Alabama State Parks want veterans to come take a hike. You should join them!

No matter how you decide to honor America’s veterans tomorrow and this weekend, be sure to tip your hiking cap to Alabama State Parks.

As a big thank you to armed service members, all 22 of Alabama’s state parks are waiving entrance fees for veterans November 11-13. No identification will be required, and the free admission includes all day-use areas within the parks.

What a reason to get out there and hike with your fellow Americans! Not to mention, Birmingham’s weather this weekend will be cooler with highs in the 70s on Veterans Day.

If you’re headed to Oak Mountain State Park, be sure to check out the new hiking signs. This story by WBHM outlines the work done by Lakeshore Foundation and the Alabama Trails Commission, via the Recreational Trails Program.

According to WBHM, “The $48,000 dollar project is supported by Lakeshore, along with grants from the federal government and the Munson Foundation, a group that’s given to environmental causes. The money goes to purchase mapping equipment, plus a program to train people in Alabama so other trails can be mapped.”

The new signs list information like: trail length, steepness, surface type and trail width. Now you’ll know just what you’re getting into before heading down the trails. 

Look out for more changes coming to Alabama State Parks, as voters passed Amendment 2 on Tuesday night. Those changes include privatizing certain park facilities like hotels and golf courses and limiting the legislature to designating park revenues for “other purposes.”