Eufaula
Around Eufaula
Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Alabama · 26k people
Eufaula
Locals say Wiregrass · “Bass Capital of the World”
Where the lake meets Southern grace.
Lake Eufaula BluePine Forest GreenAntebellum Gold
Welcome to the Wiregrass! Whether you're here for the fishing, the history, or just to slow down, you'll find a friendly pace and plenty of lake views. Come sit a spell and share what you love about this corner of the South.
Clubs for Eufaula
No clubs for Eufaula yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Eufaula. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Eufaula. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lake Eufaula 28,000-acre reservoir on the Chattahoochee, famous for bass fishing.
- Eufaula National Historic District Over 700 antebellum and Victorian homes, a walk through the Old South.
- Lakepoint Resort State Park Camping, cabins, and a marina on the lake's western shore.
- Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge Migratory birds, hiking trails, and the Chattahoochee River.
- Chattahoochee River Forms the state line, great for fishing and paddling.
- Shorter Mansion 1890s mansion open for tours, a showpiece of the historic district.
- Outdoors Fishing for bass and crappie on Lake Eufaula
- Outdoors Boating and waterskiing on the lake
- With kids Fishing with kids off the pier
- With kids Swimming at the lake's sandy beaches
- Evenings Night fishing for catfish
- Evenings Bonfires and s'mores at the lake
- Locals love fishing camps
- Locals love hunting plantations
Through the year
- Eufaula Pilgrimage Spring Historic home and garden tour through the antebellum district.
- Lake Eufaula Bass Tournament Spring/Summer Competitive bass fishing draws anglers from across the South.
- Cuthbert Mayhaw Festival May Celebrates the mayhaw berry with food, music, and crafts.
- Barbour County Fair Fall Classic county fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Eufaula Fourth of July Celebration July Fireworks over the lake and a community picnic.
Subtropical climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “Wiregrass”
- The region's nickname, from the native wiregrass that covered the area.
- “the lake”
- Lake Eufaula, the center of local life.
- “you-faw-la”
- Local pronunciation of Eufaula.
- “the Hooch”
- The Chattahoochee River.
Getaways
- Columbus, GA Riverwalk, museums, and the Chattahoochee.
- Dothan, AL Shopping, the Peanut Festival, and Adventureland.
- Auburn, AL Auburn University, game days, and the Jule Collins Smith Museum.
- Albany, GA Flint RiverQuarium and the Albany Museum of Art.
Local flavour
Rooting for Auburn Tigers (NCAA), Alabama Crimson Tide (NCAA), Atlanta Braves (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Fried catfish Staple from local lakes and rivers, often served with hushpuppies.
- Boiled peanuts Southern roadside classic, especially popular in this peanut-growing region.
- Barbecue Slow-smoked pork, common at local pits and community gatherings.
- Pecan pie Pecans are a regional crop; pie is a dessert staple.
Where people go
- Lake Eufaula Also known as Walter F. George Lake; a hub for fishing, boating, and lakeside living.
- Antebellum historic district
- Hunting plantations Quail and deer hunting on private lands is a traditional pastime.
- Fishing camps Rustic lakeside camps and marinas that cater to anglers.
Heritage and traditions
Eufaula and the surrounding Wiregrass towns are proud of their deep Southern heritage, antebellum architecture, and the recreational paradise of Lake Eufaula, along with a strong hunting and fishing tradition that has shaped the local way of life.
This time of year in Eufaula
- Fall hunting and pecan harvest Fall September-November: quail and deer hunting, and pecan gathering.
- Barbour County Fair Fall A traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and fried treats.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Eufaula Pilgrimage March-April A spring tour of antebellum homes and gardens in the historic district.
- Cuthbert Mayhaw Festival April Celebrates the wild mayhaw berry with jelly, live music, and local crafts.
- Barbour County Fair Fall A traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and fried treats.
- Eufaula Fourth of July Celebration July Fireworks over the lake and a patriotic parade downtown.
- Eufaula Antique Car Show May Vintage automobiles line the streets of the historic district.
Landmarks with a story
- Shorter Mansion An 1884 Neoclassical mansion, now a museum and the headquarters of the Eufaula Heritage Association.
- Eufaula Historic District Over 700 structures, including one of the largest collections of antebellum homes in the Southeast.
- First United Methodist Church of Eufaula A Gothic Revival church built in the 1880s, a landmark in the historic district.
- St. James Episcopal Church A Carpenter Gothic church from the 1850s, known for its stained glass and cemetery.
- George Wallace Birthplace A small marker and house in Clio commemorate the birthplace of the controversial governor.
- Walter F. George Lock and Dam Completed in 1963, this dam created Lake Eufaula and is a marvel of engineering.
Food traditions
- Mayhaw jelly Made from the wild mayhaw berry that grows along the Chattahoochee, this tart-sweet jelly is a local delicacy and a festival star.
- Hunting camp meals In fall, quail and venison are cooked up in hunting camps, often with grits and biscuits.
- Lake fish fry Catching bass or catfish and frying them up at a fishing camp is a weekend tradition.
- Boiled peanuts Slow-cooked in salty water, these are a roadside snack sold at gas stations and stands.
- Pecan pie Local pecans make this dessert a holiday and Sunday-dinner favorite.
Music and arts
- Southern gospel music Churches and community groups often host gospel singings.
- Country music Local venues and festivals feature country bands and songwriters.
- Bluegrass Pickin' sessions and bluegrass festivals are common in the Wiregrass.
- Folk arts like quilting Quilting bees and handcrafted quilts are passed down through generations.
A little history
- 1830s Founding of Eufaula
- 1830s Creek Indian removal (Trail of Tears) passed through the area
- 1860s Civil War and cotton economy
- 1960s Construction of Walter F. George Dam creating Lake Eufaula
- 1960s Civil rights era and George Wallace's governorship
Rivalries
- Auburn Tigers vs Alabama Crimson Tide The Iron Bowl is a heated annual clash.
- Auburn Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, with fans on both sides.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Bass fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Eufaula
- Outdoors Boating
- With kids Attending the Mayhaw Festival in Cuthbert
- With kids Touring the historic homes during the Pilgrimage
People speak a relaxed Southern American English with a drawl, common uses of 'y'all' and 'fixin' to', and a few local terms like 'bream' for the fish and 'mayhaw' for the berry.
Only here
- The Mayhaw berry, which grows along the Chattahoochee, is celebrated with its own festival and jelly.
- Lake Eufaula is often called the 'Bass Capital of the World'.
- The Eufaula Historic District boasts one of the largest collections of antebellum homes in the Southeast.
- The Wiregrass region's unique ecosystem is named for the native wiregrass that grows here.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to pronounce Eufaula as 'yoo-FAW-la' – locals will appreciate it.
- Get a fishing license and try your hand at bass fishing on Lake Eufaula.
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and mild winters; pack sunscreen and bug spray.
- Embrace the slow pace – people here are friendly and expect a 'hello'.
- Try the local catfish and boiled peanuts – they're a way of life.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaBlakelyGeorgiaWhere the peanuts grow and the rivers run slow.ColumbusGeorgiaWhere the river meets the red clay.OzarkAlabamaWhere the pines meet the sky and the tea is sweetDothanAlabamaThe sweet heart of the WiregrassTroyAlabamaSmall-town warmth, Trojan spirit.Auburn–OpelikaAlabamaWhere the Plains meet Southern heartAmericusGeorgiaWhere the peanut fields meet a warm Southern welcome.EnterpriseAlabamaWhere a pest became a point of pride.
Eufaula, AL-GA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.