March 14, 2026
Location: Monte Sano State Park – Huntsville, AL
Park Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/monte-sano-state-park
Quick Trail Info
Trails: North Plateau Loop, Fire Tower Trail, Bucca Family Trail
Distance: Total of 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy to slightly moderate
Trail Surface: Natural
Highlights: Many connecting trails allow you to customize the length and difficulty of your hike. I also love the playground and picnic tables — great for kiddos and a picnic lunch after hiking.
Restrooms: Yes — available at the playground/picnic area
Parking: Available at the trailhead
Home Sweet Home
Monte Sano is close to home for us, and even though there’s no Bark Ranger program, I love this place. There are so many trails both in and around the park. To access our favorite trails, we enter the park and park at either the playground or the hiker’s trailhead. There is an entrance fee. We paid $5 per person. Kids ages 4–11 are $2, and children 3 and younger are free.
This was Juniper’s first experience at Monte Sano, and it ended up being her longest hike yet. By the time we finished, we had hiked a total of 6 miles! She was one tired baby.
We started our day taking the North Plateau Loop toward the playground and followed the loop around the campgrounds back to the parking lot. We knew that loop wasn’t going to be enough for Juniper, so we hiked a small portion of the South Plateau Loop (also accessible from the trailhead parking lot) until it crossed the Fire Tower Trail. We followed the Fire Tower Trail until it ended at the Bucca Family Trail.
At that point, we had a choice:
-
- Go left and take the Bucca Family Trail back to the car
-
- Go right and hike the loop portion of the trail before heading back
We opted to hike the loop, completing the Bucca Family Trail in its entirety.
Juniper did great jumping from 3 miles on our previous hike to 6 miles. She also had a swim lesson that same weekend, so she was completely tuckered out by Sunday afternoon. Her senior siblings definitely appreciated the peace and quiet.
If you’re ever in the Huntsville area — or live nearby but haven’t visited Monte Sano — I highly recommend stopping by. It’s a great place for the whole family. Fall is my absolute favorite time to visit. The changing leaves are beautiful.
Remember to Follow BARK Ranger Principles
B – Bag your poop and dispose of it properly
A – Always keep your dog on a leash
R – Respect wildlife
K – Know where you can go
Know another great dog-friendly trail near Huntsville? Drop it in the comments so we can add it to our adventure list!