Oak Mountain State Park is such a local gem that is close to home for me. Located in Pelham, Alabama, this park is easily accessible in the Birmingham area. I actually graduated from Pelham High School, so this park is practically in my backyard. However, even though I graduated high school so close to Oak Mountain, I never actually visited the park (or Peavine Falls) while I was in school.

A lot of times when something is close to us we may not realize what a blessing it is. I was often seeking adventures in far away places instead of looking at all that nature had to offer me close to home. Being back home has made me realize what a great area I live in for those who love the outdoors like me.

Peavine Falls

My favorite hike at Oak Mountain has to be the hike to Peavine Falls. This hike has its own parking lot, and while you can get to Peavine Falls from many other areas, parking in the lot is the closest and fastest way to get to the Falls. 

This trail takes a bit to drive to since it’s a ways back (from the main road and from the lake pavilions), but you pass some incredible views at ADA overlook, and if the weather is right, you can see a waterfall at the end of this trail. This waterfall is 65 feet high and there is a trail leading to the bottom of the falls as well as a trail above the waterfall. The trail to the bottom of the falls can be steep in some places, so be prepared.

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Trails that lead to the Peavine Falls

There are many different trails that lead to Peavine Falls, depending on how long you want to hike for, but the two fastest ways there are from the White and Blue Trails. Both of these trails will connect you to the Peavine Falls trails, which takes you to the bottom of the waterfall. 

If you follow the Blue Trail, you can go to a point above Peavine Falls called Falls Overlook, but this area itself doesn’t give you a great view. Continue down to get to the side of the waterfall for some better vantage points. This path takes longer, but isn’t as steep as the White Trail.

The White Trail is the fastest route to Peavine Falls from the parking lot, but it is a steep climb! I don’t recommend wearing sandals on this hike.

All of the trails are well marked, which is nice. If you’re looking for a longer hike to Peavine Falls, you can take the Green Trail. The Peavine Falls hike is a pretty popular one, so expect some company!

About the Park

Oak Mountain State park has over 9,000 acres for you to enjoy, and it is the largest park in the state of Alabama. While I’m more of a hiker myself, Oak Mountain offers a variety of activities for everyone, so someone can find something to enjoy here at this natural wonder. Oh, the activities you can do here!

Oak Mountain has hiking, biking, and horseback trails, an archery range, a golf course, a treetop course, a water course, and more. And of course, the park is full of wildlife. This park has won many awards over the years and it’s clear to see why. There is a fee to get into the park, check out Oak Mountain’s website for more information on the pricing and hours (as well as all the things this place offers!):  https://www.alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park 

Another spot I enjoy in Oak Mountain State Park is the lake area with the waterpark, which is  towards the back of the park and is easiest to access through the back entrance to Oak Mountain. They named this location Tranquility Lake, and it definitely lives up to its name.

This is a great spot to go and relax and enjoy the views. There are some nice hiking trails around the lake area to enjoy.  I also love the main lake area with the pavilions. It’s so easy to sit and relax there while looking onto the water and enjoying the outdoors. If you’re wanting more adventure, you can go to the waterpark, which is named Aquapark at Flipside. 

Other things to do in the Birmingham area

While Oak Mountain may be one of my new favorite outdoor spots in the Birmingham area, it certainly isn’t the only one. Birmingham is full of outdoor activities. Some other spots that are popular are Red Mountain Park (you can zipline and hike there), Ruffner Mountain, and plenty of other smaller parks as well including Railroad Park and the Rotary Trail (located in the downtown Birmingham area), Aldridge Gardens in Hoover, and of course, Vulcan Park (which is smaller but has amazing views of downtown Birmingham).

Have you ever visited Oak Mountain? Let me know your favorite spots in the comments below! I’d love to check them out if I haven’t visited yet. 

~ K