Hit the Trails! Where to Enjoy Outdoor Activities in Prattville, AL

City of Prattville

Be it by land, water or golf cart, Prattville, AL, has several enjoyable ways to get out and about. The city takes full advantage of having Autauga Creek meandering through downtown on its way to the Alabama River, with official trails that follow alongside and on top of the water. In addition, Prattville is home to the most extensive offering among Alabama’s 11-site Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the 54-hole Capitol Hill complex.

“People are always looking for outdoor recreation options, and we try to provide that,” says Kellie Carter, Prattville Parks and Recreation director. “It improves quality of life, and it gives people the chance to have a little staycation right in town.”

Here are three trails that are leading the way when it comes to outdoor recreation in Prattville.

Autauga Creek Walk

This paved pedestrian trail blossomed from a small flower garden that was established nearly 20 years ago simply to spruce up the area. That original plot has grown into one of the premier attractions in Prattville, a picturesque pathway that runs along the banks of Autauga Creek.

The trail has also become a favorite location for area photographers seeking an interesting setting for wedding/engagement photos, senior portraits, prom/homecoming pictures, etc. Carter says photographers particularly enjoy using the historic trailside cotton-gin mill, which has been transformed into loft apartments, as a backdrop.

“That’s a very pretty spot. In the spring and summer, it’s blooming with flowers,” Carter says. “Then during the holidays, we’ll add lights to the trail and make it a magical walkway. We have the Autauga Creek right in our backyard, and we want to make the most of it.”

City of Prattville

Autauga Creek Canoe Trail

Of course, you can do more than just look at Autauga Creek. You can also canoe or kayak along it, which has become easier in recent years, thanks to the work of the self-proclaimed “Creek Freeks,” otherwise known as the Autauga Creek Improvement Committee (ACIC).

The ACIC helped establish the 4-mile trail, which runs from near Prattville City Hall to Autauga Creek Canoe Trail Park just south of town. Since its establishment in 2011, the Autauga Creek Canoe Trail has become part of the Alabama River Scenic Trail and has been named a National Recreation Trail by the National Park Service.

“It starts as a slower, lazy-flow river, but once you get past that first half mile or so, it gets a little twisty and bumpy and more challenging the farther you go,” ACIC President Skip Lobmiller says. “It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors.”

In addition to the permanent kayak launch at Mill Pond, the ACIC recently added a portable kayak launch system to create more access points, which will be utilized in part by the new Autauga County 4-H RiverKids program.

“We’re trying to teach younger kids to get outside, get some exercise, appreciate the environment and enjoy our waterways,” Lobmiller says.

RTJ Golf Trail at Capitol Hill

It is not completely accurate to say that Capitol Hill is an outdoor recreation attraction. It’s actually more like three attractions. That’s because Capitol Hill is the only site on the statewide RTJ Golf Trail that contains three 18-hole courses, making it the largest facility on the trail. And each of the three has its own “identity,” says Will Fisher, director of golf operations at Capitol Hill.

“The Judge course is very scenic, with 14 of the 18 holes running along an inlet of the Alabama River,” Fisher says. “The Senator is a British Open links-style course, with lots of mounds and pot bunkers (141 in total). And the Legislator is more of a traditional American course, with tree-lined fairways.”

Since opening in 2000, Capitol Hill has hosted a professional tournament nearly each year, along with dozens of community and charity events for local organizations. And while Capitol Hill attracts a number of tourists – as do all the RTJ Golf Trail sites – Fisher says there are plenty of local golfers who take advantage of having easy access to the championship-level courses.

“People are able to play world-class golf for some of the best prices in the entire country,” Fisher says, “and they are able to do it right here in their own backyard.”

Prattville Brings a Spark to City Parks

The Prattville Parks and Recreation Department has helped give what Carter calls “a transformation” to several areas of town with major improvements to parks and other facilities. This includes the opening of the new Spillway Park in downtown.

“We had this huge, outdated warehouse that we built off of, creating an outdoor venue that will be able to hold concerts and other events,” Carter says. “We’ve also created a walking trail, an outdoor play space, public restrooms and food truck hookups, so you they don’t have to use loud generators. We’re also adding a boardwalk area along Autauga Creek. It’s very picturesque. We draw thousands of people through our downtown area, and we want it to be as nice as possible.”

A similar renovation has taken place at Newton Park on the eastern edge of town. The park was used primarily for softball before the opening of the Mac Gray Softball Complex, after which Newton became “sort of a hodgepodge park,” Carter says. But now, the city has built 18 pickleball courts and 10 tennis courts at Newton as well as walking trails and a skate park.

“There’s something for everybody to enjoy, but the biggest showpiece are the pickleball and tennis courts,” Carter says. “We have seen an influx of participation, from youth to elderly. It’s brought so many people to this park who weren’t going there before.”

And in the most noticeable transformation of them all, the city invested $17 million to renovate the 8,500-seat Stanley-Jensen Stadium, home to the Prattville High School Lions football team and other sports. Changes include replacing the concrete stands with chair seating, a new video scoreboard and sound system, and new locker rooms, concession stands and restrooms.