Visit West Alabama

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

University of Alabama Arboretum

The University of Alabama Arboretum maintains plant collections for botanical education and appreciation. The Arboretum features walking trails through a native woodland section, a wildflower garden, a collection of ornamental plants, an experimental g …

West Blocton Coke Ovens

Originally opened in 1996, the West Blocton Coke Ovens Park is situated among the ruins of 467 ovens that were capable of producing 600 tons of coke daily. Construction on the ovens began in 1887 and the first coke was produced in 1888. The Blocton ove …