hays nature preserve

There is a great natural playground here that my kids love. You can easily spend an hour playing there. In addition to that, there is a pond you can fish in, walking trails galore, and a place to launch your canoe on the Flint River.

My favorite light walking/biking trails in North Alabama! Always see lots of birds, including owls on many of my visits. Trails vary from cement to dirt, gravel, pine straw and boggy. Great playground for kids and a fishing pond.

Hays Nature Preserve is located in the Hampton Cove section of Huntsville, AL. The preserve contains all of the Flint River Greenway and most of the Big Cove Creek Greenway. From the preserve Greenway parking area, the Flint River Greenway is a two-mile walk on a paved multi-use trail along the banks of the serene Flint River. The Greenway passes through parts of the Hampton Cove Country Club golf course. A second parking area off Old Highway 431 is at the far end of the Greenway. The Big Cove Creek Greenway proceeds north from the parking area a mile and a half to where it crosses Sutton Road. An outdoor fitness gym is located adjacent to the parking area here. The greenway continues north after passing underneath Sutton Road/Old 431 about a mile until it dead-ends into Cranfield Road.The preserve has picnic facilities, playgrounds, and a lake for fishing. Horse trails criss-cross the preserve.The greenways are well-maintained and offer a good smooth surface for hiking, running, and bike riding. Primitive restroom facilities at the main entrance and parking area. No food service or vending machines. Can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.