Blue Lake Recreation Area
Andalusia, Alabama · on Blue Lake · Conecuh National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $3 per vehicle
- SEASON
- April 1 through October 31, the official operating season; the site is not open outside these dates.
About Blue Lake Recreation Area
Blue Lake Recreation Area is a U.S. Forest Service day-use site in Conecuh National Forest, about 9 miles north of the Alabama/Florida state line off Alabama State Route 137. It is the only officially designated swimming location within Conecuh National Forest, a swimming hole with a sand beach on the north shore of Blue Lake and the forest's one sanctioned lake to swim in.
The recreation area sits on the north shore of Blue Lake within the longleaf pine flatwoods of Conecuh National Forest in Covington County, Alabama, roughly a 10-minute drive from the Forest Service's Open Pond Recreation Area. The remaining shoreline of the lake (south, west, and east) is privately owned by the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, operated as the Blue Lake Methodist Assembly.
Swimming at Blue Lake Recreation Area
Swimming takes place at a developed sand beach that the Forest Service maintains as the sole officially sanctioned swim area in Conecuh National Forest. A Forest Order specifically bars motorboats from the designated swimming zone, indicating a roped-off or clearly delineated swim area separate from the boat-launch portion of the lake. No lifeguard, water-clarity, or depth details were found in official sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
From the Alabama/Florida state line, head north about 9 miles on Alabama State Route 137 to reach the recreation area; it is about a 10-minute drive from Open Pond Recreation Area. The Conecuh Ranger District office (24481 Alabama Hwy 55, Andalusia, AL 36420, 334-222-2555) manages the site.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up day-use beach; parking is at the recreation area itself, essentially no walk to the sand beach. The USFS page lists 'day hiking' as a general forest activity and Wikipedia notes a separate 20-mile Conecuh Trail through the national forest, but no source ties any trail to the Blue Lake swim area itself.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated sand beach gives an easy, gently-sloping entry point suitable for kids, but the Forest Service page documents no lifeguard on duty and gives no depth or drop-off information for the swim area, so adult supervision is recommended.
Parking
Paid, $3 per vehicle per day
Day-use vehicle fee collected at the developed recreation area per the current USFS page; whether it is a paved lot or informal area is not specified in official sources.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets onsite at the recreation area; also outdoor showers and a potable water source, per the official USFS page.
Hours
Day-use only, sunrise to sunset, seasonally April 1 through October 31 (closed outside this window), per the official USFS Blue Lake Recreation Area page.
On the water
Restrictions: Motorboats are prohibited within the designated swimming area under active Forest Order #2012-03-05; the USFS page describes only 'non-motorized boating' as a permitted activity, launched from a primitive (unimproved) boat ramp. No mention of paddleboards, electric motors, or jet skis in official sources for this specific lake.
Nearby Open Pond Recreation Area (about 1.8 mi away per RIDB) separately allows electric motors per Wikipedia, but that does not apply to Blue Lake itself.
Blue Lake Recreation Area: FAQ
Does Blue Lake Recreation Area charge a fee?
$3 per vehicle per day for day use per the current Forest Service page (an older Wikipedia-sourced figure lists $5/vehicle, possibly outdated); fee may be waived with a valid Federal Interagency Recreation Pass per Wikipedia, and per Wikipedia the same day-use fee also grants same-day entry to Open Pond Recreation Area.
Is Blue Lake Recreation Area kid friendly?
Designated sand beach gives an easy, gently-sloping entry point suitable for kids, but the Forest Service page documents no lifeguard on duty and gives no depth or drop-off information for the swim area, so adult supervision is recommended.
Do I need to hike to reach Blue Lake Recreation Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Blue Lake Recreation Area?
Day-use vehicle fee collected at the developed recreation area per the current USFS page; whether it is a paved lot or informal area is not specified in official sources.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Blue Lake Recreation Area?
Nearby Open Pond Recreation Area (about 1.8 mi away per RIDB) separately allows electric motors per Wikipedia, but that does not apply to Blue Lake itself.
When is the best time to visit Blue Lake Recreation Area?
April 1 through October 31, the official operating season; the site is not open outside these dates.
What are the rules at Blue Lake Recreation Area?
Day-use only, open sunrise to sunset, seasonally April 1 through October 31. An active Occupancy and Use Forest Order (#2012-03-05, per 36 CFR 261.58) prohibits camping within the recreation area, operating or possessing a motorboat within the designated swimming area, being present after sundown or before sunrise, and hunting within the developed recreation area.
What water body is Blue Lake Recreation Area on?
Blue Lake Recreation Area is on Blue Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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