New 8-acre recreational park now open at McClellan

After over 20 years in the making, Lake Yahou Park is officially open to the public for tons of outdoor fun in Anniston. The newest redeveloped outdoor feature on the McClellan campus is full of recreational opportunities like hiking, fishing, picnicking and more, you’ll want to check it out. Read on for more details.

Fun in the sun

Right on time for Memorial Day weekend, Anniston has a newly renovated outdoor park to enjoy. According to the Anniston Star, the area, previously closed since 1999, features a half-mile walking trail and a 17-mile multi-use trail, available for walking, running and cycling.

Not only that, the park is pet friendly, so feel free to bring your leashed four-legged friends along to enjoy the great outdoors. The park includes six picnic tables, five benches, three pet waste stations, portable toilets and an information kiosk.

If you’re a fan of casting a line, Lake Yahou Park is a fisherman’s paradise. Enjoy catch-and-release fishing with a $5 MDA fishing license, available for purchase at the McClellan Development Authority (MDA) office. MDA officials are requesting exact change to purchase a license.

The park features a glimmering freshwater lake filled with hundreds of largemouth bass, copperhead bluegills and fathead minnows. Worms and crickets are the only live bait anglers that are allowed for use.

Visit for yourself

While Lake Yahou Park is full of fun recreational activities to enjoy, there are some prohibited activities to be aware of during your visit:

• Swimming in Lake Yahou
• Camping and building fires along with cooking grills
• Hunting
• Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Using glass or breakable containers
• Biking, riding horses or driving motorized vehicles on the lake’s walking trail
• Possession of firearms
• Shooting off fireworks
• Use of any metal detection equipment

If you’re looking to get out on the water, don’t worry. Nonmotorized boats such as kayaks, canoes and pedal boats are permitted.

Planning your trip? Here’s what you need to know:

• Location: 370 Lake Yahou Rd, Anniston, AL, 36205
• Hours: 6:30AM-7:30PM

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