WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 76
Alabama · Couples · Two nights

Lake Martin

A clear, quiet lake with 700 miles of wooded shoreline.

Lake Martin is one of the South’s prettiest lakes: about 40,000 acres of clear water and some 700 miles of wooded shoreline. Rent a lake cottage, spend a day on a boat, hike to the Smith Mountain fire tower and have dinner on the porch at SpringHouse, overlooking the lake.

Lake cottageBoatingLakeside dining
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Calm blue water on Lake Martin with a small lighthouse and dock on a wooded point
Lake Martin, Alabama
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KALX
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~356 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~2 hr 37 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental or arranged car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Alexander City.

KALX, Thomas C. Russell Field, is a non-towered field in Alexander City, about 20 minutes from the lake.

The FBO

Alexander City Flying Service

Thomas C. Russell Field, Alexander City, AL

256-392-5401

Confirm FBO hours, overnight parking and ground transportation; rental cars may need to be arranged in advance. No live fuel price is shown.

About 355 nm from Myrtle Beach. Summer brings afternoon storms.

02 / Where to stay

A cottage on the water.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Summer weekends book early.

03 / Where to eat

Dinner by the lake.

Reserve SpringHouse, especially in summer.

04 / Things to do

Water, woods and a fire tower.

Slow days on the water.

01

Rent a boat

Pontoons and ski boats are available from marinas around the lake; book ahead in summer.

Boat rentals
02

Smith Mountain Fire Tower

A short hike to a restored fire tower with sweeping lake views.

Fire tower
04

Wind Creek State Park

Swimming, trails and a marina.

Park
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Summer

Lake season

Warm water and busy coves; book everything early.

Spring & fall

Quieter weekends

Mild weather and calmer water.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Lake Martin events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample weekend: the lake, the tower and dinner on the porch. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive & settle in

  1. Arrival

    Land at KALX, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Check in and get on the water.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Kowaliga.

DAY 2

A day on the lake

  1. Morning

    Hike to the Smith Mountain fire tower.

  2. Afternoon

    A boat day, with a picnic from Catherine’s Market.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at SpringHouse.

DAY 3

Slow morning & home

  1. Morning

    Coffee on the dock.

  2. Before leaving

    Allow time at the airport.

  3. Fly home

    Summer storms build in the afternoon; leave early.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging and a boat first, then SpringHouse.

Ground transport

Arrange a car before you land.

Summer crowds

Holiday weekends are busy on the water.

Best seasons

May to October for the water; spring and fall for quiet.

Reviewed · Destination 76

Reviewed November 4, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.