Kimbell Lake is a picturesque body of water located in Jackson, Clarke County, Alabama. The lake covers an area of approximately 33 acres and is surrounded by lush green forests and rolling hills. The lake is a popular destination for fishing and boating enthusiasts, and it is home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.
The lake’s clear and calm waters make it an ideal spot for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There is also a small beach area where visitors can relax and soak up the sun. Additionally, the lake is a popular spot for picnicking and camping, with several campsites available for overnight stays.
Kimbell Lake’s hardwoods within the RV park and the understory around the margins are worthy of birding for Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Downy Woodpeckers, and Great Crested Flycatchers. Canoe Kimbell Lake and the tupelo and bald cypress swamps that surround it. In spring and early summer, multiple pairs of Red-bellied and Pileated woodpeckers fill the air with a cacophony of calls and drumming. Northern Parulas, Prothonotary Warblers, and Common Yellowthroats announce their presence with their distinctive and easily recognizable songs. Great Egrets and Great Blue and Little Blue herons stalk the swamps. And be sure to listen for the distinctive two-syllable “Na-ha” call of the Fish Crow.
During winter, spring, and early summer, it is possible to canoe/kayak from Kimbell Lake to Parker Lake and to other smaller unnamed lakes located southeast of Kimbell Lake. In late summer and fall and during periods of drought, this may not be possible. The maze of interconnected lakes can be tricky to navigate. A compass or GPS is recommended for those who want to explore the more remote areas reachable from this site.
This site offers access to the best example of tupelo and bald cypress swamp on the Piney Woods Birding Trail. The trees are second growth and have not yet achieved the size of the original forest. (Large stumps give testimony to the size of the virgin forest.)
Parking, Camping (RV hook-ups), Canoeing, Fishing
Free, open from 6:00 am until dusk
GPS: N 31°30.334’ / W 87° 54.777’
City of Jackson Parks and Recreation
PO Box 1096
Jackson, AL 36545
Phone: (251) 246-2461
