Outdoor Activities ...
As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).
When in Oak Forest, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Oak Forest and the surrounding area.
- Weather ...
- Before heading outdoors, you should check the weather:
- The National Weather Service forecast for Oak Forest
- Astronomy & Satellites ...
- Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
- To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Oak Forest:
- 33.602326, -86.781935
- Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
- The Heavens-Above Website, centered on Oak Forest
- Bird Watching ...
- We enjoy finding new spots for bird watching and we use the eBird website for local sighting reports and to help identify hotspots.
- The eBird website is organized on a county-by-county basis. We have selected Jefferson County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
- eBird sighting report for Jefferson County
- Since Oak Forest is near Blount County and also Shelby County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
- eBird sighting report for Blount County
- eBird sighting report for Shelby County
- Waymarking ...
- Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
- Waymark.com
Communities Also Named Oak Forest ...
We found 26 communities that share the name Oak Forest.
Within Alabama, the name Oak Forest is unique.
Beyond Alabama, we know of another 26 communities that are located throughout in the United States.
- Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
- Arkansas
- Lee County
- This Oak Forest is located in Lee County and lies 249 miles [400.7 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lee County community of Oak Forest.
- Lonoke County
- This Oak Forest is located in Lonoke County and lies 309 miles [497.3 km] to the west northwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lonoke County community of Oak Forest.
- Phillips County
- This Oak Forest is located in Phillips County and lies 228 miles [366.9 km] to the west northwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Phillips County community of Oak Forest.
- Pulaski County
- This Oak Forest is located in Pulaski County and lies 326 miles [524.6 km] to the west northwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pulaski County community of Oak Forest.
- Florida
- Hillsborough County
- This Oak Forest is located in Hillsborough County and lies 465 miles [748.3 km]<1> to the southeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Oak Forest.
- Georgia
- Chatham County
- This Oak Forest is located in Chatham County and lies 349 miles [561.7 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chatham County community of Oak Forest.
- Clayton County
- This Oak Forest is located in Clayton County and lies 137 miles [220.5 km] to the east of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Clayton County community of Oak Forest.
- Illinois
- Cook County
- This Oak Forest is located in Cook County and lies 555 miles [893.2 km]<1> to the north of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cook County community of Oak Forest.
- Indiana
- Franklin County
- This Oak Forest is located in Franklin County and lies 410 miles [659.8 km]<1> to the north northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Franklin County community of Oak Forest.
- Kentucky
- Allen County
- This Oak Forest is located in Allen County and lies 218 miles [350.8 km]<1> to the north of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allen County community of Oak Forest.
- Louisiana
- East Baton Rouge Parish
- This Oak Forest is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and lies 330 miles [531.1 km]<1> to the southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the East Baton Rouge Parish community of Oak Forest.
- Terrebonne Parish
- This Oak Forest is located in Terrebonne Parish and lies 367 miles [590.6 km] to the southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Terrebonne Parish community of Oak Forest.
- Maryland
- Baltimore County
- This Oak Forest is located in Baltimore County and lies 680 miles [1,094.4 km]<1> to the northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Baltimore County community of Oak Forest.
- North Carolina
- Buncombe County
- This Oak Forest is located in Buncombe County and lies 274 miles [441 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Buncombe County community of Oak Forest.
- Iredell County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Carolina community of Oak Forest [Iredell County].
- Johnston County
- This Oak Forest is located in Johnston County and lies 490 miles [788.6 km] to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Johnston County community of Oak Forest.
- Wayne County
- This Oak Forest is located in Wayne County and lies 517 miles [832 km] to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wayne County community of Oak Forest.
- Pennsylvania
- Greene County
- This Oak Forest is located in Greene County and lies 562 miles [904.5 km]<1> to the northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greene County community of Oak Forest.
- South Carolina
- Charleston County
- This Oak Forest is located in Charleston County and lies 395 miles [635.7 km]<1> to the east of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Charleston County community of Oak Forest.
- Florence County
- This Oak Forest is located in Florence County and lies 398 miles [640.5 km] to the east of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Florence County community of Oak Forest.
- Spartanburg County
- This Oak Forest is located in Spartanburg County and lies 287 miles [461.9 km] to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Spartanburg County community of Oak Forest.
- Texas
- Gonzales County
- This Oak Forest is located in Gonzales County and lies 695 miles [1,118.5 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gonzales County community of Oak Forest.
- Harris County
- This Oak Forest is located in Harris County and lies 571 miles [918.9 km] to the west southwest of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harris County community of Oak Forest.
- Virginia
- Chesterfield County
- This Oak Forest is located in Chesterfield County and lies 580 miles [933.4 km]<1> to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chesterfield County community of Oak Forest.
- Cumberland County
- This Oak Forest is located in Cumberland County and lies 553 miles [890 km] to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Cumberland County community of Oak Forest.
- Hanover County
- This Oak Forest is located in Hanover County and lies 598 miles [962.4 km] to the east northeast of the Oak Forest that is located in Jefferson County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hanover County community of Oak Forest.
- Arkansas
Curious and Interesting Names Near Oak Forest ...
As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.
- Airport Highlands
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Airport Highlands have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Airport Highlands
- Airport Highlands is located in Jefferson County
- Coalburg
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the west) - Danville
(Less than 2 miles to the southeast) - Frances Heights
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Frances Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frances Heights
- Frances Heights is located in Jefferson County
- Gardendale
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gardendale
- Gardendale is located in Jefferson County
- Population from the 2020 Census: 14,113 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gardendale <4>
- Gate City
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast) - Kingsway Terrace
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Kingsway Terrace have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kingsway Terrace
- Kingsway Terrace is located in Jefferson County
- Lewisburg
(Less than 2 miles to the southwest) - Mountain Park
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mountain Park have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Park
- Mountain Park is located in Jefferson County
- Plain View
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Plain View have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plain View
- Plain View is located in Jefferson County
- Spring Garden
(Less than 2 miles to the northeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spring Garden have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Garden
- Spring Garden is located in Jefferson County
- Trotwood Park
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Trotwood Park have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Trotwood Park
- Trotwood Park is located in Jefferson County
- Continue List (5 more) ...
- Village Creek
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Village Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Village Creek
- Village Creek is located in Jefferson County
- Vulcan City
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vulcan City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vulcan City
- Vulcan City is located in Jefferson County
- Woodlawn
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast) - Zion City
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast) - Zion Heights
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Zion Heights have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Zion Heights
- Zion Heights is located in Jefferson County
- Village Creek
How Far From Oak Forest to ...
We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers & Almanacs that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Oak Forest to various places of note, such as the White House.
With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Oak Forest and extending to:
- Birmingham, which is the Seat of Jefferson County, lies just to the South Southwest.
- Montgomery, which is the State Capital of Alabama, lies 89 miles [143.2 km]<1> to the south southeast (SSE). If you could drive a straight line from Oak Forest to Montgomery, with an average speed<5>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take less than two hours to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 5 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take most of three days.
- The White House (Washington, DC) is 653 miles [1,050.9 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take just over a day, a buggy would take 26 days and walking would take 38 days.
- The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,546 miles [10,534.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
- The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,256 miles [11,677.4 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
- The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,132 miles [8,259.2 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Oak Forest. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Jefferson County: www.jeffcointouch.com/
The official website for State of Alabama: https://www.alabama.gov/
Footnotes ...
| <1> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Oak Forest) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Oak Forest. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 33.6023, Longitude: -86.7819 In this case, the coordinates for Oak Forest have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). |
| <2> | If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer. Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Mile's to see Pete ... Mile's is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name. Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time. Also keep in mind that Oak Forest could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out. |
| <3> | The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required. |
| <4> | While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program. |
| <5> | While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day. |
| <6> | The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Oak Forest to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East. |
| <7> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 313.669 degrees. |
| <8> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 309.291 degrees. |
| <9> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 310.271 degrees. |