Places to go canoeing and horseback riding with kids (Birmingham: travel, rent)

[MonaLisaVito]

Could anyone please tell me some nice places to go canoeing and/or horseback riding with kids. I'm looking for somewhere around Morgan County although I'm willing to travel an hour away in any direction (Cullman, Blount, Limestone, etc...) Thanks for any help.

[Keeper]

If I am not mistaken you can go horseback riding on Monte Santo.
Check out the link below from the state of Al for canoeing sites
Search Results: Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel

[Southlander]

Check Pine Hill Camp in east Morgan County for horseback riding. Canoeing...if you have your own canoe, you could try Flint Creek. Our scout troop goes to Bear Creek, over in west Alabama near Russellville, for canoeing. And there used to be a canoe place up near Scottsboro, on US 72.

[HipLib]

Canoes are rented at limestone park and at bulldog bend. These are in Bibb county just off highway 25 on (I think) county road 65. This is the Little Cahaba river.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by HipLib

Canoes are rented at limestone park and at bulldog bend. These are in Bibb county just off highway 25 on (I think) county road 65. This is the Little Cahaba river.

Uh....Bibb County is below Birmingham...the inquiry was about Morgan County, which is in the Decatur/Huntsville area (check your state map).

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by mjb68-19

Thanks!! I will report it next time, looks like they removed it anyway. Thanks for the info on Bear Creek - i checked them out on the internet but it didn't give alot of information. Is this a place I can rent a canoe and take small kids out on - I don't want anything with rough waters it also seemed like they were only open on the weekend? Is that true?

First of all, it is true that the Bear Creek Canoe Run is open only on the weekends. Because of the drought, water has to be released from a dam upstream to allow canoeing, and that is done only once Saturday and once Sunday; it is possible that they may cut back to releasing water only once per weekend. As far as children, the water is generally what they call class 1 and 2, probably ok for older children. There is, however, one area where you have to take your canoe out and carry it for maybe 50 yards to get around a waterfall, so you would probably need at least one other adult. You can call them at (800)788-7070 for more information.

[VMH2507]

If you are interested in river rafting there is a great place in Oconee up in TN.

[rnc76]

Hays Nature Preserve has horseback riding trails on the upper trails. You can't rent horses, but you can bring your own here. Hays Nature Preserve is located out highway 431 south, near Hampton Cove/Owens Cross Roads. The preserve wraps around the Robert Trent Jones golf course and is very nice.

[Catfisher]

There is a group in B'ham which you can join at seoutings@bellsouth.net for $10 per year and you will get a newsletter with all their trips. Good group.