7 Places In Alabama That Are Like A Caribbean Paradise In The Summer
Alabama truly has it all. Lakes, rivers, beaches, mountains… we’ve got virtually every kind of landscape you can imagine. It’s such a beautiful place to be, especially during the summer when you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Caribbean. But there is no flight required and there are plenty of places where you can experience an Alabama paradise. Here are seven spots located throughout the state that do exactly this and you’ll most assuredly want to visit them all.
1. Gulf State Park - Florida Point: Orange Beach, AL 36561
Gulf State Park offers up to two miles of gorgeous white sand beaches and it's one of the best beaches in Alabama. It's the perfect place to spend a summer day. Located on the beautiful Gulf Coast, it offers up all kinds of activities. Here, you can find all kinds of fun activities — swimming, fishing, boating, and water skiing. The park spans 6,500 pristine acres and is one of the prettiest spots in the Cotton State.
Gulf State Park - Florida Point, Orange Beach, AL 36561, USA
Lewis Smith Lake is colloquially called Smith Lake. The lake covers approximately 22,000 acres and it's one of America's clearest lakes. Smith Lake spans Cullman, Winston, and Walker Counties. It offers up a variety of activities during the summer for all ages including boating, jet skiing, swimming, fishing, and more.
Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama, USA
3. Hippie Hole: Little River Canyon Rim Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL 35967
Hippie Hole is tucked away in Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne. The massive preserve is over 15,000 acres. Hippie Hole is one of the most popular natural swimming holes in Alabama in the summer months. The hole is filled with water from nearby Martha's Falls.
Hippie Hole, Little River Canyon Rim Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA
4. Lake Guntersville State Park: 1155 Lodge Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976
Covering approximately 69,000 acres, Lake Guntersville is Alabama's largest lake and also one of the best places to spend a weekend. It's located in Jackson and Marshall Counties. You can enjoy a wide range of activities here such as swimming, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, boating, and more.
Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976, USA
5. Oak Mountain State Park: 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124
Oak Mountain Park is the largest state park in Alabama. One of its most popular attractions is its public beach area. This is the perfect spot to cool off from the summer heat and it's such a pretty oasis in Alabama.
Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA
Dauphin Island is the southernmost point of the state and a definite must-visit in the warmer months. It's a great summer day trip in Alabama. In addition to its crystal clear water, you can see a sunset here that's absolutely marvelous. In fact, the beach is often called "the Sunset Capital of Alabama."
Covering more than 41,000 acres, Lake Martin is one of America's largest man-made lakes. Located in Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa Counties, this beautiful lake also offers a variety of activities. You can swim, fish, boat, jet ski, and more here. One of the area's more popular gathering spots is Acapulco Rock (pictured). Swimmers love jumping from here each summer!
Lake Martin, Alabama, USA
Have you ever been to any of these seven Alabama paradises? If so, what did you think? Share your experiences in the comments or suggestions for more great summer day trips in Alabama.
Address: Gulf State Park - Florida Point, Orange Beach, AL 36561, USA
Address: Dauphin Island, AL, USA
Address: Hippie Hole, Little River Canyon Rim Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA
Address: Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA
Address: Lake Martin, Alabama, USA
Address: Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Alabama Paradise
May 08, 2022
Lisa Sammons
What are some of the best beaches in Alabama?
Fort Morgan Beach is absolutely stunning. You’ll find incredibly clear water and opportunities for deep-sea fishing. The clear water here looks straight out of the Caribbean!
What are some of the most beautiful places in Alabama?
Bellingrath Gardens is especially gorgeous in the spring. This lovely home has some of the prettiest gardens in the state. There are plenty of beautiful places in Alabama that are worth a visit at any time of year, though. Dismals Canyon, for example, is in an 85-acre preserve and looks like something straight off of a nature documentary. Here, you can also catch plenty of waterfalls, particularly in the northern part of the state.
What are some of the best parks in Alabama?
We have so many beautiful state parks in Alabama. Cathedral Caverns was named a state park about 20 years ago: it’s a massive cave home to fascinating rock formations. Lake Guntersville State Park is also worth a visit; the lake there is the largest in the state. And Cheaha Mountain State Park is home to the tallest peak in Alabama, Cheaha Mountain. The mountain measures over 2,400 feet above sea level!
Address: Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama, USA
Address: Gulf State Park - Florida Point, Orange Beach, AL 36561, USA
Address: Dauphin Island, AL, USA
Address: Hippie Hole, Little River Canyon Rim Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA
Address: Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA
Address: Lake Martin, Alabama, USA
Address: Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home.
