5 Places to See Fall Foliage in Birmingham
Fall is here! The leaves are finally starting to change and now is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the pleasant weather. If you’re looking for a fun park to explore around Birmingham, check out our recommendations to see this city’s beautiful fall foliage.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
Ruffner Mountain is home to 14 miles of trails that range from easy to difficult. The trails are meant for walking, hiking and trail running only (no bicycles allowed). The area was home to the mining industry in the late 19th century and many remnants are seen on the trail. Take the Crusher Trail to see the large iron ore rock crusher used during this time. The Overlook Trail leads to the Cambrian Overlook, sitting above a large quarry and offering a hawk-eye view of the city and its natural beauty. If you’re looking for something strenuous, follow that trail up to the forested Sloss Peak. Sitting at 1,104 feet, you’ll get an amazing view of the fall colors. Park entry is free, with a suggested donation of $3.00 to help maintain the nature preserve. A full trail map can be seen here.
Avondale Park
Avondale Park is home to beautiful walking trails that are great for any skill set. The park sprawls across 40 wooded acres and contains a natural spring, renovated amphitheater and the recently restored Avondale Villa at the top of the park. The park is filled with signs of Birmingham’s history. The park’s picnic pavilion, entryway and amphitheater were built during the WPA era and the famous elephant Miss Fancy was the park’s main attraction in the early 1910s. The amphitheater has been the site of many local and national concerts, including a sold-out performance by the Allman Brothers in 1969. Ball fields, gardens and playgrounds are also available to the public. Take the main loop around the pond for a nice afternoon walk! There is no park entry fee.
Oak Mountain State Park
Oak Mountain State Park is the largest state park. In addition to the plethora of outdoors activities the park offers (archery, golf, mountain biking, horseback riding, paddle boarding, etc), there are over 25 miles of trails to explore in this park. The trails range from easy to extremely strenuous. If you’re looking for an easy walk, try the Tree Top Trail, which immerses you in the trees on a short (less than one mile) trek. If you want the best view, park at the North Trailhead and follow the blue trail to Eagle’s Nest Overlook and King’s Chair. You will be sitting above the tree line with a gorgeous view down on the fall foliage. Entry is $5.00 (cash) per adult, $2 for children and seniors.
George Ward Park
George Ward Park is a 100-acre park in the Glen Iris community. The park was designed in the vision of the Olmsted Brothers, who’s legacy includes Central Park in New York City and the U.S. Capital in Washington DC. Frederick Olmsted is regarded as the father of landscape architecture because he placed an emphasis on using the natural surroundings to immerse visitors into the beauty of the land. This same concept can be seen in the Mt Laurel community. George Ward Park was created in 1925 as part of the WPA labor initiative and original stonework can still be seen in the park today. George Ward also has one of the best and most well-maintained disc golf courses in the Birmingham area, with 24 holes. In addition to the disc golf course, there are 6 softball diamonds, 8 hard-surface outdoor tennis courts and 2 fully fenced dog park areas. The rolling hills, well-maintained walking trail, and natural spring makes this a great attraction for a nice fall stroll. There is no park entry fee.
Red Mountain State Park
Red Mountain Park has so much to offer, including a great spot to see the leaves change. The park is home to a ziplining area; hiking, mountain biking and walking trails; a 6-acre dog park (the largest in Alabama) and signs of our area’s rich mining history. Take the Ishkooda Trail to Grace’s Gap Overlook for amazing views of the foliage and the city. Park entry is free, but donations are graciously accepted.
Would you like to learn more about the different communities in Birmingham? Contact an ARC agent to schedule a tour!
