We’re all familiar with Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. However, several lesser-known beaches are located throughout the state that are also worth checking out. The best hidden beaches in Alabama are sure to leave you impressed, and you just might discover a hidden gem hiding close to your own hometown.
The total mileage for this hidden beaches road trip is 605 miles, with an estimated drive time of 11 hours and 7 minutes. For driving directions, you can use this interactive Google map link. This hidden beaches road trip begins in Rogersville at Joe Wheeler State Park, and it ends in Marion at Perry Lakes Park. Fill up your gas tank and pack a supply of sunscreen, because the best beaches in Alabama offer hours of fun in the sun and will show you the state like never before.
Google Maps/OnlyInYourState.com
- Joe Wheeler State Park - Rogersville
tripadvisor/GrannyFrances Joe Wheeler State Park is located in Northwest Alabama along the shores of Wheeler Lake. This 2,550-acre resort park offers camping, fishing, kayaking, boating, and swimming within their designated beach area. It’s one of the best hidden beaches in Alabama if you enjoy the outdoors. Address: 4403 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL, 35652 4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville, AL 35652, USA
- Lake Lurleen State Park - Coker
flickr/Outdoor Alabama Located near Tuscaloosa, Lake Lurleen State Park covers 1,625 acres and is a great place to spend a summer day. Visitors love gathering at the park’s beach area to beat the summer heat. Address: 13226 Lake Lurleen Road, Coker, AL, 35452 13226 Lake Lurleen Rd, Coker, AL 35452, USA
- Oak Mountain State Park - Pelham
yelp/Adam S. Covering nearly 10,000 acres, Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park. It offers several amenities, including a beach and swimming area that’s quite popular during the summer months. It’s one of the best Alabama beaches to visit. Address: 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham, AL, 35124 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA
- Lake Martin
flickr/John Coley Covering approximately 44,000 acres, Lake Martin is one of the largest man-made lakes in the U.S. There are several beaches located along the shores of Lake Martin that are perfect for swimming and relaxation. Lake Martin, Alabama, USA
- Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve - Atmore
yelp/Jennifer C. From canoeing and kayaking to camping and zip-lining, Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve offers a variety of outdoor activities for all ages. This scenic reserve, which is located in Escambia County on Big Escambia Creek, also has a beach area that’s popular among visitors and locals alike. It’s one of the best hidden beaches in Alabama. Address: 24 Big Creek Road, Atmore, AL, 36502 24 Big Creek Rd, Atmore, AL 36502, USA
- Perry Lakes Park (Barton’s Beach) - Marion
P F/Google Perry Lakes Park is a 700-acre park with three oxbow swamp lakes and a hardwood forest with trails. One of the park’s trails leads to a beach preserve that’s situated on the Cahaba River. This beach, which is known as Barton’s Beach, is an important nesting area for turtles and is one of the most serene Alabama beaches to visit. Address: AL-175, Marion, AL, 36756 Alabama 175, AL-175, Marion, AL 36756, USA
Does this sound like a road trip you’d be interested in taking? Why or why not? Have you spent time on any of these hidden beaches in Alabama? If so, we’d love to know what your experience was like.
Google Maps/OnlyInYourState.com
tripadvisor/GrannyFrances
Joe Wheeler State Park is located in Northwest Alabama along the shores of Wheeler Lake. This 2,550-acre resort park offers camping, fishing, kayaking, boating, and swimming within their designated beach area. It’s one of the best hidden beaches in Alabama if you enjoy the outdoors. Address: 4403 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL, 35652
4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville, AL 35652, USA
flickr/Outdoor Alabama
Located near Tuscaloosa, Lake Lurleen State Park covers 1,625 acres and is a great place to spend a summer day. Visitors love gathering at the park’s beach area to beat the summer heat. Address: 13226 Lake Lurleen Road, Coker, AL, 35452
13226 Lake Lurleen Rd, Coker, AL 35452, USA
yelp/Adam S.
Covering nearly 10,000 acres, Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park. It offers several amenities, including a beach and swimming area that’s quite popular during the summer months. It’s one of the best Alabama beaches to visit. Address: 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham, AL, 35124
200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA
flickr/John Coley
Covering approximately 44,000 acres, Lake Martin is one of the largest man-made lakes in the U.S. There are several beaches located along the shores of Lake Martin that are perfect for swimming and relaxation.
Lake Martin, Alabama, USA
yelp/Jennifer C.
From canoeing and kayaking to camping and zip-lining, Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve offers a variety of outdoor activities for all ages. This scenic reserve, which is located in Escambia County on Big Escambia Creek, also has a beach area that’s popular among visitors and locals alike. It’s one of the best hidden beaches in Alabama. Address: 24 Big Creek Road, Atmore, AL, 36502
24 Big Creek Rd, Atmore, AL 36502, USA
P F/Google
Perry Lakes Park is a 700-acre park with three oxbow swamp lakes and a hardwood forest with trails. One of the park’s trails leads to a beach preserve that’s situated on the Cahaba River. This beach, which is known as Barton’s Beach, is an important nesting area for turtles and is one of the most serene Alabama beaches to visit. Address: AL-175, Marion, AL, 36756
Alabama 175, AL-175, Marion, AL 36756, USA
Did you enjoy this visit to the best beaches in Alabama? You’ll love a trip to the state’s most incredible hidden attractions.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Beaches In Alabama July 25, 2019 Nikki Rhoades What are the prettiest beaches in Alabama? If you call the Yellowhammer State home, then you’ve probably already visited some beautiful Alabama beaches. While our state may not be widely regarded as a beachgoer’s dream, there are countless beautiful waterways waiting to entertain you. While the prettiest beach in the state may be up for debate, consider swinging by Gulf Shores Main Public Beach—it’s coveted by tourists and locals alike. What are the best beach towns in Alabama? There are many incredible outdoor activities in Alabama, and many of them can be found along the Gulf Shores. However, you’ll also enjoy journeys to Fairhope, Orange Beach, and Dauphin Island. The latter destination, Dauphin Island Park and Beach, is perhaps the best sandy beach in Alabama. If you’re longing to visit the beach with the clearest water in Alabama, Orange Beach just may be the ideal destination for you. What beaches have the clearest water in Alabama? Have you ever heard of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management? This incredible group measures the health of state waterways, and you might be surprised to learn that many familiar rivers and creeks are outstandingly clean. The Cahaba River, Shoal Creek, and Hatchet Creek are among the top-rated sites. Tensaw Lake and Briar Lake are listed as some of the cleanest lakes in Alabama. No matter which body of water you choose to explore, remember to bring along sunscreen and prepare for some fun in the sun!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Beaches In Alabama
July 25, 2019
Nikki Rhoades
What are the prettiest beaches in Alabama? If you call the Yellowhammer State home, then you’ve probably already visited some beautiful Alabama beaches. While our state may not be widely regarded as a beachgoer’s dream, there are countless beautiful waterways waiting to entertain you. While the prettiest beach in the state may be up for debate, consider swinging by Gulf Shores Main Public Beach—it’s coveted by tourists and locals alike. What are the best beach towns in Alabama? There are many incredible outdoor activities in Alabama, and many of them can be found along the Gulf Shores. However, you’ll also enjoy journeys to Fairhope, Orange Beach, and Dauphin Island. The latter destination, Dauphin Island Park and Beach, is perhaps the best sandy beach in Alabama. If you’re longing to visit the beach with the clearest water in Alabama, Orange Beach just may be the ideal destination for you. What beaches have the clearest water in Alabama? Have you ever heard of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management? This incredible group measures the health of state waterways, and you might be surprised to learn that many familiar rivers and creeks are outstandingly clean. The Cahaba River, Shoal Creek, and Hatchet Creek are among the top-rated sites. Tensaw Lake and Briar Lake are listed as some of the cleanest lakes in Alabama. No matter which body of water you choose to explore, remember to bring along sunscreen and prepare for some fun in the sun!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you call the Yellowhammer State home, then you’ve probably already visited some beautiful Alabama beaches. While our state may not be widely regarded as a beachgoer’s dream, there are countless beautiful waterways waiting to entertain you. While the prettiest beach in the state may be up for debate, consider swinging by Gulf Shores Main Public Beach—it’s coveted by tourists and locals alike.
What are the best beach towns in Alabama?
There are many incredible outdoor activities in Alabama, and many of them can be found along the Gulf Shores. However, you’ll also enjoy journeys to Fairhope, Orange Beach, and Dauphin Island. The latter destination, Dauphin Island Park and Beach, is perhaps the best sandy beach in Alabama. If you’re longing to visit the beach with the clearest water in Alabama, Orange Beach just may be the ideal destination for you.
What beaches have the clearest water in Alabama?
Have you ever heard of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management? This incredible group measures the health of state waterways, and you might be surprised to learn that many familiar rivers and creeks are outstandingly clean. The Cahaba River, Shoal Creek, and Hatchet Creek are among the top-rated sites. Tensaw Lake and Briar Lake are listed as some of the cleanest lakes in Alabama. No matter which body of water you choose to explore, remember to bring along sunscreen and prepare for some fun in the sun!
