Spring is approaching which means we are currently enjoying the short window of time in which the weather is perfect for getting outside in Birmingham. At the blink of an eye, summer will be here with temperatures in the 90’s and sweltering heat. I don’t want you to miss any of this prime weather! I’ve made a list of 14 Outdoorsy Things To Do in Birmingham AL.
1. Kayak down the Cahaba River from Grant’s Mill to Old Overton Road
- Bring your own kayaks
- Bring 2 cars. Drive to Cahaba River Walk Park at Old Overton Road: 3424-3400 River Terrace Dr, Vestavia Hills, AL 35223 . Park one car here (without the kayaks) and drive the other (with the kayaks) to Grant’s Mill: 2171 Grants Mill Road Irondale, AL 35210
- Drop in the water from a large cement landing block. You will find this by walking down a steep concrete pathway from the parking lot to the river.
- Grant’s Mill Parking Lot accommodates 20 cars
- The trip down the river back to your car is slow and relaxing
- 6.9 miles long
- Best in Spring. Water gets low in the summer
- You will see another concrete slab “landing zone” area where you will get out of the water near Old Overton Road and this is where your first car is parked
- Old Overton Road’s parking lot accommodates about 10 cars. There is a picnic table next to the parking lot. A short steep walk on a concrete path leads you back to your car
- More information: Grants Mill – Cahaba Blueway Initiative
- Need easy to pack up INFLATABLE KAYAKS?! -> Coaster Inflatable Kayak – super cool and comes with everything you need – paddle, pump, and a carry bag. Just deflate and roll it up into the bag when you’re finished! So easy.
2. Paddleboard or Kayak at Oak Mountain State Park
Bringing your own kayak or paddle board is the best option, but if you don’t own one, you can rent from Flip Side Water Sports located right next to Oak Mountain Lake at Oak Mountain State Park. Rentals are available beginning in March and are on a first come, first served basis. Hours are Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm.
Need an easy to pack up INFLATABLE paddleboard? (You can carry this thing in a rucksack) -> Inflatable Paddleboard – this thing is so cool and come with everything you need to blow it up plus an adjustable paddle and waterproof smartphone case
Rental includes life vest and paddles. If you enter the park from the front entrance, you’ll drive all the way to the back of the park until you reach lakes on both sides of the road and can’t go any farther. Park at the lake on the left and you’ll see the Flip Side Sports building. If you enter the back entrance (by turning right onto Oak Mountain Lake Road from 119) the parking lot next to Flip Side is right there on your right. Entry to the park is $5 cash
Prices are as follows:
- Stand-up Paddleboard $20/hr
- Single-person Kayak $20/hr
- Tandem Canoe $20/hr
- Tandem Kayak $25/hr
3. King’s Chair Hike at Oak Mountain
Also at Oak Mountain is my favorite hike in Birmingham. King’s Chair hike starts on the Blue Trail. Parking is near the back of the park in a designated parking lot.
- 4.2 miles long
- “Moderate” intensity on All Trails
- 734 feet of elevation
- Great view at the end with areas to hang a hammock and hangout for a while
- Entry into the park is $5 per person (cash)
- Link to hike on All Trails: click here
4. Kayak at Blue Water Park
Known best as a premier scuba diving spot, blue water park is a quarry full of crystal blue water. The park offers dive training, scuba diving equipment rentals, and kayak/paddleboard rentals.
- Entrance into the park is $27 per person
- The park opens in April and hours are Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm
- Link to website: click here
5. Hike to Grace’s Gap Overlook at Red Mountain Park
Red Mountain Park is full of great trails for hiking, running, and mountain biking. One of my favorite trails is Grace’s Gap which culminates with a rustic rope bridge leading to a treehouse in the woods. Just past the treehouse several hundred feet is a great view of the Birmingham skyline.
- 3.9 miles
- moderate intensity
- 380 feet of elevation
- great running trail. not for mountain biking
- Link to All Trails: click here
6. Hike at Ruffner Mountain
- Hike to the overlook via the Quarry Trail
- “Easy” on All Trails
- 2.8 miles total
- 383 feet of elevation
- Entry to the park is free but a donation is suggested
- Great view of Birmingham skyline from the top
- Link to All Trails: Overlook Trail via Quarry Trail – Alabama | AllTrails
- Several great trails connected to and surrounding this one
7. Sunset at Ruffner Mountain
- The same overlook as listed in #6 is amazing at sunset!
- Bring a headlamp since after the sun sets you will have about a mile and a half walk back to the car
8. Visit the Botanical Gardens
- Entry is free
- Park is open everyday 7am-6pm
- With over 30 different gardens and 67.5 acres, you can spend quite a while walking through the gardens, admiring, and learning
- Grab lunch at the cafe afterward
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens (bbgardens.org)
9. Watch sunset from Stratford Road
- One of the best views of the Birmingham Skyline and a great spot for sunset
- This spot is somewhat well known but not usually crowded
- Bring a blanket to sit on. The area is grassy and marked off by a chain fence
- Stratford road is a one way street in Mountain Brook. This is a residential area so be sure to be respectful of that. Don’t leave your car over night. It will be towed
10. Bike ride from Railroad Park down the Rotary Trail
- Bike ride or roller blade along the Rotary trail!
- Start at Railroad Park and ride down the Rotary Trail to Ghost Train Brewery and back
11. Hike or climb at Moss Rock
- Hike the Moss Rock Preserve Loop
- 5.2 miles
- 597 feet elevation
- Moderate intensity
- If you’re into bouldering, Moss Rock is probably the best place in town for it
- Moss Rock Preserve Trail – Alabama | AllTrails
- Grab a margarita and tacos at Moss Rock Preserve Tacos afterward
12. Feed ducks at Avondale Park
- Avondale Park is sort of an underdog in the Birmingham park scene as compared to Railroad Park and Vulcan Park, but it is truly one of my favorites
- There is a short walking path around the pond
- There are always geese and ducks in the pond and I have seen a blue heron on several occasions
- Walk to Avondale Brewery afterward and grab a beer
13. Walk at Railroad Park
- Walk on a 0.5 mile loop around one of Birmingham’s most beautiful parks
- Grab coffee at Red Cat to sip while you walk
- Grab donuts at Hero Donuts afterward
14. Walk the Vulcan Trail
- Walk 2 miles down and 2 miles back on the Vulcan trail which overlooks the Birmingham Skyline
- Visit Vulcan Park Museum afterwards and ride the elevator to the top of the statue itself for the best views of Birmingham
I hope you enjoy my city as much as I do! If you’re looking to road trip just outside the city for a bit, check out my other post: 10 Epic Adventures Within 3 Hours Of Birmingham | All the Way Alanna