You picked a good spot. Peach Queen Campground sits right in the heart of Chilton County, smack in the middle of Alabama, and it turns out the middle of Alabama has a whole lot going on. Whether you’re here for a long weekend or just passing through on your way down I-65, there’s no shortage of things to fill your days this summer. 

Pack the sunscreen, bring a cooler, and get ready to explore. Here’s what’s waiting for you within about 30 minutes of your campsite.

Minooka Park — ATV Trails, Fishing & Walking Right Next Door

If you haven’t already, Minooka Park deserves a whole day of your time. Located right in Jemison, this 420-acre Chilton County park is primarily known as an ATV and off-road motorcycle paradise, with miles of trails winding through wooded terrain. If you’ve got a machine, this is the place to let it loose. But even if you didn’t bring an ATV, there’s still plenty to do including a seven-acre fishing pond with a scenic one-mile walking trail around the water, pavilions for picnicking, and a playground. Horseback riders are welcome too, and wildlife like white-tailed deer and wild turkey aren’t uncommon sights in the woods. It’s an easy, laid-back morning or afternoon right in your own backyard.

Peach Park in Clanton — The Most Delicious Stop in Alabama

If you’re rolling through central Alabama between May and Labor Day and you don’t stop at Peach Park, you’re doing it wrong. This legendary farm stand and restaurant in Clanton, just a short drive north on I-65,  has been serving up fresh Chilton County peaches for decades. Pick up a basket of just-picked fruit, grab a scoop of peach ice cream, bite into one of their famous fried pies, or load up on peach preserves to take home. 

Over the summer, Peach Park carries more than 70 varieties of peaches that ripen at different times, so there’s always something fresh on the shelf. Don’t leave without snapping a photo with the giant peach replica out back, it’s become something of a rite of passage for travelers on this stretch of I-65.

Chilton County Peach Festival — A June Tradition Worth Planning Around

Every June, Clanton throws one of the best small-town summer celebrations in the state. The Chilton County Peach Festival is a long-running tradition that includes a peach parade, live music, a peach cook-off, a pageant, a fun run, arts and crafts, and the popular Peach Jam Jubilee, a big outdoor event with food vendors, inflatables, and plenty of that famous fruit front and center. It’s free to attend and genuinely fun for all ages. If your trip happens to line up with festival season, consider it a bonus. 

Higgins Ferry Park on Lake Mitchell — The Best Fishing Hole in the Area

About 25 minutes from Jemison, Higgins Ferry Park sits right on Lake Mitchell, a 5,850-acre reservoir on the Coosa River that’s one of central Alabama’s top fishing destinations. The lake is loaded with bass, crappie, and catfish, and the county park has a free public boat launch, a fishing pier, a small swimming beach, and picnic facilities. It’s a fantastic spot to spend a summer afternoon on the water without a lot of fuss. The boat launch is free, the views are gorgeous, and the fishing is legitimately good. There’s also a playground for the kids and plenty of room to set up and cook out. It doesn’t get much more classic Alabama summer than an afternoon at Higgins Ferry.

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera — All Aboard

Just up the road in Calera, the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is one of those places that surprises you. Alabama’s official state railroad museum runs excursion trains on a portion of the historic Alabama Mineral Railroad track, built back in 1891, and the 75-minute ride through the Shelby County woods aboard restored vintage railcars is legitimately memorable. The museum also has interactive exhibits, two historic depots, a working signal display, and a gift shop. Trains run on Saturdays from March through December, making summer weekend visits easy to plan. It’s a great pick for families with kids, history buffs, or anyone who just wants a slow, scenic ride through the Alabama countryside.

Ozan Winery and Vineyard in Calera — A Little Wine Country, Alabama Style

Not far from the railroad museum sits Ozan Winery and Vineyard, and yes, Alabama wine country is a real thing. This award-winning winery is part of the Alabama Wine Trail and offers tastings, cellar tours, and a full bistro experience. Their Chilton County Peach wine is a summer favorite for obvious reasons, and their Founders Cut Bourbon Apple makes an excellent dessert wine. Open Tuesday through Sunday, it’s a relaxed afternoon stop whether you’re a dedicated wine drinker or just curious. You can even combine the two experiences: the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum runs special wine excursion trains out to Ozan on select Saturdays during the season.

Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham — Alabama’s Biggest State Park

About 30 minutes north of Jemison, Oak Mountain State Park is the biggest state park in Alabama, nearly 10,000 acres of forests, lakes, trails, and activities that could honestly fill an entire vacation on their own. In the summer, the highlights include two sandy swimming beaches on the lakes, kayak and pedal boat rentals, over 50 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and FlipSide Watersports, a cable wakeboard park with an inflatable aqua obstacle course on Beaver Lake. There’s also an 18-hole golf course, a BMX track (the oldest continuously running one in the state), horseback riding, a wildlife rehabilitation center, and the gorgeous Peavine Falls, a 65-foot cascade tucked deep in the park. 

You don’t have to go far to have a great time out here. Jemison might sit quietly off the interstate, but the surrounding area is full of things worth doing, whether that’s splashing around at the lake, cruising ATV trails before breakfast, riding a vintage train through the trees, or just sitting on a porch eating peach ice cream and calling it a productive afternoon. That last one might be the best option of all. However you spend your days, Peach Queen Campground is a solid home base for all of it. Come back and see us again next summer.