I visited Oak Mountain State Park as part of the Mammoth March Hike, fully aware it was going to be…read morea major undertaking--but it still managed to shock me. The steep climbs up and down the mountain were incredibly challenging. At one point, I even slipped and slid down part of the trail but thankfully managed to do so gracefully without hurting myself. Being from Florida, I was definitely not accustomed to the elevation gain I was about to face. There were plenty of moments throughout the hike where I questioned why I signed up for this challenge, but pushing through and ultimately finishing made it all worth it. Having the bragging rights to say I conquered this terrain feels incredibly rewarding. That day, I didn't notice much floral life, and most of the critters seemed to be hiding--likely due to the large number of people participating in the hike. That said, I was still lucky enough to spot a rattlesnake and a black racer, which made the experience even more memorable. There were a few noteworthy areas worth stopping for, including an open area near a dam‑like structure and several peaceful river and creek spots along the route. While the park is absolutely massive and I know there was so much left unexplored, the 23 miles I trekked over 9 hours was more than enough for one day. If I find myself back in the area, I might just dare to return and explore some of the parts of the park I didn't get to see. Truly a beautiful park and an incredible asset for those who live nearby and get to enjoy it regularly.

Beautiful park! Great Lake for swimming and the trails are extraordinary for biking or trail…read morerunning. We were so impressed and really enjoyed our time in the park

I LOVE THIS PARK!!! When you think of a nice park, please think of this park. What makes up a nice…read morepark, you ask? Luscious grass, plenty of space, a place to run, walk, race, lay, sit, fish, play pickle ball, sand volleyball and/or have a picnic. This has to be the nicest outdoor space in the metro Birmingham area. Veterans Park offers the space to host family reunions, jazz in the park, little league soccer games. There is plenty of seating and areas to just get away amongst a crowd. There is also a fitness area that shows you how to use your own body weight to get in shape, no need for a gym membership. I can't say enough great things about this park. Just go there and see for yourself!!!

This park is amazing. The walking trail is a great mix of nature and walking trail. I also love the…read moreplayground for the kids. I appreciate that they have a smaller playground separate from the big kids playground. My one year old had a blast!

This is a great place to bring your kids to run around and play. The splash pad is nice and the…read morekids seem to love it. It's been so hot lately but I plan to bring my baby girl back soon!

Very Nice and clean place. My family and I enjoy all the things from the pad to the playground I…read morehighly recommend.

My children and I visited Star Lake on a Sunday afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed the space!…read moreWatching the wildlife and having snacks while sitting by the water was wonderful!

A friend and I went here one Spring afternoon just to sit and chat. It's a beautiful park in a…read moreresidential neighborhood. There were plenty of water fowl to gaze at or feed a healthy snack to. The water was lovely to look at and the star in the middle of the lake is how the park got its name. There were cars busily going around the area, so it's not the quietest park I've been to. While I guess it's a public park, It's still in a neighborhood so I question if it was built for the people that live around it. Anyway, I would visit again if I'm near the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so.

Beautiful trail in a scenic setting. There are some moderate hills, but nothing too tough. There…read moreare several tunnels under roadways that allow for a continuous path. I cycled the trail from end to end and absolutely loved it!

So happy we found this trail. It's my new favorite! The directions on Yelp will take you right to…read morethe parking area. From there you walk on the sidewalk till you get to where the trail goes off to the right and down the hill. The trail is wide and flat and paved. On this particular day, we saw walkers with and without dogs and joggers and someone with a stroller. Very shady through a lot but not all of it. Benches here and there to take a break. A few cool tunnels to walk through that the kiddos will love. Round trip from the parking area was 3 miles. Can't wait to come back. The dogs loved it!

So many great things to boast about the park. This park gas brought so much joy to the community…read more Whether it be for sports, family, recreation or just enjoying the outdoors this park has pretty much everything you want or could need. I have many friends who love to walk their dog at the park or bring them to be social with other dogs. Not to mention the park lights up at night to illuminate the walking track for those who want to enjoy the later evening. The park has a multitude of tournaments or trainings they do. There is soccer, Street hockey, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, you practically name it. This park is one of my favorite places to go and enjoy the weather. Days like this where its sunny with a crisp breeze just creates pure bliss. Would definitely recommend the park to enjoy to other friends.

Nice park for your family and pets. The dog park was very nice and clean. I like the seperate…read moresections for the dogs. Will return again.

one of my favorite parks great for runs and very well maintained and beautiful park. mon thru…read morethurs, you can bring your pup so i take mac those days. its really cool to visit this place during different seasons too. been going here for some time even before i had mac. it's a gem!

Great place for a walk. The trails are well maintained, and the atmosphere is always so relaxing…read more I'm lucky when I can get over to take a walk and clear my mind.

I did a thing, I did a thing! Are you looking for some local beauty while getting some steps?…read morePlease go visit the Moss Rock Preserve. First, getting to the Preserve is relatively easy. It's located within a community, which eases the mind when you solo trek. The trails are laid out nicely with clear paths. The natural stepping paths are quite easy to maneuver for beginners like me. The beauty of the rocks and boulders are amazing. Bring your kids to see all the natural beauty of the caverns and waterfalls. I love this place! Alabama is such a beautiful place. Take the time to experience this natural beauty in your own backyard. Yes, it is a true workout. Skip the gym and come outside. We outside, we outside!

Moss Rock Preserve offers beautiful walking trails, streams, waterfalls, and giant rock formations…read more It provides a great outdoor experience within minutes of downtown Hoover. We've had a great time hiking here, and it's pet friendly so our fur-babies have been able to enjoy the trails with us too. If you love the outdoors, Moss Rock Preserve is a must-visit.

My friends and a couple family members attended the farmer's market at the Amphitheater this summer…read more- and I found it to be a delightful location in Helena's Old Towne District. Local police made getting in and out of the amphitheater area easy. We got out of the car and I wandered the grounds, visited the individual farms' tables, walked through the park and children's playground areas and really enjoyed myself in the relaxing shade. The Amphitheater is an outdoor concert hall, festival grounds, movie theater and nature park. From their website (www.cityofhelena.org), it looks like they even have a "movie in the park" night throughout the summer. Although there were not any other mothers there, I met one mother who brings her children to play on the playground equipment and relax in the cool shade whenever she can as she lives nearby. The certified farmer's market meets on Saturday in the summer while school is out. I understood as a part of the farmer's market, there is a charity-of-the-week which allows local charities to meet members of their community and garner well-deserved support. The first week I visited, there was a local animal shelter offering dog baths for a donation, so there were many dogs on leashes visiting the farmer's market that day and enjoying themselves to a cool bath under the trees. The following week, we went back and were greeted by delightful young ladies from a local club, dressed in Antebellum dresses. Anyone would appreciate this location who enjoys farmer's markets, local concerts, small community events, children's playgrounds, movie in the park night, parks, trees, and shade. I'd encourage anyone to visit, bring a lunch, and have an old-fashioned picnic.

Cahaba Lily park is a small city funded park in Helena. It boasts 3 picnic pavilions, one large…read morepiece of playground equipment with varied activities, a miniature version for younger kids, a set of 4 swings, a few walking trails through the surrounding woods and football field sized open area in the center. The open area is frequently used for inflatables, tossing a ball around or just running around. The park is a popular venue for younger children's bday parties, in which you'll usually see an aforementioned inflatables. I've also been to a couple little league parties for t-ball, pee wee football etc... There is a clean nice block his and hers restroom facility onsite, which is nice. The walking trails are well maintained and easily maneuvered. This park is considerably smaller than Joe Tucker (which we frequent) and the immense Veteran's park in Alabaster. However if your little one needs to burn a little energy after school this place will work in a pinch and generally isn't very crowded. The smaller crowds are especially nice if you are attempting to host an event such as a young child's birthday party.