5 Dreamy Lake Houses Near Birmingham, AL

Share with your friends!

Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit

Now that Alabama’s sweltering summer is in full force, water activities are the best way to enjoy the outdoors. Community pools and private pool rentals are a great choice to stay close to home, and of course, our favorite spots along the Gulf always call out this time of year. But lake life is the perfect escape when you’re looking for a quick getaway.

There are several breathtaking lakes just outside Birmingham to scratch the itch, and these five dreamy lakeside rentals each make a fabulous home base!

Emerald Cove

Location: Smith Lake, AL
More Info: Airbnb

Emerald Cove is nestled in the back of a serene channel on Smith Lake. Beauty engulfs you inside and out of this stunning home. Up to 20 guests can enjoy playing pool, air hockey, or poker, cooking delicious meals in the spacious kitchen, or lounging around one of three living areas. This home has seven bedrooms plus two bunk rooms, providing 10 more beds, making this home an excellent option for large family gatherings or company retreats.

Outdoor living spaces abound at Emerald Cove, including a screened-in porch with a fireplace, a double-story deck (both covered and uncovered!), a separate sunbathing deck, a fire pit, and a boat dock just a few steps down the rugged shoreline. The home’s location in the cove provides perfectly peaceful waters for swimming and paddling, and there are even complimentary kayaks.

Aerial view of a dreamy lakeside house nestled among dense trees on the edge of a greenish lake, with a dock extending into the water under a colorful sunset sky. — Sneak away to your own private getaway at Emerald Cove. Image: Instagram

A clean, bright bedroom features a large bed with green pillows, wooden nightstands, a vaulted ceiling with wooden beams, and large windows letting in natural light. The bathroom is visible through a sliding door, making it the perfect setting for a dreamy vacation in a Birmingham rental. — Wake up in airy rooms with lake views. Image: Instagram

A modern living room with a high vaulted ceiling, large windows offering dreamy lakes views, a fireplace with a stone surround, and a flatscreen TV above it. The seating includes a grey sofa and black armchair on a jute rug. — The cathedral living room offers picturesque views, thanks to its perfectly placed windows. Image: Instagram

The Lodge at Walcox Point

Location: Weiss Lake, AL
More Info: walcoxpoint.com

Get away from it all at this incredible lakefront property on Weiss Lake. Located in the tranquil Waterhouse Cove, The Lodge at Walcox Point offers space for 18 guests and waterfront views from every window. It has been fabulously renovated and has a modern, cozy farmhouse vibe that will make you and your crew feel right at home.

Sprawl out in the spacious yard with the lake surrounding you on three sides. Step out onto the back deck and lower patio and enjoy unobstructed views of the lake, as well as the privacy of treelined sides stretching to the water’s edge.

Head out to the dock for a swim, play a game on the lawn, or relax the day away in the pallet swing. Plus, Weiss Lake is a fishing paradise, so rent a boat or bring your own and create some family memories together at Walcox Point.

A large black house with a wide lawn sits by the edge of a calm lake, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky. This dreamy lakeside retreat is part of the exclusive BHAM lakeside rentals, offering serenity and scenic beauty. — Enjoy the inviting lawn all the way to the shoreline. Image: Walcox Point

Dreamy bright bedroom in one of the lakeside rentals, featuring large windows and French doors leading to a balcony. Includes a wall-mounted TV, dresser, and a bed with white linens and pillows for your comfort during your stay in BHAM. — Walcox Point features lake views in every room. Image: Walcox Point

A spacious living room with a large leather sectional sofa, a light-colored rug, and a ceiling fan. The room features multiple windows with views of trees, perfect for those seeking dreamy rentals. A charming bookshelf in the corner adds to the cozy ambiance of this BHAM retreat. — Cozy up on the giant couch with lake views on all sides. Image: Walcox Point

Easy Street

Location: Lake Martin, AL
More Info: rentalsonlakemartin.com

This charming lake house is designed for easy living. With five ensuite bedrooms, there is plenty of room for up to 19 guests. Take in the panorama views of Lake Martin as you open the living room’s French doors onto the covered wrap-around porch.

Enjoy your morning coffee on the screened-in porch, lounge around the cozy seating on the patio, or snuggle up in the living room, which has gorgeous windows lining the walls.

The private boat ramp adjacent to the house makes getting out on the water a breeze. There is plenty of room to play and relax on the spacious lawn, and you can get dinner going on the grill or in the smoker. S’mores are a must around the fire pit, which is right on the water’s edge. What a way to enjoy the setting sun and the starry night sky!

A dreamy lakeside house with a boat dock, stone fire pit, and wraparound porch surrounded by trees and water. A concrete driveway leads to the home, and a detached covered boat shelter is to the right. — Get away from the hustle and bustle at this gorgeous farmhouse rental on Lake Martin. Image: Brian Tannehill

A cozy BHAM living room with a beige sectional sofa, two yellow armchairs, a wooden coffee table, and large windows. The space features exposed wooden beams and a colorful rug. — Even indoors, you’re never without stunning lake views. Image: Brian Tannehill

A dreamy lakeside bedroom with a large window overlooking the water, featuring a wooden bed with plaid bedding, two nightstands with lamps, and a cushioned bench at the foot of the bed. — Awake to the lake! Image: Brian Tannehill

Eagle’s Nest

Location: Lay Lake, AL
More Info: Vrbo

Experience outdoor living at its finest at the Eagle’s Nest house at Lay Lake. Located in Shelby County, this unique octagon-shaped home is a new construction designed to make the most of the water.

The wrap-around covered deck offers expansive views, an outdoor kitchen and bar, hammocks, lounging furniture, and a Smart TV. Play a game out on the lawn, take a dip by the dock, and enjoy the sunset around a large fire pit that sits right on the water.

As much as this house draws you outdoors, the interior is immaculately designed and provides a cozy retreat from the day’s adventures. Perfect for 12 guests, the large, two-story living area shows the lake inside from every vantage point. Pull out a board game, have an arcade tournament, or retreat to the spacious bedrooms for some R&R. Then, head back out to enjoy the complimentary kayaks and paddleboard.

This covered outdoor kitchen, part of our dreamy lakeside rentals, features a stainless steel sink, gas grill, and mini fridge. It overlooks a deck with a dining table and chairs, offering a scenic view of the lake at sunset. Perfect for your next BHAM getaway! — The wrap-around porch at the Eagle’s Nest may keep you outside for your entire stay. Image: Eagle’s Nest

Modern living room featuring a brown leather sofa with patterned cushions, a round wooden coffee table, and a kitchen with white cabinets in the background. A "Lay Lake" sign hangs above. — Gorgeous natural light floods the open-concept living room to surround you with lake views. Image: Instagram

A cozy, lit circular stone fire pit surrounded by wooden chairs on a patio, with a two-story house in the background. The surrounding trees are silhouetted against a dusky sky. — Greet each night with s’mores, drinks, and good times around the fire pit. Image: Eagle’s Nest

Emerald Bay

Location: Smith Lake, AL
More Info: Airbnb

Located on Smith Lake in Arley, this stunning home (built in 2022!) features two levels of outdoor entertaining with gorgeous lake views. It sits in a protected bay just off the main channel, so the water stays nice and serene. The two-story dock offers a covered entertainment space — complete with a dining table for meals on the water! It also includes complimentary access to kayaks, canoes, and a paddleboard, along with a boat slip for your own vessel.

As the sun sets, enjoy a nighttime soak in the hot tub or roast some marshmallows around the large fire pit a stone’s throw from the water.

The interior is equally inviting, with a modern minimalist aesthetic and lake views from almost every room. It can sleep up to 14 guests and offers two cozy indoor living areas to relax, unwind, and enjoy time together.