Free things to do in Hoover: Moss Rock Preserve, the EXPLORE playground and splash pad, library story times, the dog park and the city's free yearly festivals.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts come from the City of Hoover, the Hoover Met Complex, the Hoover Public Library and Aldridge Gardens, linked below. Where a place or event says it is free, we say so. The city lists no admission for its parks and trails; pavilion rentals and some programs carry fees. Check the organizer’s page for anything else.

A lot of Hoover costs nothing: a 349-acre nature preserve, an inclusive playground and splash pad, a library with programs nearly every day, and three city festivals a year that charge no admission.

At a glance

  • Outdoors: Moss Rock Preserve, Veterans Park, Star Lake, the Cahaba Riverchase Greenway
  • For kids: EXPLORE playground and splash pad; library story times
  • For dogs: Loch Haven Dog Park
  • Free festivals: Celebrate Hoover Day (spring), HalloweenFest (October), tree lighting (December)
  • Hoover Parks and Recreation: 205-444-7703

Parks and trails

  • Moss Rock Preserve: 349 acres with about 12 miles of trails, waterfalls and the Boulder Field, open sunrise to sunset.
  • Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road: a 5K crushed-gravel course around the lakes, two playgrounds, sand volleyball courts and a veterans memorial. Pavilions are first come, first served.
  • Star Lake, Star Lake Drive: a lake loop (2.5 laps make a mile) and a picnic area.
  • Cahaba Riverchase Greenway, 1930 Old Montgomery Highway: a half-mile paved trail along the Cahaba River.
  • Black Creek Mountain Bike Park, 5571 Stadium Trace Parkway: 5 miles of trails.
  • Inverness Nature Park, 98 Inverness Center Parkway: trails and an 18-hole disc golf course.

Distances and trailheads are on our walking and biking trails guide.

EXPLORE playground and splash pad

The EXPLORE Playground and Splash Pad, 1060 RV Trace, is free for residents and nonresidents. The inclusive playground is open sunrise to sunset all year; the splash pad runs May 15 to Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays.

The library

The Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Drive, runs story times for babies to school-age children most days, plus LEGO challenges, book clubs, after-hours Game Nights and Live on the Plaza performances, according to its event calendar. Some programs need registration. The library also has art galleries. Call 205-444-7800.

Aldridge Gardens

Aldridge Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road, opens its gates daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for walks around the lake, the StoryWalk for early readers and the Trail to Fort Aldridge play area. Leashed dogs are allowed Monday to Thursday only.

Dog park

The Loch Haven Dog Park, 3469 Loch Haven Drive, has fenced off-leash areas for small and large dogs and a canine obstacle course, the city says.

Walk indoors

  • Finley Center indoor walking track, 5508 Stadium Trace Parkway: free for Hoover residents with a valid Hoover address; five laps make a mile, according to the Hoover Met Complex.
  • Riverchase Galleria, 2000 Galleria Circle: mall walkers can enter from 7:30 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday, according to the mall.

Free city festivals

  • Celebrate Hoover Day: a free spring festival at Veterans Park with a 10-foot apple pie, live entertainment, food trucks, carnival rides and inflatables. In 2026 it was Saturday, April 25.
  • HalloweenFest: free, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at the Finley Center. See our Halloween events page.
  • Christmas tree lighting: free, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026, at City Hall. See our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Related: kids’ activities, parks and trails and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

What is free to do in Hoover?

The EXPLORE playground and splash pad at the Hoover Met Complex is free, and the city lists no admission for its parks and trails, from Moss Rock Preserve to Veterans Park, Star Lake and the Loch Haven dog park. The library runs story times and evening programs most days.

Is the Hoover splash pad free?

Yes. The EXPLORE splash pad at the Hoover Met Complex is free for residents and nonresidents. It runs May 15 to Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

Is the Finley Center walking track free?

It is free for Hoover residents with a valid Hoover address, according to the Hoover Met Complex. Five laps make a mile.

What free festivals does Hoover hold?

Celebrate Hoover Day at Veterans Park each spring, HalloweenFest at the Finley Center in October and the Christmas tree lighting at City Hall in December are all free.