This is a guest opinion column

“I didn’t know this was here.”

It’s a response I hear often, whether someone has just discovered a trail near their home or visited a state park for the first time in years. Capturing these moments and inviting locals in on Alabama’s outdoor secret is what we work toward at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

Across the country, summer travel is trending local. More people are choosing close-to-home trips over long-distance getaways, opting for experiences that feel authentic, familiar and accessible. Families want trails and campgrounds they can reach without crossing state lines. Retirees are exploring new parks and rediscovering old ones. And in many cases, these places are far closer than people realize.

Public access doesn’t happen on its own. It takes planning, investment and ongoing maintenance. The work is often behind the scenes, but the impact is felt statewide.

In recent years, Alabama has made its largest investment in outdoor infrastructure in decades. More than $228 million is going into upgrades across all 21 Alabama State Parks. That includes new lodges, new trails, updated cabins and rebuilt campgrounds.

At Oak Mountain, the first full renovation in nearly 50 years wrapped this spring with upgraded electrical hookups, water lines, improved Wi-Fi, a playground and a new camp store. Gulf State Park is expanding its campground with more than 100 new luxury-style sites. At Cheaha, new lodging is under construction at the state’s highest point using locally harvested lumber.

These improvements are gaining national attention. Gulf State Park’s campground was recently named one of the best ten RV destinations in the country by USA TODAY readers. Its Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail was voted the top recreational trail in the nation for the third year in a row. The park’s fishing pier and beach pavilion have also reopened following major renovations, making it one of Alabama’s most visited outdoor destinations.

In 2024, more than 5.4 million people visited our state parks. Cabins are booking months in advance. Glamping sites and new RV pads are drawing first-time visitors who may not have considered a state park until now.

And it’s not just parks. Through the Forever Wild Land Trust, more than 285,000 acres of public land have been protected across Alabama. These forests, river corridors and trail systems stretch from the Walls of Jericho in the northeast to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta in the south. Our job is not only to preserve these places, but also to make them accessible. That means building restrooms, improving signage, maintaining safe trailheads and expanding ADA-compliant features across the system.

Today, our parks and Forever Wild lands offer more than 400 miles of public trails. Coldwater Mountain continues to grow as a regional biking destination with 35 miles of singletrack. At Chewacla State Park and Rickwood Cavern State Park, new accessible playgrounds were recently completed as part of a broader effort to make our parks more welcoming to families.

We’re also expanding access to Alabama’s waterways. We’re proud to have more miles of navigable rivers than any other, but many communities have lacked dependable entry points. After hearing directly from residents, we launched a $56 million initiative to improve boating access. Recent projects include the renovated McCarty’s Ferry ramp on the Tombigbee River in South Alabama and McFarland Park in Florence.

In the Delta and along the Perdido River, we’ve added more than 170 miles of marked paddle trails. The Bartram Canoe Trail features floating campsites and ADA-accessible shelters that make overnight trips possible in one of the country’s most biodiverse regions.

All of this is part of a larger goal: to connect more Alabamians with the outdoor experiences around them. That’s the idea behind Alabama Tourism’s “Year of Alabama Trails” campaign. As part of the initiative, we’re highlighting 25 “Must-Tread” Trails for 2025. I encourage you to start with one. Hike to King’s Chair at Oak Mountain. Ride the Chief Ladiga Trail through Calhoun County or the Richard Martin Rail Trail in Elkmont. Take in the views along the Pinhoti Trail or explore a quiet stretch at Monte Sano. Then, invite someone to go with you next time.

These places belong to the people of Alabama. They don’t stay open or protected by default. They require care, upkeep and the belief that outdoor access should be part of everyday life, not just an occasional trip. We’re working to make that belief a reality. Every trail, campsite and launch point is part of that promise.

You don’t have to go far. You just have to go. And when you do, we’ll be ready for you.

Chris Blankenship, is commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.