Access to Alabama waterways has never been better thanks to the recent efforts of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and other state agencies and local governments.
Over the past several years, the ADCNR has invested more than $66 million into the Alabama Boating Access Improvement Initiative with the goal of improving waterway access in both freshwater and saltwater across the state so more people can enjoy the outdoors, with more work still to be done throughout 2026 and 2027.
“Alabama has more miles of navigable waterways than almost any state,” ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. “I just thought we needed to increase boating access to the waterways we are so blessed with in Alabama. We had a lot of ramps, but some of them needed work, needed more lanes, increased parking capacity and upgrades. We also had areas that did not have good access at all and needed new ramps.”
The effort began in 2021 with a $3 million project to reconfigure boat ramps and expand parking at Demopolis City Landing, completed in cooperation with the City of Demopolis and Marengo County. The project has ballooned ever since. According to Blankenship, who spearheaded the initiative, more than 20 projects have reached completion, with each ranging in scope and budget.
“The emphasis on outdoor recreation improvements by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has been focused and intentional,” Blankenship said. “The increased access will allow for more and bigger tournaments, increased capacity and access to parts of our waterways that have been off-limits or hard to get to in the past.”
Funding for these improvements was secured through several avenues, including fishing license revenues, a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration and by matching federal funds from the Sport Fish Restoration Program and Wildlife Restoration Program.
Not only that, but Blankenship said the ADCNR received over $8 million from Innovate Alabama, Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.
Then along the coast, the ADCNR used funding from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) plus funding for recovery from the RESTORE Act as well as other Deepwater Horizon oil spill restoration funds.
“We have also partnered with cities and counties that have covered some of the capital costs or provided in-kind services as a match,” Blankenship said. “I am very proud of the partnerships that have made these projects come together.”
Some familiar areas in B.A.S.S. lore received makeovers. On Lake Guntersville, an approximately $1 million project was completed at Brown’s Creek Public Boat Ramp to install a new three-lane launching slab. Additionally, a floating aluminum pier was installed, and the parking area was repaved and striped. The City of Guntersville and Marshall County also contributed funds to the project.
Pickwick Lake’s McFarland Park received $1.2 million in improvements in partnership with the City of Florence. A new three-lane launch slab was installed, parking improvements were made and a new pier was installed along the northern side of the park.
So far, the largest projects have taken place in Baldwin County along the Gulf Coast. The ADCNR invested approximately $10 million into an Intracoastal Waterway ramp, a brand-new facility. Blankenship said more than 40 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway in Orange Beach was acquired to make this park a reality.
The new area includes five ramps with parking available for around 300 trucks and trailers. Along with the ramps, new pavilions, piers and restroom facilities were installed as well as several other amenities.
A $7 million joint effort between ADCNR and Baldwin County funded another brand-new facility, the County Road 6 launch on the Bon Secour River, where a two-ramp launching area was constructed as well as room for 72 trucks with trailers. A channel was dredged so boaters could easily access the main river, and a pavilion was added.
“The design was all low impact with permeable parking,” Blankenship added. “The design also saves several 100-year-old live oaks and worked around an old cemetery that was discovered on the property. The county will also add a dog park and other amenities for the community.”
More work is still left to be done, including a $6.7 million ramp improvement project at Cedar Point Landing in Mobile County. Ponder Camp (Lake Martin) in Tallapoosa County, Bayou
La Batre Boat Launch in Mobile County, Mud Creek North (Lake Guntersville) access in Jackson County and Halls Mill Creek Landing in Mobile County are also slated for multimillion-dollar enhancements.
“We have a lot of projects under design or have recently bid them, and they are ready to start construction,” Blankenship said. “We have the funds for them in hand.”
The Alabama Boating Access Improvement Initiative is expected to be completed in 2027 unless additional funding opportunities are identified.
Originally appeared in B.A.S.S. Times 2026.
