Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeNearby: Oxford Lake Wellborn Sportsplex
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge is located in the state of Alabama and covers an area of 9,000 acres.
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Summary
Established in 2003, the refuge was created to protect the endangered longleaf pine ecosystem and the species that depend on it.
There are many good reasons to visit Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge. One of the main attractions is the beautiful scenery, which includes rolling hills, forests, and streams. The refuge is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, black bear, and white-tailed deer. Visitors can enjoy hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing throughout the year.
There are several specific points of interest to see within the refuge. The Longleaf Interpretive Trail is a popular hiking trail that provides visitors with information about the longleaf pine ecosystem and the wildlife that inhabit it. The refuge also has several bird blinds and observation decks that provide excellent opportunities for bird watching.
One interesting fact about the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge is that it is one of the last remaining areas in the southeastern United States where the longleaf pine ecosystem is still intact. This ecosystem is important because it provides habitat for many rare and threatened species.
The best time of year to visit Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the wildlife is active. However, the refuge is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy activities such as hunting and fishing during the appropriate seasons.
In summary, Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful and unique destination in Alabama that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the longleaf pine ecosystem and view a variety of wildlife. With its hiking trails, bird blinds, and observation decks, the refuge is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and learn about the natural world.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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