Piney Woods, Southeastern Loop | Escambia | Best Seasons: Fall | Spring | Summer
Leon Brooks Hines Public Lake is a 184-acre man-made lake surrounded by more than 700 acres of long-leaf pine forest that is subjected to regular burns. There are also some small hardwood stands, and a pitcher plant bog is located at the north end of lake. Although there are no hiking trails as such, there are poorly maintained access roads in the forest almost all of the way around the lake that can be birded. A US Forest Service sponsored Red-cockaded Woodpecker restoration project is active around the lake. Look for the marked trees and artificial nest cavities; listen for Bachman’s Sparrows that nest in the grass beneath them. Bald Eagles nest below the dam, and Wood Ducks and Eastern Screech-owls nest in the nest boxes behind the concession area. Every species of woodpecker that occurs in Alabama can be viewed here. Great Crested Flycatchers and Purple Martins are common in spring and summer. Pied-billed Grebes, House Wrens, and Blue-headed Vireos are winter residents. You can find Brown-headed Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebirds, and Pine Warblers year-round. Tropical storms may bring Brown Pelicans and other seabirds to the lake. A brief description of Leon Brooks Hines Lake appears in A Birder’s Guide to Alabama (Porter, 2001, pages 72-73). The lake is surrounded by the Conecuh National Forest.
Following the unnumbered, unpaved Barney Road, Alaflora Road, and Parker Springs Road around the lake can provide a very productive 6.2-mile driving trail. Potential parking sites are limited, widely spaced, and primitive.
Access: Free; open February through November; open Friday through Wednesday from February through June and open Friday through Tuesday from July through November.
GPS: N 31° 02.199’ / W 86° 49.254’ (Gate at entrance)
ADCNR, Leon Brooks Hines Public Lake
917 Barney Rd.
Wing, AL 36483
Phone: 251-809-0068
Amenities: Restrooms, Handicap access, Potable water, Food, Parking, Canoeing, Boat access, Picnic area, Hiking, Driving
Directions: From the intersection of Center Road and US Highway 29, go west on US 29 for 1.7 miles to mile marker 24.6. Turn left (south) on Escambia County Road 11, and drive 7.1 miles. Turn right (west) on Escambia County Road 4 and go 0.4 miles. Turn left (south) on Escambia County Road 11 and go 1.6 miles. Turn right on unpaved Parker Spring Road and go 0.4 miles. Turn left (south) on Barney Road and drive 0.5 miles. Turn right onto paved State Lake Road, and go 0.6 miles to the parking area at the lake concession stand and park.
Or from Brewton, go east on US Highway 29 to mile marker 10. Turn right on Escambia County Road 4 and drive 10.5 miles. Turn right (south) on Escambia County Road 11 and go 1.6 miles. Turn right on unpaved Parker Spring Road and go 0.4 miles. Turn left (south) on Barney Road and go 0.5 miles. Turn right onto paved State Lake Road and go 0.6 miles to the parking area at the lake concession stand and park.
Amenities Available:
Nearby Sites

Brooklyn access and southern terminus of the Sepulga River Canoe Trail
The Brooklyn access is the southernmost take-out for the Sepulga River Canoe Trail and the take-out for paddles from the Iron Bridge, PWBT Site 17.

Little River State Forest
Little River State Forest is a 960-acre park that includes 25-acre manmade Blacksher Lake and 4.7 miles of hiking trails. The unpaved 1.5-mile Gazebo Road parallels the Gazebo Trail and offers an alternative to the Gazebo hike. Birding the grounds ar …

Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center
The Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center in the Conecuh National Forest is operated by Auburn University and hosts classes and conducts research projects throughout the year. The 5,300-acre tract offers a tremendous diversity of plants, many of whic …

Turtle Point Environmental Science Center
Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds are attracted year-round to the diamond leaf and water oak, tupelo, and bald cypress that grow in the wetlands. Brewer’s Blackbirds join them in the winter. Belted Kingfishers are a common sight on Big Escamb …