Greene County offers a wide variety of waterscapes: Warrior Reservoir has public shoreline and boat access, while the rural Sipsey River has limited boat access. The county is also home to historic sites in Eutaw and the Civil Rights Freedom Farm Museum in Mantua. Options range from fishing and canoeing to architecture and African American history.
On the Water: Warrior Reservoir and the Sipsey River
Warrior Reservoir is an 8,580-acre lake on the Black Warrior River near Eutaw. Eight public access points provide shoreline and boat access to the reservoir. Basic camping, hunting, and boating are possible at the lake. The water is especially well known for largemouth bass and crappie fishing. Fishing enthusiasts will find it a clear highlight; boating and camping are also among the activities available at the reservoir.
The Sipsey River flows through Greene County as a 92-mile-long, wild, free-flowing swamp river. It is considered one of the last of its kind in Alabama. The wetlands and swamps in its floodplain are estimated to cover around 50,000 acres. Canoeing in secluded oxbow areas and shoreline fishing along the main river channel are possible. Boat access is limited because of the rural setting and lack of developed access points. This distinction is important when choosing a body of water: canoeing is one of the activities available on the Sipsey, but boat access remains limited.
Historic Sites in Eutaw
Eutaw, the county’s largest city, is directly accessible via two Interstate exits. On the northeast corner of Old Courthouse Square stands the Old Sheriff’s Office and Grand Jury Room, a two-story brick building completed in 1842. Eutaw’s post office also has a special cultural connection. It houses Robert Gwathmey’s New Deal mural, “The Countryside.”
The Eutaw Pilgrimage includes tours of antebellum homes and churches, as well as the historic Courthouse Square. If this event is important to your travel plans, check the dates in advance. Another architectural landmark is Kirkwood, a mansion built in 1860 in the Greek Revival style. A total of 39 historic properties in Greene County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Cultural History and Regional Traditions
The Civil Rights Freedom Farm Museum in Mantua, Greene County, offers a different perspective. It preserves and interprets the everyday lives of African Americans in the early 20th century. The museum complex includes shotgun houses named after Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ralph Abernathy. Everyday history and the legacy of civil rights figures are at the heart of the museum.
The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival celebrates the folkways, traditions, and culture of West Alabama each year. Activities include quilting, basket weaving, chair caning, doll making, wood carving, and clay painting. Soul food, barbecue, and homemade ice cream are also available; food offerings may vary. Check the festival dates and current program before your trip.
Explore more destinations: Eutaw, Jefferson, Elmore, Talladega, Geneva County, Lee, Covington County, Barbour County
For the main travel overview: Alabama.
