Distance: 0.7 miles (loop)
Drive from Mobile: About 25 minutes
We have been to Blakeley State Park many times over the years and have even camped here. But somehow we never noticed the Beaver Pond Trail on the northern edge of the park. It's short, but scenic. And you can make it a longer hike by adding in General Cockrell's Loop, which is about 2 miles. The pond is cool, or at least our dog Chase thought so as he jumped in after a bass. (He didn't catch the fish, but he enjoyed getting muddy, and so did our boys).
Scenery: Beaver Pond is literally in the middle of a Civil War battlefield. In fact, it's at the site of the last major battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Fort Blakeley, which took place on April 9, 1865. The battle resulted in a Union victory, paving the way for the city of Mobile to be captured by federal forces. About 20,000 men fought in the battle, and throughout the park you can see markings naming the regiment and state for whom these men fought. If you like history and nature, Blakeley has several must-do hikes, including this one. We picnicked on one of the sunny battlefields and then enjoyed the shade of the Beaver Pond trail's wooded surroundings.
Wildlife: We did not see any beavers. But we did see a beautiful great blue heron who at first blended in with the tree stumps that protrude from the pond. He moved a bit, causing us to notice him before he took flight.
Highlight(s): You park at the top of a hill and walk down into the woods. The pond is bigger than I thought it would be, and there are logs for kids (and grown-ups) to walk across and practice their balance. You can see minnows and even bass in the water. It is such a peaceful spot, making it hard to imagine that a war was fought here.
Trail markings: It has been our experience that Blakeley's trails in general are not marked very well. And the map they give you at the front is not very detailed. If you are using the AllTrails app, Beaver Pond is part of the Battlefield Loop. Park your car at the sign that says "Beaver Pond," walk down and back up, and then you will return on the same dirt road you drove in on.
G says: Our dog absolutely loved it. He swam around for a little bit.
L says: I liked this trail because it was a really short trail with nice scenery. You can have a lot of fun walking on the logs.
About the trail: Beaver Pond is part of Blakeley State Park, a park that we love. Some of our other favorite things to do at Blakeley are Hallet's/Old Apalachee trails; the E.O. Wilson Boardwalk (which is closed due to hurricane damage) along the Blakeley River; and the Hiding Tree. This is also a great place to camp. The park charges $4/adult and $3/child for admission. Due to COVID-19, you must go online and purchase tickets before you arrive, and show the person at the gate that you've already paid.
For more information about Blakeley's history and trails, visit: https://www.blakeleypark.com/
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