When it comes to beachside retreats near Montgomery, options are rather modest.
With the nearest saltwater beaches 170 miles away, many Alabamian lakes assume the role of summer hotspots.
Most beaches on this list are located within state parks offering camping, kayaking, and fishing, in addition to swimming and sunbathing.
Despite the shortage of options, these destinations are fun for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Check out what Montgomery has to offer!
1. Wind Creek State Park
- Distance from Montgomery: 49 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, boating, kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking, archery
- Amenities: campground, boat ramps, picnic tables, trails, archery range
Serving as the closest water-based retreat to Montgomery, Wind Creek State Park is a notable gem that offers beachgoers an extraordinary shoreline experience along Lake Martin.
The state park’s dedicated swimming area is not only a refreshing oasis but also a symbol of Alabama’s charming natural allure.
Visitors from near and far can plunge into the clear, inviting waters of the lake, celebrated as a premier swimming spot.
Adjacent to the park’s picnic sites, the swimming area is ideally positioned for families to seamlessly transition between land-based leisure and aquatic activities.
Complementing the swimming experience, Wind Creek State Park presents a wealth of amenities within easy reach.
Boat ramps, campgrounds, trails, and a store with a wide array of supplies, make for a well-rounded and enjoyable visit.
2. Paul Grist State Park
- Distance from Montgomery: 57 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, boating, kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking
- Amenities: campground, boat ramps, picnic tables, trails
Located 57 miles from Montgomery, the tranquil Paul Grist State Park offers a refreshing getaway with a designated swimming area as a prime highlight.
The lake, with its grassy banks, provides a relaxing spot for a dip, appealing to both locals and tourists.
Swimmers should note that while the swimming area is included in the park admission, it is not lifeguard-attended, and visitors swim at their own risk.
The park is a hub of versatility, with amenities ranging from hiking trails and picnic spots to campgrounds that offer a picturesque view of the lake.
It also boasts a reputation as a rich birding site, promising a diverse wildlife experience.
With its blend of aquatic fun and land-based activities, Paul Grist State Park proves a worthy retreat not far from the city’s hustle.
3. Chewacla State Park
- Distance from Montgomery: 53 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, boating, kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking
- Amenities: cabins, RV campground, boat ramps, picnic tables, trails
In the heart of Chewacla State Park, a 26-acre lake invites visitors to dive into its cool, clear waters.
The park’s beach area stands out, boasting the state’s last high dive and a dedicated swimming dock, creating an atmosphere ripe for aquatic enjoyment.
The park isn’t limited to lake swimming, though.
With two creeks and a nearby waterfall, visitors can enjoy an array of water-based activities.
For a more land-based retreat, Chewacla offers CCC-era stone cabins, fully modernized for comfort, and a campground with full hookup sites for RV enthusiasts.
Chewacla State Park, with its unique mix of aquatic and land amenities, offers a fun beach experience, satisfying swimmers and sunbathers alike.
4. Beeswax Creek Park
- Distance from Montgomery: 65 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, boating, kayaking, canoeing, hiking
- Amenities: boat ramps, picnic tables, trails, canoe-in camping, sports courts, playgrounds, fishing pier
Set on the shores of Lay Lake, Beeswax Creek Park stands as a model of accessibility and enjoyment.
Distinguished by a swimming area distinctly located away from the boat launch, it ensures a safe, leisurely experience for visitors.
Unhindered by overcrowding, this spacious park provides an environment for a perfect beach day, allowing for an unhurried plunge into the lake’s cool waters.
Beyond the beach, the park offers a wealth of amenities that underscore its popularity among locals and visitors alike.
Its prominence is not just restricted to the tranquil lake and the sandy beach.
Beeswax Creek Park’s reputation extends to hosting numerous regional and national fishing tournaments, making it a vibrant hub of activity on Lay Lake’s shores.
5. Blue Springs
- Distance from Montgomery: 84 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, camping
- Amenities: campsites, picnic pavilions
Blue Springs State Park, a cherished oasis in Alabama’s Wiregrass Region, becomes a favored retreat when summer turns up the heat.
Its dual swimming pools, consistently fed by an underground spring at a refreshing 68 degrees, transform into an inviting haven for swimmers.
This park, considered a hidden gem among locals, fills with the echoes of laughter and splashes as visitors escape the southern sun.
The spring, clear as crystal and with a sandy bottom, delivers a staggering 3,600 gallons of water per minute, transforming the area into an ever-flowing natural waterpark.
Many advise bringing floats, turning a cool dip into a leisurely drift in these natural pools. Blue Springs State Park, it seems, remains the perfect antidote to a sultry Alabama summer.
6. Frank Jackson State Park
- Distance from Montgomery: 82 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, camping, kayaking, canoeing, hiking
- Amenities: picnic tables, campsites, fishing piers, trails
Frank Jackson State Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts located 82 miles south of Montgomery.
The park’s humble beach, set along the sprawling 1,000-acre Lake Jackson, serves as a hub for myriad recreational activities.
This simple yet serene grassy beach is a delightful escape for swimmers, offering them direct access to the tranquil lake.
On any given day, you can witness anglers stationed along fishing piers, their lines disappearing into the water, anticipating a fresh catch.
Paddlers slice through the placid water, and campers prepare meals over open fires.
For those who prefer the placid simplicity of a less crowded, grassy beach to unwind or take a refreshing plunge, Frank Jackson State Park indeed caters to every whim and fancy.
7. Oak Mountain State Park
- Distance from Montgomery: 80 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, camping, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, boating
- Amenities: picnic tables, campsites, fishing piers, trails, cabins, rentals, golf course, archery range
A stone’s throw from Birmingham, Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park, enthralls visitors with its sandy beaches alongside a host of recreational offerings.
The main beach on Terrace Drive, an expansive sandy stretch, draws crowds with its clear, calm waters, where swimming is contained to a buoyed-off area for safety.
A modest entry fee allows access to this man-made haven, with the promise of a day filled with sun, sand, and tranquility.
Adjacent amenities only add to the appeal, with a marina, golf course, and archery range within reach.
Be it a dip in the waters or a round of golf followed by archery practice, the park provides a comprehensive recreational package, making it an unmissable destination.
8. Pensacola Beach
- Distance from Montgomery: 170 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, bodyboarding
- Amenities: boardwalk, restaurants, hotels, pier, rentals, lifeguards
The nearest saltwater beach to Montgomery, Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island presents an irresistible Florida Gulf Coast experience.
Known for its sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters, it serves as a gateway to a world of fun and relaxation.
The highlight of Pensacola Beach, Casino Beach, the heart of beach activity, is flanked by a range of restaurants and family entertainment areas.
The iconic Gulf Pier, stretching 1,471 feet, offers both fishing opportunities and a chance to spot marine wildlife, including dolphins and stingrays.
The eco-conscious can wander the ‘Footprints in the Sand Eco Trail’ to unravel the secrets of the white sand and identify mysterious seashells.
Another major attraction is the Quietwater Beach Boardwalk on the Santa Rosa Sound side of the island, a bustling avenue lined with retail shops, restaurants, and artists.
From nearly deserted beach stretches for solitude seekers to concert series and air shows for revelers, Pensacola Beach sets a world-class standard for beach vacations.
9. Henderson Beach
- Distance from Montgomery: 175 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, bodyboarding, hiking, camping
- Amenities: campsites, dunes, trails, playgrounds
Henderson Beach State Park, a sparkling jewel on the Emerald Coast, is an enticing family-friendly retreat.
Boasting a mile-long expanse of sugar-white sandy beach, it offers a blend of sun-soaked relaxation and recreational activities.
Majestic 30-foot sand dunes enhance the coastline’s visual appeal while also serving as natural protective barriers.
The park’s 60 campsites, conveniently connected to the beach via a boardwalk, are ideal for those seeking a dash of adventure or an intimate connection with nature.
A trip to Henderson Beach isn’t merely a beach outing; it’s a multi-faceted experience.
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely bike ride on the park’s paved road, try their luck fishing in the surf, or explore the nature trail that meanders through some of the last remaining endangered coastal scrub communities in Florida.
And if you’re lucky, a day at the beach could be punctuated by sightings of dolphins, sea turtles, or migratory birds at sunset.
For all beach-goers, including those in wheelchairs, Henderson Beach State Park is a welcoming, accessible sanctuary.
