Alabama
Alabama State Parks adds glamping tents at Oak Mountain amid growing demand for comfortable outdoor stays
Alabama State Parks has added new glamping tents at Oak Mountain State Park, part of an expansion officials say is driven by increasing demand for more comfortable outdoor stays.
The addition in Pelham marks the latest expansion of glamping offerings across the state park system, with the experience now available at six locations statewide.
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said the growing popularity of glamping has prompted the expansion.
“It’s exciting to expand the glamping opportunities at our state parks,” Blankenship said. “Glamping has become increasingly popular in the last few years, and we’ve seen how much our visitors have embraced it. Being able to offer glamping at Oak Mountain allows more people to stay, play and explore everything the park has to offer.”
The tents are designed to offer a more comfortable outdoor experience, with amenities including beds, electricity and climate control, while still providing access to traditional camping activities such as hiking, campfires and outdoor recreation.
The expansion builds on a partnership with Timberline Glamping that began in 2023. In addition to Oak Mountain State Park, glamping sites are available at Wind Creek, Lake Guntersville, Chewacla, Monte Sano and Cheaha state parks.
Sarah Johnson, who operates the Timberline franchise at Oak Mountain State Park with her husband, Jeff, said the sites are designed to balance comfort with the park’s natural setting.
“Opening these six new sites at Oak Mountain State Park allows us to bring a new level of comfort and accessibility to the outdoor experience while preserving the beauty that makes this park so special,” Johnson said. “We’ve thoughtfully designed each glamping tent so families, couples and groups can disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with nature — and with each other. We’re proud to expand our footprint here and create memorable stays that inspire guests to return again and again.”
State parks officials said the addition is part of a broader effort to expand overnight accommodations and enhance visitor experiences across Alabama’s park system.
“Our goal is for our guests to enjoy a memorable stay and want to come back again,” Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps said. “There’s no doubt that the glamping tents accomplish that goal. People truly enjoy the glamping tents, and we’re pleased that we can expand this offering at Oak Mountain.”
Alabama State Parks operates 21 parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres statewide, offering a range of lodging options from primitive campsites to cabins and resort-style accommodations.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
Governor Kay Ivey:
“God bless our President, First Lady and the men and women in law enforcement. Let us pray for our leaders each and every day.”
Representative Barry Moore:
“They’ve told countless lies about him.
They’ve tried to bankrupt him.
They’ve come after his family.
They’ve tried to put him in prison.
They’ve tried to assasinate him – three times.
And yet, President Trump continues to fight for the American people.
We need to get on our knees and pray for him and our country.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville:
“A lunatic just tried to take out President Trump AGAIN.
The demonization of the President and Republicans needs to end.
Praying for our President and our country.”
Congressman Gary Palmer:
“I’m very thankful for the swift action of the Secret Service and that the President and no one at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was injured.
Considering this is the third attempt on the President’s life, last year’s assassination of Charlie Kirk, and the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting, it’s clear that our nation is in a cultural and political crisis.
We should all be praying for the healing of our nation and for the return of civil discourse.”
Senator Katie Britt:
“Wesley and I are praying for the safety of the President, the First Lady, and all those attending the White House Correspondents dinner. Grateful for the brave men and women in uniform working to keep everyone safe.”
Well that’s a wrap! Despite all of the hand-wringing, Alabama finished with 10 total players drafted, behind only Ohio State (11) for the most in college football. On top of that, the Tide was the only SEC school with multiple first round draft picks. If you missed any of them, here is the recap:
Round 1, pick 12 – OT Kadyn Proctor – Miami Dolphins
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Round 1, pick 13 – QB Ty Simpson – L.A. Rams
Round 2, pick 47 – WR Germie Bernard – Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 4, pick 137 – DL LT Overton – Dallas Cowboys
Round 5, pick 146 – C Parker Brailsford – Cleveland Browns
Round 5, pick 149 – LB Justin Jefferson – Cleveland Browns
Round 5, pick 173 – TE Josh Cuevas – Baltimore Ravens
Round 6, pick 201 – CB Domani Jackson – Green Bay Packers
Round 7, pick 232 – DT Tim Keenan – L.A. Rams
Round 7, pick 245 – RB Jam Miller – New England Patriots
All in all, it was a big day three for Alabama after a slow day two.
With the draft over, the undrafted free agent frenzy begins (seriously, if you think the draft is crazy, some the stories I’ve heard from NFL GMs about what happens right after it trying to convince all of the UDFAs to go places are pure chaos). Thus far, here’s the Alabama players who went out for the draft and didn’t get drafted, but have signed on with NFL squads:
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OL Jaeden Roberts – Philadelphia Eagles
LB Deontae Lawson – Philadelphia Eagles
LB Nikhai Hill-Green – L.A. Rams
OL Kam Dewberry – Atlanta Falcons
DB DaShawn Jones – New Orleans Saints
So far, OL Geno VanDeMark, punter Blake Doud, running back Dre Washington, and tight end Brody Dalton are still looking for teams. I think VanDeMark will likely find his way onto a team, but the other three probably will not.
It was also a decent day for some former Tide players. who transferred elsewhere in their careers:
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S – Caleb Downs (Ohio State) – 1st round, pick 11 – Dallas Cowboys
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WR- Kendrick Law (Kentucky) – 5th round, pick 168 – Detroit Lions
And that’s pretty much it for this year! Hopefully we will see many of these names popping up across the NFL for years to come. Roll Tide to all!
GREEN BAY (WLUK) — Needing to add depth to the cornerback position the Packers drafted South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday and Saturday they added another player to the position.
In the sixth round Green Bay selected Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson (201st overall).
Jackson (6-0 3/4, 194 pounds) played in all 15 games with 10 starts last season for the Crimson Tide, but was benched for ineffectiveness midway through season before regaining starting job in SEC title game. Last season, Jackson recorded 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup.
Jackson, who was timed at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash, started is career at USC and played in 18 games over two seasons before transferring to Alabama in 2024. In his first season with the Crimson Tide, Jackson started all 13 games with 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven pass breakups.
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Jackson was the No. 2 cornerback in the 2022 recruiting class behind Travis Hunter, who was the second pick last year by the Browns.
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