Join Alabama Outdoors for Celebration On The River in Tuscaloosa

Join Alabama Outdoors, Tuscaloosa County PARA, and the City of Tuscaloosa for the 2nd annual Celebration on the River at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater in Downtown Tuscaloosa.

We’ll be on hand at the PARA Kid’s Zone from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. teaching children how to make their own Paracord Survival Bracelet. Kid’s will enjoy learning how to tie simple knots and will get to take their finished bracelet home with them. We’ll have several colors of cord available so children can make their bracelet unique.

Paracord is a special kind of cord that is known for it’s strength and versatility. Worn by police officers and members of the armed forces, the survival bracelet can be quickly untied and the cord has hundreds of uses.

Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority will also have inflatables, games, laser tag, and a climbing wall on the front lawn of the Tuscaloosa News Building.The PARA Kid’s Zone offers free fun for the entire family before the TSO performance begins at 7:30 p.m..

At 6:30 p.m., the gates of the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater will open. The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra will be performing all of your patriotic July 4^th favorites in a pops-style performance, culminating with Tchaicovsky’s 1812 Overture. This year classical vocalist and 2002 Miss America, Katie Harman will join the TSO.

Tickets for the July 4^th Celebration on the River Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra performance are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Box Office! General admission tickets are $5 for individuals and $15 for a Family 4-Pack. Children 5 and under get in free with a ticketed adult.

A fireworks spectacular will begin at 9:00 p.m. and will be visible from the Amphitheater and surrounding areas.

Fore more information:

Tuscaloosa County PARA

Tuscaloosa Amphitheater – Red Mountain Entertainment

New Ridge Loop Opens at Lake Lurleen State Park

After four months of grueling work by a group of dedicated volunteers, the Ridge Loop addition to the Lake Lurleen State Park Tashka Trail System officially opened on June 21st, 2012. The trail adds to an already pristine destination for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking, offering four new miles of single track.

The new Ridge Loop at Lake Lurleen was a project of WAMBA, the West Alabama Mountain Biking Association (a local chapter of the International Mountain Biking Association/IMBA).

The expansion is a  testament to the work ethic, vision, and strong support the Tuscaloosa outdoor community has cultivated. Join in and help break in this wonderful new expansion.

“The construction required over 1500 volunteer hours and would not have been possible without the support of PARA of Tuscaloosa County, Lake Lurleen State Park and a host of individuals, organizations, and businesses who donated money, material, and labor” said WAMBA president Richard Russell.

Lake Lurleen State Park is located 9 miles Northwest of the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport, Alabama and is 14 miles from the campus of the University of Alabama. The 1,625-acre park is a scenic lakeside retreat set on the banks of a 250-acre lake. Facilities include a modern campground, banquet room, picnic area, play area, pavilions, beach with bathhouse, fishing piers, boat rentals and boat-launch areas.

About the Ridge Loop:This 4 mile optional loop, opened June in 2012, and is the latest addition to the Tashka Trail System. The loop splits off from the Tashka Trail within 350 feet of the North Trailhead and travels south for two miles before turning back north.  After four total miles the loop ends when it rejoins the Tashka Trail (within 150’ of the loop start).  The wide trail corridor and gradual elevation changes make the loop suitable for beginner, intermediate, and expert riders.  Day hikers and trail runners looking for easy access to a beautiful section of the Tashka Trail System will find this loop exceptional. The loop is open for use in either a counter-clockwise (described above) or clockwise direction of travel; however, beginner mountain bikers will likely prefer the counter-clockwise direction.

For Park Hours and Directions, visit Lake Lurleen State Park.

Top 6 Places to Get Outdoors with Dad this Father’s Day

Are you looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors with Dad this Father’s Day? We have some ideas for you. Here are some of our Alabama favorites:

1. The Red Ore Zip Tour at Red Mountain Park

Take an exciting aerial adventure through Birmingham’s past on a series of tree houses and hanging bridges. In addition to the Zip Tour, more than 10 miles of trails are open for your hiking and biking pleasure. More info: Red Mountain Park

2. Little River State Forest

The 25-acre lake at Little River State Forest offers great canoeing and fishing and sliding down the spillway is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day. Hiking, horseback riding, and camping are also available. More info: Little River State Forest

3. Lake Lurleen State Park

Trails for mountain biking and hiking, a beach, and plenty of picnic space make Lake Lurleen State Park a Father’s Day favorite for West Alabama. Overnight camping is also available. More info: Lake Lurleen State Park

4. The Cahaba River

The Cahaba River basin and Wildlife Management Area provide numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation including canoeing and kayaking, hiking, and nature observation. The Cahaba River Society has a great list of resources to plan your outing. More info: The Cahaba River Society

5. Monte Sano State Park

For North Alabama, the trails of Monte Sano offer expansive views and great hiking. A convenient trail map is provided, and overnight camping on primitive sites or cabins is available. More info: Monte Sano State Park

6. The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail

For great footpath trails near beautiful Lake Martin, the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail offers views six to eight miles above Kowaliga Bay, Chimney Rock and many others. More info: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association

Join Alabama Outdoors on June 16th and 17th for Beg, Borrow, and Steel – the biggest and best grassroots fundraiser benefiting climbing in the South. Funds raised this year will help to repair, replace, and establish climbing routes throughout the region.

Alabama Outdoors will be on hand with swag bags for the first 150 guests, and lots of gear giveaways throughout the weekend. All of the major vendors will be on hand with demo shoes for you to test out and the latest, greatest gear on display.

Live music, swimming, Belly flop competition, bolt clipping competition, pulled pork BBQ, beer from Good People Brewing Company, silent auction, lots of swag, and a themed dance party will keep the good times rolling all weekend.

The event will be held on the privately owned cliff of Adam Henry and family. With your event fee, you will be given a guide to the wall’s 75 routes from 5.9-5.14. No trad gear is required- 98% of the established lines are sport routes. Several top ropes sponsored by Blue Water will be set on the easier lines so don’t worry about leading if that is a concern. As per Adam, only GriGris will be allowed for belaying on his property.

Tickets are $25, and the event is rain or shine.

To sign up, visit Beg, Borrow, and Steel or view the event on Facebook.

Navigate with Alabama Outdoors and Land Trust North Alabama June 5, 5-7 pm

Join Alabama Outdoors Huntsville for Tuesdays on the Trail – “How NOT to Get Lost in the Woods” Tuesday June 5th, from 5 p.m. through 7 p.m.

Experts from Alabama Outdoors will explain orienteering on the beautiful Bill & Marion Certain Trail on Blevins Gap Preserve. Open to students entering 4th through 9th grades, with accompanying parent. Phone the Land Trust at 256.534.5263 for reservations. Long pants and sturdy shoes required. A compass will be provided for use.

For more information, visit Land Trust North Alabama.

Trails Runs were so successful in May, we’ve continued them through June!

Alabama Outdoors, in partnership with Red Mountain Park, is pleased to announce that we are continuing our trail run schedule. Starting June 5th, and continuing on every Tuesday for the month of June, we have a trail run scheduled to take place.  Participants of all skill levels and ages are welcome to join us.

Inov8 will be on hand on June 26th will be shoes for you to try on the trail. Billy from The North Face will also join us with demo shoes on June 19th and 26th.

We plan to meet at the main entrance to Red Mountain Park at 5:45 P. M., with the run beginning at 6:00 P.M.  We will have 4-6 mile options available.

Pace groups to include:

Advanced – Run at 8:00/mile pace

Intermediate – Run at 10:00/mile pace

Beginner – Run at 12:00/mile pace

Red Mountain Park is located at 277 Lyon Lane, Birmingham, AL 35211.

For further information about the run, please contact Lindsay Madonia, with Alabama Outdoors, at 205-871-3252 ext.11053 or call the Homewood store at 205-870-1919.

See you on Tuesday nights in June!