Major city · United States
Guntersville
Half a day to one full day: walk the museum, hike the state park, eat fried catfish. Not a base — a stop between Huntsville and points east.
Guntersville is a small Alabama town on a lake, surrounded by the Tennessee River on three sides. Its main draw is the state park and the lake itself — boating, fishing, hiking. The museum and a couple of good restaurants fill a half-day stop. Most visitors come as a day trip from Huntsville or en route to Cathedral Caverns.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid)
- Airport
- HSV
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Guntersville911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Guntersville, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHSV Huntsville International Airport (About 50 min drive; rental car recommended).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner (Top O' The River)$18–30
- BeerBeer (bottle at a restaurant)$3–6
- Budget bedBudget motel room (Boaz area), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room (Boaz area), a night, per roomUS$90
- High-end bedBudget motel room (Boaz area), a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HSV Huntsville International Airport (About 50 min drive; rental car recommended)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Oct (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Guntersville: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. US-431 runs through town; Alabama 69 and 79 intersect. Parking is free and easy. No public transit.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cathedral Caverns
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive south on US-431 then AL-79, about 20 min
Check hours and ticket availability in advance.
Huntsville
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive north on US-431, about 40 min
Space & Rocket Center, museums, dining.
Scottsboro
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive east on AL-79, about 25 min
Unclaimed Baggage Center and lake access.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Gunter Ave
Walkable to museum and restaurants; Wyndham Garden on the river.
Boaz / US-431 corridor
Cheaper motels, about 15 min south; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Riverfront hotel room (Wyndham Garden)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| State park entrance fee (per vehicle)1 × US$5 · check | US$5 |
| Museum entry2 × US$0 · free | US$0 |
| Cathedral Caverns ticket (adult)2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$40 |
| Trip total≈ US$218 per person per day, bed included | US$435 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Fried catfish plate (Rock House Eatery) | $12–18 |
| Seafood dinner (Top O' The River) | $18–30 |
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Beer (bottle at a restaurant) | $3–6 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.00–3.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No interstate access — plan for two-lane roads.
- State park entrance fee: check current rate.
- Cathedral Caverns requires a separate drive (about 20 min) and has limited hours; confirm before going.
- Restaurants may close early on Sundays.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GuntersvilleGuntersville
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulate in Guntersville. Nearest US embassy services: Atlanta (about 2.5 h drive).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- HSV airport → Guntersville (taxi or rideshare): about $50–70, 50 min (check)
- Guntersville → Cathedral Caverns (car): about 20 min, no tolls
Say or show
- Hello / Howdy — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the bathroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Guntersville. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Guntersville Museum, Guntersville State Park, Cathedral Caverns.
- Eat pages for Top O' The River and Rock House Eatery.
- Sleep page for Wyndham Garden Lake Guntersville.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for HSV airport.
Sources
Ask about Guntersville
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