Whether they're sunbathing on Gulf Coast beaches or lurking in the muddy waters of the Tennessee River, alligators are thriving in the Heart of Dixie.
While Florida gets most of the reptilian attention, Alabama quietly ranks among the top states for American alligator populations, and some are massive. Think over 13 feet and over 1,011.5 pounds.
Whether you're a kayaker, hiker, hunter or just a curious local, knowing where these prehistoric predators call home is more than trivia, it's safety. And a little thrill, too.
According to a recent WorldAtlas report, these are the top five most alligator-filled places in Alabama and what makes each one a reptilian hot spot.
Tennessee River
In 1979, 50 alligators were relocated from Louisiana to the alligator-free Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. The goal was twofold: to help control the growing beaver population and to bolster the declining alligator population.
However, the decision sparked backlash from residents and Congressman Ronnie Flippo, who led efforts to reverse the relocation. Attempting to capture and remove the gators proved difficult, and only a few were ever recovered.
Today, alligators have been spotted as far north as Huntsville, possibly even into Tennessee, though it's unclear whether these originated from the Wheeler Refuge. One notable eight-foot alligator has made its presence known at Sunlake, near Edgewater Apartments in Huntsville.
Walter F. George Lake (Lake Eufaula)
According to WorldAtlas, Lake Eufaula might be better named "Alligator Lake" due to the sheer number of alligators inhabiting its 45,000 acres. The lake is home to some of the largest alligators found in Alabama.
In 2024, a 12-foot, 600-pound alligator, rumored to have been born in the 1970s, was pulled from the lake. Then, in August 2025, a 13-foot, 7-inch, 620-pound gator was captured during a nighttime hunt. The current Lake Eufaula record-holder is believed to measure an astounding 14 feet, 1.75 inches.
Alabama River
The Alabama River snakes roughly 300 miles through the heart of the state, and it's become a hotspot for alligator activity. Parts of the river are open to hunting, however, residents in Montgomery don't have that option.
They share the space with the massive reptiles, even spotting them near places like the Cypress Tree Golf Course at Maxwell Air Force Base. The largest alligator to be captured was 15 feet, 1,011 pounds in 2014. The legendary gator is on display at the Montgomery Zoo's Mann Wildlife Learning Museum.
Mobile Bay
Alligators aren't just swamp dwellers, they thrive in Alabama's coastal waters, too, especially around the 400-square-mile Mobile Bay.
In 2023, a 12-foot-9, 524-pound gator was caught there, while rescued giants, like the 13-footers at Alligator Alley in Summerdale, draw crowds by the thousands. The park began in 2004 as a refuge for "nuisance" gators from Florida.
Alabama has its own, including a 10-foot alligator that stopped traffic on I-165 in 2024. That one was gently guided back to the marsh, right where it belongs.
Gulf Coast
With Mobile Bay emptying into the Gulf, reptiles love the marshes of the Gulf. Alabama's Gulf Coast offers prime gator-viewing spots.
Gulf State Park boasts 800 acres across three lakes and features a Nature Center with captive alligators on display. Nearby Dauphin Island offers its own gator gallery, while Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge protects 7,000 acres of untouched alligator habitat.
What is the alligator population in Alabama?
With an estimated 70,000 alligators roaming its swamps, rivers and coastal areas, Alabama lands at No. 6 on the list of U.S. states with the highest gator populations in 20025, according to World Population Review.
Here are the top 10 gator states:
- Louisiana: 2,000,000
- Florida: 1,300,000
- Texas: 400,000
- Georgia: 200,000
- South Carolina: 100,000
- Alabama: 70,000
- Mississippi: 32,000
- Arkansas: 2,000
- North Carolina: 1,000
- Oklahoma: 100
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
