The Mulberry Fork offers one of Alabama's most engaging whitewater adventures, stretching just over three miles from the Garden City River Park to the take-out at Whitewater Drive in Hayden. This section delivers an inviting balance of gentle flows and spirited rapids that challenge paddlers across skill levels, providing both fresh paddlers and seasoned river runners with rewarding moments on the water. The river invites you in with a mostly wide channel lined by forested banks, where sunlight dapples the water and the current pushes forward with a lively confidence. Early stretches are approachable, easing you into the rhythm of the river with mellow shoals and calm patches for easy maneuvering. But soon enough, the river contours around an island, marking a shift to a playground of waves and ledges that beg to be surfed and explored.

The first major feature after the island is Glen Clark Memorial Rapid, characterized by a pour-over rock settled in the center flow that creates a powerful spot to ride out your moves or prepare for the next section. Just beyond, Training Wheel provides some of the run’s most consistent action. Below two feet of water, it’s a side surfing spot perfect for honing balance; when water rises above that level, it transforms into a front-facing surf wave that commands your focus and invites multiple runs.

Next comes Eddy Hop, a rapid that tests your technical skills at lower water levels with its creek-like currents, and turns energetic with waves and holes that demand respect when the flow swells. Paddlers often nickname this spot “seat-less chaps” when the water’s high—an affectionate nod to its unpredictability if you flip or eject.

Approaching the Lunch Stop wave, the river right reveals a rocky bluff that forms one of the finest surfing features along this run. This wave is more than a thrill—it’s a training ground for ferrying across currents and mastering combat rolls under real conditions. Shortly thereafter, Mary’s Hole challenges you with a dynamic character that ranges from a fun surf wave to a sticky hole, depending entirely on the river's mood.

The run culminates at Race Course rapid, flowing into the iconic Hawaii 5-O wave adjacent to a small beach take-out managed by the Birmingham Canoe Club. This section is a playground of shoals and wave trains that grow in size with the river’s pulse, providing endless opportunities for park-and-play runs. The mulberry’s flow demands attention as high water turns the whole stretch into a thrilling arena where waves converge with minimal eddies—this is when the river truly dares paddlers to push their skills.

Plan your trip with practical details in mind: the put-in at Garden City River Park lies just off Old U.S. Highway 31, past the local water treatment plant. The take-out requires respect for private property and adherence to parking rules—use of the Birmingham Canoe Club facilities is encouraged, and alternate parking on River Road offers a scenic bluff-top vantage point overlooking Hawaii 5-O.

Paddlers hoping to catch the river at its best will look for flows over two feet, where surfing spots come alive without sacrificing control. While the official USGS gauge decommissioned in 2016, a local gauge remains online to help determine runnability and flow status. The length and moderate difficulty (Class II) make this a perfect day trip for those ready to explore Alabama’s whitewater playground with confidence and care.

The annual Alabama Cup Races kick off the season, bringing a community of paddlers together and highlighting the river’s lively character. Whether you seek a fun training ground or an entertaining foil for your skills, the Mulberry Fork’s Lower Section stands ready to meet you with waves that challenge, currents that push forward, and the steady rhythm of a river eager to share its pulse.