and color coded trail markers- perfect for solo or novice hikers or just those who are directionally challenged. Maps and large trail signs mark intersections. Even on a rainy day, the Slab Creek trail had breathtaking views and the trail has enough elevation change and a creek hop to make it interesting. Forest Oak Trail is a lovely peaceful stroll through forest oaks, ferns and moss covered boulders with some elevation, although it’s the shortest trail in the preserve at 1.2 miles. Slab Creek is so named because if you start off at the trailhead in the lower parking lot the first section is slab (paved asphalt) that leads to a beautiful creek overlook with a picnic table and benches, making it accessible and stroller friendly. If you want to hike the whole loop you can continue on the dirt path to the left. This preserve is definitely a new favorite, especially since shorter trails can be combined to make a longer hike with varying terrains.
I have hiked several Forever Wild tracts and they are all fantastic, but with Big Canoe Creek they really hit it out of the park. Trails are very well marked- the best I’ve seen on any trail- with directional arrows and color coded trail markers- perfect for solo or novice hikers or just those who are directionally challenged. Maps and large trail signs mark intersections. Even on a rainy day, the Slab Creek trail had breathtaking views and the trail has enough elevation change and a creek hop to make it interesting. Forest Oak Trail is a lovely peaceful stroll through forest oaks, ferns and moss covered boulders with some elevation, although it’s the shortest trail in the preserve at 1.2 miles. Slab Creek is so named because if you start off at the trailhead in the lower parking lot the first section is slab (paved asphalt) that leads to a beautiful creek overlook with a picnic table and benches, making it accessible and stroller friendly. If you want to hike the whole loop you can continue on the dirt path to the left. This preserve is definitely a new favorite, especially since shorter trails can be combined to make a longer hike with varying terrains.
I have hiked several Forever Wild tracts and they are all fantastic, but with Big Canoe Creek they really hit it out of the park. Trails are very well marked- the best I’ve seen on any trail- with directional arrows and color coded trail markers- perfect for solo or novice hikers or just those who are directionally challenged. Maps and large trail signs mark intersections. Even on a rainy day, the Slab Creek trail had breathtaking views and the trail has enough elevation change and a creek hop to make it interesting. Forest Oak Trail is a lovely peaceful stroll through forest oaks, ferns and moss covered boulders with some elevation, although it’s the shortest trail in the preserve at 1.2 miles. Slab Creek is so named because if you start off at the trailhead in the lower parking lot the first section is slab (paved asphalt) that leads to a beautiful creek overlook with a picnic table and benches, making it accessible and stroller friendly. If you want to hike the whole loop you can continue on the dirt path to the left. This preserve is definitely a new favorite, especially since shorter trails can be combined to make a longer hike with varying terrains.
I have hiked several Forever Wild tracts and they are all fantastic, but with Big Canoe Creek they really hit it out of the park. Trails are very well marked- the best I’ve seen on any trail- with directional arrows and color coded trail markers- perfect for solo or novice hikers or just those who are directionally challenged. Maps and large trail signs mark intersections. Even on a rainy day, the Slab Creek trail had breathtaking views and the trail has enough elevation change and a creek hop to make it interesting. Forest Oak Trail is a lovely peaceful stroll through forest oaks, ferns and moss covered boulders with some elevation, although it’s the shortest trail in the preserve at 1.2 miles. Slab Creek is so named because if you start off at the trailhead in the lower parking lot the first section is slab (paved asphalt) that leads to a beautiful creek overlook with a picnic table and benches, making it accessible and stroller friendly. If you want to hike the whole loop you can continue on the dirt path to the left. This preserve is definitely a new favorite, especially since shorter trails can be combined to make a longer hike with varying terrains.
2/25/24 We hiked fallen oak and the slab creek trail today. Fallen oak was about 1.4 miles with a lot of uphill hiking. Slab creek was around 2.5 miles with some hills. Both trails are wide and there aren’t many rocks or roots. These trails would be ideal for runners. The trails are marked well and all 4 trails loop back to their starting points making it very difficult to get lost. There is a nice entry way with two parking lots that hold around 50 vehicles. There is also a parking area for trailers with horses. Two Porta potties are on sight. There is a creek running thru both of these trails. It was Saturday afternoon around 2 when we started and the lot was full. Other than organized hiking events this was the most people I’ve ever seen on a trail. Very glad to have this preserve so close. Awesome place.
3/3/24 we hiked easy rider and creek loop today. Creek loop was about 1.5 miles with some good elevation gain. Smooth trail that went down to the creek and looped back up.
Easy rider was 2.8 miles long. This was the worst trail we’ve ever hiked on. Sections of the trail were totally underwater and it was very slippery and muddy. I wouldn’t hike it again especially not if it rained recently.
1/04/2025
We hiked easy rider again today trail was much better than before. Several new benches added to grab a breather if needed. Trail was dry and around 2.8 miles. Great place to hike!
We ranked the trails as follows.
1 creek loop
2 fallen oak
3 slab creek
4 easy rider.
2/25/24 We hiked fallen oak and the slab creek trail today. Fallen oak was about 1.4 miles with a lot of uphill hiking. Slab creek was around 2.5 miles with some hills. Both trails are wide and there aren’t many rocks or roots. These trails would be ideal for runners. The trails are marked well and all 4 trails loop back to their starting points making it very difficult to get lost. There is a nice entry way with two parking lots that hold around 50 vehicles. There is also a parking area for trailers with horses. Two Porta potties are on sight. There is a creek running thru both of these trails. It was Saturday afternoon around 2 when we started and the lot was full. Other than organized hiking events this was the most people I’ve ever seen on a trail. Very glad to have this preserve so close. Awesome place.
3/3/24 we hiked easy rider and creek loop today. Creek loop was about 1.5 miles with some good elevation gain. Smooth trail that went down to the creek and looped back up.
Easy rider was 2.8 miles long. This was the worst trail we’ve ever hiked on. Sections of the trail were totally underwater and it was very slippery and muddy. I wouldn’t hike it again especially not if it rained recently.
1/04/2025
We hiked easy rider again today trail was much better than before. Several new benches added to grab a breather if needed. Trail was dry and around 2.8 miles. Great place to hike!
We ranked the trails as follows.
1 creek loop
2 fallen oak
3 slab creek
4 easy rider.