Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park, covering nearly 10,000 acres in the rolling hills just south of Birmingham. It’s a beautiful blend of dense hardwood forest, peaceful lakes, and scenic overlooks, offering a little bit of everything for outdoor lovers.
The campground at Oak Mountain has been recently updated, with modernized bathrooms, shower facilities and laundry that make for a much more comfortable stay. There is also an onsite dog park. There are both RV and tent sites, most of which are shaded and spacious, and there’s also a dedicated equine campground for visitors traveling with horses, with direct access to some of the park’s beautiful horseback riding trails.
What makes Oak Mountain really stand out is the variety of activities. There are over 50 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, ranging from easy loops to more challenging routes that climb up to scenic vistas. We hiked to Peavine Falls—a short but rugged trail that leads to a picturesque little waterfall, especially beautiful after a rain. There's also a treetop nature trail, a demonstration farm, and even a small BMX track.
The park has two lakes open for swimming, fishing, and boating. Canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals are available seasonally, and there's a beach area perfect for relaxing on a warm day. There is also a public 18 hole golf course, "The Oaks" is a championship course with meandering water and Bermuda greens and fairways. Also features a driving range and putting green with a flat layout.
Despite being so close to Birmingham, the park feels quiet and removed, like a real retreat into nature. It’s a great stop for families, hikers, bikers, or just anyone who wants to kick back in a peaceful woodland setting.
We stayed at the equine campground since the main campground was fully booked over Thanksgiving.
some of our neighbours.
A walk in the woods.
