Alabama

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...

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 cr...

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 charmi...

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...

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...

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 th...

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 ...

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.

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 lo...

As Tumbling Rock Cave is a private property owned and controlled by SCCI, a permit is required to access the cave.  Permits can only be applied for online here, and once granted, SCCI will provide the exact location of the cave.  Caving is not only an inherently dangerous activity due to difficul...

Moss Rock has abundant parking, and easy access to all climbing areas. There is no fee for use or facilities, however there are several small local restaurants and often times a food truck within walking distance of the parking lot.There are two major bouldering areas as well as hiking trails and...

Blue water park is a popular diving location tucked away off a main highway in a central Alabama town named Pelham. The quarry attracts many students and instructors to the three 20 foot training platforms and three training pools containing 4 and 10 foot platforms. Upon arrival to Blue Water Par...

Horse Pens 40 is a very well known place for bouldering throughout Alabama. The parking and location arepretty well-marked with signs as you get closer to arriving. Once you arrive and park at Horse Pens, you need to go inside the store to fill out a waiver and pay $6.50 to climb. The bouldering ...

The point on the map takes you to a small pull off on the side of the road. Park here and walk over the small dirt mound blocking vehicles from going down the trail. It is less than half a mile to the top of the falls. This is the easy part of the hike though. There is a small trail that leads do...

Palisades Park is a great place for beginners and advanced climbers. Following the pin, the crag is easily accessible from the parking lot. A short walk from the parking lot leads you straight to the cliff edge where you will find 60-70 foot cliffs to rappel/climb. Palisades requires you have a p...

I'll be honest, I've gotten a little caught up (obsessed) in the Overland hype the past few weeks and wanted to get out and explore. I didn't want to start off with anything crazy knowing the kids would lose interest pretty quickly. I sat at my desk and did some research and I'm glad that I did. ...