Oak Mountain State Park
4.8(5.4K)google
4.6(121)yelp
NatureOutdoor
Overview
Oak Mountain State Park is a public recreation area located approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of Birmingham in the northeast quadrant of the city of Pelham, Alabama, United States. It is the state's largest state park at 9,940 acres (4,020 ha) and is home to the Alabama Wildlife Center, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, and Oak Mountain BMX Track. Park activities include hiking, running, mountain biking, swimming, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and golf. The park is managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Practical Info
Every day7:00 AM–7:00 PM
Best TimeA year-round destination. Spring and summer are ideal for swimming, camping, and biking, while fall is perfect for hiking and foliage viewing.
Getting ThereLocated about 20 minutes south of downtown Birmingham via I-65. Driving is necessary, and roads throughout the park connect the major attractions, each with available parking.
Travel Tips
- For an easy scenic visit, drive directly to the Peavine Falls parking area and take the short but steep trail to the waterfall.
- For a more rewarding adventure, hike to King's Chair for spectacular sunset views.
Reviews
Positive
- As Alabama's largest state park, covering nearly 10,000 acres, it offers enough activities to keep visitors busy for several days.
- The park features the scenic Peavine Falls and the famous King's Chair Loop, where hikers are rewarded with breathtaking cliff-top views.
- Facilities are outstanding and include lake beaches, kayak rentals, a championship golf course, a wildlife rehabilitation center, and even an Aqua Park.
- Its nationally recognized mountain biking trail system attracts serious riders from across the country.
Heads up
- The park is so large that driving between attractions is often necessary; exploring entirely on foot is impractical.
- Weekends and holidays can be very busy, and traffic backups may occur at the entrance gate where per-person admission is collected.