Guntersville is blessed with an abundance of recreational opportunities and activities, whether it be on the lake (skiing, boating, fishing) or land activities (hiking, biking, birding, or strolling on a walking trail). Guntersville offers visitors various lodging opportunities, cozy bed & breakfasts, comfy hotel rooms, cabins nestled in the mountains, roomy condos and homes, or fun campsites along the water. For a listing of lodging, dining, and fun things to do in the area, check out the Chamber's (printable) Food & Fun Guide.
Parks and Recreation Department
The Guntersville Parks and Recreation Department offer an Olympic-size pool, lighted tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, a gymnasium, meeting rooms, parks, playgrounds, walking trails and bicycle trails. Guntersville offers numerous city parks totaling 175 acres along the lake. Lakeside park facilities include: a new boat docking area, a beach and designated swimming areas, public fishing piers, boat launches, and picnic areas.
World Class Fishing
Guntersville is serious about fishing! Ranked #2 out of the 100 Best Bass Lakes of the Decade by Bassmaster magazine, Guntersville is a regular stop on Bassmaster and other major tournament tours. Lake Guntersville served as the fishery for the 50th Anniversary of the Bassmaster Classic in March 2020. This was the third time Lake Guntersville was the fishery for The Classic. Fishers of Men, Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF), and Bassmasters have all held Championships on Lake Guntersville. Other popular fish in Guntersville are crappie, bream, and catfish.
State Parks
The Lake Guntersville State Park, located seven miles from downtown Guntersville, offers camping, a hotel and conference center, lakeside cabins, and mountain chalets. The State Park also provides visitors with a beautiful golf course, numerous hiking trails, and the Screaming Eagle zipline course. Pinecrest Dining Room, located inside the main lodge, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an amazing view. Cathedral Caverns and Buck's Pocket are two other state parks located less than 25 miles from Guntersville. Cathedral Caverns, a 14-acre underground world, is home to the world's largest cavern entrance, stalagmite and stalagtite forest, and frozen waterfall. Buck's Pocket is a unique canyon covering over 2,000 acres. Buck's Pocket offers camping, picnic areas, and hiking trails.
The year 2020 brought the addition of an eagle family to the heart of the City of Guntersville. A mating pair found a tall pine tree along the Sunset Drive walking trail to build a huge nest to care for their eaglet. The Guntersville residents brought thousands of visitors to the area to catch a glimpse and take photos of the majestic trio. The mating pair were back in 2021, this time giving us two eaglets.
Guntersville is also home to 3 sites on the North Alabama Birding Trail. On the Guntersville sites you might see Red-breasted Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, and Gadwalls, as well as Common Loons, Hooded Grebes, and Red-necked Grebes. Other species to look for during the year include Doublecrested Cormorant, Osprey, and the Bald Eagle, all of which nest nearby.
Marshall County Tourism & Sports serves as the lead organization for tourism and special events in Marshall County. Visit their website for more information on planning your visit or bringing an event to the area.
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