Best Kayaking Destinations in Birmingham
At the foothills of the Appalachians, Birmingham is a surprisingly beautiful city. There are lush rolling hills, scenic wetlands, woodlands, rivers and lakes, providing an excellent destination for outdoor lovers and kayakers.
Where to Kayak in Birmingham
With multiple rivers and lakes, Birmingham is the perfect destination for paddlers of all levels. Explore some of these popular paddles, within minutes of the bustling city.
Lewis Smith Lake
Birmingham, AL
This three-fingered reservoir is the deepest lake in Alabama. It’s also one of the cleanest in the nation. It’s just outside Birmingham on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River and offers 500 miles of rustic shoreline. You’ll find rentals, public marinas and multiple launch sites on the 21,000-acre lake. For an overnight excursion, launch from Speegle’s Marina and camp out on Goat Island.
Lake Purdy
Birmingham, Alabama
Just outside Birmingham, Lake Purdy is a 1,050-acre reservoir surrounded by 7,800 acres of wilderness. Launch from the Eastern Valley Road and enjoy a peaceful paddle exploring the stunning shorelines, side sloughs and inner islands.
Cahaba River
Pelham, AL
Offering a natural oasis right outside the urban sprawl of Birmingham, the Cahaba River is one of the most scenic rivers to kayak in Alabama. The water is calm and still, allowing paddlers to easily travel both ways. It flows for 194 miles, offering plenty of water to paddle, fish and explore. Follow the Cahaba Blueway for a self-guided paddle or take a naturalist-guided canoe trip with the Cahaba River Society for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Oak Mountain State Park
Pelham, AL
At over 10,000 acres, Oak Mountain State Park is the largest park in Alabama. The close proximity to Birmingham and stunning landscape make the park’s lakes a favorite among local kayakers and include Double Oak, Lunker and Oak Mountain. Lunker and Oak Mountain offer a quieter paddle, perfect for an easy paddle. Double Oak has a beach, marina and rentals.
Logan Martin
Alpine, AL
Logan Martina is known as “the lake with a thousand coves.” It’s countless twists and turns make it an excellent kayaking destination, just 30 miles east of Birmingham. It’s located on the Coosa River and is a 17,000-acre reservoir that was built in 1965. It has 275 miles of shoreline and stretches for 48.5 miles between Logan Martin Dam and Neely Henry Dam.
Birmingham Kayak Storage Racks
Keep your kayak high and dry with Log Kayak Rack. Made from cedar logs, our kayak racks beautifully display and store kayaks, canoes and SUP, keeping them neat and orderly. Whether they are used outdoors or out, they provide stunning storage for shorelines, cabins, beachfronts, backyards, cities, parks, campgrounds and rental facilities. Shop our kayak racks online now or contact us for a custom kayak storage solution and enjoy free shipping to Birmingham, Alabama.