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So, today I want to share more about the Forever Wild Trails in Dothan, Alabama, one of our favorite places to spend the weekend. And, if you aren’t local, I can bet that you have something like this somewhere near you.

Forever Wild Trails at Beaver Creek

If you were to mention Forever Wild around here, people would immediately think about our local Forever Wild Trails at Beaver Creek, but there are actually over a dozen Forever Wild Trails throughout the state of Alabama as part of the Forever Wild Land Trust.   In this post, Forever Wild Trails will refer to our 10+ miles of trail in Dothan, Alabama which is about to become your new favorite place!

These local trails are managed by Dothan’s Leisure Services and the Southeast Alabama Mountain Bikers play a huge role in maintaining the trails and program planning.   The trails are very well maintained, and it’s evident that they are loved by so many who take pride and ownership in them.

When we flew from California to Dothan to visit before relocating here, we made sure to hike the trails!  We didn’t have anything similar near our home out west and really missed it.

When the kids were young, while living in Overland Park, Kansas, and Edwardsville, Illinois, we had access to miles and miles of paved bike trails from within our neighborhoods.  Looking back, biking those trails was our main hobby.  We would take the kids out at 9 am on a Saturday and come back in time for lunch.   

We would stop for breakfast along the way, and on our afternoon rides, we would even cruise by a restaurant for happy hour or an early dinner.  Back then, we had two bike trailers and would each pull a kid, and it’s no wonder we were actually in the best shape of our lives back then.   

We have been hiking the trails often since moving here in late 2018, but it was just recently that we started to bike them.  We purchased a new car with a hitch and bought a 4-bike carrier and have been hitting the trails ever since!

Where are the Forever Wild Trails in Dothan?

The Forever Wild Trails at Beaver Creek are located in Southwest Dothan; that’s about 8 o’clock Ross Clark time.  That is the name of the circle that surrounds downtown Dothan, Alabama.

There are actually three different parking lots/access points, and hikers and mountain bikers are welcome.  So, before I go any further, it’s probably a good time to share the trail map with you so that you can visualize exactly what I am talking about.

1. Flowers Chapel Road Access
2. West Fortner Street Access
3. East Fortner Street Access

#1 Flowers Chapel Road Access

The first access point is located off Flowers Chapel Road (384 Narcisse Dr.) and is a great place for beginner hikers and riders to start.   The Beaver Flats Trail in green is a short loop around that green space and parking area.  But, if I were you, I would park and head straight to Connector A, which is Marker 200 on the map above.

This is the perfect place for first-time bikers, casual hikers, and families with young children.  You trod along the forested path and eventually come to the bridges.   Keep going until you get to Marker 240, where you will want to stop and look down at the turtles who call Beaver Creek home. 

Matt and the kids have a favorite turtle they named Wise Old Mossy, who makes an appearance on about half of our visits!

From there, you can head toward the 500s and continue on the wooden bridge.  It really is a work of art spanning over the river and wetlands adjacent to it.  It’s still flat and a nice easy bike ride or walk.  Make sure to follow trail etiquette and walk your bike as you cross paths with others on the bridge.

#2 West Fortner Street Access

Plug 3636 Fortner St. into your GPS, and you will arrive at the West Access Point on Fortner Street.  The two main trails here are Dragon’s Tail and Stagecoach Plateau, and both are intermediate.  Jake and Abby had no problems riding them at ages 9 and 11.  These loops also make great shorter hikes, and you can combine them into a longer adventure.  The northern part of Stagecoach Plateau also takes you to the large wooden bridge where you can visit the turtles!

Right before the bridge, you will see one of the four Bike Repair Stations, and while we haven’t had to use one yet, I feel better knowing that they are there!

#3 East Fortner Street Access

There are a lot of options over here! Once you arrive at 4276 Fortner Street, park your car, and you can immediately access the Zion Cemetary Ridge Trail.  This is a 2.25-mile-long, beginner-level path that the whole family can enjoy.

If you want to access Big Levee Trail,  Matt’s favorite path to hike, start on Zion Cemetary Ridge and head East.  At marker 610, there is an open space where you can follow marker 700 to get started on Big Levee.   You can continue onto Marker 720 and catch the SAM Creekside Trail too!

Forever Wild Trails in Dothan, Alabama

I love how Forever Wild changes with the seasons.  Some of these photos were taken just this week, and others over the Winter.  The scenery is always changing, and the wildlife will always let you know what season it is!

We actually just went over there to hike today, in between me writing this post, and the birds were singing the entire time!

Tips for a Successful Visit to Forever Wild Trails in Dothan

Bring your own water.  There are no water fountains along the path, and on those hot summer days, it’s important to stay hydrated!  Matt has a Camelbak that he loves.

Bring bug spray.  There really aren’t a lot of bugs, especially in the cooler months, but when it is hot and humid, you know the bugs are going to come out.

Wear a helmet.  I can’t believe I have to say this, but I constantly see people, including children, not wearing helmets out there.  Please be safe.

Pack some bandaids.  Someone is bound to take a tumble, and while injuries will likely be mild, the pain of hearing your kiddo scream the whole way back to the car is worse.  Trust me.  This happened to Jake this week.  He is fine.  It’s a little scrape on his elbow.

Grab a map.  They do a great job keeping the map box full at each access point.  My kids love keeping track of where we are, looking for markers, and helping lead the way.

Trails close at dusk.  They lock the gate at the parking lots, and the trails close at dusk, so make sure to get an early enough start and leave yourself enough time.

And that’s about it!  I hope that you enjoy your visit to Forever Wild Trails at Beaver Creek! Let me know in the comments if you have been or plan to go!

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