Amenities

Facilities

• ​There are 6 heated and air-conditioned bunk-style cabins, 5 with 8 bunks and 2 twin beds (18 capacity) and 1 (Mt. Brook) with 7 bunks and 3 twin beds (17 capacity) for a total of 107 spaces. There are 2 toilets and 2 showers in each. 
• There are 6 motel-style staff rooms rooms with private baths, 3 have 2 twin beds and 3 have a queen bed.
• The Shades Valley Lodge has a full kitchen, den area with television and Wi-Fi, 8 bedrooms with 2 twin beds in each room. Every two rooms share one bathroom.
• The FPC Birmingham Dining Hall/Meeting Facility contains a commercial kitchen and meeting/eating space for up to 200.
• The Storm Shelter is rated for EF-5 tornados will hold 150 individuals. It is located outside of the dining hall and close to the bunk cabins.
• The McGuire Pavilion is a small-group meeting space will hold up to 50 individuals.​
• The Charlie and Sandy Durham Chapel is located down from the dining hall overlooking the Cahaba and seats approximately 100.
• The IPC (Independent Presbyterian Church) Chapel is located off of the Main Road trail and seats approximately 100.
• Patton Picnic Pavilion is a small covered picnic area close to the Newland House. There is a picnic table and grill.
• Parks’ Park Pavilion is a large pavilion (20x40) on the big field adjacent to the fire ring.​

Activities

• Canoeing- Approximately 15 canoes with paddles and pfds are on-site. A group could paddle the 4 ½ miles of Cahaba River around the entire property which takes approximately 3 hours or canoe on the lake.
• Ga-ga Ball- A group dodge ball game located within a wooden enclosure.
• Alice Jordan Puliam Low Ropes Course- The low ropes course is located behind the McGuire Pavilion and close to the bunk cabins.
• Disc Golf- A disc golf course is located along the road in the upper portion of camp.
• Swimming- A swimming area is located at our larger lake with a floating dock.  All participants must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD and only swim when a lifeguard is present.  Swimming in the Cahaba at the Williams’ launch is also available if all participants wear PFDs, a lifeguard is present and the area is clear as verified by the Cahaba River Keeper’s swim guide.
• Hiking- There are miles of hiking trails available on-site.
• Archery- Equipment is available for groups who have a trained instructor.
• Fossil Hunting- A rich fossil bed is located on fossil ridge.  We ask that fossil hunters take away only one fossil per trip, no larger than your palm.
• Primitive tent camping is available at the lake, the large field and at LeBron canoe launch.
• Campfire rings are located on the large field and on the ridge overlooking the large field.

Living River 2024 Rates

MINIMUM RENTAL AMOUNT $300 
OVERNIGHT LODGING

• Shades Valley Lodge- $500 per night (*PSL rate- $300) 
• Motel-style Rooms with lounge available for meals, full-size refrigerator, microwave and hot plate- $100 per room, per night, (*PSL rate- $70)
  • Minimum 3 rooms or $300
• Bunk Cabins- $30 per person per night (*PSL rate- $25)
  • Minimum 10 people or $300
• Primitive Camping- $15 per person per night (*PSL rate-$10)​

OTHER RATES

• Kitchen Use- $75 one-time charge
• Day Use- $15 per person, per day
  • Minimum 20 people or $300
• Dining Hall Use- $75 one-time charge
• Canoe Rental- ​$20 per canoe, per day
  
  • PFDs and paddles provided
    
  • Must have experienced canoer or lifeguard.
    
  • Vehicle with trailer hitch needed if moving canoes from behind locked gates.
• Day-use of bunk cabin- $50 per cabin
• Day-use of small group lodge- $200 for house
• Day-use of motel-style room​- $50 per room​

Download rates pdf here: living_river_rate_sheet_2022.pdf
*PSL rate available to Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley churches or affiliated groups. ​