Hoover, Alabama: Directions & Parking

*** News Flash ***

Jefferson County has recently assigned 617 Preserve Pkwy as the official street address for Moss Rock Preserve. Please feel free to GPS locate this address which will route you to the Boulder Field parking area as described below.

At present, Moss Rock Preserve features three main trail heads:

Boulder Field Trail Head - 617 Preserve Pkwy. Seemingly the most popular area within Moss Rock. Parking for this area is provided in the form of angled spaces on the shoulders of Preserve Pkwy. The main attraction from this trail head is the boulder field but there is also good access to hiking trails, smaller water falls, streams and the sandstone glade.
Sulphur Springs Rd Gravel Parking Lot Trail Head - near Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 4600 Preserve Pkwy. My personal favorite, the Sulphur Springs Rd gravel parking lot is located just W of Preserve Pkwy and near Prince of Peace Catholic Church. This gravel lot will accomodate roughly 35 cars and offers some shade for warmer days. Hiking trails from this trail head feature varied terrain with large boulders, rock outcroppings and streams along the way. For a change of scenery, this trail head also provides a direct connection to the power line trail. * When parking at this lot, please do not block the Alabama Power Company service gate.
Simmons Middle School Lower Parking Lot Trail Head - 1575 Patton Chapel Rd. Located at the Simmons Middle School lower parking lot, this trail head is in closest proximity to the boulder gorge trail (colored orange) - the newest addition to the Moss Rock trail network. Hiking trails from this trail head are a bit more serious with elevation changes that can definitely get the ole' heart rate up. After a good rain, the boulder gorge is visually stunning (also slippery so use caution) and the rock outcroppings are easily on par with those located in the boulder field. The orange trail is currently an out-and-back trail.

DIRECTIONS FROM I-459 VIA EXIT 10, HWY 150 (THE GROVE SHOPPING CENTER):
Take exit #10 (Hwy 150) and turn east towards downtown Hoover. Turn left on Preserve Pkwy and stay straight for approximately 2 miles until you intersect Sulphur Springs Rd. At this intersection, you will see Prince of Peace Catholic Church on your right and Moss Rock will be directly ahead. From this intersection, navigate to your choice of trail heads as follows:

Sulphur Springs Gravel Lot - Turn left on Sulphur Springs Rd and drive approximately 50 yards. Gravel parking lot will be on your right, bordered by wood split-rail fence.
Boulder Field - Stay staight on Preserve Pkwy for approximately .6 mile. Go through one traffic circle (roundabout) and look for angled parking spaces on your left and right. When headed this direction, Moss Rock Preserve will be on your left.
Simmons Middle School - Stay straight on Preserve Pkwy for approximately 1.5 miles to the intersection of Patton Chapel Rd. Turn left on Patton Chapel and drive approximately 50 yards. Look for large blue Moss Rock Parking sign on left and turn left into lower parking lot of school.

DIRECTIONS FROM I-459 VIA EXIT 13, HWY 31 (RIVERCHASE GALLERIA):

Take exit #13 (Hwy 31) and head north towards Vestavia. Turn left on Patton Chapel Rd and stay straight for approximately 3 miles to the 2nd traffic light which is the intersection of Preserve Pkwy. From this intersection, navigate to your choice of trail heads as follows:

Simmons Middle School - Stay straight on Patton Chapel Rd for approximately 50 yards. Look for large blue Moss Rock Parking sign on left and turn left into lower parking lot of school.
Boulder Field - Turn left on Preserve Pkwy and drive approximatley 1.5 miles. Go through one traffic circle (roundabout) and look for angled parking spaces on your right and left. When headed this direction, Moss Rock Preserve will be on your right.
Sulphur Springs Rd - Turn left on Preserve Pkwy and drive approximately 2 miles to Sulphur Springs Rd. Turn right on Sulphur Springs and drive approximately 50 yards. Gravel parking lot will be on your right, bordered by a wood split-rail fence.

Note: There are Moss Rock Preserve Rules signs at each trail head. Please familiarize yourself with these rules prior to entering the Park. Thanks for your cooperation.

PLEASE ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL AREA BUT REMEMBER TO "LEAVE NO TRACE" AND ALWAYS BRING OUT, EVERYTHING YOU BRING IN. THANK YOU!!!

	Directions & Parking

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At present, Moss Rock Preserve features three main trail heads: Boulder Field Trail Head - 617 Preserve Pkwy. Seemingly the most popular area within Moss Rock. Parking for this area is provided in the form of angled spaces on the shoulders of Preserve Pkwy. The main attraction from this trail head is the boulder field but there is also good access to hiking trails, smaller water falls, streams and the sandstone glade. Sulphur Springs Rd Gravel Parking Lot Trail Head - near Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 4600 Preserve Pkwy. My personal favorite, the Sulphur Springs Rd gravel parking lot is located just W of Preserve Pkwy and near Prince of Peace Catholic Church. This gravel lot will accomodate roughly 35 cars and offers some shade for warmer days. Hiking trails from this trail head feature varied terrain with large boulders, rock outcroppings and streams along the way. For a change of scenery, this trail head also provides a direct connection to the power line trail. * When parking at this lot, please do not block the Alabama Power Company service gate. Simmons Middle School Lower Parking Lot Trail Head - 1575 Patton Chapel Rd. Located at the Simmons Middle School lower parking lot, this trail head is in closest proximity to the boulder gorge trail (colored orange) - the newest addition to the Moss Rock trail network. Hiking trails from this trail head are a bit more serious with elevation changes that can definitely get the ole' heart rate up. After a good rain, the boulder gorge is visually stunning (also slippery so use caution) and the rock outcroppings are easily on par with those located in the boulder field. The orange trail is currently an out-and-back trail. DIRECTIONS FROM I-459 VIA EXIT 10, HWY 150 (THE GROVE SHOPPING CENTER): Take exit #10 (Hwy 150) and turn east towards downtown Hoover. Turn left on Preserve Pkwy and stay straight for approximately 2 miles until you intersect Sulphur Springs Rd. At this intersection, you will see Prince of Peace Catholic Church on your right and Moss Rock will be directly ahead. From this intersection, navigate to your choice of trail heads as follows: Sulphur Springs Gravel Lot - Turn left on Sulphur Springs Rd and drive approximately 50 yards. Gravel parking lot will be on your right, bordered by wood split-rail fence. Boulder Field - Stay staight on Preserve Pkwy for approximately .6 mile. Go through one traffic circle (roundabout) and look for angled parking spaces on your left and right. When headed this direction, Moss Rock Preserve will be on your left. Simmons Middle School - Stay straight on Preserve Pkwy for approximately 1.5 miles to the intersection of Patton Chapel Rd. Turn left on Patton Chapel and drive approximately 50 yards. Look for large blue Moss Rock Parking sign on left and turn left into lower parking lot of school. DIRECTIONS FROM I-459 VIA EXIT 13, HWY 31 (RIVERCHASE GALLERIA): Take exit #13 (Hwy 31) and head north towards Vestavia. Turn left on Patton Chapel Rd and stay straight for approximately 3 miles to the 2nd traffic light which is the intersection of Preserve Pkwy. From this intersection, navigate to your choice of trail heads as follows: Simmons Middle School - Stay straight on Patton Chapel Rd for approximately 50 yards. Look for large blue Moss Rock Parking sign on left and turn left into lower parking lot of school. Boulder Field - Turn left on Preserve Pkwy and drive approximatley 1.5 miles. Go through one traffic circle (roundabout) and look for angled parking spaces on your right and left. When headed this direction, Moss Rock Preserve will be on your right. Sulphur Springs Rd - Turn left on Preserve Pkwy and drive approximately 2 miles to Sulphur Springs Rd. Turn right on Sulphur Springs and drive approximately 50 yards. Gravel parking lot will be on your right, bordered by a wood split-rail fence. Note: There are Moss Rock Preserve Rules signs at each trail head. Please familiarize yourself with these rules prior to entering the Park. Thanks for your cooperation. PLEASE ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL AREA BUT REMEMBER TO "LEAVE NO TRACE" AND ALWAYS BRING OUT, EVERYTHING YOU BRING IN. THANK YOU!!!
	Copyright 2006 City of Hoover, Alabama 100 Municipal Drive, Hoover, Alabama 35216 - (205) 444-7500 Photographs and Graphics may not be used without permission.