Reviews

Jessica FIELDS

If your a light sleeper, get a cottage or cabin. Resort has hollow floors and way throughout midnight you'll hear stomps. U would be better off with a high rise at least it has solid floors. Lobby says there's kids...after midnight? Ac has been out since June 2026, our room had a hotel dirty towel along with a personal green hair towel on the back of the bathroom door. Tv remote batteries were dead, neighbors card door reader was dead...wed-tgurs no one 21 or over to serve drinks at restraunt. Out of diabetic friendly food, sweet potato

Mark

It took a while for someone to come up front to check us in at the Lodge. Not sure where they were at. But a lady in the office to the left of the fireplace wasn’t about to get up and help us. Check the covers and beds and floors for spiders. All I’m going to say about that. We had 1 towel a piece in our room. I asked for another towel somewhere around 7-830pm and for some reason that wasn’t possible. She did say she couldn’t swap out our towels for fresh ones. But that she could only swap evenly towel for towel. I did swap out the 3 towels we had. She also said when handing them off to me, that I wasn’t allowed to use them for the pool. We hadn’t swapped or asked for towels the 5 days we had been here. So I didn’t understand the towel situation. So if you use the pool you would be better off with some beach towels from home. The rooms could use some updating. But then again they would probably raise the price to a stupid amount. But there was an option to rent a cabin, which we may do next time. Just probably not number 10 I believe it was. It was near a swampier edge of the lake. We have seen a pretty good bit of wildlife. Several deer, a couple of raccoons, squirrels, and birds. There are 2 replica ships docked just out our balcony. The Pinta, and the Nina. Looks like they haven’t moved in a while. I have seen them before docked near the beaches down in south Alabama. We had a decent stay and would somewhat recommend to others.

Mary Vandenplas

Absolutely beautiful wilderness retreat!! Peaceful and full of activities for all! Lodge has a beautiful pool that overlooks the lake. All rooms at the lodge have balconies that face the lake view!!

xxFactsxanxLogicxx

Hotel rooms needs many upgrades. Restaurant has good food. Great view from balcony. Would I stay in hotel again, No! Next time we'll stay in a different location.

Racer Cat

I have been going to Joe Wheeler for close to 50 years. Started in the late 70s with my family and other groups of family friends. Actually, we were here when Elvis died, August 16, 1977 (closer to 50 years than I realized!). This place will always be dear to me, despite fluctuations in amenities. First, let me point out that the cabins are far from the park, as the crow flies. Not too far, but across the river, via boat. They have been there much longer than the Lodge in the park. I believe they are being marketed differently now, but yesrs ago, they were mainly used by people who were there to fish. The cabins were built as housing for workers building the Wheeler dam around 1933. Some were built to only last 2-3 years, but they're still there. So, don't expect a lot of modern amenities, although they have been/are being updated. The fact that they're still standing is a testament to the state's ability. They're built where there is easy access to both Wheeler and Wilson Lakes.. The Joe Wheeker State Park has a golf course, but I can't comment on it, because I do not golf. Sorry. There is also a large campground for RVs & campers, as well as primitive camps. It's also woeth mentioning that there are ADA spots. I've visited while family & friends camped there, but I've never actually camped there myself. Everytime I've been to the camp ground, it has been quite full, with lots of friendly campers. I've never heard anyone complain about noise or problems while there. That means either there were no problems, or the people I know were the problem. Hmm... There are several hiking trails. It seems there are many who enjoy those. At one point, decades ago, the park had a terrible feral cat problem, so we didn't use those trails. The main attraction for my family has always been the water. We always took boats when we went. If we went as a large group, we often took several boats. The marina is very convenient to the Lodge, as is the fuel dock and the small store connected to it. Of course, near the Lodge and marina is a no-wake zone, but it isn't far to the Trnnessee River. Although I don't recommend water skiing in the TN River, there are several creeks that connect within a few miles that are better for skiing, tubing, etc. There are many sloughs on those creeks that are good for swimming & picnicking. The Lodge has always been one of my favorite places. The rooms are large - especially by today's standard. There are rooms with kitchenettes, rooms that connect to each other, first through third floor rooms, and all are easily accessed from the multi level parking lot. All rooms have patios or balconies overlooking the water (by the way, it is on First Creek). The pool is an easy walk from any room. When I was a kid, and we went with a group, the ladies would go with the children to the pool during the day while the men played golf, or fished. Then, at night, we would take the boats through Wheeler Dam to a restaurant near Florence AL on Wilson Lake. The restaurant has been a family favorite even if we weren't staying at the Lodge. My parents had a home on Second Creek for years. During thst time, we often took the boat from their place over to the marina and enjoyed their buffets that included crab legs nights and prime rib nights. Their brunch on the weekends was always good. I hear there have been recent changes at the restaurant, so I would definitely inquire further before going down for a meal. We lived a short day drive from the park. We often put our boats in on Second Creek or Lucy's Branch - both are close. Family nembers lived both just East and just West of the park over the years. It has been a couple of years since I have been there, but the prime rib buffet at the restaurant was amazing then. Now that I realize that. I'm going to have to make a point of going back soon.

Christy Sewell

Lash's at joe wheeler was good, service was good and the food was good. Didn't get the clam strips that were on the lunch special because they were out that day

Keith Smith

They did away with the buffet downstairs and put a lashes seafood in its place. It is still OK, but we really miss the buffet. Everything else was as normal. The service was above par in the room was clean.

Dave Frye

Who knew a state park had a huge lodge? Beautiful setting on the lake and plenty to enjoy elsewhere in the park. And in the evening watch for deer on the side of the road that are so tame they barely startle. Highly recommend this nice park.

Patrice Denton

Our bath spout in our room was falling off the wall. The check in person was very unfriendly. However, the rooms are big and all face the lake, which has a lovely private balcony and is very peaceful. The hiking was wonderful but needs a few more painted signs . We lost the trail on 2 different hikes.

Julie Gonzalez

We stayed 2 nights at Joe Wheeler Resort. It's a cool place. The water is beautiful. The resort itself, the rooms need up keep!! The balcony area needed to have been cleaned or blown with a blower. The restaurant was OK, a little expensive for dinner and breakfast.

Donna L Turner

We stayed in a suite at the Lodge. It has a kitchenette with a dining table & chairs, mini fridge and microwave. Normal size kitchen sink and cupboards with some dishes and flatware. No cooking utensils. Since we had an end room, it had 2 balconies - one overlooking the lake and one overlooking the forest. We could sit inside the air conditioning and get the same view of the lake as the balcony. Downsides: the door to the adjoining room (locked) needs better soundproofing. The toilet is set for too short of a flush, so requires multiple flushes to do the job.

Victoria Reed

The rooms had some issues, nothing to serious though. The doors had a gap under them and the rooms had some chipped paint but overall I loved it. The location is so beautiful, and all the employees are very nice and helpful!

Greg Hughes

The most relaxing vacation we've had in years. Very quiet and the view from our room of the lake and marina was absolutely super. I could sit in our suite and look at the water all day. The restuarant was an added plus with smiling friendly wait staff. There is absolutely nothing negative i can say about our week stay at the resort.

Jay Klinger

Super rustic cabins, definitely historic. Just expect an old, old structure. Cabinet and doors don't close almost no utensils to cook with. Look, stove worked, refrigerator, worked, bathroom work, hot water and clean linens. Expect nothing more. Run down park boat ramp was unusable due to debris. Go below the dam and use that one.

Tim Henard

First visit and we enjoyed our stay. The lodge is beautiful and unique. It seems a bit dated, but is clean and well maintained. The staff we encountered were all helpful and friendly. Would have no hesitation to stay there again.