Huntsville has more than 60 parks, about 73 miles of greenways and trails, four Dog Spots and three free splash pads. Parks and Recreation: 256-564-8026.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Huntsville’s Parks and Trails, Trails and Greenways, Dog Parks, Park Rules, Nature Preserves and splash pad pages, and Alabama State Parks.
Huntsville runs more than 60 public parks and recreation areas, nature preserves and about 73 miles of greenways and trails, with a planned 312-mile network under the city’s Greenway Master Plan. Use the city’s Find a Park map to search by amenity. Monte Sano State Park, run by the state at 5105 Nolen Ave., adds 20 miles of hiking trails.
Who to call
- Huntsville Parks and Recreation: 256-564-8026, 2411 Ninth Ave. SW; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Report park damage here too.
- Green Team (nature preserves): 256-532-5326, 3242 Leeman Ferry Road SW
- Splash pads and aquatics: 256-883-3700
- Monte Sano State Park: 256-534-3757
Nature preserves and big trails
| Place | What it has | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Hays Nature Preserve | More than 10 miles of trails and greenways along the Flint River and its oxbow lakes; horse trails; part of the North Alabama Birding Trail; restrooms, picnic area, accessible areas | 7153 U.S. 431 S. |
| Dallas W. Fanning Nature Preserve | More than 1.5 miles of trails in west Huntsville | 258 Old Jim Williams Road SW |
| Goldsmith-Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary | A sanctuary on the Alabama Birding Trail; no pets | See the city’s page |
| Monte Sano State Park | 2,140 acres, 20 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of biking trails; entrance fee | 5105 Nolen Ave. |
At Hays, dogs must stay on a leash of 6 feet or shorter. Monte Sano’s park hours are 8 a.m. to sunset, and its trails close 30 minutes before sunset, Alabama State Parks says.
Dog Spots (off-leash dog parks)
Each of the city’s four Dog Spots is about the size of two football fields, with a separate area for dogs under 25 pounds. Open dawn to one hour after dark unless posted.
- Microwave Dave Dog Spot: Cleveland Avenue between Church and Meridian streets, off the downtown exit from I-565
- Creekwood Park Dog Spot: 360 Harvestwood Court, west of Cummings Research Park
- Hampton Cove Dog Spot: 235 Wade Road, off U.S. 431 South near the Hays Nature Preserve
- Southside Dog Spot: 16159 Chaney Thompson Road, north of Green Cove Road
Splash pads (free)
| Splash pad | Address | Hours listed by the city |
|---|---|---|
| Everybody Can Play, Brahan Spring Park | 3771 Ivy Ave. SW | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, May through September; restrooms attached |
| Bicentennial Park, behind EarlyWorks Children’s Museum | 315 Fountain Circle SW | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; no public restrooms nearby |
| Dr. Richard Showers Sr. | 4600 Blue Spring Road NW | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday |
Children under 16 must be with a family member 16 or older.
Park rules worth knowing
- Parks open one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset unless posted.
- Pets must be leashed; they are allowed at non-sports parks and greenways but not at sports fields (service animals excepted).
- No alcohol, open fires or fireworks without a permit.
- Fishing is allowed only at the Brahan Spring Park lagoon, with state and local licenses.
- Restrooms close in freezing weather to protect the pipes.
What this means for you
- Fall color: Monte Sano and the Hays Nature Preserve are the city’s big trail days out.
- Dog owners: four free Dog Spots, open dawn to an hour after dark.
- Join a guided walk: Paws in the Park at Hays Nature Preserve is 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.
More guides: things to do this month, fall festivals and pumpkin patches and getting around Huntsville.
Frequently asked questions
What are the hours for Huntsville city parks?
City parks open one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset unless a sign says otherwise. Dog Spots are open from dawn to one hour after dark.
Where are the dog parks in Huntsville?
The city runs four off-leash Dog Spots: Microwave Dave on Cleveland Avenue downtown, Creekwood Park at 360 Harvestwood Court, Hampton Cove at 235 Wade Road and Southside at 16159 Chaney Thompson Road.
Are Huntsville splash pads free?
Yes. The Everybody Can Play Splash Pad at Brahan Spring Park, the Bicentennial Park Splash Pad and the Dr. Richard Showers Sr. Splash Pad are free. The Brahan Spring pad is open May through September.
How many miles of trails does Huntsville have?
About 73 miles of greenways and trails exist in the Huntsville area, the city says, out of a planned 312-mile system in its Greenway Master Plan.
Can I bring my dog to Huntsville parks?
Yes, on a leash, at non-sports parks and greenways. Pets are not allowed at sports complexes or fields, except service animals, or at the Goldsmith-Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary.
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