Birmingham runs more than 100 city parks. Railroad Park is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily; Red Mountain Park has a six-acre dog park. Reservations: 205-254-2556.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Birmingham’s Parks page, Railroad Park and Jefferson County Greenways, which runs Red Mountain Park and Ruffner Mountain.

Birmingham’s park system ranges from neighborhood playgrounds to two mountain preserves inside the city. Birmingham Parks and Recreation lists more than 100 city parks; the city lists acreage for 108 of them, about 1,439 acres in all. The two big wooded parks, Red Mountain Park and Ruffner Mountain, are run by Jefferson County Greenways, and downtown’s Railroad Park is a joint effort of the city and the Railroad Park Foundation.

Who to call

  • City park and center reservations: 205-254-2556, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., parkreservations@birminghamal.gov
  • Red Mountain Park and Ruffner Mountain: Jefferson County Greenways Foundation, 205-833-8264, info@jeffcogreenways.org
  • Park problems (broken equipment, litter, lights): 311, or 205-254-2489

Railroad Park

A 19-acre green space downtown along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th streets, celebrating the city’s industrial and artistic heritage, according to the park. It is free and open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year. The park hosts picnics, weddings and events and posts its calendar online.

Red Mountain Park

  • Entrances with parking: 2011 Frankfurt Drive (main, with accessible restrooms) and 2019 Venice Road, both Birmingham, AL 35211.
  • Cost: no parking or admission fee.
  • Dogs: dog friendly on leash; Remy’s Dog Park is an off-leash, six-acre park with three fenced areas for large, small and special needs dogs, with benches and shade.
  • Note: the park says all aerial adventures are closed for now.

Trail maps and hours are on the Red Mountain Park page.

Ruffner Mountain

  • Main entrance: 1214 81st St. S., Birmingham, AL 35206; the lot holds 56 cars, and the park asks visitors not to park on the roadside when it is full.
  • Eastern trailhead: 1942 Ruffner Road, Birmingham, AL 35210, with limited parking.
  • Cost: a parking fee, paid through ParkMobile or at the vending machine at the pavilion.
  • Dogs: on leash at all times.
  • Nature Center: wildlife ambassador animals on display, with wildlife encounters on some weekends.

Jefferson County Greenways holds its native plant sale every Saturday in October, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ruffner Mountain (details).

The biggest city parks

Bar chart of Birmingham's 10 largest city parks by acreage: Bradford Park 165.75, Roebuck Park/Hawkins 113.29, Highland Park 97.39, Cooper Green Park 96.53, George Ward Park 83.73, McLendon Park 68.22, East Lake Park 60.22, Flora Johnston Nature Park 37.12, Dolomite-Westfield Park I 36.56 and Avondale Park 36.5

Other well-known city parks on the list include Linn Park (7.05 acres) and Kelly Ingram Park (3.68 acres). The city also lists the Rotary Trail and the Kiwanis Vulcan Trail among its parks.

Golf, pools and centers

  • Golf: the city lists Boswell-Highland Golf Course, 3300 Highland Ave. S. (golf page).
  • Pools: status and hours are on the city’s pools page.
  • Rentals: the Avondale Park Amphitheatre and Villa, Westfield-Dolomite Community Center and the One Pratt and Tom Bradford community centers can be reserved through the reservations office, at least 14 days ahead.

Trails on the way

The city’s planned Civil Rights Crossroads project would add 3.16 miles of shared-use paths, sidewalks and bike lanes linking Graymont and Smithfield with downtown, with construction set to begin in 2027 (project page). The 41st Street South streetscape in Avondale, under construction since May, adds bike lanes toward Avondale Park and the Hugh Kaul Trail.

What this means for you

  • Use Railroad Park for a free downtown walk any day until 11 p.m.
  • Bring dogs to Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain for off-leash time.
  • Book city pavilions and centers at least two weeks ahead.

Related: getting around Birmingham, farmers markets and road construction and closures.

Frequently asked questions

What are Railroad Park’s hours?

Railroad Park is free and open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year. It covers 19 acres along 1st Avenue South between 14th and 18th streets.

Is there a dog park in Birmingham?

Yes. Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain Park is an off-leash, six-acre dog park with separate fenced areas for large, small and special needs dogs.

Does it cost to visit Red Mountain Park or Ruffner Mountain?

Red Mountain Park has no parking or admission fee. Ruffner Mountain charges a parking fee, paid with ParkMobile or at the pavilion vending machine.

How do I reserve a park pavilion or center in Birmingham?

Call the city’s Parks and Recreation reservations office at 205-254-2556, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email parkreservations@birminghamal.gov, at least 14 days before your event.

What is the biggest city park in Birmingham?

By the city’s own list, Bradford Park at 165.75 acres, followed by Roebuck Park/Hawkins at 113.29 acres and Highland Park at 97.39 acres.