Where We Play
Oak Mountain State Park (OMSP)
Oak Mountain is a main hub of trail running and racing in our area. If you go to OMSP for a run, you are likely to see other BUTS folks on the trail. The terrain is varied, you can find easier trails as well as steep vertical. OMSP also has backcountry for the experienced among us. There are two entrances to the park, North and South. The South entrance is the main one, and opens earlier than the North gate. The rangers at the entrances can give you directions to trailheads, and you can also buy a trail map there. The three main meetup spots are North Trail Head (NTH), South Trail Head (STH), and BMX.
Entrance to the park is $5, or you can buy an annual pass.
Red Mountain Park (RMP)
Red Mountain is a staple for BUTS group runs and club races. The trails range from flat to rolling hills, nothing too technical.
Entrance to the park is free, but a $3 contribution or annual park membership is strongly encouraged.
Cheaha State Park
Cheaha is farther out of town, but home to some great running and racing, thanks to the Pinhoti Trail that surrounds it. It is beautiful, but can be rugged, lots of rocks! Plenty of BUTS members train there on weekends. Porter’s Gap, Adam’s Gap and Cheaha Trailheads are common routes.
If you are going into the park (as opposed to parking at an outlying trailhead), entrance to the park is $5, or you can buy an annual pass.
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
Turkey Creek is an easy-to-navigate park with five easy to moderate trails, and beautiful water features.
Entrance to the park is free, but a donation to the park is strongly encouraged.
Tannehill State Park
Tannehill is an easy-to-navigate park with a handful of interconnected and looped trails, and some historic ironworks sites to see along the way.
Entrance to the park is $5, or you can buy an annual pass.
Ruffner Mountain
Ruffner is more about conservation and education than trail running, but does have enjoyable trails. It can be steep and more difficult to navigate than other park options, but it is conveniently located.
Entrance to the park is $5, or you can buy an annual pass.
Moss Rock Preserve
Moss Rock is a small, easy-to-navigate park with easy to moderate trails, and rock formations for local climbers. A housing development is next door, so there are restaurants (tacos!) just a few steps away.
Entrance to the park is free.