Summer fun in the South: Plenty to do at Magnolia Branch

     As Alice Cooper sings, “School’s out for summer!” And so it begins when students and adults alike are looking for fun things to do to stay occupied and enjoy each other’s company during the summer months.

     In Southwest Alabama, there are many activities for families to enjoy, and most are within a short driving distance. At Magnolia BranchWildlife Reserve in Atmore, Ala., the case for having fun is already won.

     Beginning every May (the unofficial beginning of summer for most of the South) and lasting through Labor Day (the unofficial end of summer), Magnolia Branch opens all of its water activities for people to enjoy. Those include tubing, the waterblob and zip lines. Canoeing and kayaking can be done year-round, so let’s not forget those, too.

     And for the nature enthusiasts, take advantage of the hiking trails and horse riding trail all summer long as well. Magnolia Branch offers a 7-mile trail and a 10-mile trail. Equestrians also can camp with their horses and utilize our stable, which has 10 stalls to accommodate your horses.

     But there is so much more to do at Magnolia Branch. Bring the whole family or gather up a group of friends and spend a few nights camping in the park. There are 82 total sites. Camp in a tent or bring your RV. If you feel like “roughing it,” there are unlimited primitive campsites — meaning no water or electricity. But if you need a few creature comforts, there are 15 tent sites with water and electricity.

     For RV lovers, Magnolia Branch has 67 spots for campers: 47 sites come with full hook-ups and 20 sites have water and electricity only. For those with large RVs, there are 13 pull-through sites (full hook-ups) to accommodate your vehicle.

     But wait; there’s more! There is a playground for children to enjoy, a beach area and a large, covered pavilion for picnics, receptions and other get-togethers. Magnolia Branch also rents bicycles by the hour and offers free, keep-what-you-catch fishing in the lake. Stocked fish include blue gill, catfish and shell cracker.

     And of course, there are laundry, showering and rest room facilities available, as well as vending machines for those late-night cravings.

     Come on out this summer and soak up the sun having fun and enjoying a little piece of hidden nature. For pricing details, visit magnoliabranch.com/page/Pricing.