Red Mountain Park
4.8(1.8K)google
4.7(80)yelp
NatureOutdoor
Overview
Red Mountain Park is a 1,500-acre public urban park that encloses a 4.5-mile-long section of Red Mountain, a prominent ridge that passes through Birmingham, Alabama. The woodland park contains closed mines and other artifacts of the city's industrial history. The park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States - about 78% larger than Central Park in New York City.
Practical Info
Every day7:00 AM–7:00 PM
Best TimeSpring and fall mornings or evenings are the best times to visit, avoiding the intense summer midday heat.
Getting ThereLocated southwest of downtown Birmingham, about 15 minutes away by car. Driving is recommended, and the main entrance on Frankston Drive offers a large free parking area.
Travel Tips
- Admission is free. The park is large, and reaching the iconic No. 3 Iron Ore Mine from the main entrance requires a decent walk, so bring plenty of water.
Reviews
Positive
- This vibrant urban forest park is larger than New York's Central Park and features wide, gentle trails perfect for strollers and jogging.
- The park is exceptionally pet-friendly and includes Birmingham's largest fenced dog park, with separate areas for large and small dogs.
- Visitors can explore historic iron mine sites, scenic overlooks such as Grace's Gap, and adventure attractions including zip lines and climbing towers.
Heads up
- Some sections of the main trails have limited shade, making them feel quite hot during summer.
- Because the terrain is relatively gentle, dramatic cliffside views are less common than at Oak Mountain or Ruffner Mountain.