Travel and Accommodations

The Travel and Accommodations information below is for the 2023 Folklife in the South gathering, which will be held in Guntersville, Alabama on June 8-10, 2023.

UPDATE: May 1, 2023

Due to high demand, registrations that include on-site lodging are no longer available. Although on-site lodging is no longer available, there are off-site options in the Lake Guntersville area such as Wyndham Garden Lake Guntersville, Hampton Inn Guntersville, VRBO, and Airbnb; there are also private and public campground options in the area. South Arts has no affiliation with these options and cannot guarantee availability; lodging reservations are responsibility of the attendee.

Where We’ll Stay

FITS has a long history of gathering at camps and state parks across the American South. In 2023, we’ll meet at Lake Guntersville State Park in Northeast Alabama, along the banks of the Tennessee River. The park houses a resort inn, restaurant, and convention center where all FITS activities will take place. We’ll share additional recommendations for self-guided field trips to visit nearby traditional artists. Lake Guntersville is 1 hour from Huntsville, AL, 1.5 hours from Chattanooga, TN, 2 hours from Birmingham, AL, and 3 hours from Atlanta, GA.

Transportation to Guntersville, Alabama

Flights: The closest major airport to Lake Guntersville State Park in Guntersville, AL, is Huntsville International Airport in Huntsville, AL (54 miles). Other nearby airports include the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, AL (73 miles) and the Chattanooga Airport in Chattanooga, TN (96 miles).
Driving: By car, Lake Guntersville State Park is within 200 miles of Huntsville, AL (42 miles), Birmingham, AL (73 miles), Chattanooga, TN (79 miles), Atlanta, GA (151 miles), Nashville, TN (162 miles), Tupelo, MS (162 miles), Montgomery, AL (167 miles), Columbus, GA (175 miles), and Knoxville, TN (196 miles).

Ground Transportation Options: For flights out of Huntsville, you may find information for rental cars and ride sharing services here. For flights out of Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport, you may find options for rental cars and shuttle services here. For flights out of Chattanooga, you may find information for rental cars and ride sharing services here.