Oak Mountain State Park

We loved the Double Oak lake! It's never too crowded and the atmosphere is refreshing. This was our last lake day of the year today with the kids and the weather was perfect. There is a beach volleyball court and Pavillion acquired grills. If you don't want the beach part there are grassy park areas to picnic, there is a concession stand that offers gear and snacks.

Great place to run, hike, trail run, bike, kayak and any other outdoor activities you can think of. Trails are well marked and you can also get a trail map at the front gate when you enter the park. They have a bunch of fun events at Oak Mt from biking & bmx track races to 5K and many other races on a weekly basis. There is also a beautiful golf course and great campground.

This place was amazing! Beautiful views and me and my daughters first time hiking. You have to pay to enter the park. And maps were a $1. Walked a trail and also visited the treetop area with the injured owls that were taken in. Very interesting visit. Would definitely go again.

Oak mountain State Park is really a lot of fun for hiking and biking. I did not go to the beach area but I did see people filling their cars with kids and swimsuits and some kayaks on the water that I did pass. I was really impressed with the campground: I had a site that had electric, water and sewer. They have very good washers and dryers. Very good shower and toilet facilities, and very friendly staff. I was camping but I also see that they have cottages for rent that look very nice... They have so much to offer. I would say that you should go to the Alabama State Park website so that you can see everything. Sweet home Alabama 🎵

We had a fantastic time at Oak Mountain State Park! The changes made in the last few years have been amazing. The bath houses are great, the lots are large, and there is so much to do!

Great potential if they fix a few things. 1. Parking lot at the lake has huge gaps created by drainage. Please be careful and don’t you or your vehicle fall into one. 2. Certain groups may rent the pavilion and then spread out on to the beach like they own the place, blocking others from walking along the waterfront. You rented the pavilion, NOT the beach. We’ve seen this happen twice, and others recommend doing this on social media. 3. The $5 a person entrance fee (or even the annual membership) can be expensive for middle class local families, especially with repeated trips in the summer. There should be a discount for residents supported by state or county funds. 4. The young clerk at the gate was not aware of any electric bicycle limitations in the park, and the website is vague as well. This has created an anarchic situation where certain analog bikers feel empowered to stop electric bike riders on certain trails and interrogate them. It’s only a matter of time before this situation ends badly for the inquisitors. Let’s fix these issues and Make Oak Mountain Great Again!

Wow...This place is amazing. Largest state park I've seen in any state to date. Lots to do here and there is something for everyone in the family. Golfing, horseback riding, archery, biking & mountain biking, scenic drives, fishing, hiking, water falls, beaches with floating obstacle course, wake boarding on a wire, swimming, play grounds, picnic areas, accessible trails, etc. I also camped here for the weekend in the RV park area. Spacious camping spaces with pull throughs and full hookups. There is a heavy state park trooper presence here, so quiet hours are strictly observed and departure and arrival times are pretty firm. Town is fairly close and you can be to the grocery store, ice cream, coffee, etc. within ten minutes. Target and Walmart are a little further out, but are within a 20-30 minute ride. Camping World and the RV Super Store are within a 30-40 minute ride. Downtown Birmingham is also within 30-40 minute ride. Lots of antique shops in the area with some pretty cool stuff and lots of good finds.

Small $5 entrance fee plus $1 paper map. Park fee attendants were very nice and chatty (sorry I didn't stop back by but I was heading north lol). I chose to do the Blue trail, which most trails start at the North Trailhead which is just past the first lake, parking on the right. Huge lot, trails are across the road, all are marked well and have 1/4 mile marker posts, which I found helpful - you cover ground quicker than you think! I had to visit King's Chair for a few nice valley views (seen grey lizard here - Eastern fence I believe it's called). The harder part of the trail I'd say is the first 2 miles, typical hillside trail, good bit of upward but after 2 miles it's def easier and more gently rolling, more earth and less rock. About 7 total miles to Peavine Falls one way, short but pretty steep and rocky trail down to the creek falls, and back up the other side is a fun scramble. Falls are small but very pretty, small pool at the base, you can get right up on it if you wish, but you'll get your feet wet. To save time I opted to take Red Trail back, an old service road turned trail. To reach it I first found the Green trail, then red connector. Green trailhead is a lil hidden. Towards the back right of Peavine Falls parking lot - you reach the lot after the scramble on the other side of the falls, walk on a wide path up to the lot, felt like a quarter mile - the trailhead is a bit obscured. Glorified outhouse at the parking lot too, thankfully, but hold your nose. While on Red trail I realized I was on the CCC trail and not a road - CCC will run parallel to the road trail for a short ways and you can see it on your right, I walked up a lil bank but there is a path to it eventually. Red road trail is obviously an old road, gentle hill, no great views, but it is quiet and you'll see and cross several stream areas, which you can jump across or bridge. 5 miles to main trailhead, I completed about 13 total and really wish I had time to explore more of the park.

Such a beautiful park with multiple trails that are pet friendly. There's lakes and biking options as well. Definitely enjoyed the park.

The Kings Chair trail is steep in many places and flat in a few areas. I'd consider it moderate in difficulty, which I loved. The view leaves me speechless every time. Just beautiful.

If you're in Birmingham and in need of a relatively close hike, this spot is a good place to go around. Here's instructions for the waterfall in particular Directions: Ask for a map and follow it through the road. When you're at the parking lot. Revisit the Park map and follow the taggings. The taggings are pretty visible, the sounds of the water should also guide you. Hiking Difficulty: I recommend hiking boots and water; however, my friend just did it with his regular clothes. Overall: 4.5 stars. I had a great experience here. Unfortunately the water was low (December) but I imagine it being more active and flowy during the summer. Regardless there are great things to do here. A nice run, hike, biking, or just observing the nice Alabama plants. I hope to come back here in the summer TL;DR Tips: * Entrance to the park is $5. * Check IG if the waterfall is strong or weak, it varies based on the season.

My family and I came here just out of the blue on a Saturday. There is a $5 entrance fee and $3 for senior citizens. Since this was my first time here, I wasn't sure what fees would apply. The attendant on duty was helpful. As all first timers, we wasn't real sure how it all worked. We navigated best we could. My main goal was to NOT get lost. Mission accomplished! We found a trail to explore and it was enjoyable. Very relaxing too. This is a large state park with lots to see. We didn't get to see much. We all decided that we would make another trip out to the state park soon.

Had a blast hiking the Kings Chair Overlook. It's a moderate uphill and downhill out and back clicking in at 3.5-ish miles. Keep mind of your footing both ways, as the trail often has loose rock or pine needles to cause slipping. I was over the moon making it to the top (it's a challenge), and the view didn't disappoint!

Loved their Kings Chair Loop Trail. That view from the very top was well worth the climb! Scenic, decently well marked trail. Only $5 park admission.

We have been visiting Oak Mountain State Park for 25 + years. We have camped there, hiked the trails, fished, canoed the lakes, visited the farm, watched fireworks, rode bikes, etc. My husband and I hiked the other day, and I must say I was disappointed with the amount of erosion on the blue trail. In the past someone tried to fix it by making wood steps, but the erosion has made the steps exceedingly high which has made people walk around the steps thus widening the trail and making the erosion worse. I am not sure what the answer is. Maybe move the trail and let the old trail grow back? Otherwise this is a nice park with a lot of activities!! There's golfing, horseback riding, a beach, and even archery.

There isn't much I can add to the words that have been said about the park already. The only thing I don't see said enough is what a bargain it is to enter the park. If you and your family haven't visited yet, do it! It's such a gem.

YOU ARE JUST TREE- MENDOUS! For Jasmines birthday this year she had one request. She wanted a beach/lake day. Me, coming from Florida I am so used to beaches, not so much man made lakes. Oak Mountain State park was a short 30 minute drive for us. Which is super easy. The drive there is gorgeous with beautiful landscape. It is shocking that it only costs $5 dollars to enter the park and from there you can do what you want when you want as long as you are out of there before it closes. People bring towels, umbrellas, grills the whole shebang. Though I did notice that some people do not know how to properly dispose of their hot embers when they are done grilling and packing up. I noticed multiple small fires started around the picnic tables. This is how Forrest fires start, we don't want what happened in Canada to happen to us. Though the lake is swim at your own risk, once you get your feet wet it's so much fun. There is both a shallow and deep end, so if you are short be careful of that. This experience was super nice. Woodsy air, beautiful weather, great company and all at such an inexpensive price. The only thing I didn't like was the rude man from the concessions stand. He closed at exactly five and was still serving when I went over he made a rude comment, but he was the one who was still serving other small kids and people who were in front of me an hour after he closed down. Overall, great park, tons to explore and do. I plan to come back again this summer. If you plan on going, I highly suggest reserving a picnic table for you and your party, this way there is no way anyone is going to be getting overly hot.

Funny how we travel around the world looking for/at beautiful things and places never taking in the beauty around us. I haven't been to the beach at Oak Mountain in a while so going back for a Veterans event was kind of special. Man o man, I had forgotten just how nice it is riding up the mountain and taking in nature. Once I arrived to the beach, I was blown away by the view. There's nothing like water to calm the nerves and ease the stress of life. Great seeing the families and kids enjoying the sand and water. The smells of burning coals filled the air as the small boats went up and down the river. Oak Mountain is a great place for hiking, biking, fishing, boating and all things outdoor. Hurry up and get there! Don't miss the fun!

Nice place to have a family outing. There is a $5 per adult (12+) and $2 per child (4-11). The lay out can be a bit tricky. I'm glad my friends gave good directions and had balloons set up for our event. They have grills onsite and a beach like area for swimming.

This is a beautiful park. It's easy to get to and the $5 fee is reasonable. There is plenty to see and do for people of all ages and ability levels. Here you will find beautiful scenery for a nice drive, over 50 miles of trails to hike, bike, or ride horses. They have bike trails certified by the IMBA for mountain bikers. There are rental horseback riding facilities on site as well as a demonstration farm. Little ones and animal lovers will enjoy the petting zoo. Oak Mountain also offers an archery range, 18 holes of golf with a driving range and a pro shop. They offer picnic facilities including a large pavilion and tables with grills. There are two fishing lakes and a recreational use lake with a boat launch as well as paddle boats and canoes for rent. This lake has a sandy beach swimming area, a large open playing field, and a shoreline for fishing. In the Summer months they have a large inflatable obstacle course on the water. There is also a cable water skiing course. The Alabama Wildlife Center is located here as is the Interpretive Center. Both offer educational programs. The treetop nature trail is one I highly recommend. You can view non-releasable birds of prey in 6 different enclosures in the tree tops. There is so much to do here, I'm sure I'm leaving something out. You can camp at one of the many campgrounds or you can rent one of their cabins. They're a little pricey but we'll worth it. I visited here with my disabled parents and we had a lovely time. The gate attendant was friendly and gave us a park map. We enjoyed the scenery as we drove through the park. We made use of the picnic tables next to a stream. It was beautiful. The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely breathtaking. I'll be coming back to make the hike to Peavine Falls. I highly recommend this park.

It is the only thing that I'm gonna spend a lot of money on just kidding. It doesn't cost too much is beautiful about it. My kids loved it. My wife goes every weekend with her son named Billy and it really just wonderful.

For a $5 park, it's pretty nice for a drive or family friendly camping. They have water sports like kayaking or swimming, lots of playgrounds and basketball courts. There's a farm with a petting zoo and plenty of hiking trails. I wasn't impressed by the falls so I don't think it's worth the drive, especially with how narrow the road is and it takes like 20min at 15mph. The bird wildlife sanctuary wasn't really anything worth looking unless you want to see some everyday birds.

I did my 50 Mile Trail Race at Oak Mountain State Park - I don't live nearby, so I came in hoping for the best. - Parking is great! I parked at the Terrance Drive area. - Indoor bathrooms! YES! God send when I was running and had to pee. - Very pretty trails. We ran on the easier trail area but I heard there are much harder trails, so I love the variation. - Big pavilion & lots of green space. - 5 bucks per car for entry. - Trails are well-maintained. I'll definitely come back here to run when I'm in Alabama.

What a lovely park. So many resources to enjoy. We went for three nights of tent camping. Great tent sites. Restrooms adequate. Picnic tables are to be replaced soon, I think, and that will be good. The weather was awful for us, hot and thunderstorms every day. But the park is close enough to Birmingham that we found things to do inside with air conditioning so we had a nice visit.

Beautiful spot with many amenities. Archery, horseback riding, golf, etc sites are almost all with trees and shade. Many pull thru sites. Very nice park. Would definitely go back.

I visited the oak mountain state park beach for my birthday before, so I wanted to go again. It's only $5 per adult all day. The beach was fun with swimming and playing in the sun with family and/or friends. It's a perfect simple place close to Birmingham for a cheap weekend away.

This is my favorite vacation spot in the country. The cabins are fantastic. Large, furnished with AC & flat screen tv & satellite TV. They surround a wonderful little man-made lake and come equipped with canoes and a pier for fishing. Each cabin has a nice porch with a swing, grill, and picnic table. Wonderful. There's also a number of fantastic hiking trails. A nature center, a zoological trail with indigenous birds and animals, and a great man-made beach at one of several lakes. There's also a working farm with a petting zoo, horse trails, primitive camp sites, a bmx course, and an archery range. All this nestled within a breathtakingly beautiful state park that is a short 15-20 minute drive to Birmingham and all that city offers. Did you know that Birmingham has more James Beard nominees than Atlanta? It is probably the most underrated city in the country. So much to do & such a cool vibe. I love coming here & can't wait to come back. It's really an amazing place.

Oak Mountain State Park was a blast. We stayed one night to camp and hit some of the great mountain biking trails. Full story here: https://youtu.be/4iKkc0tpMvM. One of my favorite two trail mash ups - thunder and lighting. The camp sites made this a 4. They were okay. But the mountain biking, lake and water fall made this a fun park.

I've known this place very well for many of years. I used to race BMX bikes next to the beach area when it was still there. Raced at the new track as well. We camped every weekend. It's nostalgic for me. Great trails. Smell of the nature and BBQ. Fireworks for the 4th. American heart. It used to beat everywhere but now you have to pay for it.

A serene place that's surrounded by lush trees and vast lands they can be trekked, biked, camped and in general enjoyed. King Chair is one of my favorites at Oak Mountain. It is a steep hike but worth the effort that leads you to stunning views. The wildlife center is also worth visiting, great outdoor activity to involve kids. Very educational and you get to learn about Alabama wildlife. Staff are always friendly. The signs are properly set up and you won't feel like you are lost in this place. The park encompasses many other landscapes like a beach with a swimming area. If you are interested in overnight stays there are camp grounds and cabins. During 4th of July you can watch the fireworks and this is the best place to enjoy them with friends and family. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you have plenty to choose from. The entrance fee is $5.00 but if you are 3 and under it's free and $2.00 for 62 and over.

I love Oak Mountain!! First off, the staff at the gates are down to earth, respectful, respectable, attentive, and joyful!! Next, the park is constantly adding value to the park. We have a camper out here. It seems like every season, there are helpful new additions to campsites, trails, bathrooms, etc. The trails are well marked. Some people do not like highly trafficked trails, but I enjoy it being a young woman hiking alone sometimes. It is a safe place for hiking, biking, horse riding, star gazing, and anything in-between!! Check out their Facebook page for events and attractions.

Beautiful state park. We love camping but the sites need updating many too small and not level . Bathrooms are terrible ... very outdated. This park has lots s of amenities ... beautiful lakes, beautiful golf course, horse stables, beach and bmx trails and great hiking trails. Please up date campground and bathrooms. All the picnic tables are outdated or broken.

For hiking, lake-beach time, or just hanging out in the green, clean air of nature, you can't beat Oak Mountain. There are hiking trails, horse trails, mountain biking trails, water recreational areas, boat rentals, cabins, camp grounds - really, a little bit of everything! The entrance fee is $5/day for adults, which I feel is perfectly reasonable to keep up this beautiful space and make it accessible. Warning, though, they DON'T have card readers and only accept cash! I'm so grateful we have this space in Birmingham. We are super lucky.

I'm glad we have this option for outdoor activities here near Hoover; located in Pelham. I've been there so many times at so many stages of life. In high school for group fellowships for teams, church groups; visited the outdoor center where they tend to injured animals; hiked to peavine falls; camped out overnight at their campground; ridden a mountain bike on their bike trails; had a few family and friends cookouts by the lake; canoed and fished the lake; golfed their course (deer frequently hang out). If you like the outdoors on a pretty day, it's a nice place to be.

One of the most beautiful State parks!! We did the Raptor trail and water fall trail! Watch for snakes at the waterfall trail but they're harmless if you are harmless! Waterfall is a workout and not for the faint hearted, this is coming from a marathon runner!! Amazing spot for bouldering and free climbing as well, I felt so alive up here and I didn't even get to swim in the lake or do the other two trails I wanted to do. If you come here bring a mountain bike and camp here for the weekend and bike anywhere you want to go, there's even a restaurant for when you get tired of the hobo packet camp meals!

I do road biking here almost every weekend. The trails are well maintained and safe. Other fun activities include picnic, hiking (e.g., to the Peavine Fall and King's Chair) and fishing.

How cool! We loved Kings Chair and Pevine (sp?) Falls. The water fall was flowing in full force after a flash flood a couple of days before. Nice trails, sooo many we were bummed to only have one day to explore this beautiful park!

Went kayaking and had a blast! It was a good way to spend the day.

I love Oak Mountain. There is so much to see and explore. It's so nice to be in nature. No matter how many times you go, you'll see and experience something new.

I loved to hike at oak mountain. It was gorgeous. We had such a blessed time with friends.

What a beautiful park! Came friday with my better half and our 3 pup children around 1:30 and it was empty which was soooo nice compared to times I've been and it's been packed! Entrance fee to the park is $5/person (thankfully pets aren't included or this would have been an expensive hike). We bypassed the kayak/canoe rentals and first 2 parking lot hike trails and made our way all the way to the top to Peavine Falls and the outlook. The drive up the mountain is insanely fresh and crisp, this may be one of my favorite parts of the whole park! It is a windy road so if you get motion sick you made want to come prepared. As you start the Peavine Falls trail you can either take a right at some benches to go down to the falls or you can continue to follow the trail to the left and it will take you across a bridge and around the back side of the falls where you can choose to go either up to the outlook point or down to the falls. The trails can get pretty woody/foresty but the trees for the trails have markers so you can be assured you didn't get lost! The outlook is beautiful and worth the climb. The falls were quite dry I believe it is a waterfall that needs a good shower before it is going so hopefully we will catch it better next time.

Went camping over the weekend here with a friend and my dog, reservations online for the campground were easy. It's beautiful and only 45 south of Birmingham. The park has tons of trails, mountain bike paths, a golf course, archery park, cabins, trailer space, a restuarant and lakes with boat rentals. It was a bit crowded because there was a harvest festival on Saturday (it was pretty cool and had great food options). Would definitely camp here again as it's a great halfway point between Nashville and Pensacola where my fave camping buddy lives. One thing to note is that the back gate closes at sunset so in the winter and fall make sure you drive to the front gate right off the interstate if arriving close to sunset.

Brought the pup up here for a long walk to burn some of his energy.... what a great place, had I know of all the things to do here we would have come much sooner... the hiking trails are pretty good and LONG!!!!! There is so much to see and do here, can't wait to come back in warmer weather to kayak and swim!!!! This place seems to have it all, horse back riding, gold, swimming, hiking, falls, too much to do in one day. If you want a one stop park this is it in the ham area. And the views from atop the mountain are gorgeous. If you can get out here make sure you pack a picnic lunch and stay all day, for 5 dollars per person this is by far a great value!!!!!

Wow. What an amazing park. After 2 years of living here we finally visited. There is a per person charge to enter the park so make sure you bring money! We got a map of the park for$1. This park is huge. We parked near the lake and walked up to the wildlife preserve. We got to see the rescued birds along the way. Lots of very cool owls. It was a bit of the hike to get to the top but we did see little kids along the way so they armed to manage okay. Look for the giant pine cones that can be found at the top. After we hiked back down, we decided to drive to the top of the mountain. What an amazing view at the top! From there wee drive over to where you can hike down and see the falls. We really enjoyed talking to other hikers we meet along the way. This park has so much to offer. Cabins to rent, two lakes to swim in, wake boarding, boats to rent, paddle boats, horse back riding. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Can't wait to come back!

There are so many activities to do in this park. There is a beach, golf course, hiking and bike trails, picnic areas, petting zoo, and much more. They hold many holiday events for the public. A great family place or even to go by yourself and enjoy the relaxing and tranquil atmosphere!

On Sunday, March 9th, Tony and I stopped at Oak Mountain State Park outside of Birmingham, AL. The park is so lovely. We stopped at the front gate and asked the Park Ranger for directions to the Peavine Falls that is located in the park. This park is very lovely. There is a beach, hiking, picnic tables and gorgeous overlooks on the mountain tops. I really enjoyed this park and I would love to go back there again. The park entrance fee was $5 for the car..not per person. Great day and lovely weather. -- at Oak Mountain State Park.

Oak Mountain State Park is one of the treasures of Birmingham. There's always something to do there! We particularly enjoy the hiking trails, visiting the farm animals, and occasionally settling at the lake beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun. One of the kids favorite activities is chasing around the peacock that dwells in the farm area (despite the sign that reads "No Chasing the Peacock"). Entrance fees are very cheap, at $2 per adult and $1 per child. The park is always very well maintained and the staff is friendly!

Absolutely gorgeous park in Birmingham! There's a lot to do here and it's perfect to be with friends, family, etc. There is a fee to get in and I believe it's a $5/person entrance fee. You can swim in the water, camp in certain places, take hikes and enjoy a fun day or weekend. Our group went to hike Peavine falls. It is a 4 mile roundtrip hike and overall for me from a scale of 1-10 it was about a 4 . It was a decent trek and for some in our group who never hike, they would say it would've been a 7 or 8. So I would say this hike depends on your stamina and endurance and how warm it is. When it is hot, and humid, hikes tend to always be more difficult. The hike ended with a awesome waterfall surrounded by lots of water streams and rocks and trees. Definitely be careful when crossing the stream and if you just want to take your shoes off and go wading in the water, I would suggest that.

This park could be really nice. The beach areas at the lakes need work. Bathrooms are ok but old. Everything is run down and with a little updating could be great. The petting zoo was more like a few goats and a donkey. Could be really nice if it was kept up.

Impressive, well-kept state park. Raptor rehab enclosures were very nice. The kids really enjoyed the Treetop trail.

A beautiful state park with tons to explore! This park offers bike trails for all levels from beginner to expert, each with awesome views. There's also a golf course, bird sanctuary, and petting zoo for the kiddos. Don't miss the Peavine Falls hike; it is well worth it! We stayed in the cabins this time, and they are fully equipped with a full kitchen and room to sleep 6. You also have access to the boats and canoes at the lake. We had a great time. I would recommend Oak Mt to everyone who hasn't been. It's a beautiful place!

Such scenic place to see. It is kept up very well and is extremely family friendly. It has awesome camping and picnic pavilions facilities. I have been to many functions here, and always had a great time. They also have a great lake to swim or canoe/kayak if the day permits. Or if you are in a horseback riding mood, there is that too. Anyway you spin it , this state of Alabama park is a cheap thrill for everyone. Get back to the great outdoors and have some fun.

Great place to go hiking or bike riding. Lots of trails and a lake. There is a beautiful waterfall on one of the trails. It's a must see. Family friendly!

Great park, lots of amenities bette including a farm, house stable and archery grounds. Bring cash! Their atm and electronic system was down and we had to turn around and drive another 15 mins long for an atm. Cost is $5/adult (not car). We came here to hike King's chair overlook. We had a great time. Make sure you take a picture of the trail when you get started so you can refer back . The trails are pretty well marked so we did not have trouble finding the trails.

Awesome place to visit for a day or stay in the cabins or at the campground! Outstanding nature center , go by and visit

This place is absolutely beautiful and so much too do. This definitely make the area a lot more special having this place to enjoy Outdoor activities. They have everything a person enjoys doing outdoors all in one Park. So glad I move here.

Great location, good scenery, and even better accommodations/facilities! Never been to an Alabama state park but if this is how most of them are, then the park service needs to have even more funding!