🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Ride Buck's Pocket History on Horseback, Walk Off Thanksgiving Along Little River, Draw Mountain Landscapes in Pastels, Hike to the Bottom of DeSoto Falls, Make Christmas Cards at Lake Guntersville, Print Your Own Tree Rings and Quilt the Forest

Or: Seven Calm Alabama Outings, and Not One of Them Needs Time-Zone Math

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Monday, November 9, 2026

Evening, neighbor. Here are seven outings we haven’t told you about before, and here’s the best news first: every one is in Northeast Alabama, on our same Central clock. On Sunday, Nov. 15, riders can bring their own horse for a ranger-led History on Horseback ride at Buck’s Pocket. The day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 27, DeSoto State Park leads a free walk along Little River. That weekend, DeSoto also hosts a soft pastels landscape class. On Saturday, Dec. 5, you can hike to the bottom of DeSoto Falls in the morning, or make nature-themed Christmas cards at Lake Guntersville that afternoon. On Dec. 12, kids 8 and up can print real tree rings at DeSoto, and on Dec. 19, Lake Guntersville’s Quilt the Forest workshop teaches hand-sewn nature scenes. What it means for you: these are small, quiet, mostly hands-on programs. The free hikes need no sign-up. The classes have very few seats, so sign up early.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sun., Nov. 15, 1 p.m.: History on Horseback, Buck’s Pocket (Morgan’s Cove). Bring your own horse and a negative Coggins. Register.
• Fri., Nov. 27, 10 a.m.–noon: Trail Trekker Hike: Along Little River, DeSoto State Park. Free; no sign-up.
• Sat., Nov. 28, or Sun., Nov. 29, 2–5 p.m. (check which): Soft Charcoal Pastels class, DeSoto State Park. $55; sign up.
• Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m.–noon: Winter Adventure Hike to DeSoto Falls Basin. Free; no sign-up.
• Sat., Dec. 5, 2–3:30 p.m.: Handmade Holiday card and gift-tag class, Lake Guntersville. Sign up; fee not listed.
• Sat., Dec. 12, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Tree Ring Printing, DeSoto State Park. $15; ages 8+; sign up.
• Sat., Dec. 19, 9 a.m.–noon: Quilt the Forest textile workshop, Lake Guntersville. Sign up; fee not listed.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: All seven are on our time. Alabama runs on Central time, same as Dunlap. A 10 a.m. hike at DeSoto is 10 a.m. on your kitchen clock. Just remember the drive: DeSoto is about 1 hour 45 minutes away, and Lake Guntersville and Buck’s Pocket are about 2 hours 15 minutes.

🐎 Saddle Up for a Ranger-Led History Ride Through Buck’s Pocket

If you’ve got a trail horse and a free Sunday, this one’s special. At History on Horseback, the park naturalist leads a 3-hour trail ride and tells the rich history of Buck’s Pocket, a deep, wooded gorge on the edge of Sand Mountain. It’s history you learn from the saddle.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 15, starting promptly at 1 p.m. Central, same as ours.
• Where: Morgan’s Cove, Buck’s Pocket State Park, near Guntersville, Ala. The park gives GPS coordinates 34.46458 N, 86.09192 W.
• How far: About 100 miles, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes, longer pulling a trailer. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No fee listed. Check before you go (Ranger Anna Crow, 256-673-6137).
• Who’ll love it: Trail riders, 4-H horse families and history lovers who’d rather ride than walk.
• Good to know: Horses are NOT provided. You must show a paper copy of a negative Coggins for each horse before you unload, sign a waiver and be tacked up by 1 p.m. Riders 18 and under are encouraged to wear a helmet. The ride covers moderate terrain with some rocky, steep spots, and it’s capped at 20 riders, so register early.

👉 Read more (Alabama State Parks — History on Horseback)

🦃 Walk Off the Turkey on a Free Day-After-Thanksgiving Hike Along Little River

Skip the store lines. On the day after Thanksgiving, DeSoto State Park staff lead a friendly group hike along Little River on the Aqua/Yellow Trail. It’s about 1.5 miles round trip, and it counts toward DeSoto’s Trail Trekker challenge: log all 23 miles of the park’s trails, at your own pace, and you earn a Trail Trekker patch.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m.–noon, Central, same as ours.
• Where: Meet on the grassy area behind DeSoto’s Country Store & Information Center on County Road 89, DeSoto State Park, Fort Payne, Ala.
• How far: About 79 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free, and no sign-up needed.
• Who’ll love it: Families with visiting relatives, patch collectors and anyone who ate too much pie.
• Good to know: It’s rated moderate on rocky ground, so wear sturdy shoes. It depends on the weather, so call the Lodge at 256-845-5380 that morning.

👉 Read more (Alabama State Parks — Along Little River)

🎨 Learn to Draw Glowing Mountain Landscapes With Soft Pastels

Never drawn a thing? Good, this class is made for you. Local artist Courtney Kinneman teaches simple ways to blend, layer and add depth with soft charcoal pastels, and you’ll take home your own landscape drawings. It’s hosted by DeSoto State Park and the Little River Arts Council.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: 2–5 p.m. Central, but the date needs checking. The state park lists Saturday, Nov. 28, and the arts council lists Sunday, Nov. 29. Check before you go.
• Where: The Nature Center next to DeSoto’s Country Store & Information Center on County Road 89, Fort Payne, Ala.
• How far: About 79 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $55, with all supplies included. You pay when you register through the arts council.
• Who’ll love it: Beginners, retirees with a creative itch and teens 12 and up.
• Good to know: Only 10 seats, and you must sign up ahead.

👉 Read more (Little River Arts Council — Soft Charcoal Pastels)

💧 Hike Down to the Bottom of DeSoto Falls, One of Alabama’s Tallest

Most folks see DeSoto Falls from the overlook. On this Winter Adventure Hike, park staff take you down to the West Fork of Little River and walk upstream to look up at the falls from the bottom. Along the way, you’ll learn about the river’s clear water, its plants and animals, and the history around the falls.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.–noon, Central, same as ours.
• Where: The DeSoto Falls Trailhead on County Road 613, DeSoto State Park, Fort Payne, Ala. That’s a different spot from the Country Store.
• How far: About 78 miles, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free, and no sign-up needed.
• Who’ll love it: Waterfall chasers, photographers and sure-footed older kids.
• Good to know: It’s only about 1.5 miles, but it’s rated moderate to strenuous because of the steep, rocky climb. Wear real hiking shoes and bring water. It depends on the weather, so call the Lodge at 256-845-5380 that morning.

👉 Read more (Alabama State Parks — Winter Adventure Hike)

💌 Make Your Own Nature-Themed Christmas Cards and Gift Tags

Here’s a Christmas gift that costs you an afternoon. At Handmade Holiday, artist Courtney Kinneman teaches simple drawing and painting tricks for making your own nature-themed Christmas cards and gift tags. Beginners are welcome, and all supplies are included.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2–3:30 p.m., Central, same as ours.
• Where: Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, Ala. The state park lists The Gathering Place, and the chamber lists The Lodge. Check before you go.
• How far: About 100 miles, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Fee not listed. Check before you go (Ranger Anna Crow, 256-673-6137).
• Who’ll love it: Card senders, crafty grandmas and anyone tired of store-bought tags.
• Good to know: Space is limited to about 15, and you must sign up ahead.

👉 Read more (Alabama State Parks — Handmade Holiday)

🌲 Print Real Tree Rings and Learn How Old the Tree Was

Every ring is a year, and a wide ring often means a good, wet one. At Tree Ring Printing: Telling Nature’s Story, you’ll ink and print slices of wood called tree cookies, count the rings to find the tree’s age and take your print home as art. It’s part of DeSoto’s Serious Skills series.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Central, same as ours.
• Where: DeSoto State Park, Fort Payne, Ala. The meeting spot is shared when you register.
• How far: About 79 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $15, with all supplies included.
• Who’ll love it: Kids 8 and up (younger ones need a helper), homeschoolers and woodworkers.
• Good to know: Only 10 seats, and you must sign up ahead. One line on the park page still says “2025.” The listing says Dec. 12, 2026, but check before you go.

👉 Read more (Alabama State Parks — Tree Ring Printing)

🧵 Hand-Sew a Little Nature Scene for Your Own Forest Quilt

This one has a sweet family story. Quilt the Forest is led by naturalist and quilter Michelle Reynolds, daughter of Linda Reynolds, Lake Guntersville State Park’s first naturalist. You’ll hand-sew small quilt blocks of nature scenes, like a bird, a leaf or a forest, and the park says to “forget the rules and just go for it.” Come to more than one workshop, and the blocks become a whole quilt.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 a.m.–noon, Central, same as ours.
• Where: The Gathering Place, Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, Ala.
• How far: About 100 miles, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Fee not listed. All supplies are included. Check before you go (park, 256-571-5440).
• Who’ll love it: Quilters, beginning sewers and anyone who wants a quiet morning before Christmas.
• Good to know: About 15 seats; sign up ahead. For a 9 a.m. start, leave Dunlap by about 6:30 a.m.

👉 Read more (Alabama State Parks — Quilt the Forest)

✅ Your Trip-Planning Checklist

• ✅ No clock math. All seven are in Alabama on Central time, like us.
• ✅ Sign up early for the pastels, tree ring, holiday card and quilt classes. Each has only 10 to 15 seats.
• ✅ The two DeSoto hikes need no sign-up. Just call the Lodge (256-845-5380) that morning about the weather.
• ✅ Sun., Nov. 15: Horseback history ride, 1 p.m. sharp. Bring your Coggins paper.
• ✅ Fri., Nov. 27: Free Little River walk, 10 a.m. Leave Dunlap by about 8 a.m.
• ✅ Nov. 28 or 29: Pastels class, 2 p.m. Confirm the day.
• ✅ Sat., Dec. 5: DeSoto Falls hike at 10 a.m., or Christmas cards at Lake Guntersville at 2 p.m.
• ✅ Sat., Dec. 12: Tree rings at DeSoto, 11 a.m.
• ✅ Sat., Dec. 19: Quilt the Forest, 9 a.m.
• ✅ Fill up and pack a lunch. Need a gas stop, hiking shoes, a tack shop or a good diner on the way? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these are free?

The two DeSoto hikes, Along Little River on Nov. 27 and the DeSoto Falls Basin hike on Dec. 5, are free with no sign-up. The pastels class is $55 and Tree Ring Printing is $15. The horseback ride, holiday card class and quilt workshop list no fee, so check before you go.

Which one is closest to Dunlap?

DeSoto State Park near Fort Payne, about 78 to 79 miles, roughly an hour and 45 minutes. Lake Guntersville State Park and Buck’s Pocket’s Morgan’s Cove are about 100 miles, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes.

Do I need to worry about Eastern time?

Not this time. Everything in this batch is in Alabama, which is on Central time, the same as Dunlap.

Which are best with kids?

Tree Ring Printing is for ages 8 and up, with a helper for younger kids. The Little River walk suits older kids who can handle rocky ground. The pastels class is for ages 12 and up.

Can I rent a horse for History on Horseback?

No. Horses are not provided. You must bring your own horse, plus a paper copy of a negative Coggins for each horse, shown before you unload.

Which one is the hardest hike?

The DeSoto Falls Basin hike. It’s only about 1.5 miles, but the park rates it moderate to strenuous because of steep, rocky ground. The Little River walk is also about 1.5 miles and rated moderate.

Can I do two in one day?

On Saturday, Dec. 5, you could hike to DeSoto Falls at 10 a.m. and then drive about an hour southwest for the 2 p.m. holiday card class at Lake Guntersville. Check your map app for the exact time, and sign up for the class first.

What if the weather turns bad?

The DeSoto hikes are weather-dependent. Call the DeSoto Lodge at 256-845-5380 before you leave. For the Lake Guntersville and Buck’s Pocket programs, call the park or check the event page the morning you go.

🔗 Other Resources

• Alabama State Parks — History on Horseback, Buck’s Pocket (Nov. 15)
• Alabama State Parks — Trail Trekker Hike: Along Little River, DeSoto (Nov. 27)
• Alabama State Parks — Soft Charcoal Pastels, DeSoto (listed Nov. 28)
• Little River Arts Council — Soft Charcoal Pastels sign-up (listed Nov. 29)
• Alabama State Parks — Winter Adventure Hike, DeSoto Falls Basin (Dec. 5)
• Alabama State Parks — Handmade Holiday, Lake Guntersville (Dec. 5)
• Alabama State Parks — Tree Ring Printing, DeSoto (Dec. 12)
• Alabama State Parks — Quilt the Forest, Lake Guntersville (Dec. 19)
• Lake Guntersville Chamber — Quilt the Forest Workshop
• Alabama State Parks — events calendar
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t need to do all seven. If you only pick one, make it the free day-after-Thanksgiving walk along Little River on Friday, Nov. 27. No sign-up, no clock math, just fresh air with the family. If you love to make things, grab a seat in the tree ring, Christmas card or quilt class before they fill. Jot down three things: everything is on our Central time; sign up early for the classes; and check before you go, especially the pastels date. And for more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.