Discover Walker: Lakes, Trails, and Heritage

Lakes and cultural sites offer a variety of travel ideas in Walker. Lewis Smith Lake is located in Walker, Winston, and Cullman counties; the Walker County State Public Fishing Lake is three miles southeast of Jasper, Alabama. In Jasper, trails and parks add another highlight. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first consider whether water, outdoor activity, or history should shape your trip. This makes it easy to organize your planned activities around your own interests.

Lakes, Fishing, and River Scenery

Lewis Smith Lake has a shoreline of more than 500 miles. The lake is also of interest to anglers: trophy striped bass can be caught there, and fish weighing more than 40 pounds are found. Lewis Smith Lake is located in Walker, Winston, and Cullman counties, making it a scenic landmark beyond Walker County.

Another water landscape can be found on the Blackwater Creek Blueway—from Curry Highway (Hwy 257) to Walston Bridge Road. This scenic stretch is four miles long and features mostly rapids, with some sections of Class II rapids. It runs through a small gorge with wooded hills and low rock bluffs. The two waterways are distinctly different: at Lewis Smith Lake, the extensive shoreline and fishing shape the view, while at Blackwater Creek, the gorge, wooded slopes, and rapids take center stage.

Walking Trails and Parks in Jasper

Memorial Park features a one-mile paved loop trail. It winds through trees and around the park’s pond. The North Jasper Park Walking Trail is half as long, at 0.5 miles. Hiking, trail running, and walking are all possible there; the trail is stroller-friendly and accessible to wheelchair users.

The APEX Playground is also part of Memorial Park and is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. Gamble Park combines a loop trail and a creek with a playground, as well as picnic benches and tables. A.P. Howell Park has a softball field, a playground, pickleball and basketball courts, a walking trail, pavilions, and a splash pad. The parks offer different highlights, from a loop trail around the pond and picnic areas to sports facilities and a splash pad.

Heritage, Art, and Exhibitions

The Bankhead House and Heritage Center was built in 1925 as the family home of politician William B. Bankhead. Today, it serves as a museum and event center focused on the history and cultural heritage of Walker County. Its exhibitions explore the county and surrounding area’s past, present, and future, and change every three to four months.

Walking routes also offer different cultural highlights. The Mule Trail invites visitors to take a self-guided walk and is connected to the region’s cultural heritage. The Sculpture Trail focuses on art and the sculptures along the route. The Walker County Arts Alliance Art Gallery features rotating exhibitions by local and regional artists. The offerings range from a walk with historical connections to art along the trail and changing gallery exhibitions.

Regional Orientation

The road network is also part of the picture when getting your bearings across the county: Walker County has 42 miles of Interstate highway and eleven interchanges, including the I-22 corridor. Along with the varied themes—lake, river scenery, walking trails, and heritage—this provides a basis for planning your stay in Walker around the experiences you have in mind.

More Travel Destinations

Discover more travel destinations: Jasper, Dallas County, Chambers, Autauga County, Conecuh County, Barbour County, Shelby County, Coffee County

For the overall travel overview: Alabama.