Jackson Island is home to the Big Fish film set and the fictional town of Spectre.
By Marcus Woolf
The sun is setting on the tiny town of Spectre. At the dead end of the street, dim light slips across the weathered face of a church and fades like a dying flame.
As evening descends, long shadows creep over the shattered windows of decaying homes huddled near the church.
When Tim Burton built this fictional town in 2003 for his film “Big Fish,” he intentionally distressed the buildings, but he probably didn’t imagine that it would look this creepy. As movie props, the town structures weren’t built to last, and they’re slowly disintegrating.
Located on 60-acre Jackson Lake Island about 10 miles northwest of Montgomery, Spectre looks like a post-apocalyptic town in The Walking Dead. When approaching the haggard church, you can imagine a gangly rotten hand bursting through its wooden front doors. But, during my visit, something much less frightening appears.
Peeking around the corner is the shy face of a young goat. From the rear of the church a rooster lets loose a mighty crow, and within moments a dozen or so goats are ambling in front of me, herded by a ram and the strutting rooster. Turns out, the owners of the island, Bobby Bright and his wife Lynn Cardy Bright, brought in the goats to graze and keep the grass low, and now the animals are a big attraction for kids.
Watching the animal procession, I can’t help but laugh as Spectre suddenly feels more like a sleepy farm than a haven for ghoulish things. While people from all over the world venture to Jackson Lake Island to see the spooky movie set, they also visit for the beautiful, relaxing environment, with calm waters, green fields and live oaks draped in Spanish Moss.
Over the last seven years, the Brights have spruced up the place and transformed it into a great place to kayak, fish and camp.
The Jackson Island goats are a highlight for Spectre visitors.
Camping Options
Along the banks of Jackson Lake, the Brights have established campsites, including several with electricity and room for an RV. If you prefer to sleep in a tent, head to the eastern point of the island and pitch your tent on a small bluff just behind the Spectre movie set. From this high perch, your view of the lake is framed by Spanish moss blowing in the breeze. To the side of this campsite, a dirt path provides easy access to a relatively flat bank where you can easily launch a canoe or kayak.
If you want less rustic accommodations on the island, sleep in the Treehouse, a screened-in, elevated wooden structure outfitted with electricity, lights, ceiling fans, a long table, chairs and a cot. On summer evenings, you can listen to the crickets and enjoy a view of the lake, while the electric fans provide relief from the heat. Plus, there’s a restroom with showers just a few yards away.
If you visit the island with a group of friends, the Treehouse could be a good option, as it will accommodate several cots, and it sits next to a pavilion where a group can feast.
Finding Peace and Quiet
While the island is becoming more popular, you can avoid large crowds if you visit mid-week or avoid peak tourist seasons. On a Tuesday in late June, there were only a handful of RVs on the island and no other tent campers. At night, the island fell silent, except for the occasional horn from a passing train.
When the film “Big Fish” was released, it did not immediately increase traffic to the island, and many locals in the nearby town of Millbrook knew nothing about the place or the movie set. About seven years ago, articles concerning Jackson Lake Island began to trickle out, and it now draws a healthy number of visitors. But, the owners don’t market the place heavily, so it’s still kind of a hidden gem.
Gearing Up for the Island
When you plan your visit to the island, seriously consider bringing a canoe, kayak or even a paddleboard. You can spend hours exploring the lake and the adjoining Alabama River. While you might encounter a few small boats, the lake can be calm and serene during less busy times.
If you have a fishing kayak, this is the perfect place to use it. While the island is know for the film “Big Fish,” it’s also recognized for the huge catfish and big bass that roam the lake. If you don’t want to fish from a boat, you can easily cast from the lakeshore, which is mostly free of trees and vegetation.
Also, pack your binoculars to get a better view of the many birds that inhabit the island. If you gaze over the lake, you’ll likely see a great blue heron soaring above the still water, or an osprey or eagle hunting for fish.
As you sketch out your day on the island, set aside the late afternoon and early evening to photograph Spectre. When evening approaches and you reach the golden hour, the warm light adds an eerie quality to the townscape.
And bring some cash, because you’ll put your admission fee in a drop-box at the entrance gate. The cost to visit the island for a day is $3 per person (children 2 years old and under are free), and camping overnight is $10 per person per night ($5 for children 10 years old and younger).
For more information, visit the Jackson Lake Island Facebook page.
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