Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park and is located in Shelby County. More than 100 miles of trails invite visitors to hike, mountain bike and horseback ride. These three activities give the park a distinctive character: you can explore it on foot, by bike or on horseback. Trails also play an important role throughout the rest of the county. According to a tourism estimate, the hiking and mountain biking trail network spans more than 150 miles; its total length may change over time.
Trails, viewpoints and distinctive habitats
Double Oak Park covers about 900 acres. The park includes Watchtower Overlook and other viewpoints overlooking the surrounding area. Limestone Park in Alabaster reveals a different side of the landscape: its approximately 100 acres contain locally rare habitats, including a beaver swamp, a water tupelo swamp, wetlands and open grasslands. The acreage is an approximate figure.
The Cahaba River and Shades Creek meet at Cahaba River Park. Cahaba lilies, a rare species of spider lily found only in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, grow there. They bloom in the early summer months, although the timing can vary from year to year and depending on conditions. Thus, the natural landscape is shaped not only by trails and viewpoints, but also by a seasonal plant species.
For shorter or clearly defined routes, other options offer straightforward guidance. The Columbiana Community Trail is a 1.48-mile loop through wooded, hilly terrain. It is open only during daylight hours and is publicly accessible when not being used by the school. The Dunnavant Valley Greenway is about 1.9 miles long and has a natural surface. It runs along the North Fork of Yellow Leaf Creek between the Dunnavant Valley Fields Trailhead and the Hwy 41 Trailhead. The available information therefore differs in both trail length and the surface and use described.
Lakes and wildlife care at Oak Mountain State Park
Oak Mountain State Park has seven lakes. Several are open to the public and have boat launches; fishing from a canoe or kayak is permitted on the six public lakes. Visitors interested in wildlife can also find the Alabama Wildlife Center in the same park. Each year, it rehabilitates injured native birds so they can return to the wild. Admission to the center is included with state park admission; check current operating information before your visit.
The Treetop Nature Trail Boardwalk has six enclosures housing twelve non-releasable birds of prey cared for by the Alabama Wildlife Center. This gives visitors a close-up look at the care these animals receive and complements the center’s work with a direct encounter with its residents. These are different aspects of the same subject: rehabilitating injured birds and caring for birds of prey that cannot return to the wild.
Railroads, history and public programs
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera is the official railroad museum of the State of Alabama. It has operating standard-gauge trains, two restored railroad depots, and indoor and outdoor collections of railroad artifacts. Visitors can ride a train through the scenic woodlands of Shelby County. Schedules are seasonal and may change, so check the dates if a train ride is part of your plans. The collection and the ride offer different ways to experience railroad history: preserved objects and depot buildings on the one hand, and a journey through the landscape on the other.
The Shelby County Museum & Archives is housed in the historic Old 1854 Courthouse. Its holdings include books, microfilm and U.S. federal census records dating back to 1790. School groups and the public are welcome at American Village. The campus currently includes 24 reproductions of buildings and monuments, each representing a significant part of American history; the exhibits may change. Public programs invite visitors to explore the ideals of American freedom and self-government. Check opening hours and possible holiday closures before visiting.
More experiences and their schedules
Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena has two NHL-size ice rinks. Its offerings include public skating, youth and adult hockey leagues, and figure skating programs. Since schedules vary by program, it’s worth checking the current timetable before your visit. Skating and seasonal train rides offer different experiences: one takes you to an ice sports facility, the other into railroad history and the county’s woodlands.
Explore more destinations: Pelham, Calera, Alabaster, St. Clair County, Blount County, Cleburne, Tallapoosa County, Barbour County.
For the main travel overview: Alabama.
