Bear Creek Lakes
Life is better on the water atCedar Creek||Little Bear||Big Bear||Upper Bear Creek
Activities
Permits
Secure your access to our beautiful lakes for fishing, camping, and more with our convenient permit options.
Cabin & Pavilion Rentals
Enjoy a comfortable stay in one of our cabins or pavilions, which offer a blend of rustic feel and modern charm.
Campgrounds
Check out our campground locations across the lakes managed by the Bear Creek Development Authority.
Boat Ramps
BCDA offers several boat landings providing access to the scenic waterway for fishing, boating, and recreational activities.
Floatway
The Bear Creek Floatway is considered one of the best trips a canoeist can take in Alabama. Upper Bear Reservoir’s regular releases ensure flow.
Announcements
Check here regularly for news and important dates from the Bear Creek Development Authority.
Campgrounds & Boat Ramps
Elliott Branch
Slickrock
Williams Hollow
Horseshoe Bend
Piney Point
Boat Ramps
Boat Ramps
Known for our great crappie & bass fishing, we have several locations with boat ramps and docks that allow anyone an opportunity to catch that big one.
Campground Info
The campgrounds are usually open from mid-March until mid-October; however, some years certain campgrounds may be open for a longer or shorter period depending on use and other factors. Please call the individual campground or BCDA office for more information. Camp Managers are away from their campground on Mondays and occasionally Tuesdays if the Monday is a state holiday. If you wish to rent a campsite on Monday and the camp store is closed, please call the camp manager or the BCDA office for assistance.
Please Note
- Camping on BCDA/TVA property is prohibited in all areas other than designated campgrounds.
- Pets are not allowed in the cabins or beach areas.
- No aggressive breeds such as Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, or their mixes are allowed in the campground. Additionally, any dog deemed aggressive or any that barks excessively are not allowed.
- All pets are to be kept on a leash at all times.
Fishing & Beaches Info
- We have handicap-accessible fishing piers available at Little Bear Dam, Quarter Creek, and Mon-Dye.
- We have public beaches at Big Bear Dam (the one inside the campground is for campers only), Mon-Dye, Quarter Creek, Elliott Branch, Horseshoe Bend, Slickrock Boat Ramp (the one inside the campground is for campers only), and Williams Hollow.
About Us
The four lakes, Cedar Creek, Little Bear, Upper Bear, and Big Bear, are rated among some of the cleanest recreational waters in the South. The lakes have produced smallmouth bass over 5 lbs. and largemouth bass over 15 lbs. Persons between the ages of 16 and 65 must have a user’s permit to take advantage of the lakes and related facilities.
In the late 1960s, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) began construction in Northwest Alabama on what is known as the Bear Creek Water Control Project. The project was overseen and is now controlled by the Bear Creek Development Authority or BCDA. Over the years, there have been 15 public use areas developed by the BCDA.
The Bear Creek Water Control Project is a system of four lakes and their surrounding woodlands near Russellville, Alabama, offering trophy fishing, boating, sand beaches, group pavilions, designated swimming areas, hunting, developed camping, picnicking, and hiking. A 30-mile canoe float stream is located between Upper Bear and Big Bear Reservoirs. The five campgrounds are open from mid-March through mid-October and the lakes are open year-round.