Covington County: Life at Your Pace in the Great Outdoors

The Conecuh National Forest is the southernmost national forest in Alabama, encompassing 84,000 acres between Andalusia, Alabama, and the Florida line. This public-land jewel supports a bevy of habitats and associated species native to ecosystems of the lower coastal plain. This rich ecological setting supports a wide variety of recreational activities, including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking, picnicking, bicycling, shooting sports, wildlife viewing, and nature study.

Blue Lake Camp in Andalusia is not only a dynamic summer camp, but also a sizable retreat and conference center that can be utilized throughout the year for any length of time. Between the Oakwood Lodge, Dogwood Camp, and Pinewood Camp, they can host 525 people overnight, and about 1200 for a day retreat. The three camps offer different options for many different types and sizes of groups.

Considered one of the cleanest and clearest bodies of water in Alabama; this beautiful 40-acre park stretches along the shores of the serene 500-acre Lake Jackson. Visitors can partake in swimming, boating, excellent fishing, birding, a bike path and walking trail, a scenic picnic area, and a modern lakeside campground. Here you can enjoy white sands and crystal clear waters without the drive to the Gulf.

The park's 2,050 acres surround the 1,037-acre Lake Frank Jackson, a natural stream-fed lake famous in the region for superb fishing. The park's modern campground features 32 campsites with water, electricity, and television hook-ups for recreational vehicles, as well as a bathhouse. Most of the sites are on the water, and there are boat launches, beaches, and two trails for hiking. Picnic areas are located along the shoreline, and an island in the lake is connected to the mainland by a boardwalk.

Gantt Lake, a reservoir, has a surface area of about 2747 acres and 21 miles of shoreline with two public boat ramps and available rentals for pedal boats and kayaks. Fishing, duck hunting, and watersports are favorites at Gantt Lake. Camping is available at Cypress Landing RV Park, and concerts and special events occur throughout the year.

This man-made lake in Andalusia is a prime spot for fishing and boating. A pavilion is available to rent.

The Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center (SDFEC) provides traditional classroom and immersive outdoor field experiences for people learning about forestry, wildlife, and natural resources management. For private groups, SDFEC is an excellent venue for special events, meetings, and other functions that offers gathering spaces, comfortable living quarters, cafeteria-style dining, technological resources, and abundant recreation opportunities.

Lake Frank Jackson is a part of Frank Jackson State Park. The state purchased the land and opened the park in 1970 as Lightwood Knot Creek State Park. In the early 1980s, a resolution introduced in the Alabama State Legislature officially changed the name to Frank Jackson State Park in honor of Frank Jackson, a long-time state representative from Covington County.

Lake Frank Jackson is a natural stream-fed lake that is well known in the region for excellent fishing.

Newly renovated.

This 2,050 acre park located near Opp, Alabama is a hot spot for anglers thanks to its main attraction, the 1,000-acre Lake Jackson. In addition to outstanding fishing, the park also features picnic areas, lakefront RV camping with cable TV hookups, a modern bathhouse, a boardwalk leading to an island in the lake, and more than three miles of walking trails.

This private country club offers a competitive 18-hole golf course, Olympic size pool, tennis courts, pickleball courts, outdoor dining, a full-service restaurant, and a lounge with four dining rooms.

              The 9-hole "old pine" course features 3,280 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36.

The 9-hole course at the Opp Country Club features 2,892 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35. Other amenities include a clubhouse, restaurant, and bar.

Built in 1977 Evans Barnes Golf Course is located on the campus of L. B. Wallace Community College. This Evans Barnes design features a 6500 yard, par 72 layout. It is characterized by 18 separate tee boxes for a 9-hole facility.