Claiborne Lake Dam Site West Park is a popular fishing spot for catfish, with an observation deck that offers views of the lock and dam. The park has camping facilities and picnic spots. Visitors can also enjoy birdwatching, especially for Great Crested Flycatchers, White-eyed Vireos, and Orchard Orioles during summer, and a variety of woodpeckers and sparrows during winter. The sandbars downstream from the spillway attract wading birds and shorebirds in all seasons, and large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants in winter. Hunting is allowed during hunting seasons.
This is a favorite fishing spot for locals, especially for catfish. The park has an observation deck with a round pavilion that provides a good view of the water overflowing the lock & dam and fishermen casting their lines into the churning water below the dam. Located just down river from the lock & dam is a large sandbar.
From the Claiborne Lake Dam Site West Park entrance, continue 0.2 miles east to the primitive camping area at Claiborne Lake Dam Site West Park; park and bird the edges of the mixed pine and hardwood forest. Great Crested Flycatchers, White-eyed Vireos, Northern Parulas, Summer Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and Orchard Orioles are common summer residents. Check the lawn area for Common Ground Doves, and watch for Swallow-tailed and Mississippi kites either foraging just above the tree tops or soaring at high altitude. Spring and fall witness the passage of numerous migrants including Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Winter birds include a variety of woodpeckers and sparrows.
Continue 0.1 miles to the pavilion and restroom or 0.2 miles to the parking area next to the spillway. The sandbars downstream from the spillway attract large numbers of wading birds in any season. Shorebirds use them for stopovers during spring and especially fall migration. Solitary and Spotted sandpipers are regulars. Small flocks of Caspian Terns often feed below the spillway during migration and Forster’s Terns winter here along with large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants. Watch the large field between the pavilion and the spillway for Loggerhead Shrikes and Eastern Bluebirds year-round, and sparrows and pipits in the winter.
Free; please note that much of the park is open to hunting during hunting seasons.
From the intersection of Claiborne Lake Road and Clarke Road 39, go 2.5 miles south on Clarke 39 to 11 Mile Post Road. Go straight on 11 Mile Post Road for 0.4 miles; turn left (east) on West Bank Road, and go 0.8 miles to the park entrance.
Or from US Highway 84 at Gosport (mile marker 58.3), turn north on Gosport Road/Clarke County Road 39 and go 3.6 miles. Turn right on 11 Mile Post Road and go 0.4 miles. Turn left (east) on West Bank Road, and go 0.8 miles to the park entrance.
This park contains camping facilities with electricity available for overnight guest. There are also a number of shady picnicking spots in the park.
Restrooms, Handicap access, Parking, Camping, Picnic area, Hiking
US Army Corps of Engineers
1226 Power House Road
Camden, AL 36726
Phone: (334) 682-4244
