Sloss Furnaces
Birmingham, AL
A former blast-furnace complex of pipes, stoves and towering stacks, preserved as a national historic landmark and open to walk through. Bring a camera, and wear closed shoes for the uneven industrial ground.
Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham was a blast furnace plant producing pig iron from 1882 until the early 1970s. Colonel James Withers Sloss founded it in 1881. After it shut down it faced demolition, until voters approved a $3.3 million bond for its preservation in 1977. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1981 and opened as a museum in 1983. It is regarded as one of the first industrial sites in the United States to be preserved and restored for public use.
Today there is a museum with free admission, a metal arts program and educational offerings; events also take place here, such as the Furnace Fest punk festival since 2021, and in 2022 the site hosted World Games competitions. A new visitor center opened in 2016. Allow one to two hours for the site. Sturdy footwear is advisable because the ground of an industrial site can be uneven. The museum is closed on Mondays, and access can be restricted during events (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Birmingham, AL
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 33.5139, -86.7917
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Brookside GreenwayCampsite11 mi from Sloss Furnaces · 46 pitchesElectricityShowers
- Oak Mountain State Park CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Sloss FurnacesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
- Hoover RV ParkMotorhome stopover13 mi from Sloss FurnacesMotorhomes
- Hargis Christian CampCampsite15 mi from Sloss Furnaces
- South Birmingham RV ParkMotorhome stopover16 mi from Sloss FurnacesMotorhomes
- Campground #3Campsite24 mi from Sloss FurnacesTentsCaravans
All campsites in Alabama · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Sloss Furnaces?
Sloss Furnaces is in Birmingham, AL, at GPS 33.5139, -86.7917. It is about 78 mi from Selma.
Can you camp near Sloss Furnaces?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Brookside Greenway, about 11 mi away; within 25 mi there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Sloss Furnaces?
Places worth a stop nearby: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (1 mi), 16th Street Baptist Church (1 mi), Vulcan Park and Museum (2 mi) and Rickwood Field (3 mi).
When is the best time to visit Sloss Furnaces?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)