#98 Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama (100 Natural Wonders of the South)

Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama

Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama is #98 on our list of 100 Natural Wonders of the South.

Please click here to see the full list as it is unveiled.

Located in Pelham on the southern outskirts of Birmingham, Oak Mountain State Park protects nearly 10,000 acres of beautiful mountain scenery. The park features waterfalls, hiking trails, lakes, overlooks, equestrian trails, picnic areas, camping and more.

Peavine Falls at Oak Mountain

Among other key points of interest in the park is the Alabama Wildlife Center, the state's oldest and largest animal rehabilitation facility. Workers and volunteers there care for more than 2,500 sick or injured wild animals each year. The center is open to the public and can be visited daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The real attraction of Oak Mountain, however, is the incredible scenery so close to a major metropolitan area. The mountaintop picnic area provides a place for family outings with incomparable views. During the autumn leaf change, the hills and valleys come to life with displays of gold and red. The road up to the top becomes a tunnel of color and the picnic area turns into a place of incomparable beauty.

Visitors to the park also love Peavine Falls. Part of a 65-foot cascade, the waterfall is reached via the Green or Peavine Falls Trail. The staff at the park entrance station can update you on how well the waterfall is flowing before you make the hike. Like many Southern waterfalls, it usually flows best in the winter and early spring.

Please click here to learn more about Oak Mountain State Park!