Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Caution Planning a Fall visit to the Montgomery Interpretive Center? Read this!

The Montgomery Center is located next to the ASU football stadium. Home games are scheduled for Sept. 5 & 26, Oct. 9 (Fri), Nov. 14, 21 & 26 (Thur). Home games are big events - streets may be closed and parking may be difficult to find at this center.

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Park Closure Selma Interpretive Center Closed

The Selma Interpretive Center will remain closed to the public due to major renovations; project completion is expected in 2028. There are two other unaffected visitor centers offering services: Montgomery Interpretive Center (1521 Harris Way, Montgomery, AL 36106) Lowndes Interpretive Center (7002 US-80, Hayneville, AL 36040)

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Weather Frost Advisory issued November 8 at 10:17AM CST until November 9 at 8:00AM CST by NWS Birmingham AL

* WHAT...Temperatures as low as 33 will result in frost formation.

* WHERE...All of central Alabama

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 8 AM CST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive

outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

What to do: Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

Read the full alert · Until Nov 9, 2026, 2:00 PM

Overview

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Hands-On
  • Volunteer Vacation
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Interpretive Centers Daily Hours of Operation: The Lowndes and Montgomery Interpretive Centers are open Monday - Saturday. The Selma Interpretive Center is closed at this time for major construction. The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Interpretive Centers are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day annually.

Getting there

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.

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

  • Paul Grist State Park
  • Prairie Creek
  • Gunter Hill Campground

Weather

Depending on the season, temperatures can soar from the extremes of heat and humidity in the summer to damp, wet cold temperatures in the winter. During the summer season visitors should wear light, comfortable clothing, shoes and use sunscreen. High temperatures and humidity create higher risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. During the fall visitors should have a light jacket available as temperatures can drop suddenly. Winter temperatures can be range from mild to extremely cold.

Phone: 334-877-1983

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Marching with a purpose.
Marching Towards The State Alabama Capitol · NPS Photo
Interpretive Programs are available all year round.
Interpretive Talk on Highway 80 · NPS Photo
A Park Ranger speaks from the heart.
Words from The Heart · NPS Photo
Crowds streaming across a bridge, blue sky and metal beams overhead read, "Edmund Pettus Bridge"
Selma Jubilee 2023 · NPS Photo
Three women, two in ranger uniforms, and one in a green polo smile at the camera.
Park Rangers and Interns of the Trail · NPS Photo
A black granite looking monument in front of a dilapidated brick building.
Old Perry County Jail · NPS Photo

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