A Hidden Beauty

Situated near the foothills of downtown Prattville, Alabama, the Bamboo Forest is a 26-acre wilderness park full of unique history, serene atmosphere and stunning views.

Here in this growing “Fountain City”, the park serves as the perfect place for an afternoon stroll, picnic or day-trip for visitors within the state.

You may ask, “how did a forest of bamboo wind up in Prattville, Alabama?”

Well, the history begins in 1823, shortly after Alabama gained statehood, when a man named Joseph May received the land as part of a grant. In 1835, the now-designated wilderness park was purchased by the city of Prattville’s founder, Daniel Pratt, and the land was passed to various owners over the next century.

In 1940, Floyd Smith gained ownership of the land. He was the one who planted the infamous bamboo. It is said that Floyd had a love for exotic plants and acquired the bamboo shoots from a Washington import firm.

From that day forward, a small package of plants has blossomed into a magnificent habitat for wildlife, full of plant life that is unfamiliar to most southerners, but beloved by all those who know of its existence.

Today, people come from all over Autauga County — and the state — to see the dramatic heights of the cocooning bamboo. During the Vietnam War, however, the park had a different, more tangible use.

At the time, the property belonged to Gen. William Butler, an Air University Commander at Maxwell Air Force Base. Butler allowed Morgan Smith, then head of the USAF Survival Program, to use the property for troop survival training, because the bamboo and arid climate accurately simulated conditions of Southeast Asia — where the war was being fought.

Following the death of the Butlers, the vacated property was sold by their heirs. A local women’s service group, The Spinners Club, then raised money through fundraising to earn enough for a down payment on the property. The Bank of Prattville loaned the

remainder of the purchase price — $45,000 — to them. On April 6, 1979, they obtained the land.

In September of that year, the city of Prattville purchased the property from the women’s group with the assistance of the Heritage, Conservation and Recreation Service. The park officially opened as the first of its kind inside city limits in October 1980.

Since then, the unique park has become one of Prattville’s greatest attractions.

The comforting canopies of bamboo — which grow more rapidly than any other plant species at up to 4-feet in 24 hours — make the temperature inside the forest much cooler than the surrounding air.

Once inside, this hospitable harbor for nature immediately transports visitors to a seemingly untouched preserve of green-filled beauty. Among the peaceful, rock-beaten half mile walking trail, it is almost too easy to forget that you are in the middle of a bustling city.

If visitors do recall that fact, the muted atmosphere of the bamboo, the croaking of a frog, the critters rustling in the leaves or the stunning array of other plant life will ground the visitor back in the park’s relaxing aura.

Along with the four different kinds of bamboo, the park is home to numerous other trees and plants including: American Holly, Red Maple, American Beech, Sweet Bay Magnolia, Netted Chain Fern, Loblolly Pine, Southern Magnolia, Short-leaf Pine, River Cane, Tulip Poplar and Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The Beech Tree there is tied for the largest one in the state of Alabama.

Just over 70 miles from Auburn, Alabama, the Bamboo Forest stoically awaits travelers at all times of the year. If you have fall travel plans, make sure to put this wilderness park on your list. It’s pet-friendly, so bring your four-legged friends.

The Bamboo Forest is located at 800 Upper Kingston Road, Prattville, Alabama, 36067, and is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the week.