5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
The 5 Rivers Delta Center is an accessible building with a large, accessible deck for viewing wildlife in the marshy delta that surrounds the property.
Airport, Dauphin Island
The airport provides an excellent and up-close opportunity to watch the adjacent marsh from the parking lot or from your car. Tri-colored Heron, rails and many other wading birds can be seen from the paved parking area. An Osprey nest is visible as well.
Alabama Nature Center – Lanark
The facility itself is accessible, with restrooms that provide access for those with mobility challenges. There are several small, hard packed gravel roads that, while not technically accessible, do provide easy walking and a degree of wheelchair access, particularly for those who have a good bit of upper body strength or have a companion who can assist. Most of these roads are fairly level and well maintained. Within a couple of hundred yards of the main facility is a large, open field that is bordered by the road. During late spring and summer months, Mississippi Kites often nest here.
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Accessible parking โ Accessible parking is available in the first several spaces of the parking lot closest to the theatre. The theatre is fully accessible. There are various walking paths to access the grounds. All restrooms include at least one wheelchair accessible stall as well as baby-changing facilities and a step stool to safely reach the sink. Much of the park can be birded by car.
Aldridge Gardens
There is approximately 1 mile of maintained asphalt and packed crushed limestone trails featuring a 1/2 mile lake trail circling the 5 acre lake edge. There are boardwalks, bird viewing platform, restrooms, picnic areas and opportunities for photography and restricted fishing with resting benches throughout the Gardens. 90% of the trails are handicap accessible.
The paved portion of the trails provides access to a good portion of the gardens. The packed, crushed limestone offers access to almost all of the remaining portion. There is a short dirt footpath that leads to an area with slightly higher elevations that is not accessible via wheelchair, but most of the park is pretty easy to access. There are multiple benches throughout the park.
Anniston Museum of Natural History
Portions of this location are accessible, and most of the buildings are fully accessible. The trails that offer access are short, however.
Ashland City Park
There are several short paved trails through this small park. The trails are overall in good shape, but there are places with cracks and potentially present challenges to wheelchair users.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The parking lot and Garden Center, including the Library at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, are barrier-free facilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). During operating hours of the Garden Center, complimentary wheelchairs are available to check out at the Receptionist's desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
Much of the site is currently not barrier-free and assistance will be necessary. Nevertheless, many paths and garden areas have hard surfaces throughout and offer numerous visiting opportunities. The Japanese Gardens area and the Alabama Woodlands paths are considerably less accessible and some paths that lead to the more remote sections of the Gardens are dirt, but the main paths are very accessible, paved paths that have a gentle slope.
Birmingham Zoo
Although some pathways feature grades that are steeper than others, Birmingham Zoo is wheelchair accessible. In some cases, please look for signs directing for special access. Personal wheelchairs or electric carts are welcome inside the Zoo.
Accessible parking spaces are available for guests with disabilities in the main parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis; there is ramp accessibility at the main entrance.
The train and carousel are wheelchair-accessible. The Zooโs restaurants have wheelchair-accessible entrances and table accommodations. Family restrooms which accommodate wheelchairs and companions are located at the Primate Building and at Safari Peak.
A limited quantity of manual strollers, wheelchairs and electric carts are available for rent inside the Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the popularity of these rentals, we are unable to guarantee availability or reserve equipment. Rental fee plus a held photo ID as a deposit are required to rent all equipment.
The Zoo has been designated a โsensory inclusive facility.โ The goals of this initiative are to:
Raise Awareness of challenges facing people with sensory processing needs among Zoo staff and throughout the community
Increase accessibility throughout the Zoo grounds for guests with sensory processing needs
Promote inclusive experiences for guests with sensory processing needs
Bloch Park
The area has a good deal of paved paths, particularly those surrounding the ballfields. Opportunities to see birds like Killdeer should be relatively easy from these paved pathways, as should, in season, views of the Mississippi Kites as they soar over the fields.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge โ Jeff Friend Trail
The Jeff Friend Trail is considered wheelchair accessible. There is a small observation deck that provides good views of the lagoon.
Buck’s Pocket State Park, Morgan’s Cove, and South Sauty Creek
The park has one ADA accessible campsite and a separate ADA accessible bath house. Portions of the park can be explored via wheelchair, but there are no dedicated accessible trails. There is some birding from the parking area and the area makes a good base camp for exploring around the region.
Cheaha State Park
Much of the park is accessible. Views from the restaurant parking area are sweeping and offer an excellent opportunity to hawk watch, particularly in fall. The roads are narrow, but offer many pulloffs where birding by car can be quite productive. The Bald Rock Trail is an accessible boardwalk that leads to a spectacular view. Pay attention while on the trail, as this is also a good place to watch for woodpeckers year-round and woodland migrants in spring and fall.
Cheaha State Park โ Bald Rock Trail
Bald Rock Trail has a boardwalk that is wheelchair accessible. Guests with young children find this stroller accessible trail fun for the whole family. This trail is a 1/4 mile long, and ends in a picturesque overlook with views that stretch for miles. The overlook provides views and is accessible as well as the trail leading there. Inquire at the park headquarters as the boardwalk does require maintenance from time to time.
Cherokee Rock Village
The site itself is accessible. Some views are available for those with limited access and the birding can be good from the parking area. A good deal of the rock area is not accessible, so plan accordingly.
Chilatchee Creek Park
There is an extensive boat ramp area and a campground with some degree of accessibility. The roads are used regularly by the fishermen using the boat launch, so be careful if birding on the paved roadways.
Coffeeville Lake (Service Campground Park)
The roadside leading to the park is great for car birding and the park itself has accessible restrooms and a good bit of paved area, allowing for some exploration of edges of the surrounding woods.
Coleman Lake: Talladega National Forest, Shoal Creek
Much of this location is not accessible, but there is a short paved path with views of the lake. And there are lots of birding opportunities from the road and the parking areas. Restrooms, though pit-style, are accessible, and there are several handicap-accessible paved parking spots. Much of the surrounding area involves birding from your car. Some roads are very smooth, others have significant washes and potholes.
Cooter’s Pond
There are several paved, well-maintained trails that lead through the wooded sections of the park, along with a paved riverwalk.
Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary
Lake Loop Trail takes the visitor through the maritime forest, where the dominant plants are Loblolly and Slash Pines, Live Oak, Southern Magnolia and Tupelo Gum. It leads by slightly elevated boardwalk from the parking lot to Gaillard Lake, where turtles, an occasional alligator and wading birds can be seen. Those wanting to go further can cross the Dune Edge Trail at the southern western corner of the lake and cross a boardwalk to the beach.
DeKalb County Public Lake
A one lane road travels around the lake, offering nice views from your car. There are several short piers that can be accessed via wheelchair as well. The small store has a wheelchair ramp and restrooms.
Demopolis River Walk
This is a very accessible, short paved path along the banks of the Black Warrior River. There is ample parking and multiple benches to rest. There are good views of the river from the trail and a small pavilion to provide shelter from the sun or rain.
DeSoto State Park – Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail
East Lake Park
The trail around the lake is paved and level and creates a nice, accessible 1.1 mile loop. Birds are easily viewed from the wide walkway, but you can also access a wooden plank pier to venture closer to the small island that houses Black-crowned Night-herons.
Ebenezer Swamp
The boardwalk itself is accessible, but access to the boardwalk can be a challenge if there has been rain recently. The field prior to getting onto the boardwalk can be muddy and a challenge for those in wheelchairs. We rate this site as somewhat accessible due to the packed walkway. The excellent boardwalk is easy to manage, but make sure that the area has not had any rain recently, as there are 100 feet of grassy field before the path starts and another 200 feet of hard-packed dirt trail before the boardwalk begins. During dry conditions, this shouldn't be an issue. There is a lip of about 1 inch at the beginning of the boardwalk that can be a challenge for those in wheelchairs to manage alone. Once on the boardwalk, the remainder of the trail is very accessible and easy to utilize. There are accessible restrooms at the site as well. Parking can be challenging, as there are no accessible parking spaces and it is shoulder of the road parking only.
Flagg Mountain
There is a 1/2 mile fully accessible ADA compliant trail that leads from a gravel parking lot to the top of the mountain and the observation tower. The trail itself is a 60 inch wide poured cement trail with a gentle slope and many, many switchbacks to get you to the top of the mountain, leading through the forest. The parking lot is gravel, but has designated handicap parking. The road that leads to the trail is passable, but very bumpy and not suitable for very low clearance vehicles.
Florala City Wetland Park
There is an extensive paved trail along the shore of the lake, offering good views of the shoreline, lots of ducks in the winter, and access to the wooded areas year round.
Foscue Creek Park
This park offers good views of Demopolis Lake and lots of paved parking. There are opportunities for accessible birding here. It may be difficult to access the areas of the park not directly adjacent to the road and parking areas. Several sections of the road are wide and much of the park has very light traffic. Several trails offer easy walking with frequent spots to stop and rest.
Fox Creek at Lake Wedowee
A wonderful, accessible boardwalk leads through the wetlands in a short loop trail that offers great views and a very nice woodland.
Gee’s Bend Park
The Gees Bend Ferry location offers a drive on trip down the Alabama River. One can bird the area surrounding the ferry dock while waiting and get good views of the river.
Gold Star Park
Much of the park can be experienced from the paved pathway that runs close to the river's edge for the majority of the park. The river itself can be viewed from the parking area as well, though you are unlikely to have good luck birding by car here.
Graham Creek Nature Preserve
Preserve guests can view the headwaters of Graham Creek and the memorial tree grove by utilizing the ADA-compliant trail and wetland boardwalk near the Interpretive Center.
Guntersville Peninsula
Guntersville State Park, Town Creek and Drive
Holly Hills Trail near D.A.R.E. Power Park
There are accessible restrooms and a good paved walkway down to the lake, along with several accessible pavilions. Though not a "destination" accessible location, it offers opportunities to explore the area. Much of the park is viewable from a car.
Holy Ground Battlefield Park
This facility offers lots of paved parking and some good views of the lake from paved areas. The road into the park is good for birding by car. Accessible restrooms and campsites.
Hugh S Branyon Backcountry Trails
This multi-purpose trail system is shared by hikers, cyclists, photographers, and nature lovers all year round. It offers a paved path through thousands of acres of natural habitat.
Idle Hour / Moon Lake Park
The park has a system of trails, some paved, others gravel. In addition to the trails, there are good access points to view the river in search of waders and waterfowl, particularly in winter months.
James D. Martin Wildlife Park
The boardwalk and access from the both entrances are accessible. Some of the areas that do not have boardwalk rely on natural hard dirt which can be wet during and after heavy rains and flooding. The boardwalk located on the island has one stair, so this portion of the park is not accessible, but most of the boardwalk is very easy to use and offers benches along the way along with lookout opportunities into the marshy area.
Joe Wheeler State Park
Lagoon Park
Thereโs a paved path through the woods just west of the parking area for the lagoons and picnic area. Walk this trail in spring and fall for a good mix of migrant songbirds.
Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area
Though not fully accessible, there are ample opportunities to bird from the paved parking lot. A paved road that leads to a separate picnic area at the far end of the lake is also sparsely traveled and could be birded with caution. The lake itself can be viewed from your car.
Lake Purdy
Lake Purdy Fishing Lake (the second of the three stops listed above) offers some accessible access, including accessible restrooms. They also rent boats that can be used to on the lake.
Lee County Public Fishing Lake
Much of this lake can be easily birded by car, and a gravel road winds its way around much of the lake. There is an accessible restroom with paved parking that offers nice views of the lake as well.
Limestone Park
The boardwalk ramp and covered observation deck are wheelchair accessible, but access to the ramp can be challenging when the area is muddy. The deck provides excellent views of a small wetland area large enough to attract Pied-billed Grebes and other ducks, plus a variety of waders. The remainder of the trails are generally level, but rough and not suitable for traditional wheelchair access. They can be very muddy depending on the weather. Birding by car can be very productive here.
Lineville City Park
There are opportunities for birding in the paved parking lot and some shorter paved trails. The longest trail is primarily crushed gravel.
Little River Canyon Center
The Canyon Center building is accessible. The birding at the center itself is fairly limited, however.
Little River Canyon Mouth Park
There are multiple opportunities to enjoy the park's accessible areas with relatively easy access to the Little River for viewing. The large shade trees provide some relief in summer, and excellent places to watch birds from the picnic tables and paved parking area.
Live Oak Landing
There is an accessible pier and access to the pavilion located on the property.
Maplesville City Park
The 1/3 mile paved walking trail provides access to much of the park. This park can be birded in an hour or less.
Marbut Bend Trail
The trail is a combination of boardwalk and gravel. The trail is rated as ADA accessible, but be aware of potential flooding during heavy rains.
Minooka Park
There is a gravel walking trail that wraps around the lake. The trail is fairly level and has an even grade. Wheelchair access is limited, but there are a number of paved roads with very limited traffic and birding by car can work pretty effectively for this park. There is also a very short concrete path to the lake with good views.
Monte Sano State Park
The paved parking lot at the overlook on Monte Sano is very accessible and one of the most popular locations for area birders (and the birds they are looking for) in the park. The top of the mountain is a well documented migrant trap in spring each year and offers excellent views of raptors as they move south each fall. Well worth a visit!
Montgomery Zoo
There are multiple paved walking paths throughout the zoo, along with accessible restrooms.
Moundville Archaeological Park
This location can be birded by car, and there are some good opportunities to view areas of the park from the very lightly traveled paved road. There are several trails that are easily walked with light grade. There are multiple restrooms in the park, but only those at the museum are accessible.
Oak Mountain State Park
There are multiple opportunities at the park for those who use wheelchairs. The Treetop Nature Trail near the Alabama Wildlife Center offers boardwalk access; the Wildlife Center is accessible. There is one accessible cabin on the lake that can be reserved for overnight visits up to a year in advance. There are many opportunities to bird from the various parking areas and roadsides, as well.
Oak Park
There are several paved pathways throughout the park in varying degrees of repair. Some are smooth, but others suffer from significant cracking.
Oakville Indian Mounds Park / Museum / Education Center
The museum is accessible as are several bathrooms. There are several shorter paved trails along with some hard packed dirt trails that provide fairly accessible views of the lake and surrounding woodlands.
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park
Only portions of the park are accessible, much of it can be birded from the car or along paved parking lot edges. The roadways are often very easy to traverse with only infrequent cars, so walking or using a wheelchair along the paved roadways provides good access as well, particularly on weekdays. There are accessible restrooms located on site.
Paul M Grist State Park
Much of this park can be birded by car and from several paved parking lots adjacent to wooded areas. There are accessible restrooms, as well. There are not any accessible trails here, however.
Phenix City Riverwalk
The trail is handicap-accessible and features segments of paved and gravel walkways, along with multiple bridges as its path follows the river along the Alabama-Georgia state line.
Rocky Branch Park
Much of the birding activity is found along the drive into the park, so birding from the passenger seat (and driver's seat with caution) is accessible. Restrooms provided are accessible. The trail into the woods is not accessible. Continue to follow the road on to the boat launch and, when open, picnic area. There are views of the river from the paved parking lot. There is a small pier at the end of the boat ramp, but it is not accessible and mostly used to tie boats to.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Center & Preserve
The Nature Center is fully ADA accessible. Most of the trails are natural dirt trails with steep grades and are not accessible. There are good locations to watch birds from outside the Nature Center and from the nearby pavilion. Summer Tanagers, Eastern Phoebes and others are often within easy sight of these accessible locations.
Shades Creek Greenway (Lakeshore Trail)
This is a paved trail with a fairly level grade. As it is in the floodplain of Shades Creek, it does flood. The path is generally in good repair, but plan accordingly and proceed with caution during wet weather. The paved path offers good views of the surrounding woodlands. The path is well traveled by runners, walkers and some bicycles.
Sherling Lake Park
There are multiple opportunities to bird from your car here, particularly in the camping area. The roads are quiet and many people walk along the road, watching for cars if any approach. The trail is relatively wide and somewhat hard packed, but would be challenging or impossible for someone in a traditional wheelchair. There are some shorter paved trails, as well as accessible restrooms.
Shoal Creek Park
The area nearest the gravel parking lot is relatively accessible, and includes a covered pavilion with picnic tables and accessible restrooms. It is easy to see the creek from the pavilion, and a large field (partially mowed, and partially left natural) is easily viewed as well. The remainder of the park is relatively easy to walk, as most of the trails are hard packed natural soil that is kept mowed, but wouldn't be suitable for wheelchair usage. The trails offer some nice shady spots, but they do traverse large, open fields, so expect exposure to the elements. There are no benches available along the long trails, so plan accordingly if you need to rest while walking.
Spillway Falls Park
The primary attraction here is the spillway, which is visible from the large, paved parking area. A spotting scope is useful to get up close looks at the birds as they fish in the shallows.
Sportsman Lake Park
There is a paved 1 mile trail offering good access around the entire lake. There are several accessible restrooms and parking spots located near the trailhead.
Tannehill State Historical Park
The park has a long, paved trail. Sections of the trail have a fairly steep incline, but much is reasonably level. There are multiple paved parking areas and some of the park can be birded at least somewhat successfully by car.
Ten Islands Historical Park
This is an accessible site with some manageable trails and a large parking area and boat ramp. There are accessible restrooms, picnic tables and a large parking area by the boat ramp with ample opportunities to scan the lake and the nearby treeline. The road is also an excellent place to watch and listen for birds.
The Parks of West Point Dam
There are several paved pathways in several of the parks, and views of the dam are unobstructed. In addition, a good bit of these parks can be birded either from your car, or by getting outside of the car parked in a paved parking area. There are multiple accessible restrooms located throughout the park as well.
Tom Bevill Lock and Dam Visitors Center
This small park can be birded primarily by car. The parking area is paved and offers access to view the river as well, where deep water ducks, particularly in winter, can be seen.
Wade Ward Nature Park
Paved trails and an elevated boardwalk allow wheelchair access to much of this park.
Walker County Fishing Lake
This area can be partially birded by car and there is an accessible, small pier that provides views of the lake. Restrooms and the small store are accessible as well. Much of the park is available only via dirt paths, including a separate overlook in the camping area. There is also an accessible pavilion that may prove useful for birding during rainy weather.
Weiss Lake Overlook
There is a large paved parking lot with very good views of the lake, along with accessible restrooms. Be sure to scan the lake (either from your car or from the paved parking lot) for ducks and soaring raptors.
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
This is one of the best places in Alabama for birding--and it is very possibly the best place for accessibility to large numbers of birds, particularly in winter. Restrooms and visitor center are accessible as is the Wildlife Observation Trail that leads to a two story wildlife observation building, which is also accessible on the first floor, providing spectacular views, including seating and a spotting scope. For best results, bring your own scope and/or binoculars. There are two trails at the visitor center and both are accessible.
Wheeler NWR – Arrowhead Landing
Boat launch and parking area are accessible as they are partially paved. You can also scan the water for ducks and geese from your car.
Wheeler NWR – Beaverdam Swamp Boardwalk
The parking area is paved and the trail is a combination of boardwalk and hard packed, finely ground gravel. The entry point from the hard packed gravel to the boardwalk has a nearly 2-inch barrier, making it hard to get a wheelchair onto the boardwalk if alone. The entry is also a short, fairly steep ramp, making access challenging for manual wheelchairs. The boardwalk is old and is buckled in a few locations, use caution. Most of the boardwalk is in fairly good repair, however. Boardwalk replacement work is planned for the future. There are several built in benches along the boardwalk, providing well spaced resting areas.
Wheeler NWR – Dancy Bottoms Nature Trail
Portions of the trail itself are accessible with a hard packed finely crushed gravel surface, but due to beaver activity and flooded areas, only a few hundred yards of trail is useable. A boardwalk across the flooded area is planned for the future.
Yoholo Micco Trail
The paved, level multi-use path offers access through grassy meadows, mixed woodlands, past a (hidden) waterfall, across a former railroad bridge skirting the shoreline of Lake Eufaula.