Beautiful Lakes for Living in Alabama

The beachfront lifestyle isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Tropical storms, coastal erosion, limited housing options, and high insurance premiums can sour that dream of waking up to surf outside your door. But you don’t need to go to the Gulf Coast to live on the waterfront in Alabama. Find incredible choices for waterfront living and outdoor activities along the rivers and lakes in Alabama. Nothing is more refreshing than a dip in the cool lake waters on a muggy summer afternoon.

Start your search for a lakefront home in Alabama here.

What you get with lakefront living in Alabama

Most of Alabama’s large lakes are artificial lakes created for power generation and to control water flow. Rivers connect these water systems. Most are open to motorized and human-powered craft. Kayakers can expect to share a paddle with water skiers, fishermen, pontoon boats, and jet skiers. However, the location and size of some man-made reservoirs can make them less crowded than others.

The fresh waters include prized fishing lakes popular among anglers seeking to catch prize bass of all types: smallmouth, largemouth, spotted, and striped. Black crappies, bluegill, and sunfish are also frequently caught in these lakes.

The lakes in central and North Alabama lie in the Appalachian foothills, creating beautiful spots to relax and unwind. Living here will give you scenic rolling hills and stone-faced escarpments that add to the natural beauty of lakefront living. 

Ready to find your perfect Alabama lake home? Here are a few popular lakes in Alabama.

Lake Martin

Located in central Alabama, Lake Martin impresses as one of the nation’s largest lakes. It contains over 44,000 acres of water and 700 miles of shoreline. Much of that is still pristine and wooded. Many state parks and campgrounds protect the peninsulas and inlets formed by the flooding of the Tallapoosa River basin. Many islands dot the Lake Martin. Perhaps the most well-known is Goat Island, where the horned animal roams free.

Thrill-seekers come to jump off the rocks and cliff faces, which is not recommended. Marinas offer boat rentals and boat ramps.

Lake Martin’s scenic beauty makes it a popular vacation and second-home location. It’s convenient to Alexandar City, the closest and largest town near the lake. But there are also the unincorporated areas of Agricola, Dadeville, and Our Town. The nearby towns have perks like golf courses, casual restaurants, and marinas for renting and storing boats. Enjoy local activities with a Fourth of July parade and countless fishing festivals. It’s also a destination for essentials, like medical care and groceries. 

Lewis Smith Lake

Smith Lake in northern Alabama is known for its clear waters and beautiful landscape. Created by a dam on the Black Warrior River, 21,000 acre lake creates 500 miles of shoreline backing into Bankhead National Forest. Its cool, deep waters descend down to 246 feet in some locations, earning it the deepest lake distinction. 

The pristine environment and isolation make Lewis Smith Lake a popular destination for water recreational activities. The drive is farther, about an hour from Birmingham, but you’ll gain a lake with a more rustic vibe. Drive by old fishing supply and general stores that have all the weekend getaway essentials for second-home owners and vacationers. Dodge City and Good Hope are locals’ best bets for picking up supplies before heading on the winding roads to the lakefront.

The shoreline varies between opulent homes, hidden fishing cabins, and protected national forests, complete with lakeside hiking trails. There are marinas available and some lakefront access parks, but Smith Lake is definitely a place for a more rural lifestyle if that’s what you want.

Lake Guntersville

For ample waterways, look no further than the long and narrow waters of Lake Guntersville. This freshwater lake fills 69,000 acres back from the Nickajack Dam on the Tennessee River, making it the state’s largest lake. It stretches 75 miles through Marshall and Jackson County in northeast Alabama. Gain stunning views and waterfront access to a top fishing lake right out the door from downtown Guntersville.

Additional perks include the massive Lake Guntersville State Park. This popular spot is packed with recreational activities like camping and public beach facilities, an 18-hole championship golf course, and 36 miles of trails lakefront along the more secluded sections.

The lake is southeast of Huntsville in north Alabama, but close enough that you’ll notice the visitors in the summer season and on weekends. Waters stretch from Guntersville to Bridgeport up near the Alabama border. Towns along the way include Langston, Scottsboro, and Hollywood. The further northeast you go, the more the shoreline turns into lush forests. 

Wheeler Lake

Gunterville’s neighboring blue waters rank as the state’s second-largest lake. Its waters flow between Wheeler Dam and Guntersville Dam on the Tennessee River. The lake above Wheeler Dam is Wilson Lake, another North Alabama option.

But in Wheeler Lake, you get the perks of city living and waterfront. The City of Decatur is Alabama’s busiest port of the Tennessee River. Watch the barge traffic navigate the locks as they come and go. Downtown, the town showcases its quirky southern character. Scavenger hunts its turtle trail or check out the historic district shops.

Just because it’s beside a town doesn’t mean it lacks peaceful getaways. Its immense size means Wheeler Lake has multiple waterfront parks, like the Wheeler State Park and Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area. Find boat launches across its shores.

And you’ll want a fishing boat. Under its waters are one of the state’s best fishing lakes. Cast for multiple popular fish species, like record-setting catfish and largemouth bass. National fishing tournaments come here because of the ample catches hiding in the inlets.

Lake Wedowee

Also known as the RL Harris Reservoir, Lake Wedowee is a smaller but beautiful lake set around rolling hills. People come here for tranquility. But the real appeal to sportsmen is the excellent large and smallmouth bass fishing. Fewer people means less pressure on the prized fishing spots than other large lakes. Plus, its waters don’t flow through major cities before pooling, making it one of the cleanest lakes in Alabama.

The Harris Dam formed the lake on the Tallapoosa River outside the small town of Wedowee. The pristine waters cover 43,000 acres, but they’re harder to reach as fewer public access sites exist. It has an average depth of 40 feet and runs 271 miles across all its fingers.

Life here is about kicking back and relaxing. Highway 48 will take you to Wedowee when you need to pick up groceries or prescriptions. Otherwise, this is a sparsely populated region. The Talladega National Forest is nearby, and Atlanta is about an hour as the crow flies.

Lay Lake

This 12,000-acre reservoir may not be as sprawling as other man-made lakes, but Lay Lake still has plenty of room for jet skiing, fishing, and boating. As a bonus, it’s under an hour’s drive from Birmingham, which is why the lake is so busy in the summer months. It’s an easy day trip for those that own a second home or vacation property on the lake.

Thanks to the fishery based here, the primary catches on Lay Lake are largemouth bass and spotted bass, but crappie is another popular catch. One of the state’s best fishing lakes, the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series stops here. 

Lay Lake’s average depth is 22 feet, but it does run 48 miles as a narrow sliver following the Coosa River basin. Nearby towns include Columbiana, Talladega Springs, Wilsonville, Harpersville, and Childersburg.

Weiss Lake

Weiss Lake is known as the “Crappie Capital of the World.” Expect exceptional fishing opportunities for crappie and largemouth bass. Spanning 30,000 acres across the heart of Cherokee County, this lake is formed by the converging waters from Chattanooga River, Coosa River, and Little River. The dammed waters release into the Coosa River at Leesburg.

The good news is that there is an ample selection of real estate, as most of Weiss Lake’s shoreline is privately owned. There are some parks and campground access areas, but the lake’s many fingers and peninsulas have extensive opportunities to own a home with a dock on the lake. 

Several towns are situated along the lakefront besides Leesburg. Look in Centre, Cedar Bluff, and Antioch. The lake crosses into Georgia, but most of Weiss Lake is on the Alabama side. To reach the lake, there’s a regional airport a few miles south, and I-59 is a few miles west. Birmingham is about an hour’s drive southwest.

Tuscaloosa Lake

University of Alabama fans know they are in prime company when they buy a home on this lake, as famed football coach Nick Saban has a home here.

The North River in west-central Alabama was dammed in 1970, giving rise to this lake. Since then, it has become a sought-after spot for various water activities. Whether boating, swimming, or tubing, the expansive 5,800-acre lake provides ample space. Fishing is possible, but the lake’s clear waters and low habitat make it less abundant than the other lakes on this list. Cleanliness matters to this lake, as it provides water to the Tuscaloosa and for industrial purposes. 

It has 177 miles of shoreline, with the northern reaches being slightly less developed than the southern end. That part of the lake is closer to Tuscaloosa and home to the North River neighborhood. This subdivision includes opulent homes and a country club with a championship golf course.

Neely Henry Lake

Neely Henry Lake is another reservoir on the Coosa River. It is about 45 minutes north of Birmingham. Spanning over 77 miles, it covers 11,000 acres, creating 339 miles of shoreline. At its deepest point by the dam, it dives 53 feet.

Uniquely to other Alabama lakes, it has a boaters’ association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the waters and improving access for all. The association is open to anyone interested in preserving public access and use of the waterways.

Small towns and residential developments are present on both sides, so you can live on the waterfront while still being close to schools, essential shopping, and places to work. The primary town is Gadsden, but other options include Southside, Rainbow City, and Glencoe.

Lakefront living in Alabama

Many more lakes and rivers are found besides these nine listed lakes in Alabama. Nearly all have excellent fishing and water-based recreational opportunities. The hardest decision you may have is which is your favorite lake! When searching for a lakefront home in Alabama, consult local real estate agents specializing in waterfront properties. They will have the most up-to-date information on available listings. 

Updated June 2024