Alabama

Little Falls, also referred to as Martha Falls and the “Hippie Hole” by the locals, is a popular swimming hole a part of Little River Canyon National Preserve, located along the state line of Alabama and Georgia. Perks include free parking and free admission. Drive up Lookout Mountain and pull into ...

Few places in the southeast have as wide a range of mountain biking as CSP, which includes standard XC trails, a well groomed and extensive dirt jump area, flow trails, and a wicked feature area complete with a massive wall ride and Oregon-downhill-style 2x4 ramp features. Everything is ridable on a...

Sand Rock is a unique set of rock outcropping that erupts from Shinbone Ridge overlooking scenic Lake Weiss. The climbable rock runs for about a quarter of a mile along the ridge and is a maze of trails, small caves and literally wall-to-wall climbing. You can find just about any climb to satisfy yo...

Around 5pm, we hiked down the only clearly marked trail that departs from the parking lot. The path begins with gentle switchbacks and great views of the forest, occasionally passing by small waterfalls, sinkholes, and caves; and arriving at the Hurricane Creek crossing (log with handrail) after abo...

We camped in a rooftop tent, but many people used traditional tents and hammocks. After purchasing a camping permit, drive right up to your campsite. There are three general camping areas. First is the more exposed (to the often strong winds) campsites along the tops of the cliffs that are closest t...

Lake Nicol has several miles of unofficial trails that circle the west bank of the lake which features up to forty foot cliffs that provide both cliff jumping and an excellent view of the lake. Lake Nicol also has a boat/kayak/canoe launch area right next to the parking area. Nicol is over three mil...

Bald Rock is maybe the most easily accessible views I have ever experienced. This is not to lessen the beauty of the location, but to convey that this spot is quite fool-proof, and can be enjoyed by literally anyone. However, I do recommend this view at sunrise during the summer because of how crowd...

In many ways, Railroad Park has become a symbol for the revitalization of downtown Birmingham, and it’s helping to ignite a new excitement for the city. Opened in 2010, Railroad Park makes reference to the Steel City’s industrial past, and runs parallel to rail lines that are still used today. The p...

The Smith Mountain Fire Tower is the perfect location to get a glimpse of the vastness of one of the largest man made lakes in the United States. From the parking lot, the stroll up to the base of the fire tower follows a steep pathway for about a half mile. The hike is very easy to follow and there...

Home to one of the largest boulder fields in Southeast, Moss Rock Preserve provides adventure for all types of explorers. Nestled in the rocky, rolling hills of Birmingham, at the end of the Appalachian Mountains, Moss Rock is aptly named after the behemoth boulders littered throughout its charming ...

There are several places you can drop your kayak in. This is one of the more accessible spots. Another popular spot for dropping in your kayak is located on Grants Mill Road. If coming from I459, it will be on your left shortly after passing Church of the Highlands. We opted to drop our kayaks in th...

Hurricane Creek Park in Tuscaloosa, Alabama hosts a field of climbable boulders within it's forest. From the parking lot, follow the trail that stems from the cul-de-sac for approximately 1/10 mile. You will encounter the first cluster of boulders on your right. There are several beginner routes (~v...

This is a short and pretty trail, great for the whole family. Glowworms, called dismalites, are a special attraction in the summer. There is a $10 fee for adults, $6.75 for kids. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Sloss Furnace is a historic industrial site in downtown Birmingham. For nearly a hundred years, this blast furnace produced iron for the “Steel City.” The site is now designated as a National Historic Landmark, and is a fun place to explore, wandering throughout the plant and past old machinery. Alo...

This 17.7 mile loop trail is actually the combination of three separate trails, the Chinabee Silent Trail, the Skyway Loop Trail, and a piece of the Pinhoti Trail. There are several places on the trail that are near vertical and are demanding, especially on the Pinhoti. Primitive campsites are locat...

Located in "the middle of nowhere" the Coon Dog Cemetery is a great picnic spot for your road trip, on a scenic road that will let you bypass a portion of the bland interstate. There are a pair of outhouses but no running water, so bring your owner your picnic lunch. Although there are no Red Ferns ...