Outdoor Recreation opens way to great outdoors

By Eric SchultzJune 10, 2024

Summer is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the outdoor adventures available on Redstone Arsenal, according to Outdoor Recreation. Available adventures include boating, camping and fishing for all ages.

Want to get out on the water?

Outdoor Rec has some boating deals that won’t sink your wallet, according to Tom Pyburn, manager of outdoor recreation.

“We are offering some weekend boating specials,” he said. “We’ve got three-day pontoon boat rental, from Friday morning to Monday morning for $525. We also have a three-day bass boat rental, from Friday to Monday, for $325. That’s a pretty good deal.”

If fishing is your thing, Outdoor Rec has a free fishing day planned for those who like to cast a line into the waters around Redstone Arsenal.

“On Saturday, June 8 Outdoor Rec will participate in a free fishing day,” Pyburn said. “The State of Alabama does not require fishing license on that day. You can go out and fish with the family and you don’t need an Alabama fishing permit.”

Staff from Outdoor Recreation are going to be at the Carroll D. Hudson Recreation area from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help you land ‘the big one’ or at least give you a hot dog if you don’t catch anything.

“We’re giving out free worms to all participants,” Pyburn said.

“Also, we’re having a cookout at lunchtime. It all starts around 10:30 a.m., we’ll at least have the grill fired up by then,” he said. “We’re going to have hot dogs and chips and water available.”

While everyone enjoys having fun on the water, boating safety is important to make sure no one gets hurt on the water. Outdoor Rec will partner with the Coast Guard Auxiliary to have a boating safety class.

“The class is on June 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. here are Outdoor Rec in our classroom,” Pyburn said. “The fee is $15, and it includes all the learning materials.”

The class will prepare people to take the Alabama Boaters Safety Course to get their vessel endorsement on their Alabama driver’s license. Classes are available to anyone 14 and up. Any youth under 18 must have a parent registered in the class with them.

Pyburn said people can call the main number at Outdoor Recreation 256-876-4868 anytime if they have questions about scheduling their summer adventures on Redstone Arsenal.

“We work all the time here,” Pyburn said. “We stay busy.”