Guntersville, Alabama
Guntersville has established itself as a premier getaway destination for folks looking to enjoy the Tennessee RiverLine in peace, with its quaint charm and pristine aquatic surroundings.
Its natural amenities are its greatest offering, with a walking trail along the lakefront that’s hard to beat. Just across the water from Lake Guntersville State Park, this vibrant town has 12,000 years of history and fun spots to eat and explore (including a few right on the river’s edge) while enjoying respite on a RiverLine journey.
Visit Lake Guntersville!
Guntersville Origins
The land that Guntersville sits on has long been coveted, dating back to the Native American village that belonged there until 1835 when the United States gained control. Local lore suggests the first European explorers arrived there in 1540, but the area didn’t house its first American settlers until John Gunter, who traded with the Native population, arrived in 1785.
Gunter married a Cherokee woman, with whom he had at least ten children. He was the great-grandfather of legendary vaudeville performer, actor, and writer Will Rogers.
Guntersville became incorporated in 1847 thanks to the efforts of Louis Wyeth, a lawyer from Pennsylvania. The Civil War was hard on Guntersville residents, as the city was completely destroyed except for seven buildings that remained standing. Wyeth visited various northern cities to request aid for the starving and devastated residents of Guntersville.
His son, John Allan Wyeth, joined the Confederacy during the Civil War before he started his career as a surgeon in New York City. He was very successful, ultimately becoming president of the American Medical Association.
1892 brought the next major event in the town’s history with the arrival of the railroad. It marked a period of steady growth through TVA’s completion of Guntersville Dam, which turned the growing city into a peninsula. Ever since, people have come from all over the nation to stay in peaceful lakefront lodgings, complemented by Lake Guntersville State Park, which opened in 1974.
The city celebrates its heritage at the Guntersville Museum, a free and fascinating experience for those looking to learn about the region’s Native American history and the growth of the city before and after the landscape changed with Guntersville Dam. It hosts rotating exhibits and informative programming throughout the year.
Parks and Outdoors
Lake Guntersville State Park is a massive draw for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers almost 6,000 acres of wooded natural landscapes, and an impressive 36 miles of hiking and biking trails line its map.
Lake Guntersville is, like many spots along the Tennessee RiverLine, a favorite in the nation among fishing enthusiasts. The most frequently targeted fish on the lake is largemouth bass, but there are plenty of other fish in the lake ready to be targeted, including catfish, sunfish, sauger, bluegill, bream, and more.
The park also offers an 18-hole golf course atop Taylor Mountain, which means the rolling hills and lakeside setting make for a challenging and enjoyable round. It is nestled in nature, so golfers can expect visits from the occasional bald eagle or white-tailed deer on the links.
For those seeking a more thrilling experience, the park also offers Screaming Eagle Zipline Adventures, which include a magnificent zipline over the park’s tree canopy, as well as suspension bridges and sky-high vantage points.
You don’t have to leave town to enjoy incredible views, however, as Guntersville’s paved Sunset Drive Trail provides a well-kept 3.7 miles ready for hiking and biking right along the edge of the lake. Historic homes and interpretive markers can be found along the trail, and it offers unrivaled sunset-viewing opportunities.
Dining and Browsing
Guntersville restaurants line Highway 431 through the center of town, and one could spend a week in Guntersville and still not experience all the unique meals it has to offer.
City Harbor right on the lake features a breakfast cafe, a steakhouse, a cocktail bar and live music venue, a Mexican restaurant, and a brewery if travelers need a pitstop or full dining experience without heading into town.
Venturers to the city center are rewarded with a plethora of shopping and dining options, including multiple spas, clothing stores, and retailers, as well as Cajun restaurants, barbecue joints, pizza shops, and more. Guntersville offers several upscale dining experiences for a romantic night out, and residents also enjoy getting down in the city’s more informal spots.
Guntersville has all the makings of a charming stop on the Tennessee RiverLine thanks to its variety of cuisines, proximity to world-class outdoor recreation amenities, and river history to boot. Sunsets on the Guntersville peninsula are not to be missed!