Soak up the Fun

Recreation abounds across Elmore County

STORY BY CALEB TURRENTINE PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & KENNETH BOONE

If you’re new to the tri-county area, it will not take you long to realize people in the community love spending time outdoors. With plenty of lakes, rivers and trails to keep everyone busy, it can be tough to get bored with the number of places surrounding Elmore County.

Lake Martin is filled with options for those looking for solo adventures or for family activities. The lake has 19 public boat ramps, four of them located in Eclectic, to spend a day out on the water.

There is plenty of space for activities on the lake including water skiing, wakeboarding and other water sports with more than 40,000 acres of water available. Popular islands and attractions include Goat Island where you can feed and take selfies with the animals; Chimney Rock where the daring plunges into the waters from adventurous heights; and Peanut Pointe where boaters can pull up to purchase a hot bag of boiling nuts.

Lake Martin is also a hot spot for local anglers who want to take on the challenge of fishing in clear and rocky waters. There are two bait shops right off the west side of the lake in Eclectic to get your day started before hitting the edges of the lake to find a variety of fish.

Popular species sought by anglers include largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, white bass, black crappie, channel catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill and redear

sunfish.

Lake Jordan is a much smaller body of water covering area in Wetumpka and Holtville but still provides plenty of fun across its 6,800 acres of water and 188 miles of shoreline. The lake is also used to host professional and amateur fishing tournaments and provides several favorite spots for casual fishermen too.

Lake Jordan is very fertile and supports high densities of sport fish and forage species. According to Outdoor

Alabama, the most common sport fish found in Lake Jordan include the Alabama spotted bass, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and black and white crappie.

If you’re looking for some other activities to keep you busy around Lake Jordan, check in with the Lake Jordan Home Owners and Boat Owners (HOBOs). The organization helps plan and organize many of the events around the lake — including the Fourth of July Boat Parade and Santa & Friends Christmas tour — while playing a crucial role in maintaining and preserving the lake and surrounding areas.

The Lake Jordan HOBOs look out for everyone on the water but they also provide membership opportunities with plenty of perks. Members of the organization stay up to date with any changes and new businesses in the area and they are also eligible for promotional offers and discounts from

Elmore County residents enjoy the Lake Jordan Boat Parade on July 4

local businesses.

Lake Jordan sprouts off the Coosa River, which also provides a different variety of recreation on the water. The river runs through the west side of Elmore County, making its most central appearance in the heart of downtown Wetumpka.

Kayaking and tubing are the most popular ways to stay active on the river with several drop-in points located throughout the county.

Coosa River Adventures is located right on the river in Wetumpka and provides transportation for kayakers to a get on the water where they can paddle downstream back to the organization’s downtown location.

If getting out on to the water is not for you, there are other options to stay active, which keep you close enough to enjoy the views of the lakes and rivers. Elmore County provides plenty of chances for those who like to hike or just explore nature on foot.

The Swayback Bridge Trail in Wetumpka is a looped trail off the south edge of Lake Jordan, starting close to Jordan Dam. It totals 4.6 miles with an elevation gain of 272 feet and is rated as a moderate trail on alltrails.com.

The trail is primarily used for hiking, trail running and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

The Kowaliga Bay Loop Trail is located in Eclectic and is also rated as a moderate trail. It has an elevation gain of 252 feet over a 2.2-mile trail and is often used for hiking, nature trips and bird watching.

The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail provides a more difficult trek for those wanting to venture just outside of Elmore County. The series of trails is located on the east side of Lake Martin in Dadeville and has an elevation gain of 498 feet across 4.2 miles.

On the south side of Lake Martin, the John B. Scott Forever Wild Trail runs alongside the Tallapoosa River in Kent inside of the Gothard-Yates Lake Wildlife Management Area. It’s a 4.4-mile looped trail in a heavily forested area with a total elevation gain of 708 feet.

Whether you’re an avid water sportsman or looking to try something new, Elmore County has plenty of opportunities to stay active and enjoy the scenic outdoor options it has to offer.

Paddlers can rent canoes and kayaks to float down the Coosa River

Swayback Mountain is one of many trails to hike with scenic views