LAKE LURLEEN STATE PARK
Lake Lurleen State Park is named after Alabama?s only female governor. Lurleen Wallace, the wife of former Governor George C. Wallace, was native of Tuscaloosa County. As governor she was instrumental in funding a major renovation project of Alabama State Parks.
Lake Lurleen State Park is located 9 miles Northwest of the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport, Alabama and is 14 miles from the campus of the University of Alabama, Home of the ?Crimson Tide?
1,625-acre park is a scenic lakeside retreat set on the banks of a 250-acre lake. The park facilities include a modern campground, camp store, activity building, picnic area, play area, pavilions, beach with bathhouse, fishing piers, boat rentals and boat-launch areas.
For those who like to explore and take in the local sights and culture, the cities of Northport and Tuscaloosa both offer unique experiences. No trip would be complete without a visit to the University of Alabama campus and the Paul ?Bear? Bryant Museum and Alabama?s Museum of Natural History. There is also the renown Kentuck Art Festival held in Northport, which attracts many artists and craftsmen from the Southeast.
Lake Lurleen State Park host two major events each year. The Annual Youth Fishing Tourmenamt and the Lake Lurleen Triathlon are normally held the second Saturday in June. Please call the Park for more information at 205-339-1558 or email
[email protected] .
Lake Lurleen has one activity room for rent. This room has three (3) eight ft. (8 ft.) tables, and eight (8) six ft. (6ft.) folding tables, and 50 chairs. Park personnel are not responsible for putting up tables and chairs. The renter must do this and also take tables down and stack chairs before leaving. There are several fabric couches, chairs and benches, available upon request only. There are park benches and some tables with seating outside on the porch surrounding the activity room. No grilling is allowed in or around this building. Therefore, all foods must be precooked before bringing into the room. The room is heated and air conditioned with electrical outlets located around the room. You can use have crock pots, electric skillets, etc. for keeping food items warm. The only source of water is a water cooler. However, the restrooms are adjoining, so water is available. Also an outside water spigot is located at the back of the building. Garbage cans are provided with extra liners. Renter is responsible for replacing tables and chairs as outlined above, bagging all garbage, and leaving the room in the same condition as it was. The time period for use is 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The cost to reserve the Activity Room is $75.00 per day paid in advance. This price does not include the per person day use fee. After booking the room, the renter has one (1) week to make payment, either by mail, credit card or coming to the park.
Amplified musical equipment is not allowed unless approved by the park management. Caters are allowed on the park, to include "Moon Walks" and similar items.
Ninety-one modern campsites overlook the scenic 250-acre lake. All sites have water and electric hook-ups, and thirty-five sites have sewage drain connections. A sewage dumping station, and modern bathhouse facilities are available for the camper's convenience. Swimming, fishing (Alabama Fishing License required), and boat launch (Boater's License required, if applicable) are included in the camping fee. Pets are welcome at the park and in the campground area; but they must be on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed in the swimming area, the beach, beach parking lot, or adjoining areas. Signs are posted to indicate pet area limits.
Reservations may be made by telephone (205-339-1558) to Lake Lurleen State Park, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., or through the Central Reservation Center (1-800-ALA-PARK), Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. A deposit equal to one night basic campsite rental rate is required to reserve a campsite. To insure that you have a campsite, reservations are recommended for weekends, holidays, and during the college football season.
Specific campsites or specific types of campsites are not reserved. A reservation only guarantees a campsite in the campground. Upon arrival, if the specific type of site wanted is available, you may upgrade at that time. The park management reservers the right to assign campsites during busy times. This ensures that all campers are provided with a site that will accommodate their camper specs. All campers must occupy their campsite with appropriate camping equipment immediately after registration.
Reservations for holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day) require a three night minimum stay (required days set by park management). Reservations made for college football weekends require a two night mimimum stay (Friday and Saturday nights), no discounts during holidays or college football weekends. Reservations during these periods are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
RV Storage
Thirty-seven (37) recreational vehicle storage sites are available at Lake Lurleen. Call for availability.
Come to Lake Lurleen and enjoy fun in the sun on the sandy beach. Swimming is allowed in the roped off area only. Please stay within the roped off area. This restriction is for your safety. Lifeguards are not available so swim at your own risk. Swimming from other lakeside areas, bridges, and boats is prohibited.
A small beach side pavilion is available on a first come first serve basis and is not reservable. Cooking is not allowed on the beach, beach pavilion, parking lot or surrounding areas. Picnic tables and grills for cooking are provided in picnic areas.
The use of metal detectors on the beach or any area of the park is prohibited without prior approval from the park manager.
Lake Lurleen is a man-made 250 acres lake. It assumes an elongated shape with four major branches and three minor ones. The lake measures nearly one and one-half miles in length and up to one-half mile wide. The deepest portion of the lake is 48 feet. The lake is stocked with large mouth bass, bream, catfish, and crappie. The park operates a bait and tackle shop, three fishing piers, fishing boat rentals and tow boat launching ramps to meet your every fishing need. Gasoline motors of any size may be operated on the lake. No water or jet skiing allowed. All State and Federal boating laws are enforced. All children age 8 and under are required to wear approved personal flotation devices at all times while in a boat.
Paddle Boat Rentals
$7.00 an hour + $5.00 deposit
(maximum of 4 persons/boat)
Canoe Rentals
$7.00 an hour + $5.00 deposit
$15.00 per day + $15.00 deposit
(maximum of 3 persons/boat)
Fishing Boat
10.00 per day + $10.00 deposit
$15.00 per 24 hours + $15.00 deposit (registered campers only)
(maximum of 3 persons/boat)
Must be 16 years or older to rent a boat.
Each person in boat must have a Coast Guard Approved ?Life Jacket?.
Children under the age of 8 must wear ?life jacket? at all times
Boats not allowed in swimming area
No swimming from boats
The park's centerpiece is 250-acre Lake Lurleen. Boat and canoe rentals are available.There is a roped-off swimming area. Swimming is restricted to the marked beach area. Swimming from boats is prohibited. Water skiing and personal water craft are prohibited.
Anglers fish for bass, crappie, bream and catfish. An Alabama State Fishing License is required and available for purchase at the Park Entrance Station. The only approved method for taking fish in Lake Lurleen is rod and reel,or pole and line. The use of other methods of fishing such as trot lines, set hooks, gigs, nets, seines, spear guns, bow and arrow, etc. is prohibited.
Bank fishing after 9 p.m. allowed on the south side of the lake from Pavilion No. 1 fence eastward to the electronic security gate only. Fishing boats may launch from the south boat ramp.
All boats must follow all federal boating laws including requirements for proper boat lights, life vests, etc.
Daily Creel Limits Per Person
Bass 10 - Catfish 10 - Bream 20 - Crappie 20