The Tuscaloosa Riverwalk is open 6 a.m. to an hour after sunset. County parks run by PARA include Bowers, Sokol and Hurricane Creek. PARA: 205-562-3220.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Tuscaloosa’s parks and venues pages and the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority’s parks and trails pages.
Parks in Tuscaloosa are run by two agencies. The City of Tuscaloosa runs the Riverwalk along the Black Warrior River and a set of downtown and neighborhood parks. The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority (PARA) runs the big recreation parks, ball fields, trails, pools and the county’s dog park. City parks are open 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset.
Who to call
- PARA main office: 205-562-3220, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, webtrac@tcpara.org
- City parks, events and permits: Tuscaloosa 311, dial 311 or 205-248-5311
- Bowers Park: 205-562-3200
The Riverwalk
The Tuscaloosa Riverwalk runs along the Black Warrior River, with the Tuscaloosa River Market at its heart. It has a walking track, lighting, public restrooms, parking, grills and a splash pad and fountain, and leashed dogs are welcome. Two rentable spots sit along it, the Red Pavilion and the Cypress Shelter.
- Western Riverwalk: same hours and amenities; events are not permitted there.
- Northern Riverwalk: the trail starts at Randall Family Park, with a playground, pavilion, picnic tables and grills. The pavilion is first come, first served for groups under 30.
- Closed for now: the western Riverwalk connector beneath the railroad trestle, during the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Jack Warner Parkway project. Reach the Western Riverwalk from its west end by Oliver Lock and Dam. See road construction and closures.
City parks
| Park | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Snow Hinton Park | Walking trail, playground, pavilions, green space, restrooms |
| Annette Shelby Park | Splash pad and fountain, playground, walking track |
| Government Plaza | Downtown green, fountain and pavilion on Almon Avenue |
| Parker-Haun Park | River viewing areas, plaza and stage |
| Kaulton Park | Baseball, playground, pavilion, walking trail |
| Burrell Odom Park | Basketball, playground, pavilion, walking trail |
| Springbrook Park | Playground, pavilion, walking trail |
| Alberta Park | Green space and fountain |
Permits: a $25 city permit is needed only to set up equipment such as tents and tables, for groups of 30 or more, and for walks, runs and parades. Exclusive use of a park is not allowed. Apply through the city’s special event permit page.
County parks run by PARA
- Bowers Park, 1600 James I. Harrison Jr. Parkway East: a trail, disc golf, lighted ball fields, outdoor tennis courts, a playground, shelters and a pool that closes after Labor Day. Call 205-562-3200.
- Sokol Park South, 5901 Watermelon Road, Northport: ball fields, a bike trail, a pump track, Mason’s Place all-inclusive playground and the Will May Dog Park.
- Hurricane Creek Park, 7005 Old Birmingham Highway: a bike trail along the creek where, PARA notes, the Appalachian highlands meet the coastal plain.
- Palmore Park, 3701 Fosters Ferry Road: a trail and the Harrison Taylor Splash Pad, which closed for the season on Sept. 5.
- Capitol Park, 2800 Sixth St.: the restored ruins of the burned former statehouse, with columns put back in place from 1988 on, a gazebo and a lawn used for weddings and plays.
- Veterans Memorial Park, 1701 McFarland Blvd. East, in front of University Mall.
- Rock Quarry Park, 2200 Rock Quarry Drive.
Trails
PARA lists walking and biking trails at Bowers Park, Faucett Brothers Park, Northridge Park, Randall Parkway, Ol’ Colony Golf Course, Palmore Park, Sokol Park, Braughton Park, Hurricane Creek Park, Kentuck Park and the Van de Graaff Arboretum and Historic Bridge Park. Kentuck Park’s restrooms are winterized and closed for now. The full list is on PARA’s trails page, and a map is on its map view.
Holiday hours
PARA parks posted shorter hours for the 2025 holidays: 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and closed on Christmas Day. Check PARA’s park pages for the 2026 schedule.
What this means for you
- The Riverwalk and city parks close one hour after sunset.
- The western Riverwalk connector is closed during the trestle work.
- The Palmore Park splash pad and the Bowers Park pool closed for the season after Labor Day.
More guides: walking and biking trails, dog-friendly Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa farmers markets, things to do in Tuscaloosa this month and getting around Tuscaloosa.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk hours?
6 a.m. until one hour after sunset, according to the City of Tuscaloosa. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the Riverwalk has restrooms, parking, lighting and a splash pad.
Is the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk open during the trestle construction?
Mostly. The western Riverwalk connector beneath the railroad trestle is closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Jack Warner Parkway project. Reach the Western Riverwalk from its west end by Oliver Lock and Dam.
Is there a dog park in Tuscaloosa?
Yes. The Will May Dog Park is inside Sokol Park South, 5901 Watermelon Road, Northport, run by the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority. Its phone is 205-562-3210.
Who runs the parks in Tuscaloosa?
Two agencies. The City of Tuscaloosa runs the Riverwalk and downtown parks such as Government Plaza and Snow Hinton Park. The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority, PARA, runs Bowers, Sokol, Hurricane Creek and dozens of other parks; call 205-562-3220.
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