One of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, Lake Martin is a popular recreation area for swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, camping, and golfing. Located in Southeast Alabama, the cities of Alexander City, Dadeville, and Eclectic are nearby.

Lake Martin includes many popular attractions, including:

Eagles Nest
Natural Sand Beaches
Restaurants
Camping Areas
Popular Islands

Lake Martin hosts many events throughout the year, including:

Fishing tournaments
A fireworks show on the Fourth of July
The Alexander City Jazz Festival, an annual event every June in downtown Alexander City and at the Lake Martin Amphitheatre

Lake Martin was formed by the construction of Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. The Martin Dam powerhouse is used to generate hydroelectric power for the Alabama Power Company.

Construction on Martin Dam began in 1923 and was completed in 1926, creating what was at that time the largest man-made body of water in the world. Originally known as Cherokee Bluffs for the geological formation upon which it was built (which erroneously recognized the historic indigenous people of the area), the dam was renamed in 1936 in honor of Thomas Martin, the then-president of Alabama Power Company.

The lake has several landmarks, such as the Kowaliga Bridge, and several marinas, but perhaps the most recognized landmark on the lake is Chimney Rock, a large rock formation that resembles a chimney. Chimney Rock is located several hundred yards away; the formation which most people call Chimney Rock is Acapulco Rock. The area was the Tallapoosa River gorge before Martin Dam was built, and the water is more than 150 feet deep. The spot is visited by thousands of boaters yearly, who park in front of “The Rock” to watch people climb up 60 feet and jump off into the water.