2 Alabama lakes among cleanest you can visit in the South

Screenshot 2023 05 17 At 11.15.19 Am
Fun times at Lake Martin. (Emilyn Hamm / The Bama Buzz)

From fishing to taking your boat for a ride, one of the best things about summertime is spending time at the lake. Popular publication The Travel recently released its list of the 10 cleanest lakes you can visit in the South, and two Alabama lakes made the top five. Read on to find out if your favorite lake made the grade.

Lake life is the best life

Summertime spells hot dogs on the grill, lake time and sunshine. Cooling off from the sweltering Alabama heat is easy when you take a dip in one of our many lakes.

On The Travel’s list of top choices for the cleanest lakes in the South, our very own Lewis Smith Lake and Lake Martin received high praise.

Lewis Smith Lake

Coming in at the number five spot is Lewis Smith Lake in Northern Alabama. Settled along the Black Warrior River, the 265-feet-deep lake earned its spot as one of the cleanest in the South.

Why the shoutout? The Travel boasted its adrenaline-pumping 68-foot cliff jump, as well as being ideal for boating, fishing, swimming and watersports.

Fun fact: Lewis Smith Lake is known as one of the largest earthen dams in the country.

Lake Martin

One of Alabama’s most treasured lakes, Lake Martin ranked #2 overall for its cleanliness. The Travel noted that this lake is a top choice for Montgomery and Birmingham localities.

This ever-popular lake is often bustling with action, so The Travel provided a pro tip:

“The weekends see a huge sea of travelers along this lake. Therefore, make it a point to arrive early as the boats raft up at Chimney Rock, a prominent cliff-jumping spot near the dam.”

excerpt, These Are The 10 Cleanest Lakes You Can Visit In The South, The Travel

You can make a splash, relax and enjoy a perfect summer day at Lake Martin. Looking for a unique place to stay during your trip? The Travel suggests checking out Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast—a restored Victorian mansion from the early 1900s just about 10 minutes from the lake.

Who else made the list?

Check out the other beautiful spots across the South that made the list:

  1. Summersville Lake, West Virginia
  2. Lake Martin, Alabama
  3. Clopper Lake, Maryland
  4. Dale Hallow Lake, Kentucky
  5. Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama
  6. Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
  7. Lake Rabun, Georgia
  8. Lake Douglas, Tennessee
  9. Lake Oconee, Georgia
  10. Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana

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Gabby Gervais
Gabby Gervais
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