The final whistle at Bryant-Denny Stadium doesn’t have to signal the end of a football weekend. Just 15 miles from Tuscaloosa, Lake Lurleen State Park offers fans a place to trade the roar of the crowd for a campfire and some time by the water.
Following an $18 million renovation completed earlier this year, the park in Coker is welcoming visitors with upgraded campsites, new bathhouses and more ways to enjoy the outdoors. Alabama State Parks said the campground has availability for several remaining Alabama football weekends.
“You can spend the day cheering on your team, then come back to the park to relax around a campfire or stroll along the water,” said Dee White, park manager. “It’s a great excuse to get outside and experience everything our park has to offer and a completely different way to spend a football weekend.”
The renovation included rebuilding all 67 campsites with resurfaced pads, upgraded electrical service and new water and sewer connections. The campground features new full-hookup campsites and longer, level pull-through sites designed to accommodate today’s RVs.
Nine new bathhouses offer private showers, new fixtures and climate control. Other improvements include a new camp store, an improved boat launch and dock, expanded Wi-Fi and newly paved roads throughout the campground.
For families looking to spend time outdoors before or after the game, the park offers a beach, a new playground, picnic areas and seven new pavilions. Anglers can fish for bass, bream and crappie, while visitors looking to explore have 23 miles of multi-use trails.
“Lake Lurleen is a great example of what we are doing across Alabama State Parks to improve the visitor experience while creating places where people want to spend more time,” said Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps. “We have invested significantly in this park, from the campground and bathhouses to the waterfront and recreational amenities. We want people to come for the game, but we hope they leave having discovered something new and telling others what Alabama State Parks has to offer.”
Lake Lurleen is one of 21 parks managed by the Alabama State Parks Division, part of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Together, the parks encompass more than 50,000 acres of land and water, stretching from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountain landscapes.
The parks offer camping, lodging, hiking, golfing, fishing, nature tourism and educational programming. They primarily operate through visitor-generated revenue and partnerships that support long-term sustainability and public access.
Fans planning a football weekend can make camping reservations by calling 1-800-252-7275 or visiting alapark.com.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
