Smith Mountain is a surprising tourist stop for anyone passing along Highway 280 between Birmingham and Auburn, Alabama. Tucked away on the western edge of Dadeville, this recreational area is a postcard worthy local gem that proudly stands sentry over beautiful Lake Martin. With a recently refurbished fire tower, spectacular views of the largest man-made lake in Alabama, 8.0 miles of hiking trails, and several bouldering routes, this park is an excellent place for anyone seeking to escape the city and enjoy an afternoon in the outdoors.
The park’s center piece is the Smith Mountain Fire Tower, a 90 ft steel structure originally built in the 1930s. The tower served for decades as part of a network of fire lookout points in the area. By the 1970s, however, due to improvements in fire detection methods, the tower became obsolete, and Smith Mountain fell into disuse. The area was closed to the public in 1980. Eventually, though, local residents saw potential for the Fire Tower to serve as a free-to-the-public tourist spot. By 2012, after a year’s worth of work, the tower and surrounding 10 acres of forest land was reopened to the public as a park. The Fire Tower has been enhanced structurally and brought up to modern safety standards. Its cab stands 80 feet above the summit of Smith Mountain and gives a 270 degree view of Lake Martin. In addition to the tower, the remains of the site’s original ranger station, cistern, and privy are also still on site. There are also several educational display posts that tell about the history and nature surrounding Smith Mountain.
Several hiking trails, ranging from moderate to difficult, intersect on top of Smith Mountain. The Walker Bynum Smith Mountain Tower Trail is a 1.0 mile fern hugged, rock perched path that summits at the Fire Tower, then loops back down the opposite side of the mountain. Lakeshore Trail is a 2.4 mile path that traces the undeveloped Lake Martin shoreline through mixed pine and hardwood forest. Little Smith Mountain Trail is a 2.6 mile hiking loop and is the most difficult of the trails on Smith Mountain. This trail is not recommended for small children. It crosses sheer cliffs and spectacular rock formations and offers beautiful views of the lake, as well. There is also the David M. Forker Island Hop/Boat Dock Trail, a 3.0 mile path that connects several islands in Lake Martin during the winter when water levels are low. Finally, for those who would like a more direct path up to the Fire Tower, the old fire trail is a steep, but easily hikable path that begins at the Smith Mountain parking lot. Excluding the fire trail, most of the paths are accessible from both the parking lot and by boat.
Multiple bouldering routes appropriate for climbers of all experience levels can also be found on Smith Mountain. The site has over 30 different known boulder problems scattered across 8 areas including Down Stairs (26 ft.), Fire Down Below Boulders (20 ft.), and Big Boss Man Wall (23 ft.) There are still plenty more routes for climbers to discover on Smith Mountain as well. Some may need to be cleared of vegetation, but be careful not to remove any rare species.
Whether you are interested in history, looking for an adventure, or just need to escape the road for a few moments, Smith Mountain is an ideal spot for anyone to enjoy. Admission is free, and the park is open from daylight till 30 minutes after dark.
Westward Travel 