rona612
This is the only Civil War park that we have visited, and we have been to many, which is not a well known big battlefield---but it is small enough that one can see it all within a short distance. You can see breastworks and earthen forts and cannon pits and rifle pits and picket pits. The items are well-marked as you drive with a self guided tour map and brochure. This is one of the last major battle of the Civil War fought on the same day as Les surrendered to Grant.
HoldenKathy
Blakeley Park has some interesting history and lots of good walking & driving trails. The history part is interesting but seems to have limited signage. There was a brick enclosure surrounded by a fence that we figured out was the old courthouse, only be referring to the map and figuring it out. Not much is left of the original fort and town but it is a pretty area.
Seahawkfan12
My sisters and I were in Alabama because our dad was hospitalized there. After several days in the hospital room, we needed to get some exercise and fresh air. We decided to drive out to Blakeley State Park just to get away for a bit. We enjoyed the outing very much. We drove most of the roads, walked around the cemetery, saw the hanging tree, and walked on the boardwalk. The stone crosses in the cemetery were amazing; the monuments moving. The sites of the battlefield were mildly interesting. The walk along the boardwalk was terrific therapy. It was a beautiful spring day with warm sunshine and cool breezes blowing off the water. A wonderful reprieve from the hospital that did us all a world of good.
gorcon84
Love this park. The RV campground has great sites. They are all pull throughs, very large, and most are quite private. The park has lots of trails for walking or biking, Civil War history, and a nature center. It also has a tour boat that runs on select dates. You can enjoy the woods, the river, and open spaces too. The park is very quiet, and you certainly feel you have "gotten away from it all". However, it is just a short drive to Spanish Fort and the Mobile area if you want to do other activities. The staff I dealt with were all very friendly.
billw947
This is our 'go to' park for camping close to home. The facilities are nice, the staff is friendly, and the history is amazing. There are lots of places to hike and the old town of Blakeley.
MobileAlabama
When you enter the park you will leave the noisy world behind. Great walking/biking trails, civil war history lessons, a nature center, RV and tent camping, clean restrooms, and inviting picnic areas. Not recommended for very young children; no playground and it's tough to push a stroller. Get a trail map from the park rangers, park near the river, take a relaxing walk, then eat a picnic lunch at one of the tables on Blakeley River. Watch the birds and wildlife on the river while you dine. There are enough trails to allow for hours of walking and there are driving trails to allow handicapped persons to view the park's most beautiful highlights. The old city center no longer contains any buildings, save a modern picnic shelter, but I could imagine what it was like and was amazed that it could be so totally returned to nature. Only the ancient live oaks survive to tell the story. Be sure to take your camera to capture the beauty of interesting trees, plants, and wildlife. There is a small entry fee of $3.00 for 13-adults and $2.00 kids 6-12 which, I believe, is used to help pay for staff and maintain the boardwalks which need constant repair. The joy of this serene park is well worth it.
civilwarguy
Blakely has a wealth of resources, including remarkably well-preserved evidence of the April 9, 1865 attacks that captured it for the Union at the end of the Civil War. There are also multiple trails and a beautiful old town site along the river. This could be a five-star park if whoever administers it appropriated adequate funds to interpret and maintain it. The small budget (as opposed to a neglectful staff) is evident everywhere you turn from the poor roads to the lack of interpretation (signs or programs) to the absence of even directional signs once you are off the Interstate. Come on, Alabama! You have a great resource here--treat it better.
H425AVmarkb
I was looking for a place to take the kids for a day hike. I wanted somewhere close so travel time would not be a problem. After some research I found Blakeley State Park just down the road. They had a friendly staff and the park was well maintained with several miles of nature trails and a Civil War battle ground included. They had nice camping facilities with fire pits and restrooms. A great place for a visit if traveling through and handy for a quick family adventure.
FairFran
A nice, well-maintained park (especially considering that they have a very small staff) with great hilly, wooded trails for hiking and a nice boardwalk along the river for bird and nature viewing.The park also has historical markers about the Civil War battles there and the town of Blakeley - now just a memory - that was once one of the largest in the state.
Akc0614
There is so much to see here and it is all great! Walking on the trails is a lot of fun along with seeing all of the civil war stuff. Great way to spend an afternoon
lulu502
I came specifically to this place, well prepared with the history of the battlefield, and only a few hours to spare. I had stopped at the visitor center to orient myself and was given excellent help. At the check-in I also chatted with the attendant and he was very helpful regarding the Civil War portion. After going to the Battlefield self-guided tour, I came back to the original town site and walked along the boardwalk at the river's edge. Anyone who is interested in the significance of of this place could not be disappointed.
IFulton
This is a great educational tour for locals and historic or ecological interested people. It cruises around the Delta of the Mobile Bay Basin with two very informative and personable guides. We saw alligators, ospreys, pelicans and all kinds of fauna. Since Alabama has more square miles in waterways than any other state, we need to learn of this treasure and how to properly care for it! The captain even allowed some of the kids their turn at steering the Delta Explorer!
pnkgirl
A must if you are in the local area of the Eastern Shore. Just take a drive through history. The ranger at the entrance gave us a map of the battlefield and it was a nice historical after.
HappycamperAlabama
A beautiful woodsy area on the water. Nice trails - horseback trails, also. They now have a campground with hookups. The boardwalk here is pleasant - would recommend this park highly.
JamesW37
It isn't as highly regarded as many of the other battlefields that I visited, but it was excellent. Great volunteers to discuss the history and simple maps to follow. The battle of Mobile was a sea and land battle which made it unique. Everyone remembers Appomattox Courthouse, but there were other Confederates surrenders and this is one of the top 3. They were having a reenactment so I got to eat a Southern Soldiers breakfast that day.