3 Ways To Enjoy Lake Martin With Your Family

Maybe it is the kids jumping off the back of a pontoon. Maybe it is pizza by the water while music plays in the background. Maybe it is hiking early before the heat settles in, then finding a place to swim, eat, and let everyone slow down for a while.

For River Region families, Lake Martin is one of the best “mini vacation” spots close to home. You can make it a full lake day, a dinner-by-the-water night, a boat rental adventure, a hiking morning, or a simple public beach and picnic outing.

The key is knowing which part of the lake fits the kind of day your family actually wants.

Here are three easy ways to think about Lake Martin with kids.

1. The Dadeville / StillWaters Side

Best for boat rentals, casual food, and an easy first lake day

For families coming from Montgomery, Pike Road, or Auburn, the Dadeville and StillWaters side of Lake Martin can be one of the easiest places to start. This side gives you a nice mix of boat rentals, casual restaurants, lake access, and family-friendly stops without feeling like you need to know every hidden cove on the lake.

Harbor Pointe Marina

A good starting point if you want to rent a boat

Located inside StillWaters, Harbor Pointe Marina is one of the most practical options for families who want to rent a boat and spend the day on the water. They offer pontoon rentals and are set up for families who want a cleaner, simpler rental experience.

If you have ever said, “We should rent a pontoon one Saturday,” this is the kind of place that makes that idea feel doable.

Why families like it:

Pontoon rental options

Located inside StillWaters

Easy lake access

Good fit for families trying a boat day for the first time

Nearby food options before or after the lake

Parent tip:

Do not wait until Friday night to book a Saturday boat. Summer rentals can disappear quickly, especially around holiday weekends.

The Landing at Harbor Pointe

The newer StillWaters stop with lakefront energy

The Landing, already known for its popular Parker Creek location, now also has a Harbor Pointe location inside StillWaters. That matters for families because it gives the Dadeville side another strong lakefront restaurant option without needing to drive all the way around the lake.

This is the kind of place families can use as a reward after a boat ride, a relaxed dinner spot, or a casual evening by the water. It keeps the feel that made The Landing popular — outdoor lake atmosphere, easy food, and room to breathe — but brings it to the StillWaters side.

Why families like it:

Lakefront restaurant setting

Located at Harbor Pointe in StillWaters

Easy pairing with a boat rental day

Casual enough for kids

Good sunset or early dinner option

Parent tip:

Check seasonal hours before promising dinner there. Lake restaurants often adjust hours depending on season and weather.

Niffer’s at the Lake

Best casual family dinner after a lake afternoon

Niffer’s is one of those easy family stops that works because it does not try too hard. Burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, kids’ menu options, and a fun atmosphere make it a reliable choice after a hot afternoon on the water.

For families, the win is simple: everyone can find something to eat, nobody has to be dressed up, and tired kids are usually welcome.

Why families like it:

Casual atmosphere

Kid-friendly menu options

Close to StillWaters and Dadeville lake traffic

Easy stop before or after time on the water

Oskar’s Café

A Lake Martin classic for big portions and comfort food

Oskar’s has been serving the Lake Martin area for decades and is one of those places lake families tend to recommend when someone asks, “Where should we eat near Dadeville?” It is not directly on the water, but it has earned its reputation with generous portions, comfort food, and a local favorite feel.

This is a great pick when your family wants a real meal before driving home.

Why families like it:

Local favorite since the 1990s

Big portions

Casual and family-friendly

Good option when you are not eating by boat

D.A.R.E. Power Park

Best simple public beach and picnic spot

For families who do not have a boat and do not want to rent one, D.A.R.E. Power Park is one of the best public-access answers on Lake Martin.

This is the kind of place where you can pack towels, snacks, sand toys, sunscreen, and a cooler, then let the kids swim and play without turning the day into a major production. The park includes a beach/swim area, playground, picnic areas, grills, pavilions, docks, a boat launch, and public restrooms.

It is one of the most useful spots in this entire guide because it gives families a way to enjoy Lake Martin without needing a lake house, boat, or reservation.

Why families like it:

Public lake access

Beach/swim area

Playground

Picnic tables and grills

Restrooms

Good low-cost family outing

Parent tip:

Bring shade if you are staying awhile. A pop-up canopy or umbrella can make a big difference on a hot day.

2. The Kowaliga / Russell Crossroads / South-Central Side

Best for iconic lake dining, hiking, horseback rides, and full-day variety

This is the “classic Lake Martin postcard” section for a lot of families. You have Kowaliga, Russell Crossroads, Cherokee Ridge trails, Anchor Bay Marina, The Social, and Chuck’s all within the broader orbit of a very full day.

This is the area where you can hike early, eat lunch by the water, rent a boat, come back for live music, and make the day feel like an actual vacation.

Kowaliga Restaurant

Best classic lake meal with a view

Kowaliga is one of Lake Martin’s best-known restaurants for a reason. The setting is beautiful, the lake views are easy to love, and it has that classic “we are officially at the lake now” feeling.

For families, Kowaliga works well when you want a nicer lake meal without making things too formal. It is still casual enough for kids, but pretty enough to feel special.

Why families like it:

Iconic Lake Martin restaurant

Beautiful lake views

Casual family atmosphere

Good central meeting spot

Parent tip:

This is a good choice when grandparents are part of the outing. It feels special without being too fussy.

Russell Crossroads

Best place to add more than water to your lake day

Russell Crossroads is one of the best reminders that Lake Martin is not just boats and restaurants. Families can find seasonal events, outdoor concerts, markets, green space, food, ice cream, and a slower village-style atmosphere.

This is a great stop when kids need a break from the boat or when you want to build a lake day that has more variety than “swim, eat, repeat.”

Why families like it:

Seasonal events

Green space

Food and treat options nearby

Good place to walk around

Easy add-on to a Kowaliga-area day

The Stables at Russell Crossroads

Best unique family adventure

Yes — families can book guided horseback rides at The Stables at Russell Crossroads.

For kids who love animals, this can be one of the most memorable Lake Martin experiences you plan. Guided trail rides take visitors through the Russell Forest trail system, giving families a completely different way to enjoy the area.

It is also a great option if you have a child who is less excited about boating but loves animals and outdoor adventure.

Why families like it:

Guided horseback trail rides

Great for animal-loving kids

Beautiful Russell Forest setting

Unique add-on to a Lake Martin day

Parent tip:

Call ahead for age requirements, reservations, and ride availability. This is not something to wing at the last minute.

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail / Overlook Park

Best early morning hike before the lake gets hot

If your family enjoys hiking, the Cherokee Ridge trail system near Overlook Park is one of the best ways to start a Lake Martin day.

The trails offer beautiful lake views, wooded paths, and routes that can be adjusted depending on how much hiking your family wants to do. Overlook Park also has picnic tables and one of the prettiest viewpoints around the lake.

This is a strong “hike first, lake later” plan. Go early, enjoy the views, then reward everyone with lunch, swimming, or a boat ride.

Why families like it:

Beautiful lake views

Picnic tables at Overlook Park

Trails with shorter and longer options

Great morning activity

Strong photo opportunity

Parent tip:

Go early. Summer heat changes everything. Bring more water than you think you need.

Anchor Bay Marina + The Social at Lake Martin

Best boat rental, food, and live music combo

Anchor Bay Marina, located in Eclectic, is a strong family option because it pulls several pieces of a lake day into one place. Families can rent pontoons, jet skis, tubes, skis, and other water toys, then grab food at The Social at Lake Martin.

The Social is located at Anchor Bay Marina and offers breakfast, brunch, dinner, and live music. It is the kind of place that works whether you are arriving by boat or driving over for a lakefront meal.

This is a good fit for families who want an active lake day: rent the boat, pull the kids on a tube, swim for a while, and then come back for food and music.

Why families like it:

Boat rentals

Jet ski rentals

Tubes, skis, and lake toys

Dockside restaurant

Live music

Breakfast, brunch, and dinner options

Parent tip:

Check renter age and vessel license requirements before promising the kids a boat day.

Chuck’s Marina / Chuckwalla’s Pizza

Best pizza-and-live-music lake night

Chuck’s is pure Lake Martin personality.

Located in the Dadeville area, Chuck’s Marina and Chuckwalla’s Pizza are known for casual dockside dining, pizza, and live music. This is not the polished, quiet dinner spot. This is the place where kids eat pizza, music plays, boats pull up, and the whole thing feels like summer.

For families, Chuck’s works especially well when you want dinner to feel like part of the adventure instead of just the place you stop after the adventure.

Why families like it:

Dockside pizza

Casual lake atmosphere

Live music events

Fun evening energy

Easy “summer night” feel

Parent tip:

Go earlier if you have younger kids. It can get busier and louder as the evening goes on.

3. The Wind Creek / Alexander City Side

Best public access, camping, swimming, and simpler lake days

If you want Lake Martin without needing a boat, Wind Creek State Park is hard to beat.

This side of the lake works well for families who want structure: swimming areas, day-use access, camping, trails, boat launch, marina, picnic spots, and enough amenities to make the day easier.

Wind Creek State Park

Best all-in-one public Lake Martin destination

Wind Creek State Park is one of the most family-friendly public spots on Lake Martin.

You can camp, swim, picnic, fish, hike, launch a boat, rent from the marina, or simply spend a day near the water without needing to know someone with a lake house. For families new to Lake Martin, Wind Creek is one of the easiest places to understand because it feels organized and accessible.

It is also a great place for a first family lake weekend. You can camp, spend time on the water, let the kids play, and keep the whole trip outdoors without overplanning every minute.

Why families like it:

Public lake access

Swimming area

Picnic areas

Camping and cabins

Marina and boat launch

Fishing

Hiking trails

Good first Lake Martin trip

Parent tip:

If you are not ready for overnight camping, try it first as a day trip. Pack lunch, towels, chairs, sunscreen, and a simple lake-day mindset.

Smith Mountain Fire Tower

Best big-view adventure for older kids

For families with older kids who like a little adventure, Smith Mountain Fire Tower is one of the most memorable stops around Lake Martin.

The hike is not long, but the climb and tower make it feel like a real accomplishment. Once you reach the top, the views over Lake Martin are worth it.

This is a great add-on when you want to do something active before swimming, eating, or driving home.

Why families like it:

Big lake views

Short but memorable hike

Historic fire tower

Great photo spot

Fun for older kids and teens

Parent tip:

This is not ideal for toddlers in flip-flops. Wear real shoes and bring water.

Quick Picks for Parents

Best first Lake Martin trip: Wind Creek State Park
Best public beach/picnic spot: D.A.R.E. Power Park
Best boat rental day: Harbor Pointe Marina or Anchor Bay Marina
Best kids-can-move restaurant: The Landing at Parker Creek
Best StillWaters restaurant stop: The Landing at Harbor Pointe
Best classic lake meal: Kowaliga Restaurant
Best casual family dinner: Niffer’s at the Lake
Best comfort-food local favorite: Oskar’s Café
Best live music lake night: Chuck’s Marina / Chuckwalla’s Pizza
Best boat + food + live music combo: Anchor Bay Marina + The Social
Best horseback adventure: The Stables at Russell Crossroads
Best early hike: Cherokee Ridge / Overlook Park
Best big-view adventure: Smith Mountain Fire Tower

What to Pack for a Lake Martin Family Day

After one or two lake trips, most parents learn to keep things simple but thorough.

Bring:

Towels

Sunscreen

Water shoes

Extra clothes

Dry bag for phones and keys

Snacks

Cold drinks

Bug spray

Hats or sunglasses

Life jackets for younger children

If you are renting a boat, ask ahead about:

Life jackets

Fuel costs

Tube rentals

Age requirements

Vessel license requirements

Weather cancellation policies

Return times

The Real Reason Families Keep Coming Back

Lake Martin is beautiful, but that is not the whole reason families love it.

Families come back because Lake Martin creates days that feel harder to find now — slow days, outside days, tired-and-happy kids days. Days where everybody eats too much pizza, jumps in the water one more time, watches the sun drop behind the trees, and goes home smelling like sunscreen and lake water.

And those are usually the days kids remember longest.

So whether you start with a simple picnic at D.A.R.E. Power Park, a boat rental at Harbor Pointe, dinner at The Landing, a hike near Overlook Park, or a weekend at Wind Creek, the point is not to do Lake Martin perfectly.

The point is to go make a summer memory close to home.