Tourism
RESOURCES
ELMORE COUNTY MAP
WETUMPKA MAP
MILLBROOK MAP
COMMUNITY TOUR
Rivers, Lakes, and Fishing
Kayaking the Coosa River is one of the many fun activities people enjoy during the warmer seasons. At Coosa River Adventures, rent a kayak and enjoy a seven-mile journey down the Coosa River. Along the way, you will encounter beautiful scenery including ospreys and the occasional bald eagle. You may get wet at the class three rapids at the well-known location Moccasin’s Gap.
A 60-acre day-use area on the shores of Lake Jordan. This trail was completed in 2020 and connects to the Swayback Bridge Trail. Key features of this site include unique gazebos, benches, fishing piers, and over 3 miles of rolling trails.
Camping and RV Parks
The Trail of Legends Association, Inc. (TOLA) began as a grassroots effort led by citizens of Elmore County who were interested in creating safe and scenic trails that would provide an alternative to walking along dangerous roads and highways. In 1993, TOLA was created as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with a very clear mission, which was to develop a trail system in Elmore County. During that same year TOLA received a federal grant to develop a countywide trail plan which was done in association with the Alabama Regional Planning Commission. TOLA’s first completed project is the Swayback Bridge Trail. Visit their website to find directions, maps of the trail, photos, and more.
Thornhill Ridge, a recently developed RV Park Community, is managed by a family-owned and operated business that has been in the property management business for over 30 years. The Thornhill Ridge RV community is situated on the outskirts of Wetumpka and Millbrook and centrally located on the west side of Elmore County, with nearby restaurants and retail stores.
Hiking and Nature
Elmore County is home to the state’s oldest and largest non-profit conservation organization. AWF offers educational opportunities for all ages at the 23,000 square foot NaturePlex that showcases the 420 acres of striking forests, wetlands, and ponds traversed by five miles of boardwalks and trails.
The Alabama Birding Trail is made up of eight different trails throughout the state. These locations allow for the best public locations for bird watching year-round. The Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail has 40 East Central Alabama sites, 6 of the 40 are in Elmore County. The locations in Elmore County are the following:
– Alabama Nature Center – Lanark
– Cooter’s Pond
– Corn Creek Wilderness Park
– Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson
– Gold Star Park
– The Yates Lake Forever Wild Tract
There are two primary hiking trails on this 6000-acre wildlife management area owned by Alabama Forever Wild. The John B. Scott trail is 4.7 miles that weaves along the Tallapoosa River through old growth hardwoods and along several beautiful, flowing creeks. The Cherokee Bluffs Dam Railroad trail follows the old, historic railroad bed that was built in the early 1920’s and used in the construction of Martin Dam. You can hike 2.7 miles to the Channahatchee Creek or you can follow either the Highline or Lowline railroads and proceed to the highest point in Elmore County: Saddle Rock Mountain.
Image Courtesy of Chrietzberg Photography, Wetumpka, 334-567-5381
The Wetumpka Astrobleme was created by a cosmic event that occurred 80 to 83 million years ago. After many tests and deep earth core drilling in recent years, it was confirmed that this is indeed an impact crater. It is only one of the few above-ground impact craters in the United States, and it is only one of six in the world.
Lake Talisi Riverwalk Trail was developed and refined with close participation of the Tallassee Recreation Department, Tallassee Recreation Board, the Greater Tallassee Area Chamber of Commerce, representatives from Community Hospital, and the State of Alabama Department of Public Health. The trail was designed to meet stringent accessibility guidelines and to allow access to persons of all physical disability levels. While the trail follows the existing terrain of the land, additional features and elements are included to provide the greatest accessibility for the greatest number of participants, both pedestrian and bicyclist.
Golf Courses
Emerald Mountain Golf Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Emerald Mountain Golf Club difficult yet friendly, and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round. Emerald Mountain Golf Club is a terrific choice for your regular rounds of golf or a new destination for you and friends when visiting Wetumpka.
The Pines Golf Club is a public facility owned and operated by the City of Millbrook. The 18-hole scenic golf course features 6,318 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 68.5 with a slope rating of 113.
Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the largest golf course construction project ever attempted, with 378 holes at eight spectacular sites throughout the entire state – all of which partake of the natural topography. The “Trail” offers genuine championship layouts that will stand the test of time and pose major tests of golf for years to come. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a dazzling collection of public golf courses in the state of Alabama.
Museums and Historical Sites
The Elmore County Black History Museum allows visitors to examine the collective ingenuity, creativity, cultural, and political expressions of Elmore County’s Black community. The museum’s permanent collections focus on the histories of Elmore County families, communities, schools and churches.
The Elmore County Museum works to bring together those interested in the history, heritage, records and genealogy of Elmore County. The museum collects historical material that pertains to local history, preserving it while making it available to the community. They also house genealogical information for the local historical society, and host events, activities and lectures regarding Elmore County history.
Wetumpka is home to Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park. When you visit the 1751 Fort Toulouse, you will find 1,000-year-old Indian mounds and see the beauty of the William Bartram Nature Trial. They also host reenactments that will take you back to the time of the War of 1812 and the French and Indian War.
More Things to See and Do
Located right off I-65, Bass Pro Shops in Prattville is more than just a store—it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s destination. Offering a wide selection of gear for hunting, fishing, camping, and boating, this location also features a beautiful indoor aquarium, wildlife displays, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re gearing up for your next adventure or just stopping by for a family outing, Bass Pro Shops is a must-visit in Elmore County.
Lake Martin Machine Gun customers will be greeted by LMMG Specialist who will lead you through a tour of the history and heritage of the available firearms. You will then walk through a safety training to teach you proper shooting stance and the safety rules of the range. Your LMMG Specialist will go through your selected firearms and give you background, ensure appropriate handling and assist you through the entire operation of the firearm. The facility is set up such that others in your party may safely take photos or videos of your machine gun experience.
LMMG range customers will check in, insure they follow all rules and commands of the safety officer, and enjoy the pistol lanes out to 25 yards, and rifle lanes out to 50 yards. Long range is 100 & 200 yards. There are steel targets available to both the pistol and rifle lanes. Ammunition, hearing protection, eye protection and targets are available in the pro shop.
