Walking and biking trails in Tuscaloosa: the Riverwalk, PARA's park loops from 0.25 to 1.1 miles, bike trails at Sokol and Hurricane Creek, and Lake Lurleen's 23 miles.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts come from the City of Tuscaloosa’s park venue pages, the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority’s trails page and Alabama State Parks, each linked below. Distances are as each agency publishes them.

Tuscaloosa’s main walking route is the Riverwalk along the Black Warrior River downtown, run by the City of Tuscaloosa. For loops, the county parks authority (PARA) keeps short walking trails in a dozen parks, and for longer hikes and mountain biking the nearest big network is Lake Lurleen State Park, about nine miles northwest, with more than 23 miles of trails.

Who to call

  • City parks and the Riverwalk: Tuscaloosa 311, or 205-248-5311
  • PARA trails: 205-562-3210
  • Lake Lurleen State Park: 205-339-1558

The Riverwalk

The Tuscaloosa Riverwalk runs along the Black Warrior River with the Tuscaloosa River Market at its center. It has a walking track, lighting, public restrooms, parking, grills and a splash pad, and leashed dogs are welcome. It is open from 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset.

  • Western Riverwalk: the western section keeps the same hours. Its connector under the railroad trestle is closed during the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Jack Warner Parkway project; start from the west end near Oliver Lock and Dam. See road construction and closures.
  • Northern Riverwalk: the trail starts at Randall Family Park, with a playground, pavilion, picnic tables and grills.
  • Parking: the Riverwalk has its own parking; downtown, the city lists free parking in the Intermodal Facility deck at 2230 Seventh St.

PARA park trails

PARA lists these walking and biking trails on its trails page. Distances are from each trail’s PARA page.

Trail Where Length or type
Randall Parkway trail, Northridge Park 1601 Old Colony Road 1.1-mile paved walking trail
Bowers Park trail 2101 Bowers Park Drive 1-mile walking trail
Ol’ Colony Golf Trail 401 Old Colony Road 0.75-mile walking trail
Palmore Park Trail 3701 Fosters Ferry Road 0.5-mile trail
Kentuck Park trail 3401 Fifth St., Northport 0.3-mile trail
Faucett Brothers Park trail 13040 Eugenia Faucett Drive, Northport 0.25-mile trail
Sokol Park Bike Trail Sokol Park South, 5901 Watermelon Road, Northport Bike and hiking trail
Hurricane Creek Park Bike Trail 7005 Old Birmingham Highway Bike and hiking trail
Van de Graaff Park Trail Van de Graaff Arboretum and Historic Bridge Park Walking trail
Braughton Park trail 13166 Highway 11, Fosters Walking trail

Hurricane Creek Park is the most scenic of them: from February to May, wildflowers bloom at the creek’s “M Bend,” below tall sandstone cliffs, PARA says on its park page. A map of every PARA park is on its map view.

Lake Lurleen State Park

Lake Lurleen State Park, 13226 Lake Lurleen Road in Coker, about nine miles northwest of Tuscaloosa and Northport, has more than 23 miles of multi-use trails, easy to moderate, that hug the shoreline of the 250-acre lake and are open to hikers and mountain bikers. The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset. Day use is $5 for adults, $2 for children 4 to 11 and seniors, and free for children 3 and under and for veterans and military personnel. Call 205-339-1558.

City park walking trails

The City of Tuscaloosa lists walking trails at Snow Hinton Park, Kaulton Park, Burrell-Odom Park and Springbrook Park, all open from 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset.

Events on the trails

  • Mayor’s Cup 5K, Saturday, April 24, 2027, 8 a.m.; packet pickup Friday, April 23 (registration). It is part of the Tuscaloosa Runners’ Championship series, which ends with a 10K on May 15, 2027.
  • Casual Campus Cruise, VeloCity Cycles’ easygoing 12-mile group ride through downtown and campus with a stop at the farmers market, from the shop at 401A 22nd Ave. on Nov. 7 and Dec. 12, 2026; helmets required (listing).

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 there are restrooms, parking and lighting.

Where can I mountain bike near Tuscaloosa?

PARA lists bike trails at Sokol Park in Northport and Hurricane Creek Park east of town, and Lake Lurleen State Park, about nine miles northwest, has more than 23 miles of trails open to hikers and mountain bikers.

How long is the Bowers Park walking trail?

1 mile, according to PARA. Bowers Park is at 2101 Bowers Park Drive; call 205-562-3210.

Is the Riverwalk closed under the railroad trestle?

Yes, the western Riverwalk connector beneath the railroad trestle is closed during the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Jack Warner Parkway project. Reach the Western Riverwalk from its west end near Oliver Lock and Dam.