Florala State Park is located in extreme south-central Alabama along the Alabama and Florida state line. The park rests along Lake Jackson, a 500-acre lake that straddles both Alabama and Florida. Although the park is on the Alabama side of the lake, visitors can cross into Florida and have access to the lake’s amenities on either side of the water.
Lake Jackson is one of Alabama’s clearest bodies of water and the main attraction of Florala State Park. Year-round water recreation brings visitors from all over the country because the water and the climate remain moderate throughout the winter. The area is ideal for winter transplants because wintering in Alabama provides guests with a quiet and affordable place to stay within approximately 100 miles from many of the Gulf’s white sand beach cities in both Alabama and Florida.
Florala State Park offers guests and visitors many different recreational activities. Aside from the lake, campers can enjoy the beautiful lakefront day use areas, the fishing pier, walking trails, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. Whether you stay close to the campground during your stay, or you use the campground as a jumping off point while you seek adventure in some of the countries most popular beaches and scenic coastlines, you will love your RVing experience at Florala State Park.
Florala State Park is approximately 100 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama and 155 miles southwest of Columbus, Georgia.
One of the main draws to the park’s location is the proximity to many popular Gulf beach towns. Pensacola is 80 miles southwest of Florala State Park, and Destin is only 55 miles south. Panama City Beach, Florida is just 80 miles south of Florala.
In Alabama, Gulf Shores is 121 miles southwest of Florala State Park.
Guests visiting the park are subject to a daily park fee. Fees help support the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the facility.
The Lake Jackson RV Park is a full hookup, waterfront facility that provides RVers with water, 30 or 50 amp electrical service, and sewer hookups at each space. The campground is modern and offers RVers the many comforts of home. The campground has a clubhouse, restrooms, showers, and a laundry facility. The large spaces can accommodate large motorhomes and trailers up to 80 feet in length. The pet-friendly facility operates year-round, and is a first-come, first serve campground. Campers who wish to use generators must do so in a manner that does not disrupt other campers. Please limit noise making equipment to times outside of the posted quiet hours.
Bring your fishing gear and fish in Lake Jackson, Alabama’s clearest and cleanest freshwater lake. If you don’t have a boat, you can drop your line in the water right from the park’s fishing pier. If you prefer to fish from a boat, use the park’s pay-per launch boat ramp and spend your day in deeper waters. Because the lake spans two states, anglers are required to possess a valid fishing license for the state where the boat launched. Fishing from the pier or launching your boat from Florala State Park will require an Alabama state fishing license. All people 16 and older must have a fishing license in the state of Alabama.
People who enjoy birdwatching will find both Florala City Wetland Park and Florala State Park, a joint park area, one of the best birdwatching locations in Alabama. The lake and the Spanish Moss-draped Cypress forest create the perfect habitat for birds. Depending on the season, birders can find different bird species throughout the park. The elevated boardwalks lead through the Cypress trees out to covered piers that overlook Lake Jackson, and these areas are common places for bird sightings. Bald eagles, osprey, songbirds, yellow-throated warblers, waterfowl, gulls, and anhingas are just a few of the birds commonly sighted in the area. Bring your birdwatching guides and your binoculars and see which birds you can spot.
You don’t have to drive to the gulf to experience white sandy beaches. Lake Jackson has plenty of shoreline that looks and feels similar to the beaches in Southern Alabama and Florida. Instead of fighting the crowds, sit lakeside and have a quiet and relaxing beach experience just minutes from your campground. After warming up, take a dip in the lake. Swimmers should enter the water with caution because the swimming areas don’t have lifeguards on duty.
Guests who love the outdoors will enjoy the day use facilities at Florala State Park. The day use area is located next to the fishing pier and the boat launch. The pier is not just for fishing. Walk to the end of the covered dock and enjoy the view of the water. The pier extends out over the lake, making the panoramic scenery even more beautiful. If you want to relax and play outdoors, bring the family to the large grassy field and have a lakefront picnic. The shaded day use area has a playground within walking distance as well as large, shaded picnic pavilions.
If you are tired from a long day of driving and you don’t feel like cooking, head to the downtown area of Florala for dinner. Although Florala is small, it has several places for visitors to eat, shop, and sightsee. For dinner, the local restaurant serves a large family-style buffet that specializes in Southern-style, home cooked meals. After you have dinner, wander in and out of some of the antique shops and art galleries and truly experience Alabama’s southern charm.
The trails at Florala State Park are multi-use trails that accommodate both bike and pedestrian traffic. The trail runs the length of the park and is approximately one and a half-miles long. The trailhead begins at the campground and runs through the City Wetlands Park and ends at the Old Depot. Pedestrians and bikers should share the pathway. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. More more information on the trails, stop by the park office.
