Lake Guntersville in Alabama

Trip Overview

Lake Guntersville offers many small creeks for day paddle excursions.

Racoon Creek in northern Jackson County rate HIGH on the coolness factor for creeks to paddle on Lake Guntersville. The best time to paddle is year-round. Each season offers sites and activities and photo opportunities. The paddle from the Coon Creek Public Boat Ramp to the back-waters of Coon Gulf is approximately 4 miles. Along the route, there are places to camp, hike, explore caves, etc..

Coon Gulf, located in Jackson County Alabama is controlled by many public landowners. The public landowners include the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Alabama Land Trust, and the Alabama department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). Thousands of acres are owned by the public and the public has used Coon Gulf for decades in recreational activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, ATVs, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc...

A development firm called Glawson Investments purchased 2,400+ acres of land in May 2004 north of Coon Creek and has begun development operations in that area. Therefore, the only way the public can access Coon Gulf is by water.

Accommodations:

There is a small hotel at Stevenson or a few more options at nearby Scottsboro.

Fees:

None. All public areas owned by state, Federal, or conservation groups.

Directions:

From Highway 72 in Stevenson, take the Stevenson HWY 117 exit and go east. In 2-3 miles you will cross the Tennessee River. About another mile turn RIGHT on County Road 491. Take CR491 to the end (about 5-6 miles). There will be a public boat ramp at end of CR491.

Launches:

34.75205345, 85.83641745, Coon Gulf Boat Ramp

Resources:

You can obtain more information and photos of the area at www.coongulf.com

34.75205345, -85.83641745, Coon Gulf Boat Ramp
34.75114255, -85.82883721, TVA Marker
34.74124794, -85.83875192, Camp Site #1
34.74089242, -85.83939187, Cave #1
34.74372170, -85.82147328, Cave #2
34.74197378, -85.80727722, Cave #3
34.74464009, -85.79930940, Camp Site #2
34.74235892, -85.79144072, Camp Site #5
34.74489190, -85.79508212, Camp Site #4
34.74483265, -85.80005751, Camp Site #3
34.73955921, -85.78455450, Creek Crossing
34.73724828, -85.77792066, Dry Creek Bed Cave Entrance
34.73710755, -85.77797474, Cave #4
34.73752974, -85.77794770, Spring From Rock
34.75091298, -85.82880115, Camp Site #6
34.74464009, -85.79930940, Camp Site #2