The women of Gees Bend were “discovered” by the outside world in the 1970s, making quilts with an almost impossible parallel to the American expressionist painting movement from which they lived physically and culturally worlds apart.
The Gees Bend Ferry transports visitors, their paddle boats or cars, with the North Terminal displaying quilts made by the women of Gees Bend on many days.
The region offers a wild side of Alabama’s Black Belt along the Alabama River. To get close to the area with a kayak or canoe, consider staying at Roland Cooper State Park or the US Army Corps of Engineers parks with camping available at Chilatchee Creek and Elm Bluff Park.
Chilatchee Creek
Camping at Chilatchee Creek offers nice campgrounds and put-ins.
Elm Bluff Park
If a taste of wild is more to your liking, try US Army Corps of Engineers Elm Bluff Park. The closest place to use as base camp is right by the north ferry terminal at Gees Bend Park. Lots of shore birds and some alligators share the water with you.
Gees Bend Ferry Terminal
It is a short walk from Elm Bluff Park to the ferry terminal (the nearby Gees Bend Ferry will transport your paddle boat, or your car, or just you). You will want to visit the terminals at some point because of the visitor center displays. The quilters work in the North Terminal on many days. The ferry runs eight times a day the year around.
