5 minute read
ON THE MOVE
O U T S I D E AL
Alabama’s state parks offer visitors a treasure trove of activities and experiences, and Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula is no exception. Fronting the glass-surfaced waters of Lake Eufaula, this state park takes full advantage of the 45,000-acre liquid asset and its healthy populations of popular sport fish. But you don’t have to be into fishing to enjoy a day or weekend at Lakepoint. Read on to see what all this park provides.
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Reel In the Fun
Thanks to a large quantity of big bass routinely pulled from Lake Eufaula, it’s often called “the Bass Capital of the World.” Anglers of all ages and skill levels leave with compelling fish tales after landing trophy-sized bass (both largemouth and spotted) as well as black crappie and catfish, including massive channel catfish. The park’s well-equipped marina will make any fishing trip a breeze. You can rent a boat, get gas for your own vessel, buy bait and stock up on snacks. You can also grab your fishing license (required), so don’t forget.
BY JENNIFER STEWART KORNEGAY Photography courtesy of Billy Pope.
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On the Hunt
If you like hide and seek, you’ll love geocaching, an outdoor adventure activity that keeps gaining new fans. People who participate leave notes and items in a container or “cache” at certain locations that are then found by others using the GPS on their phone or other GPS-enabled device. Once you find a cache, you log it, maybe trade something for the items you find and report your find to other geocachers online. State parks are full of caches to discover. Learn more at geocaching.com.
PARK PR O F ILE Lakepoint State Park
Walk It Off
Hiking around the lake is another worthy pursuit at Lakepoint. Four trails traverse the shores and surrounding woodlands, allowing the chance to spot some of the area’s abundant wildlife, like whitetail deer, a variety of birds including great blue heron and osprey and maybe even an alligator sunning on the lake’s banks. Each trail is about a mile long and most are peaceful, gentle strolls.
DO YOU?
Love is almost always in the fresh air at Lakepoint State Park. It’s become a sought-after spot for destination weddings, and the staff have all the resources and expertise to make your special day even better. Boasting outdoor areas with scenic lake views, upscale indoor spaces and all the accommodations and amenities needed to host almost any size wedding party, Lakepoint State Park is a natural fit for the exchanging of “I do’s.”
Award-Winning Accommodations
Last year, Lakepoint State Park earned a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.com. It was one of 18 Alabama state parks to receive the designation. To achieve this honor, a place must have maintained an overall rating of four out of five stars within a set number of reviews and have been listed on the TripAdvisor website for at least one year.
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Dip, Serve & Dine
There’s also a swimming pool, a playground, tennis courts and three different onsite restaurants.
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Stay
Want to extend your visit? Lakepoint has multiple accommodation options to choose from, ranging from camping spots to cabins, cottages (with waterfront porches) and spacious, comfy guestrooms in Lakepoint Lodge and Convention Center.
Out About &
PA R K PROFILE Lakepoint S t at e Par k
Right outside Lakepoint State Park’s borders,
there’s more to explore.
Wander through more of Mother Nature’s beauty at the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, an 11,184-acre mix of habitats supporting almost 300 species of birds, 40 species of mammals and many species of amphibians, reptiles and fish.
Then head into town to see some manmade splendor. One of the most well preserved cities in the South, Eufaula boasts more than 700 historically significant buildings and houses (20 on the National Register of Historic Places), and for 48 years, the annual Eufaula Pilgrimage (eufaulapilgrimage.com) has shared this heritage each April by opening the doors to some of its loveliest antebellum and Victorian homes.
Other activities (a ghost tour, art show, musical entertainment and more) ensure the Pilgrimage appeals to more than just history and architecture buffs.
In any season:
Two of the most impressive houses, Shorter Mansion and the Italianate-style Fendall Hall, are open for tours year round.
Pitching In to Make An Even Better Park
A six-person AmeriCorps team was stationed at Lakepoint State Park starting last November. The group of volunteers undertook a seven-week renovation project at the park that included the rebuilding of a retaining wall behind the park’s lodge, renovations to the day use bathrooms and replacing rotten decking in the cabin areas.
AmeriCorps is a national volunteer program similar to the Peace Corps. Volunteers commit to full-time or part-time positions offered by a network of nonprofit community organizations and public agencies to earn college credit and scholarships. Approximately, 75,000 Americans volunteer with the program each year.
This is the first time an AmeriCorps team has worked in an Alabama state park.
