Joe Wheeler State Park

4401 McLean Drive
256-247-5461

Whether you arrive by land or water, there's no mistaking the beauty and serenity of this 2,550-acre resort park. On the shores of Wheeler Lake, the resort features a stunning, waterfront lodge with restaurant and convention facilities, championship 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, full-service marina with permanent and overnight docking slips, modern and primitive camping, lakeside cottages, cozy cabins, and a rustic group lodge.

Boat Rentals

Joe Wheeler State Park Marina

256-247-6971

Campground

Joe Wheeler State Park is the place to camp in the great outdoors!  The park features improved camping and primitive camping, with campsites located in a wooded setting surrounded by towering pines and hardwoods.

Joe Wheeler State Park's Improved campground has a total of 116 campsites.  110 of those campsites have full hookup with water, electricity, and sewer.  3 bathhouses located in each section. Most sites can accomodate any size camping unit.  Tents are also welcome. Picnic tables and fire grills are located at each site.

Fishing

Your Fishing Headquarters For Wheeler And Wilson Lakes

Whether you are a Bass Pro or a bank fisherman Wheeler Lake and Joe Wheeler State Park have a lot to offer you. The park has excellent facilities for tournaments and many areas for fisherman to access the water.

The lake around the park is close to the dam with deep water and rock bluffs. Smallmouth inhabit these waters and can be the highlight of your trip. First Creek and Second Creek offer excellent largemouth fishing as well as catfish, crappie, bream and stripe. The Decatur "flats" are known for big largemouth and milfoil is abundant and is similar to the type of fishing found on Guntersville Lake. Adjacent to the state park's cabins are the tail waters of Wheeler Dam. Anglers from all over the country come here to sample the variety of fishing found below the dam. Smallmouth congregate here in the oxygen rich water, this is where a former world record smallmouth was caught. Cabin guest can regularly be seen cleaning coolers full of catfish they caught on their trips below the dam. Three types of striped bass inhabit these waters: white bass, hybrid striped bass and saltwater stripe or "rock fish". Crappie are a big draw in the spring if anglers know the right spots. Bream are popular with the bank fisherman and can be caught in many locations around the park.

Trails

Joe Wheeler State Park's Trails

Joe Wheeler Resort State Park’s most popular hiking is a trail system located between the Day Use Area and the Resort Lodge. This trail network consists of approximately 2.5 miles of trails.

The Southside cabin area hosts a 2.5 looped multi-use trail for hikers and mountain bikers. The trailhead is accessed from AL Hwy. 101 near Wheeler Dam and the cabin area.

Marina

Joe Wheeler Marina is located just upstream of Wheeler Dam at River Mile 277 within the confines of First Creek. The setting for our marina is truly one of the most serene on the Tennessee River. Several miles of shoreline that adjoin the marina belong to the park and present a amazing nature backdrop.

Currently there are twenty-six 70ft covered slips, twenty-six 50ft covered slips, and forty-four 24ft covered slips.  The Marina is a favorite among sailboaters.  There are 88 uncovered sailboat slips.

Beach

Joe Wheeler State Park Beach Area

You don’t have to go all the way to the coast to enjoy the sand, sun, and water. We have it here at Joe Wheeler State Park.  The Beach Area is great for the kids and family.  Soak up some sun rays, play in the sand, jump in the river to cool off, or have a picnic.  Also, the Beach House has restroom facilities and an outside sand shower.  Paying your fee to enter the picnic area will include access to the beach. 

No Alcoholic Beverages
No Pets at Beach Area
Swim at your own risk
No Lifeguard on Duty

Joe Wheeler Resort State Park Picnic Area

Joe Wheeler’s day use/ picnic facilities include large picnic pavilions, a sandy beach swimming area, tennis courts, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, large open playing field and ample shoreline for bank fisherman. A limited amount of recreational equipment is available for checkout. Trailheads are also located in this area with trails that wind through the park and along the shoreline. The setting for the day use area is in a cove off of the main Tennessee River. It is a very picturesque spot that offers fantastic river views. It is within walking distance of our campground.


Photos

Upcoming Events at Joe Wheeler State Park

Basics of Fishing: 101 of Fishing

Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 at 1:00pm
Joe Wheeler State Park
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Sunsets on the Riverbank

Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 at 3:30pm
Joe Wheeler State Park
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Naturalist Encounter at the Marina

Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 at 9:00am
Joe Wheeler State Park
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Call of the Wild Saturdays: Bird songs

Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 at 9:00am
Joe Wheeler State Park
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Basics of Fishing: 101 of Fishing

Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 at 1:00pm
Joe Wheeler State Park
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Naturalist Encounter at the Marina

Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 9:00am
Joe Wheeler State Park
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Basics of Fishing: 101 of Fishing

Saturday, Dec 28, 2024 at 1:00pm
Joe Wheeler State Park
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Sunsets on the Riverbank

Saturday, Dec 28, 2024 at 3:30pm
Joe Wheeler State Park
Read More »

Naturalist Encounter at the Marina

Sunday, Dec 29, 2024 at 9:00am
Joe Wheeler State Park
Read More »