Lake Martin Recreation Area

What a dump. I don’t see how Air Force Services allowed this facility to get in such disrepair. It’s really unbelievable how bad this place is. At cabin 1 there was a toilet sitting next to the steps leading up to the deck. Major safety hazards throughout the facility. I would like to know what they are paying the ground crew to do because it doesn’t appear to be maintaining the grounds. This place needs to be shut down and sold to a private party that can properly develop and maintain the site.

This could be an absolutely beautiful site, if maintenance would take care of it properly I can see where it would be packed, full all spring and summer. When we got there, none of the bathrooms worked, the dump station closest to the office was plugged up and still was when I left three days later, the second dump station further in the campground had a massive water leak which they did end up fixing before I left, the pipe for the dump station is too tall, and there are holes at the base of the concrete that last sewage run out and then eventually drain back and I assume . Currently there are no washers operable for RV folks, the 30 amp breaker at site 33 was inoperable, and I notified staff the day I arrived, and three days later, it still had not been repaired and up near the office there are electrical lines laying on the ground with the power pole broke off, and they appear to have been that way for quite some time, it seems to me that the staff spent more time in offices and vehicles than doing maintenance, I can only speak to when I saw them so it’s very possible they were working the rest of the time, that being said, it didn’t appear much was getting done.

I'm really disappointed in this recreation/campground area. This place should be a prestige Air Force campground but instead it looks like an old abandoned site. Restroom buildings are old, falling apart, and filled with garbage. Docks are a safety hazard and I wouldn't walk on them at all. Roads are in need of major repairs and sites are gravel and not level at all. Some sites you can't even tell they are camp sites. Boats and trailers stored and or parked here looks like they are abandoned. The Commander at Maxwell AFB should be embarrassed to even offer this place as a recreation area. Major funding should be appropiated to make this recreation area into a prestigious campground and recreational area that should be on such a beautiful lake. Glad I was just here as a stopover, I definitely don't recommend this place at all.

I agree with the last review 100% and this place is in dire need of a good cleaning inside and out. It was almost deserted and unless you want to fish only there's nothing to do. The beach is covered in feces. We had a good time on the lake and was in a good location but probably would not go back. I am surprised the Air Force doesn't inspect their facilities and more surprised they say it is a military facility but do not even help with funding. I know a tornado messed up a lot of trees but that has nothing to do with cleanliness. On a good note the staff was nice and we had a great time on the pontoon boat we rented.

First the positives - The campground sits on Lake Martin just outside of Dadeville, AL. The view to the lake was beautiful. There are several shaded sites which is nice. Unfortunately the CG is not well maintained. The manager (??) told me they have a had difficult time for the past 3 years and are barely making it. He said he was short of help and didn't know if they could survive another year. I realize that all rec facilities must be able to survive on their own. He hinted that this CG downfall started when MWR stopped funding and when the "full timers" were made to move out. I checked out the bathhouse and decided I would not use it. Again poorly maintained and not very clean. The site we were assigned to as well as 3 or 4 next to us were gravel and narrow. It was impossible for us to completely level our TT. The sides of the parking area had a severe slope of 2-3 feet. In order to walk down to the lake edge you had to carefully maneuver down that slope. They did have some broken cinder blocks in the gravel as "steps" but it did not help much. Dangerous. I slipped a couple of time. We were to stay 3 nights but left after 2 nights. Didn't feel comfortable on this narrow gravel parking pad (only big enough for our TT), the fact that we couldn't really get level and were at the lake edge. Didn't want our trailer rolling into the lake. To top it off the fish weren't biting. We stayed here in a 30' TT. Sad, it could be a very nice campground. We probably won't stay here again.

Enjoyed the two day stay. The area we stayed in says it is big rig friendly, we have a 35ft fifth wheel and believe me it was tight. Got in and parked sites we were in had great view of the lake and were wooded. Many of the sites in the park need maintenance due to past storms. Staff are helpful and knowledgeable of the area. The bathhouse we used was old but clean. Laundry was a single washer and dryer but worked well. Nice visit, but could use some work on sites.

Well, finally all the whiners about us old timers have won. The park closed on Sep 30 and all of us old timers have had to move. The park is scheduled to open again on Apr 1 and be open until Sep 30. It is everyone's opinion that after the closing on Sep 30, 2013, that will be the end of Maxwell/Gunter Rec Area. I had a place at the park for 15 years and never had a problem with day campers. I did have several day campers talk about us permanent campers and I was quick to tell them that us permanent campers paid the bills after Sep 1 thru Mar 31 when no one was ever seen. Fishermen would want to be at the park for a week or two when the Crappie were biting. Other than that you never saw them until the following year. We did have a couple of cranky old retired guys but if you were intimidated by a cranky old retired guy then maybe you should choose another profession. There were and have always been available sites for people that wanted to become long time campers. When the park closed there were at least 10 to 15 nice water front sites available for renting. Not all people will ever be pleased. My wife and I took a 5,000 mile trip in our motor home this past spring. We stayed in some of the most beautiful parks out West. There was always someone grumbling about something. While Maxwell/Gunter did not have all the luxuries of a motor home resort, it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been too. It was my sanctuary for 15 years. It is my hope that it will remain open but I seriously doubt it. I just hope that in the summer of 2014 when it does not open that some of you that did the most complaining bring your family and you remember how beautiful the Lake was and I hope you are sorry that you complained enough to shut this place down. Shame on You !!!!!!!!!!

My family and I have rented a RV site for the last 4 years. We have been visiting this area for over 12 years when we have been stationed nearby. We absolutely love this place. It is a great vacation get away. It provides wonderful opportunities to have quality family time. We also have had several work gatherings here as well. Our military friends and co-workers are always in aw by the beauty of the lake. Several of our friends (active duty) have joined us and hold permanent places. So don’t be scared away from the previous postings about the cranky retired folks. :) Lake Martin is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and we have been stationed from New York to Alaska. Yes, I agree it isn’t the most lavish of all facilities and a little work is needed here or there, but the people who work there are very kind and always helpful. If you are looking for a relaxing, slow paced vacation this is the place to stay.

The Maxwell/Gunter Rec. Area is back in operation. It sustained a lot of damage from the tornado, but the staff is working to get everything back in order.

This Rec Area is a joke. If they didn't have a sign that says it's military, this old soldier would have thought I found the last old fashioned fish camp for homesteaders and other old timers. They claim 66 site but in reality they have 5 if you happen to go for a few days. The rest are full of "longtimers", read homesteaders. The 5 sites they do have are rough, uneven and way overpriced at $20 a day for w/s/e ,no cable, no local over the air TV. It is scenic with the lake being very nice. I would not recommend this place unless you are looking for a place to hunker down for the rest of your days. Hard to believe its an Air Force facility. The only thing they did well was refund my 4 day fee when I left.

Our family went to Lake Martin in March 2010 had a blast hiking, swimming, cooking out and such BUT when we went to do some fishing we soon figured what the man was talking about on this blog.. The people who are living there were not very nice to our family we went to go on the dock that is out there and an older man walked out to tell us were were going on his dock. I thought he was joking but there soon after we realized he wasn't at all but very serious. He had a swing set up, outdoor grass, satellite, flower beds everything you would have at your HOUSE set up there. I have to say that made us very angry that this was a REC facility for military members to enjoy but it seemed very much like we were at a trailer park. WOW!! I will go back but I really hope that they figure this issue out and do something about it. Act like it is a campground and not a trailer park!! PLZZZZ

The ratings for this location are definitely for the cabins, trailers and marina. The lake is beautiful. Of the 76 sites advertised I only found 5 that were for the RV traveler and could not get conformation from any of the staff. The rest are permanently occupied by RV’s that stay there year round. They have decks and additions built on. Some even have private docks. They seemed to be used by the owners and their families for weekend getaways and vacations. We were to stay for two weeks but left after 3 nights. My wife went and checked in at the Marina and they gave her directions to our site. That was the last we saw anyone from the staff. We had site 52 which has full hook ups. The site is rock (not gravel) and just wide enough for the width of your axle. The sides then sloop down from there. It took 6 inches of leveling blocks on the right side to get it level. While standing on the ground at 5’9” tall I was on my tip toes to open the door. My wife had to balance on the step to get the door open. The area around the site is dirt with some weeds. The picnic table is on a cement slab. Site 53 had 4” of leveling blocks. Site 54 was not occupied but appeared to be a little more level but you have to back between 2 large trees, you may have a couple of feet on each side. 55 and 56 are permanent. 56 looks like nobody has been their in several years, dirty with pine needles and leaves. 57 is next one of the cabins and is level. It is built up with a retaining wall so with your rig to one side once you come off your steps you may have a step or two before you go over a 3’ foot retaining wall. The only other site I saw was by the beach and it appeared to be ok. We got 3 channels which were all PBS. I could not get any satellite reception from my site because of the trees. The town is 8 miles away. Wall Mart is 23 miles. If you have question that can not be answered by the reservation desk at Maxwell AFB they will tell you to call the campground. You may or may not get a call back. I didn’t. You would think that a campground that has the year round occupancy that this one has, the few sites they have for the rest of us who are Serving or who Have Served would be in the best conditions. This is not a Military campground it is a private trailer park on OUR LAND.

Great place for peace and quiet and to enjoy the lake. Did get a chance for walks and to sit by the lake, feed the very tame ducks who came to visit everyday and watch the sun go down. Asked about the 'full timers' they were there before the policy for max stays was in effect, as the manager said they help pay the bills for the slow times. One thing to mention that the town of Dadeville is approx 6 mls from the lake, at the closest Walmart it 14 mls. So you may want to stock up for the stay. Will be sure to come back given the chance.

My husband and I and our twin daughters just returned from a weekend staying in Chalet 3. We had a wonderful time and the facilities are awesome!! One of the staff named Amanda was so very friendly and so welcoming! We plan on bringing the whole family back in August and are counting the days! Brenda S.