9 Amazing Lakes in Alabama That Have Sandy Beaches

Many people prefer freshwater beaches to ocean beaches. Maybe you don’t quite enjoy the salty seawater, or you have a rational fear of sharks, riptides, or other natural dangers common in ocean waters. Perhaps you don’t live anywhere near the ocean and want to enjoy popular beach activities without going on a long trip.

The good news is, if you are an Alabama local, or just visiting for a while, there are plenty of lakes all around Alabama that offer sandy beaches for your enjoyment.

Alabama has hundreds of lakes, many of which have sandy beaches. Some are natural, while others are man-made. We have found eight of our favorites and the most popular. All of them offer modern amenities and activities for tourists and locals.

Alabama lakes are extremely popular for professional and amateur fishermen alike, so whatever lake you choose to visit, you are going to find excellent fishing opportunities. The most common fishing includes largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, catfish, and striped bass.

Here are nine lakes in Alabama with sandy beaches.

Lewis Smith Lake

A man-made reservoir named after Lewis Martin Smith, a former president of Alabama Power. Lewis Smith Lake is the deepest lake in Alabama reaching 264 feet deep. The dam that created Lewis Smith Lake is one of the largest earth dams in the whole eastern United States.

With over 500 miles of shoreline, there is plenty to see and do here. You can find a few sandy beaches to enjoy your day all along the lake shore. Places like Smith Lake Park offer cabins, camping sites, pavilions, playgrounds, pools, fishing piers, a stage for music events, and a boat launch. Since the lake is perfect for vacations all year round, these parks are usually open 12 months a year.

A popular pastime of Lewis Smith Lake locals is cliff jumping. The most common spots for jumping include the Indian Head cliff jump (at 30 feet high) and Castle Rock (at 40–50 feet high).

Lake Martin

This man-made reservoir was originally called Cherokee Bluffs when it was created in 1926. It was renamed in honor of Thomas Martin, the president of Alabama Power Company at the time. Lake Martin is the third largest lake in Alabama, and it was the largest man-made body of water in the world at the time of its completion.

There is plenty to do here besides lounge on the sandy beaches. Local communities host many celebrations and events throughout the year including fishing tournaments, fireworks shows at the Alexander City Jazz Festival, and many more musical events at the Lake Martin Amphitheatre. You have many options for boating, skiing, fishing, golfing, swimming, cliff jumping, and more.

Nearby state and recreational parks offer opportunities for tourists to try zip lines, camping, guided tours, and more.

Guntersville Lake

Guntersville Lake is Alabama’s largest lake, separated from Wheeler Lake by the Guntersville Dam. Both the dam and the lake received their name from John Gunter, one of the first settlers of the Alabama area.

Guntersville is one of the most popular bass fishing areas in the state, and one of the best lakeside towns in the whole country, as many celebrities have made their homes here.

Since the lake is surrounded by development, you have many options for great food, accommodations, and sandy beach fun. If you’re unsure of how you want to spend your time on the lake, chances are Guntersville Lake will have the answer for you.

Guntersville Lake has become famous for local birdwatchers for the recovering Bald Eagle population in the area. There are many state parks and local attractions in the area. This includes Cathedral Caverns State Park, the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Logan Martin Lake

Logan Martin Lake is nicknamed the Lake of a Thousand Coves by the locals, giving you an idea of the kinds of adventures you can expect during your visit here. Interestingly, houseboats are not allowed on most lakes in Alabama, but Logan Martin Lake is one of the exceptions. So, if you have a houseboat you’re looking to relocate, this might be a perfect spot!

The reservoir is named after William Logan Martin, Jr., an early judge and attorney general in the 1900s.

The lake sees heavy boating and skiing use during the summer, with a majority of the activity near the dam itself. So, if you prefer a more secluded time, seek out one of the many coves for your trip.

Pickwick Lake

Another man-made reservoir, Pickwick Lake is unique as it is the only lake to be located within three different states, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee! So, if touring the United States was on your bucket list, you should include a trip to Pickwick Lake.

There are two state parks along the shoreline, which include sandy beaches. These are Tennessee’s Pickwick Landing State Park and the JP Coleman State Park in Mississippi. The Pickwick Landing State Park includes facilities for disc gold, swimming, paddling, golfing, camping, boating, hiking, fishing, and more. The park has three swimming beaches with beautiful white sand that are open to the public during the day.

Additionally, Pickwick Lake has a beautiful waterfall known as Yellow Creek waterfall. This area is very popular with tourists for its picturesque view and rope swing.

Lake Lurleen

This beautiful and peaceful reservoir is named after the first female governor of Alabama, Lurleen Wallace. Interestingly, Lurleen State Park was actually created first, then the lake was made after. Lake Lurleen offers a whopping 91 camping sites, plenty of options for boating, fishing (obviously), and museums.

Swimming in the lake is only allowed at the sandy beach, and not from other areas, for safety.

Double Oak Lake and Beaver Lake

Both of these lakes are located within Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park at 11,632 acres. This gives you a wonderful opportunity to try multiple sandy beaches at different lakes without leaving the park at all! Both lakes have one sandy beach so you can try each one to see which you like best.

There are plenty of places for you to try mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, BMX courses, Flipside Watersports cable skiing, an inflatable aquapark obstacle course, and more.

The beach at Double Oak Lake is absolutely enormous, and the largest in the park. It includes volleyball courts, pavilions, a concession stand, and picnic areas. So, you can enjoy your whole day here and still have more to do after.

Lay Lake

Alabama Power, a common character throughout this list, also constructed the Lay Dam that created Lay Lake. In fact, this was the first hydroelectric project completed by the company. The dam and the lake are named after Captain William Patrick Lay, the first president of the Alabama Power Company.

Like all the other lakes on this list, Lay Lake is a very popular fishing spot and has hosted the famous Bassmaster Classic fishing competition four times.

Being close to both urban centers and nature reserves, Lay Lake offers you an opportunity to enjoy sandy beaches and then dip into town for fine dining, sports, and more. On the other hand, if the lake has enchanted you, there are options to dive deeper into the Alabama wilderness for more swimming, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and many other adventures.

Summary of Alabama Lakes with Sandy Beaches