Freedom Riders National Monument is a National Monument in Alabama. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and nearby photo locations.
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Freedom Riders the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 61° (ENE) at the June solstice and 118° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 299° (WNW) in June to 242° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 80° in summer but only 33° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:49 AM | 7:26 AM | 4:21 PM | 4:59 PM | 245° | 10h 10m |
| February | 6:29 AM | 7:03 AM | 4:54 PM | 5:29 PM | 256° | 11h 00m |
| March | 6:55 AM | 7:28 AM | 6:19 PM | 6:52 PM | 268° | 11h 57m |
| April | 6:14 AM | 6:47 AM | 6:41 PM | 7:15 PM | 283° | 13h 01m |
| May | 5:44 AM | 6:19 AM | 7:03 PM | 7:38 PM | 294° | 13h 54m |
| June | 5:34 AM | 6:10 AM | 7:19 PM | 7:56 PM | 299° | 14h 22m |
| July | 5:45 AM | 6:21 AM | 7:19 PM | 7:55 PM | 297° | 14h 11m |
| August | 6:07 AM | 6:41 AM | 6:57 PM | 7:32 PM | 288° | 13h 25m |
| September | 6:28 AM | 7:01 AM | 6:19 PM | 6:52 PM | 274° | 12h 24m |
| October | 6:49 AM | 7:23 AM | 5:38 PM | 6:11 PM | 260° | 11h 22m |
| November | 6:16 AM | 6:52 AM | 4:06 PM | 4:42 PM | 248° | 10h 26m |
| December | 6:42 AM | 7:20 AM | 4:00 PM | 4:38 PM | 242° | 9h 56m |
Computed for the park's reference point (33.6353, -85.9064); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Freedom Riders, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 6.0 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 27° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 5 (suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 4:22 AM – 5:02 AM | 0.7 | 16° |
| March | 3:35 AM – 5:25 AM | 1.8 | 24° |
| April | 1:33 AM – 4:43 AM | 3.2 | 27° |
| May | 11:35 PM – 4:05 AM | 4.5 | 27° |
| June | 9:41 PM – 3:41 AM | 6.0 | 27° |
| July | 9:37 PM – 2:17 AM | 4.7 | 27° |
| August | 9:03 PM – 12:23 AM | 3.3 | 27° |
| September | 8:16 PM – 10:16 PM | 2.0 | 24° |
| October | 7:34 PM – 8:14 PM | 0.7 | 17° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
5 Estimated Bortle 5 — Suburban sky. The Milky Way is weak near the horizon and washed out overhead; long exposures pick up a sky glow.
Weather & best time to visit
Temperatures can soar to extremes of heat and humidity in the summer and fall to a damp, wet, cold in the winter. During the summer season visitors should dress in light, comfortable clothing, wear comfortable shoes and use sunscreen. Drink plenty of fluids to maintain hydration. In the spring and fall, visitors should have a light jacket available as temperatures can drop suddenly. Winter temperatures can be unpredictable, ranging from mild to extremely cold
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show October as the clearest month (about 43% average cloud cover) and February as the cloudiest (61%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
Directions to the Bus Burning Site, from Atlanta and Points East: From I-20, take exit 179 toward AL-202 E/US-78/Coldwater. Merge onto Alabama State Highway 202. Turn right onto Old Birmingham Hwy. The Bus Burning site is located on the right. A gravel parking lot is available at the burn site with entry from the Old Birmingham Hwy. There is no authorized parking or pedestrian activity along State Route 202. For directions to the Anniston Greyhound Bus Depot, click on link below.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
Nearby parks
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