Me and my wife just recently bought tent and some camping supplies and are planning on going as soon as it warms up. Anyone know any good spots around Birmingham to go? Somewhere secluded with a place to swim? We don't really want to go to a park- like Oak Mountain or Tannehill.
The best two places i can think of are Cheaha Start Park which is about 1-1.5 hours NE in Oxford Alabama. Then there is the Sipsey Wilderness which is about 2-2.5 hours North... west of Cullman.
Cheaha gives you some really great views, especially along the 100+ mile Pinhoti Trail. There are literally dozens of spots to camp, some of which are along cliffsides. Many good spots within a few mile walk of trailheads.
Sipsey is easier trails. There are beautiful canyons here, plenty of water, lots of beautiful waterfalls. Some of which you can camp right next to or under. Also within a few miles of trailheads.
Feel free to PM me for more info. I go to Cheaha a lot, and just starting to explore Sipsey.
Are you guys planning on doing any backpacking, or camping pretty close to the car?
Probably camping somewhat close to the car. Know of anything closer to Birmingham? It doesn't have to be anything great. We just want to camp somewhere secluded and primative with a place to swim. We don't really care so much about long trails and backpacking and all that.
Cheaha has tent spots right next to parking pads, so you'll be good there. It's just an hour from Birmingham out I-20. Not much swimming that I know of there, though.
About 5 miles down Lakeshore past the Oxmoor intersection, there is a big pond and a smaller one right behind it. You should be able to see it from the road.
How is Cheaha for, um, "outdoor expressions of Belief" under the night sky?
Heck, if you're wanting to drive that far, may I suggest Little River Canyon for your trip? It is just an hour and a half I-59 North. It's very beautiful when the foliage is in bloom.
(03-05-2009 12:40 AM)58-56 Wrote: [ -> ]How is Cheaha for, um, "outdoor expressions of Belief" under the night sky?
When in college, I expressed my belief there many times under the night sky.
(03-05-2009 01:17 AM)Blaze4Pres Wrote: [ -> ]Heck, if you're wanting to drive that far, may I suggest Little River Canyon for your trip? It is just an hour and a half I-59 North. It's very beautiful when the foliage is in bloom.
Yeah, I went their once as a kid. I remember it being a pretty awesome place. I wouldn't mind going back. It's near Forte Payne, right?
You might want to investigate the Cahaba River Historical Park in Centreville... I've never been there, but they have camping sites and access to the Cahaba.
(03-05-2009 11:03 AM)uabfanman Wrote: [ -> ] (03-05-2009 01:17 AM)Blaze4Pres Wrote: [ -> ]Heck, if you're wanting to drive that far, may I suggest Little River Canyon for your trip? It is just an hour and a half I-59 North. It's very beautiful when the foliage is in bloom.
Yeah, I went their once as a kid. I remember it being a pretty awesome place. I wouldn't mind going back. It's near Forte Payne, right?
Why of course it is. I can give you a map of the driving trails and the walking trails. Just give me a holler and I'll give them to you. It's not like I don't know where I am going in the Canyon.
(03-05-2009 11:03 AM)uabfanman Wrote: [ -> ] (03-05-2009 01:17 AM)Blaze4Pres Wrote: [ -> ]Heck, if you're wanting to drive that far, may I suggest Little River Canyon for your trip? It is just an hour and a half I-59 North. It's very beautiful when the foliage is in bloom.
Yeah, I went their once as a kid. I remember it being a pretty awesome place. I wouldn't mind going back. It's near Forte Payne, right?
Canyonland and The Little River Canyon. The country group Alabama was the "house" band at Canyonland for years in the 1970's.
(03-05-2009 03:38 PM)Blaze4Pres Wrote: [ -> ] (03-05-2009 11:03 AM)uabfanman Wrote: [ -> ] (03-05-2009 01:17 AM)Blaze4Pres Wrote: [ -> ]Heck, if you're wanting to drive that far, may I suggest Little River Canyon for your trip? It is just an hour and a half I-59 North. It's very beautiful when the foliage is in bloom.
Yeah, I went their once as a kid. I remember it being a pretty awesome place. I wouldn't mind going back. It's near Forte Payne, right?
Why of course it is. I can give you a map of the driving trails and the walking trails. Just give me a holler and I'll give them to you. It's not like I don't know where I am going in the Canyon.
I may take you up on that offer. I just found out me and a group of guys are going camping the last weekend in March for my friend's Bachelor party, but we're not sure of the place yet. If we decide to go there, I'll definitely be in touch since you seem to know the area...
(03-05-2009 05:57 PM)MC Blazer Wrote: [ -> ] (03-05-2009 11:03 AM)uabfanman Wrote: [ -> ] (03-05-2009 01:17 AM)Blaze4Pres Wrote: [ -> ]Heck, if you're wanting to drive that far, may I suggest Little River Canyon for your trip? It is just an hour and a half I-59 North. It's very beautiful when the foliage is in bloom.
Yeah, I went their once as a kid. I remember it being a pretty awesome place. I wouldn't mind going back. It's near Forte Payne, right?
Canyonland and The Little River Canyon. The country group Alabama was the "house" band at Canyonland for years in the 1970's.
Everytime I go home, I can't go without seeing at least one member. It's too bad that they are still locked in a lawsuit about Mark Herndon "not being paid in full" from the most recent farewell tour.
(03-05-2009 10:39 AM)Grammar-Nazi Wrote: [ -> ] (03-05-2009 12:40 AM)58-56 Wrote: [ -> ]How is Cheaha for, um, "outdoor expressions of Belief" under the night sky?
When in college, I expressed my belief there many times under the night sky.
wouldnt it have been simpler just to do it in the shower?
"wouldnt it have been simpler just to do it in the shower?"
The shower is fun, but the risk of injury is for real (people die that way. really) so you literally can't let go and it's still indoors. The night sky overhead full of stars far from a city on a clear night . . . not to be missed.
(03-06-2009 10:14 PM)58-56 Wrote: [ -> ]"wouldnt it have been simpler just to do it in the shower?"
The shower is fun, but the risk of injury is for real (people die that way. really) so you literally can't let go and it's still indoors. The night sky overhead full of stars far from a city on a clear night . . . not to be missed.
I usually just express my belief at UAB sporting events by showing up and being as loud as possible...
Wait...what are we talking about again?
There are several camping sites around Logan Martin Lake on both the St.Clair side and Talledega side. There are camping sites at nearly all Alabama Power lakes and the TVA lakes as well. They probably vary in privacy (how alone do you want to be?) and helpful accomodations (showers, grills, electricity and water hook-ups, etc.). Call 1-800-ALAPARK to get more info on state parks.
I've heard that any of these places will make for an interesting overnight trip:
Gate City
Norwood
Elyton Village
(03-10-2009 02:51 PM)legalblazer Wrote: [ -> ]I've heard that any of these places will make for an interesting overnight trip:
Gate City
Norwood
Elyton Village
Is it just coincidence that your list is entirely of places in B'ham? Maybe those folks can use their "stimulus checks" to move out to your neighborhood? Is it possible that in your smugness, you think all such communities are within the city limits? I think not.