It's no secret that Alabama is a hiker's paradise. The Yellowhammer State is home to a variety of trails that are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. While some of these trails are rather long, others are quite short. The one trail in Alabama that's perfect for anyone who wants to experience nature in a unique way is the Treetop Nature Trail. For information regarding this unique trail, read on.
The Treetop Nature Trail, a 1.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail, is located inside Pelham's Oak Mountain State Park - Alabama's largest state park.
While strolling the Treetop Nature Trail, you'll come across six cages and have the opportunity to view birds of prey up close. Sadly, these birds were injured and are unable to be released back into their natural habitat.
The birds you'll encounter along your hike include a Barn Owl, a Barred Owl, a Black Vulture, a Great Horned Owl, a Red Tail Hawk, and a Turkey Vulture.
...ends at the Alabama Wildlife Center, a center for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. This unique trail is accessible year-round and is perfect for all skill levels.
There are so many amazing trails in Alabama that it can be hard to keep them all straight. Whether you're looking for waterfall views or want to enjoy a stroll down our brilliant shoreline, there are endless adventures waiting to be enjoyed here. Lengthy trails that take all day are great, but they're also not for everyone. If you're in the mood for something a little less strenuous, we think you'll love the delightful hike we have featured for you today. The Maggies Glen Loop at Oak Mountain State Park near Pelham is brief, at just 2.2 miles round trip, but it offers up great scenery and such a fun time. It's a perfect option for just about any type of outdoor explorer, and you'll definitely want to add it to your bucket list.
The entire trail only takes most hikers about an hour to enjoy in its entirety, which gives you a whole afternoon to explore the rest of the park. As the largest state park in Alabama, Oak Mountain State Park has so much to offer visitors. You'll find more than 11,000 acres to enjoy, and biking, camping, horseback riding, and fishing are all popular activities.
Today, we'll be focusing on one particular trail, though: the Maggies Glen Loop. This easy jaunt through the woods will start at the North Trailhead, where many of the park's trails begin, and then you will simply follow the well-marked signs and end up at Maggies Glen.
The Maggies Glen area marks the midpoint of the hike and features a collection of benches that are perfect for sitting and catching your breath. The stream here is lovely and provides a great "babbling brook" soundtrack for your explorations.
The relatively flat terrain and well-marked trail make this a wonderful option for families with older kids seeking an afternoon of fun in nature or anyone who just wants to get out and enjoy this beautiful state park without exhausting themselves too much.
This is a beautiful area, but note that some of the ground can get a little rocky. There isn't a ton of elevation gain throughout the hike, but the occasionally uneven footing means that this might not be the best hike for anyone out with very young kids.
If you're looking to enjoy the flowing creek during your expedition, make sure to head out after rain, as it does sometimes dry up when there's not much precipitation.
For more information about the Maggies Glen Loop at Oak Mountain State Park, check out our friends at AllTrails.
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Do you love hiking in Alabama? Consider a free trial of AllTrails+. It's got all the benefits of a free AllTrails account, plus extra trail guides, offline navigation abilities, wrong-turn alerts, and so much more. It's a great way to get out and explore safely, whether you're close to home or traveling across the world.
While Alabama’s fall foliage show starts in the northern part of the state, do not discount the wondrous wash of colors that extend far to the south. One such destination is the sprawling, 11,861-acre Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. Established in 1927, it is the state’s oldest state park. It’s also the largest and a definite favorite among trail adventurers, especially when the leaves change each fall.
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The color of Autumn in Alabama
Located just 20 miles south of Birmingham in Pelham, the park has over 100 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and equestrians. While some of that total is multi-use, a good amount is set aside for each of these groups so they can enjoy their chosen adventure to its fullest: 27 miles are for equestrians only; 32 are for hikers only; and 42 are for mountain bikers and hikers.
Since the whole park bursts with color during peak leaf season, it can be tough to pick one trail among these to be the “best.” That said, I am going with the Red Road Trail for its solid trail user ratings, the fact it’s considered moderate, and perhaps most of all, its 12.7-mile, out-and-back route. It’s long but not too tough for beginners and gives you ample time to take in the fall wonder of the dense forest surrounding you. And of course, you don’t have to do the whole thing, depending on how much time you have!
The Red Trail/Road begins at the North Trailhead on John Findley Drive, which is about six miles into the park from the front gate and about two miles in from the back gate. Other trails that start here are the White, Blue, North Lakes Connector, and Yellow trails. This trail is called a “road” because it follows an original logging road used by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930s as they built out the park.
The admission fee to access the park is $5 for ages 12 to 61; $2 for ages 4 to 11; and $2 for ages seniors who are 62 or older. Admission is waived for kids who are age 3 or younger, as well as active or retired military members and veterans.
What makes fall colors so special here is the contrasts: The largest longleaf pine forest in Alabama soars from the grounds of Oak Mountain State Park, framing all of the color pops of the deciduous hardwoods. The park also has the largest known population of much shorter and endangered Boynton Oak Trees. There are two more rare species discovered in recent years here, too — the Georgia Aster and Alabama Sandstone Oak.
Rocky outcrops and creek crossings punctuate the trail, so wear sturdy and water-resistant shoes. Some hikers recommend leather boots to tackle the rocks comfortably. You’ll see hikers and mountain bikers on this trail, which includes easy walking on gentle inclines to steep ascents in some places, giving it that moderate difficulty rating.
Along the way, keep watch for the park's abundant wildlife, including white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, and dozens of bird species. If you’re doing the whole trail, pack snacks for a well-earned pause midway through. (As always, remember to pack up your trash and leave no trace.) Also, pups are welcomed as long as you keep them on a physical leash no longer than six feet in length. The park does have an off-leash, enclosed dog park for freer romping if needed.
Just a few other amenities you can enjoy at this massive park include fully renovated camping facilities, multiple picnic areas, and a golf course. If you’re like me and want a dose of education with your recreation, plan some time to visit the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center and Alabama Wildlife Center to learn more about the park’s history and the creatures who call it home.
If you've not taken this trail before, consider signing up for an AllTrails account to get more details and firsthand reviews from hikers about the Red Road Trail at Oak Mountain State Park. And if you're a frequent OMSP trail trekker, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this one!
