Explore the Outdoors

One of the best parts about visiting Pelham is that you can enjoy the outdoors almost any day of the year. Each season has its own particular beauty, and that’s why we recommend getting outside and exploring no matter what month you’re visiting. 


Pelham is proud to be home to Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park. The state park is packed with all sorts of trails including hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. There are watersports and various boat rentals, as well as fishing and swimming at two different beach areas. There is even a BMX track that is the oldest continuously running track in the state! You could easily fill a weekend with all of the activities that Oak Mountain has to offer. 


One of the most unexpected spots in Pelham is Blue Water Park, an inland diving facility in a startlingly beautiful quarry that spans nearly 26 acres. Though it primarily exists as a training center for scuba divers, you can also rent a paddle board or kayak (or bring your own) if you prefer to stay on top of the water. There are even paddleboard yoga classes available during warmer months of the year.


Avid golfers will enjoy the beautiful Ballantrae Golf Club, a gorgeous 18-hole public course located right in Pelham. While you’re there, grab lunch at the Fireside Grill and take in the views of the surrounding hills. If tennis is your sport of choice, visit the Pelham Racquet Club, an internationally recognized tennis facility that's open to the public. Both clay and hard courts are available to guests. These courts are all equipped with tournament grade lighting. 


Pelham is also home to several city parks, including its City Park Complex, where you’ll find outdoor sand volleyball courts, pickleball, tennis courts, walking trails, baseball and softball fields, covered pavilions, a playground and an indoor recreation center. You’ll also find the Pelham Dog Park located by the Greenway Trail. The Greenway Trail is a paved system of trails that connects various points of interest throughout the City of Pelham and winds along creeks and through parks for a scenic location for your daily walk or jog. 


As you can see, there is no shortage of ways to get moving and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the City of Pelham. Whether it’s hiking to a beautiful overlook or meeting up with friends for a game of pickleball, we’re sure you’ll find something to keep you active and busy while you’re here.

A Family Day at Oak Mountain State Park

By Website Editor • December 17, 2021
Let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to hike the trails with small children. Our favorite thing to visit at Oak Mountain with little ones is the Demonstration Farm, where your entire family will be entertained by the friendly goats and various other farm animals that roam the pasture around the round-top barn. After visiting with the animals, you can drive further into the park and follow the signs to one of the many picnic areas or playgrounds. If you feel like your crew is up for an easy walk, try the Treetop Interpretive Nature Trail, where you’ll find an easy trail that takes you through a series of enclosures that house rescued but non-releasable birds of prey. The birds are typically fed by the keepers around 11am so take that as a warning or a sign for what time to plan your arrival! You should also check out the Alabama Wildlife Center while you’re over that way. The center rehabilitates thousands of rescued birds each year and helps to release as many as possible back into the wild. There is no cost to explore the Wildlife Center after you’ve paid your entrance fee to Oak Mountain State Park. The Wildlife Center hosts several special events throughout the year including an Owl-o-ween party and a Christmas craft and bake sale with all sorts of nature-themed goods. After the Wildlife Center, check out the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center where you can learn about and visit several species of animals found in the park. If you packed a picnic before heading to the park, there are lots of options at Oak Mountain for a table with a view. There are picnic tables scattered throughout, many of them by the lake and close to a playground. If you’re getting hungry but didn’t bring food with you, you can check out The Grille, located inside the Pro Shop at the The Oaks Golf Course. The Grille is opened every day except Monday and Tuesday and serves a wide variety of casual fare. There are lots of other family friendly activities available at Oak Mountain State Park. During the warmer months, you can rent kayaks and paddle boats. The marina also has fishing bait for sale. There is also horseback riding at Oak Mountain but you’ll need to make a reservation ahead of time if you’d like to book a guided trail ride along some of the nearly 25 miles of horse trails in the park. For hiking, you’ll find a variety of trails, most of which begin at the North Trailhead. Rangers at the station just inside the entrance gate can help you find the best hike for your individual or group’s experience level. In the summer, pack a swimsuit for a day on one of the two beaches at the lake. There are restrooms at both locations as well as a concession stand at the beach at Double Oak Lake. On Beaver Lake, you’ll find FlipSide Watersports, a wakeboard park that includes an awesome Aquapark with an inflatable obstacle course! You can also rent kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and canoes. Oak Mountain State Park truly is a location for people of all ages and the park rangers are more than happy to help guide you to the best activities for your particular group of visitors. Whether you’re camping for the weekend or just visiting for the day, we feel sure you’ll want to return soon to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the creeks and trails, lakes and mountain views of Oak Mountain.

Explore Parks and Rec

By Website Editor • December 17, 2021
Located in the heart of the city, Pelham’s Greenway Trail and city parks offer beautiful landscapes to enjoy various activities. Pelham’s Recreation Center offers a newly constructed gym, indoor track, weight room and yoga studio and is just a few steps away from 4 outdoor sand volleyball courts and 4 outdoor outdoor basketball courts. The Greenway Trail, which is adjacent to Pelham’s sports complex and playground, is a gorgeous trail that winds along Cahaba Valley Creek (also known as Bishop Creek) and around large rock outcroppings. Further down the Trail are large grassy areas where visitors can enjoy the wide-open spaces. There really is something for everyone (and every dog) with the expansion of the new dog park to the Greenway Trail. Once complete, Pelham's Greenway Trail will eventually connect the sidewalks along Bearden Road to the entrance of Oak Mountain State Park. Phase I of the trail opened in the summer of 2020 and stretches from Bearden Road, through the City Park Complex, and past the Dog Park. Planning and design work for Phase II is underway. The extension will connect the City Park to neighborhoods, Pelham's entertainment district and along Amphitheater Road, and the entrance of Oak Mountain State Park.