Trip Ideas
Visitor's Guide
Trip Ideas
Visitor's Guide

Parks & Trails

Shelby County’s prime location at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Train make us the hub of outdoor recreation in the Greater Birmingham Area. Our outdoor recreation opportunities are worth bragging about, so take time to explore what makes our signature parks so spectacular. From Alabama’s largest state park to the ever-evolving flow of trails at Double Oak Park, these are the places to be if you want to take your mountain biking and hiking to the next level. These parks aren’t your standard playground-filled escapade, although we have plenty of those as well, they are a place to hone your expertise and fuel your passion for outdoor adventures.

Signature Parks

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Oak Mountain State Park

If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, you won’t want to miss Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. This massive state park boasts a diverse range of plants and animals. There are so many activities and sights to enjoy here that it’s a must-visit destination for anyone who loves spending time outside.

Park River Creek Fall

Double Oak Park

Are you in need of a break from overly crowded trails and the same old rides? Discover Shelby has the perfect solution for you — Double Oak Park! It’s a hidden gem nestled in the heart of North Shelby County, spanning an impressive 878 acres and home to 21.3 miles of singletrack trails and 8 miles of doubletrack trails. Oh, and since this is a public park, admission is free! 

Parks Bicycle Trails Landscape

Dunnavant Valley Greenway

The Dunnavant Valley Greenway, which has a natural surface, spans approximately 1.9 miles along the North Fork of Yellow Leaf Creek between the Dunnavant Valley Fields Trailhead and the Hwy 41 Trailhead.

Dunnavant Valley Greenway Park River

Cahaba River Park

The Cahaba River Park is a joint venture between the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust and Shelby County with the County taking the lead on development of outdoor amenities at the park. This scenic park is located at the confluence of the Cahaba River and Shades Creek with 1,838 acres including a combined 1,339 acres in the developed North Sector (1,212 acres Forever Wild Property and 127 acres Shelby County Property) on River Road (County Road 251) off County Road 13 west of Helena. The undeveloped South Sector (311 acres Forever Wild Property and 188 acres Shelby County Property) is located at the end of County Road 251 off County Road 10 west of Montevallo.

The sun reflects off the lake at Lost Lake Loop at Cahaba River Park.

Beeswax Creek Park

Beeswax Creek Park, bordered by Beeswax Creek to its north and Lay Lake (Coosa River) to its east, is located off State Highway 145 in the Columbiana / Wilsonville area. Located on property leased from Alabama Power Company, the day use only park, adjacent to Beeswax Landing, was built and is maintained by Shelby County. Beeswax Creek Park has many amenities including three fishing piers; one handicap accessible fishing pier; two picnic pavilions; two canoe-in only campsites; a 2.8 mile multi-use trail for hiking, running, and mountain biking; two playgrounds; a basketball court; and two restroom facilities. A caretaker provides security for the park. Alabama Power Company, through its “The Preserves” program, has added a boardwalk and a bridge to the trail system, created a pollinator plot with interpretive signs, and built two gazebos overlooking Lay Lake.

A lone man fishes from a bass boat at Lay Lake. It is a sunny day and the leaves on the trees are green and lush.

Trail Yeah!

Our trails are world-class, making them the perfect place for professional sporting events or your next outdoor getaway. Hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and equestrians can’t get enough of what our trails have to offer. We have trails for beginners looking to grow and the most seasoned of pros looking for a new challenge. Better yet, Alabama’s temperate climate means our trails are consistently open year-round. There is no off-season for our parks, so you can hit the trails any time of year.