Visit West Alabama

Arcola Boat Ramp

This overall area is often also known as the Hale County Bottoms. The fields here are full of Meadowlarks and Dickcissels, in warmer months. A few Lark Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrows breed here. In winter months, look for sparrows (Savannah, Vesper, …

Backbone Boat Ramp

In spring and summer, this site is great for viewing Prothonotary Warblers, Northern Parulas and Yellow-throated Warblers.  Common Yellowthroats are semi-permanent inhabitants of the shrubs and grasses and an be viewed here as well. Look closely for Pu …

Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area

This area provides potential for habitat restoration and recreational opportunities. The property, formerly known as the “State Cattle Ranch” has become a premier location for sporting dog competitions. On the property you will also find bird species s …

Bibb County Glades Preserve

The Kathy Stiles Freeland Bibb County Glades Preserve gained fame for the large numbers of rare and interesting wildflowers and shrubs found here, on rocky, dolomite glades on the banks of the Little Cahaba River, which snakes through the 480-acre prop …

Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park

Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park is an attractive, open park with a friendly staff. The terrain is primarily open and level, with a small wet-weather stream and a covered bridge not far from the park entrance. There are gently rolling hills t …

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 2002, the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) helps to protect the biological heart of the Cahaba River. Thirteen federally threatened or endangered species occur within the refuge boundaries. Over 20,000 people visit the refuge …

Forkland Campground

The campground features a large body of deep water, a boat ramp, picnic area, restrooms, and plenty of nature to view. Expect to see the usual birds of riparian woodlands: many Northern Parulas, Yellow-throated Warblers, Prothonotary Warblers,  Acadian …

Jennings Ferry Campground

Jennings Ferry has 51 sites and borders the Black Warrior River. All sites have a fire ring, a picnic table, a grill, water and 50 amp electric hookup. The campground has one playground area, one bathhouse and one laundry area. Jennings Ferry does have …

Lake Harris

Lake Harris is located on Yellow Creek and was one of two reservoirs for drinking water for the city of Tuscaloosa. The dirt entrance road is three miles in length and passes through a considerable stretch of early second-growth scrub. Prairie Warblers …

Lake Lurleen State Park

Lake Lurleen State Park is named after Alabama’s only female governor. Lurleen Wallace, the wife of former Governor George C. Wallace, was a native of Tuscaloosa County. As Governor she was instrumental in funding a major renovation project of Alabama …

Lake Nicol

Lake Nicol is an attractive, easily accessible, well-maintained, and popular wooded park on a substantial lake. It draws many local visitors, so the best birding is achieved on weekdays, early or late in the day, and days when traffic should be less th …

Lamar County Lake

The 68-acre Lamar County Fishing Lake, a favorite with local fishermen, is surrounded by mixed woods of pine and hardwoods.  A gravel road parallels the lake for ¼ mile to the north, and offers hiking access to the bordering woods and the dike. The woo …

Living River

Living River is a retreat and conference center recently built by a group of Birmingham Presbyterian churches to provide the visitors with a great outdoor  experience. There is a clearing on the north side of the road featuring a canoe launch and swimm …

Lock 5 Park

Maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lock 5 Park is a smaller park with restrooms, picnic tables, a boat ramp, and plenty of nature to see. The dam was destroyed years ago leaving a marker in the river where the dam once was. Because of this …

Moundville Archaeological Park

Called “The Big Apple of the 14th Century” by National Geographic, Moundville Archaeological Park was once the site of a powerful prehistoric community that, at its peak, was America’s largest city north of Mexico.  Located on the Black Warrior River a …

Oakmulgee Division, Talladega National Forest

Miles of backwood roads await the hunter, camper, hiker, naturalist and horseback rider. Hosts the Prothonotory Warbler and the state’s largest population of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers.  The Forest is considered a destination for both large and small gam …

Old Lock 7 Complex, West Damsite Park

The Lock 7 Recreation Area and West Damsite Park has a Southern and Northern component. The southern section is more open and park-like. It features a large parking area,picnic tables, and a shaded camping area. This section of the park also has higher …

Old Lock 8 Park

This site is great for viewing bluebirds, goldfinches, towhees, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Red-tailed Hawks, Great Horned Owls, and Field Sparrows all year. Prairie warblers and Chats are also common from spring through early fall. Swamp and Song Sparrows …

Payne Lake

Payne Lake could be described as a microcosm of the Oakmulgee National Forest, with its mixed hardwood-pine forest, cattail swamp and rolling hills in close proximity.   Primitive and RV camping, swimming, biking and hiking opportunities are tucked con …

Pickensville Recreation Area

This is an extensive recreation area that stretches from a picnic area and small boardwalk to a campground complex 2.5 miles down the road. Visitors can follow the road a few more miles to reach the west side of the Bevill Lock and Dam. You’ll find man …

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Colony

The Oakmulgee Division of the Talladega National Forest is home to the largest concentration of endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in the state of Alabama – in excess of 100 groups, clusters of the birds live here.

Rocky Branch Park

One of the more interesting aspects of a birding trip to Rocky Branch Park is the drive in from AL 216 – the Old Birmingham Highway. Rocky Branch Road passes through acres of interesting second-growth habitat, with a good selection of birds. In the war …

Runaway Branch Park

This area tends to attract many migrants in spring and fall. The park rings with the songs of the Prothonotary Warbler starting in April. Yellow-throated Warblers, Northern Parulas, and Pine Warblers are well represented here, as well.  On the banks an …

Tannehill Ironworks Historical Park

Tannehill State Historical Park spans three counties and has more than 1,500 acres available for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, swimming, and birding. The park is home to iron furnaces that date back to 1830. The furnaces, once used by the Confede …

Tom Bevill Lock and Dam Visitors Center

The Tom Bevill Lock and Dam Visitors Center is an authentic reproduction of a mid-nineteenth Century plantation house surrounded by extensive lawns with scattered rows of shade trees.  Adjacent to the U.S. Snagboat Montgomery. The Visitors Center abuts …