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Lake Martin, AL recommendations
Posted on 4/13/26 at 3:59 pm
Posted on 4/13/26 at 3:59 pm
Anybody got recommendations on Lake Martin, AL. Where to stay, eat, etc.
Wife threw me a curve and wants to go for Memorial Day Weekend. The trip would be 4 adults. Would like to find a boating option (party barge type booze cruise) option if available. I am just staring to research and not familiar with lake.
Wife threw me a curve and wants to go for Memorial Day Weekend. The trip would be 4 adults. Would like to find a boating option (party barge type booze cruise) option if available. I am just staring to research and not familiar with lake.
4
Posted on 4/13/26 at 8:32 pm to Tigerbait2323
Research changing water levels based on what they do with the dam
Unsure of timing but it is drastic like 10-15’ difference depending on time of year
Unsure of timing but it is drastic like 10-15’ difference depending on time of year
Posted on 4/14/26 at 9:21 am to NorthshoreClown100
quote:
10-15’ difference depending on time of year
They start the draw down I think in October, Memorial Day will be full pool.
I've only stayed on the Alex City side of the lake. There isn't much other than Auburn or Alex City, two opposite sides of the lake. There are a few places to eat and of course get groceries in Alex City. There is also Russell Crossroads which has a small market/deli/bakery and a couple of eating establishments. Russell Crossroads is about 20 minutes from Alex City right on the lake. There are several marinas to rent boats in those areas too, just reserve early.
We always just do a VRBO for whatever suits our needs.
This post was edited on 4/14/26 at 9:28 am
Posted on 4/14/26 at 11:23 am to Tigerbait2323
Water won't be an issue, it is pretty much full at this point, was down there this past weekend. If you are going to have access to a boat, there isn't really much of a bad area to be in as it doesn't take that long to get anywhere. Parker Creek area, The Narrows, Real Island Marina, Kowaliga Marina, and Ridge Marina are all areas with great options as far as cabins you can rent with good access to stuff. The Ridge area is the newer area and it has a couple of restaurants and stuff around. Most of that stuff is all pretty easy to get from one to the other by boat. I don't ever go past the Ridge area much, so can't speak to stuff more NE of that.
The Landing @ Parker Creek, Kowaliga, Springhouse, The Landing @ Harbor Point, The Social are all restaurants near or on the water. Springhouse is very good for a more upscale dining in the area.
Chimney rock is a lot of fun to do with a group for some day drinking and stuff. On busy weekends, will usually have a bunch of boats around just chilling as people jump off the cliff side.
I'll have to find them but there are multiple companies that allow for boat rentals that are pretty straightforward and easy to get to, not to mention the marinas do as well. It has been a while, but I think a buddy rented one for a weekend from Real Island Marina once when they came and visited us.
The Landing @ Parker Creek, Kowaliga, Springhouse, The Landing @ Harbor Point, The Social are all restaurants near or on the water. Springhouse is very good for a more upscale dining in the area.
Chimney rock is a lot of fun to do with a group for some day drinking and stuff. On busy weekends, will usually have a bunch of boats around just chilling as people jump off the cliff side.
I'll have to find them but there are multiple companies that allow for boat rentals that are pretty straightforward and easy to get to, not to mention the marinas do as well. It has been a while, but I think a buddy rented one for a weekend from Real Island Marina once when they came and visited us.
This post was edited on 4/14/26 at 11:24 am
Posted on 4/14/26 at 11:46 am to GoCrazyAuburn
Thank you for the info. Going to check around for a party barge rental now.
Posted on 4/14/26 at 11:56 am to Tigerbait2323
I think Kowaliga, Real Island, and the Ridge are all run by Russel Marine, so the rental from any of them will probably be the same options.
Posted on 4/15/26 at 10:08 pm to GoCrazyAuburn
If you don't this keepn1 person sober because the boat police will come out .
You can launch by the bluffs there are VRBOs in that area memorial day weekend will be busy.
You can launch by the bluffs there are VRBOs in that area memorial day weekend will be busy.
Posted on 4/16/26 at 10:23 am to Tigerbait2323
We have a lake house over near Blue Creek (south east) side. Like others said, water level is not an issue. Plenty of VRBO and boat rentals all over. One thing I would say, if you are renting unfamiliar boat or boat novice, look for a place with dock not on main water. We had family at Crown Pointe and docking is near impossible on busy holiday weekends.
Know you will burn some fuel in the boat, with rides to locations being 30mins to an hour. But that is part of the enjoyment of Lake Martin, just cruising. By the way, there are recent law changes which are hot topics and enforced. ALL bridges are now no wake/idle. ALL structures, piers, docks, shore is no wake/idle within 100ft I think. NO towing/skiing/tubing/wakeboarding within 200ft of a pier, dock, etc.
A few points:
Favorite Small Marina - Anchor Bay is centrally located, never crowded, straight in and out fuel up dock. This is associate with The Social restaurant. Favorite Big Marina is Harbor Point.
Goat Island RIP - is no more. Too many dogs and a-holes
There are A TON of hiking trails. Bring hiking / dry shoes on boat.
The absolute best food and drinks on the water is Landing at Parker Creek. Nice shaded are with pine trees. Beach for the kids. Amazing cocktails. Spectacular food. If you go to only 1 restaurant, this is the one. I would not go during rush hours unless you want to people watch. The food line can easily be 1 hour long during busy holiday weekend.
Chucks pizza is also great hangout, music, people watching.
Kowilaga is also a must. They also have probably the best free imported sand beach on the lake. You can dock, and walk around to the beach. The restaurant is no dogs allowed even outside. So it loses us as more frequent visitors.
Off water, Niffers is must eat. Best burgers in the area with nice outdoor activities/live music.
Still Waters Country Club has great Sunday brunch open to public.
Hoity toity purist local talk: Chimney Rock is techically a pillar of rocks on top of an island. About 500 yards away on another island is Acapulco Rock, the one people jump from. Please be responsible if you have people wanting to jump, use flotation. Also, you can not anchor or beach here so a driver must remain in boat while someone swims out to jump.
Island hopping and tree swings are popular. Because most of the shoreline and all islands are public property (or at least Alabama Power), locations of the best are highly regarded secrets. Just cruise, look for sandy beaches/ropes in trees. Note where other boats park and come back later.
There are several antique shops and boutiques in surrounding area popular to keep womenz happy.
Reminder: You are going on the 2nd busiest week of the year (July 4th being most busy). Prepare for crowds, long waits, choppy water, idiot PWC and boaters. While under way at boat helm, driver needs to be scanning 360 degrees at all times. Absolutely no drinking for the driver.
Know you will burn some fuel in the boat, with rides to locations being 30mins to an hour. But that is part of the enjoyment of Lake Martin, just cruising. By the way, there are recent law changes which are hot topics and enforced. ALL bridges are now no wake/idle. ALL structures, piers, docks, shore is no wake/idle within 100ft I think. NO towing/skiing/tubing/wakeboarding within 200ft of a pier, dock, etc.
A few points:
Favorite Small Marina - Anchor Bay is centrally located, never crowded, straight in and out fuel up dock. This is associate with The Social restaurant. Favorite Big Marina is Harbor Point.
Goat Island RIP - is no more. Too many dogs and a-holes
There are A TON of hiking trails. Bring hiking / dry shoes on boat.
The absolute best food and drinks on the water is Landing at Parker Creek. Nice shaded are with pine trees. Beach for the kids. Amazing cocktails. Spectacular food. If you go to only 1 restaurant, this is the one. I would not go during rush hours unless you want to people watch. The food line can easily be 1 hour long during busy holiday weekend.
Chucks pizza is also great hangout, music, people watching.
Kowilaga is also a must. They also have probably the best free imported sand beach on the lake. You can dock, and walk around to the beach. The restaurant is no dogs allowed even outside. So it loses us as more frequent visitors.
Off water, Niffers is must eat. Best burgers in the area with nice outdoor activities/live music.
Still Waters Country Club has great Sunday brunch open to public.
Hoity toity purist local talk: Chimney Rock is techically a pillar of rocks on top of an island. About 500 yards away on another island is Acapulco Rock, the one people jump from. Please be responsible if you have people wanting to jump, use flotation. Also, you can not anchor or beach here so a driver must remain in boat while someone swims out to jump.
Island hopping and tree swings are popular. Because most of the shoreline and all islands are public property (or at least Alabama Power), locations of the best are highly regarded secrets. Just cruise, look for sandy beaches/ropes in trees. Note where other boats park and come back later.
There are several antique shops and boutiques in surrounding area popular to keep womenz happy.
Reminder: You are going on the 2nd busiest week of the year (July 4th being most busy). Prepare for crowds, long waits, choppy water, idiot PWC and boaters. While under way at boat helm, driver needs to be scanning 360 degrees at all times. Absolutely no drinking for the driver.
This post was edited on 4/16/26 at 3:13 pm
Posted on 4/16/26 at 10:43 am to AutoYes_Clown
quote:
Chucks pizza is also great hangout, music, people watching.
Has it re-opened? I know it had closed down for a bit temporarily.
Posted on 4/16/26 at 11:33 am to AutoYes_Clown
quote:obviously this is good advice regardless but just highlighting it in particular for Lake Martin. They do not play around period, let alone on a holiday weekend.
no drinking for the driver
Posted on 4/16/26 at 8:06 pm to Tigerbait2323
It's my favorite place in the world and where I hope to live out my last days.
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