Alabama continues to shine on the national stage with yet another prestigious award.
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of national honors celebrating the state’s natural beauty, cultural richness and commitment to excellence in its communities.
USA Today readers gave the top honors to this recreational trail in the state, listing it at the top of USA Today’s 2025 10Best Readers Choice Awards for Best Recreational Trail.
See why this Gulf Shores/Orange Beach location earned the top spot in the nation.
What is USA TODAY 10BEST?
The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards highlight the very best in travel, food + drink, and lifestyle.
Every week, USA TODAY 10BEST invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions across a wide range of categories.
10BEST editors then vet these nominations and select a final set of nominees to be presented to the voting public for a period of four weeks.
This trail is a USA Today winner for the third year in a row
Ranked No. 1 for the third year in a row for Best Recreational Trail is Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Sitting on 6,150 acres, these scenic trails wind through nine unique ecosystems, offering a front-row seat to Alabama’s rich plant and wildlife diversity.
The trail is not just one path but is a connected network of over 28 miles of multi-use trails, thoughtfully designed for walkers and bikers and fully ADA accessible.
Where the four trails meet, you’ll find the butterfly garden and nature pavilion, full of colorful butterflies and a shady porch swing to take it all in.
Kids can climb at the nearby bouldering park or test their skills on Al’s Parkour Challenge just down the Twin Bridges Trail.
Hugh S. Branyon is a fun, laid-back spot for the whole family and these are just some of the many reasons this park earned top spot for USA Today.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: USA Today says this Alabama trail is ranked No.1 nationally.
