Dothan Forever Wild Trail Remains Closed After Storm
The city keeps the 400-acre trail system shuttered as crews and volunteers continue clearing debris from Hurricane Isaias.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hiking
Live Poll
Do you believe volunteer efforts are sufficient to maintain public parks in your community?
The Forever Wild Trail in Dothan remains closed 10 days after Hurricane Isaias struck the region. While other local trails have reopened, city officials will not open the Forever Wild system until all safety concerns are addressed.
Why it matters
The closure reflects the citys commitment to ensuring the 14-mile network is completely safe for hikers. Cleanup efforts are ongoing as crews manage significant damage sustained during the storm.
The Forever Wild Trail spans 14 miles across 400 acres. Volunteers have contributed over 300 man-hours to remove more than 60 trees from the property.
The players
Kenny Long
He is a volunteer from Augusta who is helping with the trail recovery efforts.
The details
Recovery teams use chainsaws, backpack blowers, and fire rakes during twice-daily shifts to clear the paths. While Dothan successfully reopened other city trail systems like those at Westgate Park, the Forever Wild site requires more extensive work.
Timeline
October 10, 2026: Hurricane Isaias impacted the region.
October 20, 2026: The trail remains closed 10 days after the storm.
Culture Shift
The current cleanup follows a recurring pattern established by the October 2024 Hurricane Helene impact. The city is navigating increasingly frequent restoration projects to maintain outdoor access following significant storm events.
Residents should continue to avoid the Forever Wild Trail system until an official reopening announcement is made by the city. Hikers can visit reopened trails at locations like Westgate Park in the meantime.
The takeaway
Maintaining safe trails after severe weather requires significant volunteer and municipal cooperation. Hikers can help by respecting closure signs until work crews declare the area safe for public use.
Further reading
For more information on regional outdoor recreation, visit the Hiking section.
Live Poll
Do you believe volunteer efforts are sufficient to maintain public parks in your community?
