Pratt's Ferry - Cahaba River

Green lynx spider

Why You Should Visit
Pratt's Ferry Preserve is located along a rocky limestone slope on the south bank of the Cahaba River in Bibb County. The area is lush in the spring and summer with a variety of wildflowers. The site also offers an ideal location to put in or take out a canoe on the Cahaba River.

Location
North of Centreville in Bibb County

Size
12 acres

How to Prepare for Your Visit
This preserve is open to the public during daylight hours. Visitors can park at the entrance gate and walk to the Little Cahaba River. Planned events allow visitors to participate in stewardship and educational activities throughout the year. For more information, call (205) 251-1155 or e-mail ktassin@tnc.org.

Directions
From Birmingham:

Take 1-65 south to the Calera/U.S. Highway 31 exit
Travel south about 3 miles into Calera
In downtown Calera, turn right onto Alabama Highway 25 south towards Centreville
Travel about 12-13 miles through Montevallo and Wilton, and turn right (north) onto Bibb County Road 26
Travel about 3 miles to the bridge over the Cahaba River at Pratt's Ferry. The Conservancy property is on the south (east) bank of the river, on both sides of County Road 26.

From Montgomery:

Take 1-65 north to the Calera/University of Montevallo exit
Turn left to cross over the Interstate and travel west about 1 mile into Calera
In downtown Calera, turn left onto U.S. Highway 31, and then almost immediately (within 0.1 mile) turn right onto Alabama Highway 25 south towards Centreville.
Travel about 12-13 miles through Montevallo and Wilton, and turn right (north) onto Bibb County Road 26
Travel about 3 miles to the bridge over the Cahaba River at Pratt's Ferry. The Conservancy property is on the south (east) bank of the river, on both sides of County Road 26.

What to See: Plants
Several wildflowers, including the rare Alabama croton and Nevius' stonecrop, are protected on the preserve. The Alabama Croton is a shrub that grows to about 6-8 feet tall. It grows on rocky limestone slopes and cliffs, under stunted red cedar-oak-hickory forest, overlooking water. The Alabama Croton is only found in the Cahaba and Black Warrior watersheds.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The Cahaba River is a landscape site for The Nature Conservancy in Alabama. This site contains unique features and species found along this river.

What the Conservancy is Doing
The Conservancy is working to control invasive plant species, contain erosion, and control the trash-dumping problem at the preserve area. The site functions as a popular canoe launch.