Caption: Pinhoti Trail Ribbon Cutting - photo by Mollie Kate Erwin

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) and The Alabama Trails Foundation (ATF) celebrated the recognition of the historic Flagg Mountain Observation Tower as the southern terminus, or “Mile 0,” of the Pinhoti Trail on October 2, 2025.

A large crowd attended the ceremony, which marked a pivotal moment for Alabama’s outdoor recreation community. Remarks were given by state and local officials, including State Forester Rick Oates, from the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC); Paul DeMarco, President of the Alabama Trails Foundation; Billy Pope, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and Grey Brennan, Deputy Director of the Alabama Department of Tourism. Pinhoti Trail Chaplain David Lyons gave an invocation.

Other notable attendees included State Senator Clyde Chambliss and Mark Tuggle, Chief of Staff to Speaker Ledbetter of the Alabama House of Representatives. Attendees enjoyed sampling the fresh water and exploring the improvements to the trail. The Pinhoti is Alabama’s longest footpath and the official hiking gateway to Appalachia. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ankw7kyqx/

Little River State Forest

Caption: New Little River State Forest Bridge (Hank Burch)

The Alabama Forestry Commission recently completed the construction of a new entrance bridge at the Little River State Forest (LRSF) on the Monroe/Escambia County line between Atmore and Uriah. This is the first of many infrastructure improvement projects aimed at getting the former Claude D. Kelley Recreation area at LRSF reopened for day and overnight use by the public. AFC’s excitement is growing as we see years of planning yielding results. The Little River State Forest was established in 1933 and through the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), it became one of Alabama’s earliest state parks. 

In April 2021, the Alabama Legislature passed Act 2021-326, which proposed a Constitutional Amendment authorizing the issuance of $85 million in bonds to fund improvements at Alabama State Parks and Alabama Historical Commission sites. The Act also authorized that any premium generated from the sale of said bonds would go to AFC to fund improvements at State Forests. The bonds were sold in November 2022, and the premium from the sale generated $6.7 million for AFC. This new funding source provided AFC with a generational opportunity to invest in the infrastructure needs at our State Forests to enhance public use, without having to make sacrifices to the Agency’s annual operating budget.

Since 1924, the mission of the Alabama Forestry Commission has been to protect and sustain Alabama’s forest resources using professionally applied stewardship principles and education, ensuring that the state’s forests contribute to abundant timber and wildlife, clean air and water, and a healthy economy.

For more information about the Alabama Forestry Commission, visit the following.

AFC Website: forestry.alabama.gov.


AFC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlabamaForestryCommission


AFC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alforestrycomm/


AFC X: https://x.com/ALForestryComm

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 2004 for the purpose of building and maintaining hiking trails around Lake Martin, in central Alabama, for public use and enjoyment. The organization currently operates over 26 miles of foot path only hiking trails, at four trailheads in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties, with more planned in the future. All of the trails are hosted on properties owned by Alabama Power, Alabama Forever Wild and CRATA. We also own two restored fire lookout towers at or near our trailheads. One 90-foot tower is located at Smith Mountain and another newly restored 110-foot tower is scheduled to be open to the public in November 2025. 

CRATA is managed and operated by an all-volunteer board of directors and skilled volunteers from many communities surrounding Lake Martin. All funding comes from donations, gifts, grants and in-kind services. Good stewardship is a top priority for the organization, and with no paid staff, all funds go toward completing the public projects.

Overlook Fire Lookout Tower Project

CRATA has just announced the completion of a four-year project to relocate a second fire lookout tower, originally located in Virginia, to land in Tallapoosa County, owned by CRATA and overlooking Lake Martin near our Overlook Park trailhead. The tower is a 110-foot steel structure and has been completely restored and improved with safety railings, stronger steel and improved engineering. The new tower has been built to be maintenance free for decades to come. The dedication and grand opening to the public was held November 7, 2025. The entire project has been a community effort by local residents and businesses from beginning to end. The opening of the new tower, along with the existing Jerry W. Bynum Fire Tower at Smith Mountain will offer the public two separate venues with some of the most spectacular scenic views of Lake Martin and all of Alabama.

Since the re-opening of the renovated tower on Smith Mountain, in 2011, thousands of visitors from all over the United States and abroad have visited the tower and hiking trails each year. It is expected that the new tower will be just as much a destination, if not more.