FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. What are Ruffner Mountain’s operating hours?
PRESERVE, PAVILION, AND TRAILS
OPEN TUESDAY - SUNDAY
7 AM - 5 PM NOV - FEB
7 AM - 7 PM MAR - OCT
CLOSED MONDAYS
No entry before or after preserve hours (don’t worry you won’t get locked in).
NATURE CENTER
Based on staff capacity, the nature center is open Thursday - Sunday from 9 AM - 5 PM.
2. Where is Ruffner Mountain located?
Ruffner Mountain is located between the communities of South East Lake, Roebuck Springs, and Irondale, just minutes from downtown Birmingham. Our address is 1214 81st Street South, Birmingham, AL 35206.
3. What is the best route for driving to Ruffner Mountain?
From I-59 North
Take exit 131 and keep right onto Oporto-Madrid Blvd.
Continue on Oporto-Madrid Blvd. to Rugby Avenue.
Turn left onto Rugby Avenue.
Continue to 81st Street South.
Turn right onto 81st Street South.
Continue on 81st Street South until it ends at Ruffner Mountain.
From I-59 South
Take exit 132 to 1st Avenue North.
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North.
Continue to Oporto-Madrid Blvd.
Turn left onto Oporto-Madrid Blvd.
Continue to Rugby Avenue.
Turn left onto Rugby Avenue.
Continue to 81st Street South.
Turn left onto 81st Street South.
Continue on 81st Street South until it ends at Ruffner Mountain.
From I-20 East
Take exit 132A at Oporto-Madrid Blvd.
Turn left onto Oporto-Madrid Blvd.
Continue for 1.6 miles to Rugby Avenue.
Turn right onto Rugby Avenue.
Continue to 81st Street South.
Turn right onto 81st Street South.
Continue on 81st Street South until it ends at Ruffner Mountain.
From I-20 West
Take exit 132 at Montevallo Rd.
Continue straight, through the light, keeping right toward Oporto-Madrid Blvd.
Turn right onto Oporto-Madrid Blvd.
Continue for 1.6 miles to Rugby Avenue.
Turn right onto Rugby Avenue.
Continue to 81st Street South.
Turn right onto 81st Street South.
Continue on 81st Street South until it ends at Ruffner Mountain.
4. How much does it cost to hike at Ruffner Mountain?
Parking permits are required before entry into the preserve. If you are a member of Ruffner Mountain, please remember to bring your parking permit. Non-members are required to purchase a visitor parking permit either through the parkmobile app or at the pavilion. If you are interested in membership, please visit our membership page.
5. Does Ruffner Mountain offer zip-lining, rappelling, camp fires, hammocks, climbing, caving, mountain biking, drones, metal detectors, motorcycling, or horseback riding?
No. However, Ruffner Mountain does permit walking, hiking, trail running, birding, and on-leash dog-walking.
6. Can I film or take professional photos (including drones) or use on Ruffner Mountain property?
If you would like to film or take professional or commercial photos or videos on Ruffner Mountain you must receive approval from Ruffner in advance and sign a waiver. Location fees may apply.
For approval and scheduling, please contact info@ruffnermountain.org .
7. Can I hold my wedding/birthday party/event/meeting/retreat at Ruffner Mountain?
Our meeting room is available to rent Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
For rental requests and pricing information, please complete and submit the facility rental request form.
The pavilion is available for individuals, friends, and families to enjoy— take a break, read a book, enjoy a snack — on a first-come-first-serve basis.
For more information, email info@ruffnermountain.org
8. Can my group hike at Ruffner Mountain?
Large groups (11 or more) must divide into smaller groups: Walk in groups 10 or fewer; run in groups of 6 or fewer. This policy reduces trail impact, minimizes noise and disruptions to other hikers, and provides a better experience for all group participants. To prevent erosion, stay on marked trails and do not walk near or along cliff edges.
9. Can I walk my dog on Ruffner Mountain?
Yes! Ruffner Mountain is dog friendly. We require all dogs to be on-leash, at all times, and please pick up after your dog to keep our trails clean for all.
10. Can my group or organization volunteer at Ruffner Mountain?
For volunteer opportunities, please email volunteer@jeffcogreenways.org
11. Are there mines or caves to explore on Ruffner Mountain?
The exploration of all mines and caves on Ruffner Mountain is strictly prohibited as well as collecting mine artifacts and relics. If you are leading a class, or a researcher, please contact our Conservation Director, Jamie Nobles. Jamie can be reached at jamie@ruffnermountain.org or 205-833-8264, ext. 18. No collecting of rocks or fossils. Also no rock stacking, please practice Leave No Trace principles.
12. What is the status of the Wetlands area?
Wetland dams have been repaired by a new resident American beaver (Castor canadensis) that has restored water levels and added additional wetland habitat to the area. Other wildlife in the area includes frogs, salamanders, newts, and water-loving fowl.
13. What wildlife can be found on Ruffner Mountain?
Ruffner Mountain is home to a variety of urban wildlife species such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes, snakes, and birds. In fact, Ruffner is one of the most popular birding sites in the Greater Birmingham Area. All wildlife on Ruffner Mountain is protected. The killing of any wildlife species on Ruffner Mountain is strictly prohibited. Remember: if you leave it alone, it will leave you alone.
While on the trail, you may encounter myriad species of native wildlife, including: the gray rat snake (Pantherophis spiloides), common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), green tree frog (Hyla cinerea), the hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), and many more.
Continue reading below to learn more about Ruffner's native fauna.
BATS
Sixteen species of bats are found in Alabama. Some of these are year-round residents while others migrate through the state. Two species known to commonly occur on Ruffner Mountain are the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the tri-color bat (Perimyotis subflavus). Bats on the property use natural and man-made habitats throughout the year and have been found under shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), in natural limestone caves, and in the abandoned mine shafts that remain on the property. More information is needed on the health and size of bat populations on Ruffner Mountain, especially with the progression of white-nose syndrome (WNS) throughout the state.
WNS is named for the white fungus apparent on the nose and wings of affected bats. It was first detected in New York state in the winter of 2005 to 2006 and has been spreading southward ever since. Bats do not die from the fungus itself, but from the irritation caused by the fungus during hibernation. Affected bats move more and lose their fat reserves causing them to starve or freeze to death during hibernation. The fungus is likely spread from bat to bat, but humans may also be responsible for transmission of the disease from cave to cave. Protection of potential hibernacula will be important for protecting the bats on Ruffner Mountain.
BIRDS
Ruffner Mountain supports over 150 species of birds which are made up of residents, breeding pairs, and migrants. Ruffner Mountain is an important stop-over for neo-tropical migrating birds, as a feeding ground and as a refuge in a highly developed urban area. Ruffner has documented six species that have been considered of the greatest conservation need by the state of Alabama They include: cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea), worm-eating warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum), Swainson’s warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii), Kentucky warbler (Geothlypis formosa), wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), and the American kestrel (Falco sparverius).
Click here to learn more about Ruffner Mountain’s conservation efforts.
14. Does Ruffner Mountain take in abandoned or injured wildlife such as birds, raccoons, rabbits, and etc?
While Ruffner Mountain has given a home to several animals who, due to imprinting or injury, cannot survive on their own in the wild, Ruffner is legally unable to accept any wildlife drop-offs. There are, however, two wildlife rehabilitation facilities in our area that do:
For Mammals: You can view a list of current, and licensed, wildlife rehabilitators in all parts of Alabama by visiting the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource's’ current list of rehabbers here.
For Birds: Alabama Wildlife Center.