Oak Mountain State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oak Mountain State Park |
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Aerial view of Oak Mountain
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 Oak Mountain State Park
Location in Alabama
Oak Mountain State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pelham, Shelby, Alabama, United States |
| Area | 9,940 acres (40.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 732 ft (223 m) |
| Established | 1927 |
| Operator | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Oak Mountain State Park |
Oak Mountain State Park is a huge park in Pelham, about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabama. It's the biggest state park in Alabama, covering about 9,940 acres! Here, you'll find the Alabama Wildlife Center, the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, and even a cool BMX track. You can do tons of fun things like hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and playing golf. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources takes care of the park.
Contents
Park History
Oak Mountain State Park started in 1927. The state set aside about 940 acres for it. From 1934 to 1941, groups like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build many things in the park. They used stone from the park to make foundations and bridges. You can still see some of their old work today!
In 1943, the park grew much bigger. The National Park Service gave the state about 8,000 more acres. Later, in 1971, more improvements were made. They added a golf course, shops, cabins, and campgrounds.
Awards and Recognition
Oak Mountain State Park is really popular! In September 2020, it won the Traveler’s Choice Award from Tripadvisor. This award goes to places that get lots of great reviews from visitors.
Fun Activities at the Park
Oak Mountain State Park offers many exciting activities for everyone.
Beach and Picnic Areas
Double Oak Lake has nice shaded picnic spots. You can rent covered pavilions for parties. There's also a beach where you can swim and play volleyball. You can even rent paddle boats to explore the lake!
Fishing Adventures
The park has three fishing lakes, covering 230 acres. These lakes are full of fish like bass, bream, catfish, and crappie. You can buy bait and rent fishing boats. If you have your own boat, you can launch it here, but only electric motors are allowed. Remember, you'll need a fishing license, which you can get at the park.
Hiking Trails
There are 25 miles of hiking trails for you to explore. Some are easy, and some are a bit harder.
- The Treetop Nature Trail is a special elevated walkway. Here, you can see owls, turkey vultures, and other birds. These birds can't be released back into the wild, so they live in large cages along the trail.
Camping Options
If you love camping, Oak Mountain has plenty of spots. There are 85 improved campsites with facilities. You can also find 60 primitive campsites for a more rustic experience. Backcountry camping is available too, for those who want to hike in and set up camp away from others.
Horseback Riding
The Orange Trail, also called the Horse Trail, is 15 miles long. It's just for horses, so no bikes or hikers are allowed. The park also offers guided horseback rides if you want to try it out. In 2011, a special campground for people with horses was opened.
Golf Course
The park has an 18-hole golf course designed by Earl Stone. It's a par 72 course, meaning a good golfer should finish it in 72 strokes. Golf Digest magazine has even called it one of the top public golf courses! The course has Bermuda grass greens and tees. There's also a pro shop, snack bar, and practice areas.
Mountain Biking
Oak Mountain State Park is famous for its mountain biking trails. In 2010, the International Mountain Bicycling Association named the park's trails one of the "Epic Trails" worldwide.
- The Red Trail is a 22-mile mountain biking trail. It has big climbs, fast downhill sections, and tricky parts for all skill levels. A famous spot on the trail is Blood Rock, a very rocky downhill section.
- A pump track was built in 2012. It has areas for beginners, as well as bigger tracks for intermediate and advanced riders. You can find the pump track near the BMX Track.
- There are places to wash your bike and change clothes at the south trailhead. It's always a good idea to wear a helmet and let hikers pass you on the trail.
- The Red Trail and pump track are kept in great shape by a volunteer group called the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP).
Oak Mountain BMX Track
The Oak Mountain BMX Track first opened in 1979. It's now in its third location within the park. You can enjoy racing and daily riding sessions here all year round.
Alabama Wildlife Center
The Alabama Wildlife Center is the oldest and largest center in Alabama for helping injured or orphaned wild animals. They mostly help native Alabama birds, treating almost 2,000 birds from over 100 different species each year. It's a great place to learn about local wildlife!
Oak Mountain Interpretive Center
The Oak Mountain Interpretive Center is a large building with natural history exhibits. It has a meeting room and a teaching lab. You can see live displays of native snakes, fish, turtles, and salamanders. Other exhibits explain the area's geography and geology. This center is a team effort between Oak Mountain State Park, Samford University, and Shelby County.
There is a small fee to enter the park, usually between $2 and $5.
Annual Events
The park hosts several exciting events each year:
- Bump N' Grind mountain bike race
- Oak Mountain 50K trail run (a long running race)
- Xterra Southeast Championship off-road triathlon
Images for kids
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Oak Mountain Lake
