Scottsboro, Alabama, sits on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, and it rocks – literally. On the way into Scottsboro, in Fackler, Alabama, the Rock Animal Zoo consists of odd-shaped rocks painted to look like elephants, chickens, cows, turtles and more. The “zoo” was started by Leonard Dawson in the 1970s when a boulder was pushed onto his property during construction of County Road 32. The rock looked like a rooster to him, and he ultimately decided to paint it himself – even fashioning a comb for the rooster out of cement. The rest is roadside history. After his passing in 2004, his family continued the tradition of painting rocks on the property to look like animals. Located along backroads (3215 County Road 32), the zoo can be tricky to find but is well worth the effort – as it’s the only zoo where you get to pet the animals.
Drive time from Chattanooga: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Other claims to fame:
> In 2014, Scottsboro received a million dollar grant to help rejuvenate downtown, and today, the historic city boasts a vibrant arts district. Take a driving tour of street art via the North Alabama Mural Trail, featuring more than 125 works of public art in Scottsboro and beyond.
> Stephens Gap is a world-famous 150-foot pit cave, located at Stephens Gap Callahan Cave Preserve, 15 minutes from Scottsboro. Cavers love it for the vertical entrance, requiring expert rope skills. But hikers love it for the huge, walk-in entrance. From the parking lot, it is a 2-mile roundtrip hike, and the trail to the cave is marked with yellow flags. The walk into the cave can be steep and wet, so wear the right shoes and watch your step.