Established by Congress in 1996, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail commemorates the people, events, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Black and White non-violent supporters fought for the right to vote in Central Alabama. Today, you can connect with this history and trace the events of these marches along the 54-mile trail.
Map of the U.S. National Heritage Areas. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
https://www.nps.gov/semo/index.htm
Established by Congress in 1996, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail commemorates the people, events, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Black and White non-violent supporters fought for the right to vote in Central Alabama. Today, you can connect with this history and trace the events of these marches along the 54-mile trail.
March Route - The National Historic Trail follows the actual march route which began at Brown Chapel, A.M.E. Church in Selma, AL, located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. Follow the Trail markers to U.S. Hwy. 80 through Lowndes County, AL. Continue on U.S. Hwy. 80 to Montgomery concluding at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, AL, located on Dexter Avenue.
Lowndes Interpretive Center
The Lowndes Interpretive Center is located roughly halfway between Selma and Montgomery along the Trail on U.S. Highway 80 West near Whitehall, AL. The center has exhibits, including interactive exhibits, that tell the story of the history of the Voting Rights Movement, the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, and the Tent City that housed 20 families over a two year period following the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Visitors may view the film "Never Lose Sight of Freedom" in the theater.
From Birmingham, AL follow I-65 S. to Montgomery, AL. Take exit 167 to U.S. Hwy. 80 W. and travel 25 miles to White Hall, AL. The Lowndes Interpretive Center is located at 7002 U.S. Hwy. 80 W., in White Hall, AL. From Atlanta, GA take I-85 S. to Montgomery. Merge onto I-65 S. to exit onto U.S. Hwy. 80 W. and travel 25 miles to White Hall, AL. The Lowndes Interpretive Center is located at 7002 U.S. Hwy. 80 West, in White Hall, AL.
Montgomery Interpretive Center
The Montgomery Interpretive Center is located on the campus of Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. Inside the center, exhibits tell the history of the last leg of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, the student involvement in the Voting Rights Movement, and the rally that occurred at the City of St. Jude campus the fourth night of the march. A 20-minute film about student protests in Montgomery during March 1965 is available for viewing.
From Atlanta, Georgia Get on I-75 S/I-85 S from Washington St SW and Pulliam St SW. Follow I-85 S to Mulberry St in Montgomery. Take exit 2 from I-85 S. Take Glenn Palmer Ave to Harris Way From Birmingham, Al Get on I-65 S. Follow I-65 S to Forest Ave in Montgomery. Take exit 2 from I-85 N. Then take Glenn Palmer Ave to Harris Way. From Selma, follow U.S. 80 E. to I-65. Get on I-65 N. Follow I-65 N. to Forest Ave in Montgomery. Take exit 2 from I-85 N. Then take Glenn Palmer Ave to Harris Way.
Selma Interpretive Center
The Selma Interpretive Center is located at the base of the Edmund Pettus Bridge at 2 Broad St. in Selma, AL. Visitors may view exhibits on the first floor, ask questions at the front desk, and complete our Junior Ranger program. We are currently not able to show the film "The Way to Freedom: Selma and the Making of a Movement" in the center.
Traveling from Montgomery, AL, follow I-65 South to Exit 167, Highway 80 West to Selma. From Mobile, follow I-65 North to Exit 167, Highway 80 West to Selma. Follow Highway 80 West to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Cross the bridge and the Selma Interpretive Center is on the right corner - Broad St./Hwy. 80 W and Water Ave. Traveling from Mississippi on Highway 80 West, follow Highway 80 West to Water Ave. The center will be on the left corner at the base of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Gunter Hill Campground
Campground near Montgomery, Al
Gunter Hill Antioch Loop restroom and laundry facility.
Gunter Hill Antioch Loop playground.
Gunter Hill Antioch Loop restroom and laundry facility.
Entrance
Entrance sign
Boat Ramp
Gunter Hill Playground Catoma Loop
Gunter Hill Antioch Loop restroom and laundry facility.
Paul Grist State Park
https://www.alapark.com/parks/paul-grist-state-park
Prairie Creek
Alabama River Lakes Corp of Engineers
PRAIRIE CREEK PULL THROUGH SITE
A photo of facility PRAIRIE CREEK. Beaver Point playground.
A photo of facility PRAIRIE CREEK. Eagles Roost Loop playground.
PRAIRIE CREEK SIGN
Prairie Creek Eagle’s Roost Loop restroom and laundry facility.
A photo of facility PRAIRIE CREEK. Picnic shelter.
A photo of facility PRAIRIE CREEK. Beaver Point restroom and laundry facility.
50th Anniversary Walking Classroom
50th Anniversary Walking Classroom Participants.
During the 50th Anniversary Walking Classroom event participants marched nearly 54-miles from Selma to Montgomery.
A Tribute to The Civil Rights Martys
A tribute to remember.
A tribute program to the martyrs of the movement near the Viola Liuzzo Memorial in Lowndes County.
Marching Towards The State Alabama Capitol
Marching with a purpose.
Hundreds March Through The Streets of Montgomery.
Interpretive Talk on Highway 80
Interpretive Programs are available all year round.
Hundreds of Visitors Pause for An Interpretive Program along Highway 80
Words from The Heart
A Park Ranger speaks from the heart.
Hundreds of visitors take a moment to listen a Park Ranger speak from the heart.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
On August 5, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 expanded the 14th and 15th amendments by banning racial discrimination in voting practices. The act was a response to the barriers that prevented African Americans from voting for nearly a century.
President Lyndon Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Selma to Montgomery Walking Classroom
The Selma to Montgomery Walking Classroom commemorated the 50th anniversary of the march that was key to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
A group of people gather at the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
Montgomery City Lines lost between 30,000 and 40,000 bus fares each day during the pivotal 1955-56 Montgomery Bus Boycott. The company reluctantly desegregated its buses only after November 13, 1956, when the Supreme Court ruled Alabama's bus segregation laws unconstitutional.
B&W; marchers with American flags walking past white house. Coca-Cola sign hangs on right.
Selma to Montgomery March
On March 21 the official Selma to March began with the final number of supports reaching near 25,000 people on March 25. Five months later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act which prohibits discrimination in voting practices or procedures because of race and color.
B&W; marchers with American flags walk in front of a white house. Coca-cola sign hangs on right
National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate.
Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map
Conservation Diaries: Kia Hill, Storyteller of Black History and Administrator
Meet Kia Hill, the secretary for the superintendent of Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and the Freedom Riders National Monument in Alabama. Before landing this job, Kia was an intern and a park ranger at Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. Learn more about Kia’s journey to the National Park Service and her passion for storytelling and being a role model for Black youth.
park ranger walking through an open bridge
Reflecting on 55 years of the National Trails System Act: A Journey Through the Establishment of National Scenic and Historic Trails
In celebration of the 55th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, learn more about these significant trails and their history.