What is Red Rock Trail System®?
Red Rock Trail System® is a network of trails, parks, and complete street infrastructure in Jefferson County, Alabama. As of 2010, 160 miles of trails have been completed! Freshwater Land Trust is constantly working with government, business, and community groups to complete and connect more trails.
The trail system is made up of six major “corridors” spanning Jefferson County. Each corridor consists of different types of trails that connect the county together and primarily follow Birmingham area waterways. The corridors are: Jones Valley (which includes Valley Creek), Village Creek, Five Mile Creek, Shades Creek, Cahaba River, Turkey Creek. Our vision for the system is for every trail within each corridor to be connected, allowing Jefferson County residents complete access to routine transportation and recreation.
You can access the details of the full, 750-mile plan here. You can view a Google map of the master plan here.
Where are the completed trails?
Use our interactive trail map to see where current trails are, and to learn what trail types exist in the system. Contact Carolyn Buck (carolyn.buck@freshwaterlandtrust.org) if you have questions or know about a trail that you don’t see on the map.
What new trails will you build in the future?
In 2023, we released the Red Rock Action Plan, a 15-year strategic plan to develop 19-miles of new trails, ultimately creating a 36-mile loop around the Greater Birmingham Metropolitan Area. The plan identifies seven priority projects, that, when combined with existing Red Rock Trails, will connect the Cities of Birmingham, Fairfield, Homewood, and Irondale. This plan outlines the next phase of trail development for the RRTS.
Recent projects include:
- an extension to Five Mile Creek Greenway, the longest existing trail in the Red Rock Trail System®
- the completion of Phase II of the Shades Creek Greenway in Homewood, lengthening this trail by 1.4 miles
How can I support the Red Rock Trail System?
Get outside (and invite your friends)! Visit your favorite trails and find trails you have not been to before. Use our interactive trail map to find and learn more about Red Rock’s wide variety of trails. Use our Signature Trail List and Trails Less Traveled for recommendations.
Share your experiences. Post your photos on social media using #redrocktrailsystem and #freshwaterlandtrust.
Tune in to Red Rock Tuesdays. Almost every month, Jeh Jeh Pruitt from Fox 6’s Good Day Alabama visits a different segment of the Red Rock Trail System to educate our community on ways to get outside and active. We talk with Jeh Jeh about the health, economic, and environmental benefits of parks and trails and make announcements about upcoming projects. The show airs at 7 AM on the first Tuesday of every month.
Give to Freshwater Land Trust. By supporting us financially, you join a diverse group of individuals and organizations committed to improving community access to the outdoors and to conserving Jefferson County’s beautiful green spaces.
