The Tuscaloosa Riverwalk is the easiest way to get outside in Tuscaloosa: a paved, lighted path of about 4.5 miles along the south bank of the Black Warrior River, from Capitol Park to Manderson Landing. For a bigger day outdoors, drive 9 miles to Lake Lurleen State Park for a lake beach and more than 23 miles of trails, or head 13 miles south to walk the grounds at Moundville Archaeological Park.
This guide covers the Riverwalk, the lakes, trails and parks around Tuscaloosa and Northport, plus where to rent gear and eat afterward. It is the non-football side of our Tuscaloosa guide.
Tuscaloosa outdoors at a glance
| Place | Distance from downtown | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa Riverwalk | Downtown | Walking, running, biking, kids | About 4.5 miles, paved and lit |
| Northport Levee | Across the river | A short run or walk | About 2.2 miles on the north bank |
| Lake Lurleen State Park | About 9 miles northwest | Hiking, mountain biking, swimming, paddling | Open 7 a.m. to sunset |
| Lake Tuscaloosa | Just north of Northport | Boating | 5,885 acres, the city’s water supply |
| Moundville Archaeological Park | About 13 miles south | Walking an ancient landscape | Grounds open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park | Near McCalla, off I-20/59 | History and woods on the way to Birmingham | 1,500 acres |
How long is the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk?
The Tuscaloosa Riverwalk runs about 4.5 miles, from Capitol Park on the west end to a gazebo on the east side of Manderson Landing, according to Visit Tuscaloosa. Starting from the amphitheater loop cuts it to about 4.2 miles. The paved path follows the south bank of the Black Warrior River near downtown, and a painted center line splits it into two lanes for walkers and cyclists.
What will you see along the Riverwalk?
- River views: Long stretches of open water, with a good chance of seeing the University of Alabama rowing team out on the river.
- Parks: Several dog-friendly park areas, including Queen City Park, plus benches, gazebos and trees that suit a hammock.
- For kids: A playground near the public library and a splash pad at the Bama Belle dock.
- The amphitheater: The path loops around the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, the city’s riverfront concert venue.
- After dark: Street lighting lets you walk or run in the evening.
Where do you park for the Riverwalk?
Park at the amphitheater loop, where there is plenty of parking, and walk east toward Manderson Landing and campus or west toward Capitol Park. On home football weekends and concert nights, parking near the river fills or closes, so go early in the day.
Where can you eat on the Riverwalk?
Two of our favorite stops sit right on the path at 1650 Jack Warner Parkway. Moonshot Creamery, a family-owned shop founded in 2016, scoops ice cream with a river view, and River serves steaks, oysters and a weekend brunch on a terrace above the water. For more ideas, see our list of the best restaurants in Tuscaloosa.
Is there a trail on the Northport side of the river?
Yes. The Northport Levee runs about 2.2 miles along the north side of the Black Warrior River, a flat option for a run or walk on the other side of the water. Combine it with lunch on Main Avenue; our Northport guide has the restaurants, and the Northport area guide lists every local business.
What is there to do at Lake Lurleen State Park?
Lake Lurleen State Park is the best outdoor day near Tuscaloosa: a 1,625-acre state park about 9 miles northwest of Tuscaloosa and Northport in Coker, centered on a 250-acre lake. The lake is about a mile and a half long and half a mile wide, and it reaches 48 feet at its deepest point.
- Trails: More than 23 miles of multi-use trails for hikers and mountain bikers, ranging from easy to moderate.
- Water: A beach with a bathhouse, fishing piers, boat rentals, paddleboats and a boat launch.
- Fishing: The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bream, catfish and crappie, with pier and bank fishing.
- Camping: A modern campground and glamping safari tents, plus football weekend packages, all booked through the state parks reservation system.
- Families: Picnic pavilions and a nature center.
The park is open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily at 13226 Lake Lurleen Road. Weekday mornings are the quietest, and fall is a good time for the trails, when the heat breaks and the leaves start to turn.
Can you go boating on Lake Tuscaloosa?
Yes. Lake Tuscaloosa, just north of Tuscaloosa and Northport, covers 5,885 acres with about 177 miles of shoreline and is a favorite for boating. It was completed in 1970 on the North River to supply drinking water to the area, which is worth remembering when you are out on it. Bring your own boat or paddle craft, and check local launch rules before you go. For gear, Crimson Pride Fishing and Hunting on U.S. Highway 43 in Northport and Woods & Water on Summit Ridge in Tuscaloosa, an independent outfitter since 1977, can set you up.
Where else can you hike or walk near Tuscaloosa?
Moundville Archaeological Park
About 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa off Alabama Highway 69, Moundville Archaeological Park protects 29 platform mounds around a central plaza, the remains of a Mississippian town occupied from around 1000 to 1450 AD. Walk the grounds around the plaza, then visit the Jones Archaeological Museum. The grounds are open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the museum 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for adults, and every visitor checks in at the admissions building.
Sokol Park
Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa is a local pick for trail running when you want dirt instead of pavement.
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
On the way to Birmingham, Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park covers 1,500 acres near McCalla, about 12 miles south of Bessemer off I-20/59. It holds the ruins of three charcoal blast furnaces built between 1859 and 1862, one of the best preserved 19th-century iron furnace sites in the South, plus a grist mill, a cotton gin house and the Iron and Steel Museum of Alabama. It makes a good stop on a drive between the cities.
When is the best time to get outside in Tuscaloosa?
Fall and spring are best. October and November bring cooler, drier days that suit the Riverwalk and the trails at Lake Lurleen, and spring brings azaleas and the start of concert season at the amphitheater. Summer is hot and humid, so go early in the morning or stick to the water. On home football Saturdays, the Riverwalk area near campus gets busy and parking is harder, so plan outdoor time for Friday or Sunday, or come on an away weekend. Our guide to where to stay near Bryant-Denny covers game weekends.
What should you bring?
- Water and sun protection. Much of the Riverwalk and the Moundville grounds are open to the sun.
- Running shoes or trail shoes. Wagner’s RunWalk on Queen City Avenue has fitted Tuscaloosa runners and walkers since 1953.
- A leash. The Riverwalk parks are dog friendly; keep dogs leashed on shared paths.
- Bug spray. Useful at the lakes from spring through early fall.
- A light layer. Mornings by the water are cooler in late fall.
A day outdoors in Tuscaloosa
- Morning: Drive to Lake Lurleen State Park at opening for a hike or ride on the trails.
- Midday: Picnic by the lake, or rent a paddleboat.
- Afternoon: Back in town, walk the Riverwalk from the amphitheater toward Manderson Landing.
- Evening: Ice cream at Moonshot Creamery, then dinner on the terrace at River as the lights come on along the path.
Find more ideas in our Tuscaloosa things to do directory, and see the Iron Bowl weekend guide if you are planning around the big game.
FAQ
How long is the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk?
The Tuscaloosa Riverwalk is about 4.5 miles from Capitol Park to Manderson Landing, according to Visit Tuscaloosa, or about 4.2 miles from the amphitheater loop. It is paved, mostly flat and lit at night.
Where do you park for the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk?
Park at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater loop, which has plenty of parking and puts you in the middle of the path. On football and concert days, arrive early or pick another day.
Is the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk dog friendly?
Yes. The park areas along the Riverwalk are dog friendly. Keep dogs leashed on the shared path, which is split into lanes for walkers and cyclists.
How far is Lake Lurleen State Park from Tuscaloosa?
Lake Lurleen State Park is about 9 miles northwest of Tuscaloosa and Northport, in Coker. It is open 7 a.m. to sunset and has a beach, boat rentals, a campground and more than 23 miles of trails.
Where can I hike near Tuscaloosa?
Lake Lurleen State Park has the most trail miles nearby, with more than 23 miles for hikers and mountain bikers. Sokol Park is a closer option for dirt trails, and the Riverwalk and Northport Levee are paved, flat walks along the river.