By EMILY D. COOK

School’s out for summer! Are you excited or are you thinking, “What am I going to do with the kids this summer?”

If you are asking what to do, then here’s your answer. Bring them to Oak Mountain State Park.

The park is open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. and we have plenty to do.

For that hot sunny day, come cool off with a refreshing dip in the lake located on Terrace Drive.

Located behind the Park Office is a beach with easy access to the lake.

You will also find the HydroSpot for your beach needs, as well as (on most weekends) a snow cone vendor.

Don’t want to play at the beach but still want to enjoy the lake? You can relax by renting a pedal boat, canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

The marina is open on weekends and select days during the week throughout the summer.

The pedal boats, canoes and kayaks rent for $14 an hour, and the paddleboards rent for $22 per hour.

The Back Gate of Oak Mountain has two large lakes that you can enjoy by renting a boat to go fishing, or you may choose to check out FlipSide Watersports, Alabama’s first and only cable water sports park.

We offer many trails to hike, bike and horseback ride if you are more of the active type.

Hiking trails can be as simple as the 1/4 mile Treetop Nature Trail to the longest trail at roughly 8 miles long to the steepest trail at 2 miles but going from an elevation of about 700 feet to 1,200 feet.

Mountain bike and horseback trails are located throughout the park and are about 26 total miles each, so there is plenty of variety.

Even if it is raining, there is something for you to do.

Come check out the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center and the Alabama Wildlife Center. Both offer unique insight into the animals of Oak Mountain and Alabama in general.

This is just a general touch on all that we have to offer, but you shouldn’t have any problem enjoying the day here.

Come out and enjoy the park. Your support keeps us open. We hope to see you soon.

For more information on park hours and fees, visit our website at Alapark.com/oak-mountain-state-park.