EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
1 . DAY USE PICNIC AREA ALONG PARK ROAD 40
When first entering the park for day-use , many visitors make a beeline for picnic tables nearest the swimming area . However , Herron and fellow parks employees can often times be found enjoying their lunch in the less crowded day use picnic area along Park Road 40 . The picnic spot is heavily shaded and is far more quiet than its neighboring day use area down the road . With water-front access , it makes a nice spot for fishing or just taking in the great outdoors .
2 . PRAIRIE BRANCH TRAIL For first-time visitors , Herron typically sends hikers west , towards the Prairie Branch Trail , which heads off in the Prairie Branch camping area . The 1.5-mile loop is the third shortest trail in the park and is ranked as a moderate level hike . However , it ’ s beautifully scenic no matter the skill level .
Hikers will be guided through two different eco systems in the short loop . Keeping left along the trail ’ s beginning will take hikers directly to the wetlands , where the trail is heavily lined with beauty berry bushes , a natural mosquito repellent . Opening up to follow the shore of Lake Raven , the Prairie Branch trail offers sights of turtles and alligators in the water , just steps away , though there ’ s no need to be alarmed – they generally don ’ t come up on the trail , according to Herron .
“ Gators really don ’ t want anything to do with us , so they ’ ll stick to the water ,” Herron said .
Look out for orchard orb weavers ’ webs that cross the path at head height as you make your way through to the hardwoods ecosystem , where sweet gums , oaks and pine trees tower overhead .
3 . PRAIRIE BRANCH FISHING PIER
It ’ s no secret that Huntsville State Park is home to alligators , and if catching sights of gators is your game , then one of the park ’ s many fishing docks is where you need to be . The park ’ s gators like to hang around the fishing docks , for the buffet line of food that humans reel in and are known to snatch fish straight off of the line if an angler is too slow to bring in their catch .
While gators can commonly be found at pretty much any of the fishing docks , Herron recommends the Prairie Branch fishing pier , where the park ’ s most famous gator spends his time .
“ We have about 60 to 65 gators estimated to be in our lake , most are in the five to eight-foot realm , however , there is one in our lake that is over 10- foot and this is where he likes to hang out ,” Herron said , adding that there is another missing a foot that likes to hang out in the same area .
20 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER , 2021