As summer winds down, T-Town remains a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with warm temperatures lasting into fall with fun water activities in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy Tuscaloosa’s unique water activities, highlighting its natural charm without the need for beaches or mountains. Dive into our list of five exciting water activities to create lasting memories and embrace the extended summer season in Tuscaloosa.
Lake Harris is a swimmer’s paradise! From the parking lot, follow the short trail alongside the hill, cross the dam, and continue until you reach a naturally formed pool perfect for swimming. This circular pool has plenty of space, with rock walls lining its perimeter. The creek running into the pool is smooth enough to slide down into the water! Grab your friends, pack a cooler, and take a hike to your very own natural swimming pool at Lake Harris!
Fishing on the Black Warrior River
If you’re an angler seeking adventure, the Black Warrior River is your ultimate destination! Renowned for its incredible fishing opportunities, this river is home to over 120 different species of freshwater fish just waiting to be caught! There are many spots for you to put in a boat or fish off a pier, such as Riverview Boat Landing located only minutes from Downtown Tuscaloosa. Black Warrior River has been the home of previous world and state records for striped bass, blue catfish, and more. If you’re looking to get hooked, the Black Warrior River is the catch of a lifetime!
Captain’s Club at Lake Tuscaloosa
If an elevated water experience is more up your alley, head out to Lake Tuscaloosa! Welcome to the Captain’s Club! This new, exclusive marina features brand-new boats available for rent and a vibrant marketplace, now serving Bushwackers and a wonderful California wine selection! You don’t have to be a member to enjoy these amenities. You can still explore the marketplace and discover everything the Captain’s Club and Lake Tuscaloosa has to offer with their pontoon boat, paddle board, kayak, and water hammock rentals! Lake Tuscaloosa also has three public landings for other access points: Rock Quarry, Sharpe’s Landing, and Binion Creek.
Kayak and Sightsee at Lake Nicol
Lake Nicol is celebrated for its tranquil waters and diverse wildlife, making it the ideal spot for renting a kayak or paddleboard. Glide across the lake and marvel at its stunning cliffs and islands, and make sure to keep an eye out for the beautiful Alabama wildlife as you explore! End your adventure by witnessing the breathtaking sunset between the cliffs—one of the best sights in Tuscaloosa!
Please note that due to dam maintenance, the water levels at Lake Nicol are lower than usual.
Lake Lurleen State Park Boat Rentals
Want to rent a boat? Lake Lurleen State Park is the place to be! Lake Lurleen offers fair-priced deals on all types of boats. Choose from a simple paddle boat to a motorized fishing boat, or anything in between! If you prefer beaching over boating, Lake Lurleen has that too! Enjoy some fun in the sun at the lake’s sandy shore. Lake Lurleen State Park is also home to beautiful hiking trails that will please any outdoor enthusiast.
Tuscaloosa offers countless ways to cool off and make the most of the rest of your summer. No matter which adventures you choose, you’re guaranteed fun memories and great experiences in Tuscaloosa County!
From hiking and fishing to biking, boating and more, Tuscaloosa County is the perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re looking for things to do in Tuscaloosa – or around the community – you’ve come to the right place for outdoor options!
Whether you’re chasing adrenaline-fueled adventure or a leisurely stroll in the sun, Tuscaloosa’s proximity to countless lakes, rivers and trails gives visitors easy access to the great outdoors. Discover how to experience the best of Mother Nature.
RIVER RANGERS
The heart of Tuscaloosa is the Black Warrior River, and the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk is a testament to the city’s adoration of this waterway. With 4.2 miles of woodsy, pet-friendly paths along the river’s southern bank — plus a playground and splash pad for the littles — there’s fun to be had around every bend.
The new Randall Family Park and Trailhead along the northern bank of the Riverwalk adds to the excitement, offering additional places to play, explore and revel in the river’s beauty. Tuscaloosa’s neighboring city, Northport, also offers a paved path connecting guests to its historic downtown.
PLAYTIME PROS
Thanks to the city’s array of parks and playgrounds, playtime is never far away. At the sprawling Sokol Park, discover bike trails, playfields and Mason’s Place, the city’s first public all-inclusive playground, designed to allow children of all ages and abilities to play together.
Hurricane Creek Park is home to a creek with multiple swimming holes, rope swings and waterfalls, plus about 7 miles of hiking trails. To check out more parks and playgrounds, visit tcpara.org.
If a round of golf is more your speed, head to Ol’ Colony Golf Course. Fun fact: The 18-hole, public course is also home to the UA golf teams.
LAKE LOVERS AND CAMPING CONNOISSEURS
Lake Lurleen State Park is only 9 miles from Tuscaloosa, but this scenic retreat feels worlds away from the hustle of Tuscaloosa on game day. The park features 91 campsites with water and electric hookups, but the real star of the show is the lake itself and its 23 miles of shore-hugging trails that beckon hikers and bikers alike.
Other local favorites include Lake Nicol, which is popular with bird watchers and paddleboarders, and Harris Lake, where you’ll often find locals going for a swim or relaxing in a hammock. Venture a bit further afield to discover Deerlick Creek Campground, where 46 campgrounds are nestled in a forest along the shores of Holt Lake. Need a Paddleboard rental? Check out Tuscaloosa Paddleboard for a convenient option! Need a pontoon boat rental? Check out Pier 43 on Lake Tuscaloosa.
FISHING FANATICS
Anglers in Tuscaloosa don’t have to travel far to find a place to cast their lines. The Black Warrior River runs right through town and contains thousands of spotted bass per river mile, making it a dream destination for fishing. Just 5 miles north of town is Lake Tuscaloosa, a man-made reservoir with nearly 180 miles of shoreline perfect for fishing. When you’re ready to put a boat in the water, check out this blog for some boat landings in the area.
Still looking for things to do in Tuscaloosa? Continue to explore our website or contact our office today for personalized suggestions!
Not many communities have six different bodies of water within 25 minutes (or less) from their downtown, but Tuscaloosa and Northport do! The natural resources hidden within our community are abundant – but many have no idea how lucky we are. If you’re looking for things to do in Tuscaloosa, you’ve come to the right spot! In hopes to help educate residents and guests, we’re dedicating an entire blog series to Tuscaloosa’s Outdoor Adventures. Recently, we shared about the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk and are excited to highlight Lake Lurleen State Park today.
Lake Lurleen State Park is located nine miles northwest of Tuscaloosa and Northport. It’s 1,625-acres offers plenty of recreation and relaxation to enjoy your surroundings and to feel the tranquility of the nature that surrounds you! Well, besides their annual Camp Fear Trick or Treat event – that might not offer much relaxation, but it sure is a {spooky} highlight each year!
Facilities, Activities, and Amenities
The facilities at Lake Lurleen State Park include a modern campground, activity building, picnic areas, play areas, pavilions, a beach and bathhouse, fishing piers, RV storage, boat rentals, and boat-launch areas. The state park also offers over 23 miles of multi-use trails ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. Several miles hug the shoreline of the lake and are open to both hikers and mountain bikers.
The beach is definitely one of the most popular parts of the park. With sand in your toes and refreshing water to cool off, Lake Lurleen can be a chill day of relaxation… or of high-level mountain biking and exploring experience, too. You truly can have the best of both worlds.
It’s not uncommon to see the beach filled with families playing, dogs swimming, fishermen casting their pole, and much more on a nice summer day. In fact, the State Park offers rentals such as fishing and paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. The main attraction, though, is the beautiful 250-acre lake. It measures nearly one and a half miles in length, one-half mile wide, and at its deepest is 48 feet.
Now, for all you fishermen, the lake has largemouth bass, bream, catfish, and crappie. Needless to say, anglers are sure to reel in a nice catch with some patience. Boat-launch areas and pier and bank fishing are available. Gasoline motors of any size may be operated on the lake but there is no water or jet skiing allowed. All State and Federal boating laws are enforced and children age 8 and under are required to wear approved personal flotation devices at all times while in a boat.
Entrance Fees, Park Hours, and Camping at Lake Lurleen
The park is conveniently located near local attractions and resources including: the cities of Northport and Tuscaloosa, The University of Alabama campus, Northport Wal-Mart, gas stations, restaurants, and much more. You truly have no idea that you’re just a few miles from town when in the park!
Daily Park hours are 7 am to sunset.
Lake Lurleen State Park offers reasonable fun with affordable entrance fees (excluding camping):
- – $4.00 for Adults (12 years – 61 years of age)
- – $2.00 for Children (4 years – 11 years of age)
- – $2.00 for Seniors 62 years and older and 100% disabled
- – Free for children 0 – 3 years of age
There are a variety of camping options, including 91 modern campsites with water and electric hook-up; 35 sites with sewage drain connections. Modern bathhouses are conveniently located throughout the park as well. Camping reservations can be made by telephone (205-339-1558) with Lake Lurleen State Park. Reservation office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am – 4 pm. You can also make a reservation online or through the Central Reservation Center (1-800-ALA-PARK). Those office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.
Want to view a map? Click here to view a Lake Lurleen State Park Map.
At the end of the day, the communities of Tuscaloosa and Northport, along with others in West Alabama, offer outdoor adventures such as Lake Lurleen State Park, legendary sports experiences, history that’s shaped us, artists that enhance us, and some of the South’s most soulful food. Yes, we most certainly are Alabama’s “college town” … and so much more!
Request a visitor guide today to begin planning your next trip to #VisitTCL and we hope you’ll considering exploring Lake Lurleen State Park!
The Riverwalk is such a stunning trail that travels along to the Southern banks of the Black Warrior River. Whether you’re walking your dog, going for a jog, biking, or just admiring the view, the Riverwalk is a great place to be with nature and to appreciate the jaw-dropping beauty of Tuscaloosa.
This trail offers park areas that are all pet-friendly. The pathway includes benches, gazebos, picnic tables, and hammock-friendly trees that visitors can enjoy. There are several open areas for playing frisbee, picnicking, or relaxing in a hammock reading your favorite book. It is well lit with street lamps lining the trail with access to an emergency phone if an accident occurs.
The Riverwalk starts at Capitol Park on the western end, rounds the beautiful Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, and finishes on the east side of Manderson Landing. The length of the trail stretches 2.5 miles one way! Eventually, the Southern Riverwalk will meet up with the new Northern Riverwalk (Randall Family Park & Trailhead) and will extend into West Tuscaloosa as well. When the time comes, these additional miles will be well-traveled by all, that’s for sure!
One of the most iconic views on this trail is the historic train trestle bridge, which was once considered the country’s longest at 3,600 feet. This bridge is simply stunning, especially as the sun sets, reflecting on the river that flows through the heart of our community. Its picturesque views has been the perfecting setting for proposals, family photos, picnics, and more.
Along the pathway, which offers many shady areas for a break from the heat, are shops and restaurants for people to enjoy during their visit to the Riverwalk. The Shops at Riverwalk Place is home to Another Broken Egg Café, Bellagio Nails Spa, River, Market House Boutique, and more! Near the Amphitheater, you’ll also find Heritage House and Hotel Indigo. Along the trail, you’ll find the Visit Tuscaloosa Visitor Center as well as the Farmers Market at the Tuscaloosa River Market, where fresh, local goods and produce are sold every Saturday.
There is hardly anything that competes with the breath-taking scenery on a bright, sunny day or the majestic sunset views along the Riverwalk. In the morning, you often catch The University of Alabama Rowing Team practice for their next regatta as they race up and down the river. During the spring, summer, and fall months, one can enjoy the sounds of a concert coming from the Amphitheater too. Simply put – it’s the perfect place where all can come to gather, to exercise, to enjoy time alone or with family and friends. It truly is one of Tuscaloosa’s best outdoor adventures, conveniently located in Downtown.
For information about the gazebo rental, contact Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority at 205-562-3210.