Alabama locals and visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding good campgrounds surrounded by superb scenery. The state is literally dotted with beautiful forests and lakes which offer excellent camping and outdoor recreation facilities. At Talladega National Forest you can choose from several campgrounds including Talladega Creekside, Oak Mountain State Park, Coleman Lake and De Soto Caverns.
Alabama Coast Campground
The Alabama Coast Campground is a popular place for campers to stop off and enjoy getting back to nature for a few days. The campground offers spacious shaded sites with full hookup or primitive sites with water. The owner of this campground is very hands-on and takes great trouble to keep the campground and all the facilities in great shape. The campground is close to many local attractions including an amusement park, great beaches, the Foley Outlet Mall and much more. On site you will find a couple of pleasant coastal walking trails, a fenced Dog Park with a grill and picnic area, unlimited electricity and free high-speed Wi-Fi.
Alabama Coast Campground, 11959 Barin Field Rd, Foley, Al 36535, Phone: 251-752-0474
Bankhead National Forest
When you feel the need to escape your daily 9 to 5 and spend some time getting back to nature, the Bankhead National Forest is a great choice for a camping weekend or vacation. The forest has two campgrounds, both of which are open from April through October each year. At Corinth Campground you will find large paved campsites, all of which are suitable for all sizes of RV’s and offer full hook up. Onsite activities include hiking, bird-watching and bass fishing on the lake – boat ramp available. Clear Creek Campground is a favorite with families, offering large shady sites and direct access to swimming beaches on Lewis Smith Lake.
Corinth Campground, Double Springs, AL 35553
Clear Creek Campground, 8079 Fall City Rd, Jasper, AL 35503
Blue Springs State Park
The lure of twin spring-fed natural swimming pools is what brings many locals to the Blue Springs State Park during a hot Alabama summer. However, the park also offers a very nice campground where visitors can set up camp and spend a few days enjoying a variety of outdoor recreations. The campground offers both modern and primitive campsites all of which have water and some of which have full electric and sewer hookup. Each campsite has a picnic table and grill and there are clean shower blocks near-by. On-site facilities include Wi-Fi, picnic pavilion and volleyball and there is a birding trail to explore.
Blue Springs State Park, 2595 AL-10, Clio, AL 36017, Phone: 800-252-7275
Chickasaw State Park
If you are planning to explore Alabama’s Black Belt Birding Trail or go hunting in the Black Belt area, you can bring along your tent or RV and spend a night or two camping under the stars at the Chickasaw State Park. The campground offers three RV sites with water and electricity hook up, as well as several primitive campsites with water and electricity. There are restrooms (but no showers) and several picnic areas with grills. Campers and day-trippers can enjoy walking and wildlife watching, a large open space for children to let off steam and a playground and wading pool for younger visitors.
Chickasaw State Park, 36955 U.S. Highway 43, Gallion, AL 36742, Phone: 334-295-8230
Chilatchee Creek Campground
The popular Chilatchee Creek Campground is perfectly positioned alongside the Dannelly Reservoir on Chilatchee Creek, where it offers direct access to a host of outdoor recreational activities. You will need to book your campsite well in advance as the 33 family sites are very popular. Each campsite offers electrical hookup and facilities include rest rooms and showers, laundry facilities and a dump station. Activities within the campground include access to miles and miles of lake shore for hiking and bird watching as well as excellent fishing and boating. In addition, there is a boat ramp, fish-cleaning station and a children’s playground.
Chilatchee Creek Campground, 2267 Chilatchee Creek Rd, Alberta, AL 36720, Phone: 334-573-2562, website
Coleman Lake Campground and Recreation Area
Scenically tucked into the heart of the Talladega Mountains, the Coleman Lake Recreational Area is a great place to go camping. The campground has 39 spacious campsites with water and electrical hookup and bathhouses. There are 29 picnic units where you can enjoy your alfresco meals and the 21-acre lake offers fishing, non-motorized boating and swimming. Other water sports include canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding. If you enjoy hiking you can pull on your boots and set off to explore part of the Pinhoti Trail, which can be accessed from the campground. Bird and other wildlife watching is good and the scenery is pretty amazing.
Coleman Lake Campground, Fruithurst, AL 36262, Phone: 256-463-2272
Conecuh National Forest
The Conecuh National Forest offers a good selection of outdoor recreational activities for both day trippers and campers. Campers should head to the Open Pond Recreation Area where the campground is located. The campground offers scenic views of the lake and has both primitive and serviced campsites with water and electrical hook up. Wherever you set up camp you will have easy access to boating, fishing, hiking and cycling. The Open Pond area has 6 hiking trails including the 6.3-mile Blue Spring Loop Trail and some much shorter family-friendly trails. Mountain bikers can have fun exploring the 5.9-mile Bear Lake Loop mountain biking trail.
Conecuh National Forest, Tower Rd, Andalusia, AL 36420, Phone: 334-222-2555
Corinth Recreation Area
Open from March to October, the Corinth Recreation Area is a popular camping destination on Lake Lewis Smith in the Bankhead National Forest. Here you can spend your days exploring the extensive shoreline of the lake or enjoying some excellent bass fishing. The campground offers spacious campsites with water and electrical hookup and all the on-site picnic areas and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Families love the large shady campsites and the easy access to the swimming beach and boat ramp. The campsite is also your gateway to the popular hiking trails in the Sipsey Wilderness which is known for its many waterfalls, bluffs and canyons.
Corinth Campground, Double Springs, AL 35553
De Soto State Park
Perfectly positioned at the summit of beautiful Lookout Mountain in Northeast Alabama, the De Soto State Park offers a rustic outdoor recreational area set against the backdrop of Nature at its finest. There is a large variety of accommodation options within the park and campers can choose between the Improved Campground (which offers 94 campsites with full hookup) or opt to set up camp in one of the 18 primitive camp sites. The Improved Campground offers additional little luxuries like centrally situated restrooms, showers and coin-operated laundry rooms, and can accommodate any size of RV in both pull-through and back-in campsites.
De Soto State Park, 7104 De Soto Pkwy, NE Fort Payne, AL 35967, Phone: 256-845-5075
Florala State Park
Scenically located on the shores of Lake Jackson, where it straddles the Alabama/Florida border, Florala State Park covers over 500 acres of outdoor recreational space. The park has a total of 34 campsites of which 28 offer full hookup for your RV. The other 8 sites are primitive sites suitable for tents. Each of the campsites has picnic table and outdoor fire ring and the campground boasts showers, flushing toilets and a laundry room. There is plenty to do in the park including swimming, canoeing and kayaking on the lovely spring-fed lake. Visitors who prefer to stay on land can enjoy hiking, biking, bird-watching and walking trails.
Florala State Park, 514 Lakeshore Drive, Florala, Alabama, 36422, Phone: 334-858-6425
Frank Jackson State Park
Lake Jackson is rumored to offer excellent fishing, which is the main draw-card for visitors to the Frank Jackson State Park. If you would like to spend some time getting back to nature (and catching a big one), you can pack up your tent or RV and come and spend a few nights under the stars at the on-site campground. The campground has everything you need for a relaxing family camping trip including 32 RV campsites with full hookup, Wi-Fi and cable service. If you are not into fishing you can enjoy swimming or boating on the lake, take a nature walk or go hiking.
Frank Jackson State Park, 100 Jerry Adams Dr, Opp, AL 36467, Phone: 334-493-6933
Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park is a wonderful camping destination for all outdoor enthusiasts and is especially good for families. The park offers a sensational two-mile beach where children of all ages can have hours of fun and the campground is particularly spacious and can accommodate all sizes of RV’s on full hookup camping pads. You will have space to open up your pull-outs and all campsites have picnic tables and grill tops. Facilities at the campground include modern air-conditioned bathhouses, a swimming pool and splash pad, a camp store and a variety of fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Park activities include swimming, paddling, fishing, hiking and biking.
Gulf State Park, 20115 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, Phone: 251-948-7275
Honeycomb Campground
Picturesquely nestled along the shores of Lake Guntersville, the Honeycomb Campground is a popular outdoor recreational area near Grant, AL. Provided you book in advance, you can spend your weekend or vacation getting back to nature at one of 35 new lake-side campsites, all of which have electric and water hookups. The campground has a lovely marina where boat rentals are available – you can simply tour the lake or try your hand at catching your dinner. On-site activities include canoeing and kayaking, hiking and trekking and, of course, fishing. Campground facilities include modern, private showers, a camp store and a laundry room.
Honeycomb Campground, 188 Campground Rd, Grant, AL 35747, Phone: 256-582-9884
Joe Wheeler State Park
If you are looking for a camping destination which offers more than just the usual handful of facilities you need look no further than the Joe Wheeler State Park near Rogersville. The park is located along the shores of Wheeler Lake and offers visitors a host of resort-style activities to keep you busy from dawn to dusk. You can set up camp in one of 110 campsites with full hookup, surrounded by beautiful shady trees or get back to nature at one of the primitive campsites. Facilities within the park include an 18-hole championship golf course, a full-service marina, fishing, hiking trails, a park lodge with restaurant and much more.
Joe Wheeler State Park, 4401 McLean Dr, Rogersville, AL 35652, Phone: 800-544-5639
Lake Guntersville State Park
Scenically located on 6,000 acres of woodland along the banks of the Tennessee River, Lake Guntersville State Park is an ideal destination for campers. The campground offers both RV and tent camping with water and electrical hookups and there are good shower rooms and laundry facilities. Lake Guntersville State Park offers activities for everyone – you can start off by exploring some of the 38 miles of hiking trails – including the Benny Bobo accessible multi-use trail. There is an 18-hole golf course, a marina offering boat rentals, a fishing center and a beach complex. The lodge offers two restaurants so you can have a break from cooking.
Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976, Phone: 256-571-5440
Lake Lurleen State Park
For a great back-to-nature camping vacation which offers a wide variety of activities for active families, Lake Lurleen State Park is hard to beat. The park covers around 1,600 acres and offers at least 23 miles of multi-use lake-shore trails for walkers, hikers and bikers. The campground at this park is modern and boasts facilities like an activity building (for the odd rainy day), children’s playgrounds, picnic areas and bath houses. You can park your RV on a spacious lake-side site – most have both electric and water hook up. The boat house offers rentals so that everyone can have fun on the lake and there is also a fishing pier for avid anglers.
Lake Lurleen State Park, 13226 Lake Lurleen Rd, Coker, AL 35452, Phone: 205-339-1558
Little River Canyon National Preserve
The Little River Canyon winds its way through the Southern Appalachians, forming a wondrous landscape of forests, streams, waterfalls, cliffs and pools. The terrain offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities including excellent white-water rafting, rock climbing, swimming, paddling and hiking. You need at least a few days to fully appreciate all the preserve has to offer, so campers can bring their tent or RV to the Little River RV Park and Campground, which is located just outside the Preserve. Here you will find 24 campsites with full hookup, toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, cable TV and a laundry. Sites can accommodate RV’s up to 60-ft.
Little River RV Park and Campground, 1357 Co Rd 261, Fort Payne, AL 35967, Phone: 256-619-2267
Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve
The Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve offers a great destination for family camping trips. The preserve welcomes visitors to enjoy a wide variety of fun activities for all ages, including swimming, tubing, canoeing and kayaking. If you prefer to keep your feet dry you can set off to explore the hiking, biking and horse-back riding trails. Perhaps you just need to kick back and relax on the beach or do some bird-watching – the preserve has something for everyone. The campground is very comfortable and you can park your RV in one of 47 sites with full electrical, water and sewer hookup. Bike, kayak and canoe rentals are available on site.
Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve, 4 Big Creek Rd, Atmore, AL 36502, Phone: 251-446-3423
Miller’s Ferry Campground
Open year round for camping, the Miller’s Ferry Campground is set along the shores of the scenic Dannelly Reservoir. The lake covers 27 square miles and there is nearly 500 miles of shoreline waiting to be explored. Hiking along the lake-side trails is one of the most popular activities, followed by boating, fishing and seasonal hunting. The campground is comfortable, offering 42 paved family camp sites with electrical hookup and TV stations throughout. Other very user-friendly facilities include clean showers and rest rooms and dump station and a laundry room. Each of the camp sites has a picnic table and fire ring and drinking water is available on site.
Miller’s Ferry Campground, 111 E Bank Park Rd, Camden, AL 36726, Phone: 334-682-4191
Oak Mountain State Park
Oak Mountain is Alabama’s largest State Park, covering a massive 9,940 acres of outdoor recreational wonderland. This award-winning park has something to offer every single visitor, regardless of your preference for outdoor activities. Golfers can tee-up on “The Oaks” Golf Course, children will love the Alabama Wildlife Center and everyone can enjoy walking, hiking and boating. In addition, the park offers archery, falconry, a wide range of water sports and a treetop nature trail. You can park your RV in one of 94 serviced campsites or bring along your tent and get back to nature at one of 66 tent sites. Camping is very popular in this park and you need to reserve your campsite in advance.
Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, Phone: 205-620-2520
Rickwood Caverns State Park
The main attraction at the Rickwood Caverns State Park is the enormous cathedral-like cave which was carved out of the ocean bed more than 260 million years ago. However, there are also a host of other family-friendly activities for both day trippers and campers. You can set up camp at one of 13 serviced (electric and water hookup) camp sites or just bring along your tent and spend a night or two under the stars at one of the primitive camp sites. Campers who spend at least one night in the campground get a reduced-price guided cave tour. The other most popular park attractions are the Olympic-sized swimming pool (and a kiddies pool), children’s playground and hiking trails.
Rickwood Caverns State Park, 370 Rickwood Park Rd, Warrior, AL 35180, Phone: 205-647-9692
Roland Cooper State Park
If you are looking for a well-maintained, peaceful riverside campground to park your RV for a few nights the Roland Cooper State Park could be just what you are looking for. Located on the Alabama River near Camden, the park has 47 paved RV sites with water, electrical and sewer hookup. There are also 14 primitive sites for tent campers. Each of the camp sites has a picnic table and a fire pit. On-site activities include canoeing and kayaking, fishing or setting off to explore the hiking and biking trails. Children can have fun playing volleyball or basketball and the marina offers boat and kayak rentals.
Roland Cooper State Park, 285 Deer Run Dr, Camden, AL 36726, Phone: 334-682-4838
Shady Acres Campground
Whether you are coming to Mobile to attend a special event or whether you are just looking for a pleasant campground for a few days of rest and relaxation, the Shady Acres Campground is a great option. The campground boasts pull-through, full hookup campsites which can accommodate even the largest RV’s and home-from-home facilities like hot showers and bathhouses, a laundry facility and free Wi-Fi. There is an on-site boat ramp onto the Dog River where you can enjoy some great fishing. Birding enthusiasts will find plenty to smile about as the area surrounding Shady Acres attracts thousands of migrating birds each year.
Shady Acres Campground, 2500 Old Military Rd, Mobile, AL 36605, Phone: 251-478-0013
Talladega National Forest
The beautiful Talladega National Forest is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The forest has several primitive camping areas as well as two RV campgrounds where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The first campground is located on Coleman Lake and has been described above. The second campground is located in the Payne Lake Recreation Area and offers visitors 76 attractive developed camp sites along the edge of the lake. This part of the forest is open to the public all year round and you can spend some blissful days enjoying hiking trails, boating, fishing and swimming. Many other Talladega Forest activities are available close by.
Payne Lake Recreation Area, 581 Co Rd 71, Moundville, AL 35474, Phone: 205-926-9765
Best Campgrounds in Alabama: Turnipseed Campground
The Turnipseed Campground is a primitive Talladega Forest camping destination which welcomes visitors from March to November each year. This one is for the hard-core camper who wants to spend some time getting back to nature without any frills. Each of the 8 designated primitive camp sites has a picnic table, fire pit and grill, but you will need to bring in everything you need for your outdoor adventure. There are pit toilets on site but no running water or showers. The campground is located close to the Cheaha Wilderness Area and the main activities are hiking and bird watching – there is direct access to the popular Pinhoti trail.
Turnipseed Campground, AL-281, Lineville, AL 36266, Phone: 256-362-2909
