Alabama Camping: The Best Parks, Rivers, and Wilderness Areas

Alabama is a camper’s dream, offering diverse landscapes from sandy Gulf Coast beaches to serene forested mountains and sparkling rivers. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly campsite, an RV site with all the amenities, or a rugged wilderness adventure, Alabama’s top camping spots deliver unforgettable outdoor experiences. 

Here’s your guide to the state’s finest campgrounds, packed with tips and essential gear recommendations.

Top 10 Camping Destinations in Alabama 

1. Gulf State Park

This campground is the perfect spot for those wanting to visit the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast, located just 1.5 miles away. It offers 496 improved full-hookup campsites with paved pads for RVs and tents and 8 primitive tent-only sites. All campsites have picnic tables and pedestal grill tops. 

There are 11 air-conditioned bathhouses, laundry facilities, a camp store, a swimming pool with splash pad, and horseshoe, tennis, pickleball, and volleyball courts. It also offers easy access to 28 miles of nature trails, and the Nature Center offers native flora and fauna displays and ongoing weekly activities.

Bring the EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank when hiking to recharge your phone so you can keep using your trail maps and taking lots of great photos. 

• Full hookup pads are ~45′ to ~65′ long, with room for RVs with pullouts.
• Book your reservation online or by phone at (251) 948-7275 ext 1.
• Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash at all times. 
• Quiet Hours are enforced from 10:00 pm until 6:00 am. However, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus is a small solar generator without a motor. Hence, it’s ultra-quiet, and there is no need to worry about noise restrictions.  

2. Blue Springs State Park

Blue Springs in southeastern Alabama offers modern and primitive campsites in a wooded rural atmosphere close to the St. John’s River. It’s the perfect place to beat the summer heat in the swimming pools fed by a crystal-clear underground spring that remains a cool 68 degrees year-round. 

Each site has a picnic table, grill, and campfire, and 47 modern campsites offer water and electrical hookups, with 7 also offering sewer. Sites can accommodate back-in and pull-through RVs. All sites have access to clean restrooms with a shower and guest laundry. 

• Book reservations online or by phone at 334-397-4875.
• Minimum stays are 2 nights on weekends and 3 nights on major holidays. 
• Monthly rates are available. 

3. Bohamia – Glamp/RV/Camp

Bohamia Campground is located in Talladega with easy access to the 392,000 acres of Talladega National Forest and less than ten miles from the Pinhoti trail in the Cheaha Wilderness area for easy access to outdoor adventures. They also offer miles of trails on their 268-acre property, a 5-acre pond with fish and swimming, open fields, and a beautiful boulder-strewn creek.  

The best part is it offers something for every style camper, from picturesque primitive sites to RV spots with power and water and luxury glamping with private decks and luxurious beds. Modern bathhouses with private showers and toilet rooms are available next to glamping and RV sites; portlets are available elsewhere. 

• RV spots do not have sewer hookups and no dump station. 
• Depending on the site, the cost ranges from $30 to $159 per night.
• Reservations can be booked on Hipcamp. 

4. Rickwood Caverns State Park

Rickwood Caverns is located north of Birmingham and offers something different for those seeking above and below-ground adventures. The cave is located within the state park and is a popular destination, especially when looking for something to do on a rainy day. However, be aware that there are many stairs for those with mobility issues. 

The small campsite has 13 well-developed sites with water and 30/50 amp electricity that accommodates trailers and motor homes up to 40ft long and 5 primitive sites for tents only. Restrooms are available, but showers are seasonal. There is also a dump station for RVs. 

The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Solar Generator (PV45W) is perfect for any camper, especially those camping in vans, since it’s lightweight and compact and comes with an efficient 45W solar panel for quick recharging. 

• Discounted cave admission is available to campers.
• You can book reservations online or call 205-647-9696.
• Monthly rates are available from December through February.

5. Bates Farm

Bates Farm in Decatur is a magical escape with adventure and fantasy blended with the beauty of nature. This primitive campground was designed with a whimsical theme, complete with forest gnomes, and is perfect for family getaways, weddings, festivals, and gatherings. Campsites have no electricity, but some RV sites have water. All sites have picnic tables, campfires, and access to restrooms. 

They offer a 3D archery range that challenges your skills for experienced archers or newbies trying it for their first time. They also offer nature academy classes to teach native plants, animals, and outdoor survival skills. Not far away, you have easy access to the Tennessee River for boating and fishing, or head further west to enjoy hiking in the Sipsey Wilderness area. 

Bring the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series, a portable solar generator for on-site power to keep your devices charged and run lights at night. 

Summer camping can get hot, but the EcoFlow WAVE 2 Portable Air Conditioner will keep you cool for up to 8 hours wirelessly and can be recharged with AC, DC, or portable solar panels. For those adventuresome types camping in winter, it doubles as a heater to stay warm on chilly nights!   

• Tent and RV sites are $27 per night. 
• Reservations can be made online at Hipcamp.
• Pets are welcome and can be off-leash at some sites.  

6. Top Trails

Top Trails is the ultimate destination for all OHV enthusiasts, centrally located between Birmingham and Atlanta, near the I-20. It offers challenging off-road trails for quads, side-by-sides, and single-track bikes that wind through more than 2,800 acres. With riding conditions for a wide range of OHVs, riding styles, and skill levels, including a safe Kiddie Track for the kids, this park is one of the top off-road trail destinations in the South. 

They also offer cabins, full hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and 50-amp electricity, and primitive tent camping options, all with easy access to the trail system. Within a short drive, you can also head to the Coosa River for fishing and swimming.

• Campground quiet time is from 11 pm to 6 am
• Cabins are $145, RV sites are $45, and primitive camping is $25.
• Event rates apply during special events. 

7. Chewacla State Park

Chewacla is the perfect stopover between Montgomery and Atlanta, less than 3 miles off the I-85. It offers 9 primitive and 36 modern campsites in a scenic setting with plenty of privacy trees. Modern sites can accommodate motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels up to 60’, some accommodating pull-throughs, and all offer gravel pads, water, sewage, 30/50 Amp electricity, and satellite television. Temperature-controlled bathhouses with showers, changing areas, sinks, and flush toilets are available. 

• You can book reservations online. 
• To use satellite TV, you must run a coaxial cable straight to your TV. 
• A camp store offers firewood, ice, souvenirs, drinks, and snacks.

8. Oak Mountain State Park

Oak Mountain offers 60 primitive sites, 84 modern sites, and an equestrian campground in a large cul-de-sac bordering Beaver Lake and surrounded by majestic Longleaf Pines. This popular campground is a favorite family getaway to enjoy nature with easy access to hiking trails. 

Primitive campsites have tent pads, fire pits, picnic tables, and grills with access to nearby water. Modern campsites have additional amenities, including water and electricity hookups, and may come with or without sewer. Bathhouses and laundry services are also available. 

• Book your reservations online.
• Dogs are allowed but not in buildings or beaches; they must remain on a leash. 
• An off-leash dog park is also available. 

9. Wind Creek State Park

Whether traveling with the family or solo camping, this site offers excellent amenities to enjoy your stay. It’s one of the largest state-operated campgrounds in the United States, with 586 campsites hugging the shores of Lake Martin not far from the Tallapoosa River. All sites offer water and electrical hookups, and 286 have sewer hookups. They also have premium sites with 16’ by 60’ concrete pads and TV service. 

Many sites offer waterfront locations where you can launch your boat, and all sites have easy access to the lake. Several bathhouses and laundry facilities are available, and the park also offers zipline tours, fishing, boating, an archery range, horseback riding, and picnic pavilions.

• Reservations can be made online. 
• Rates vary and are for 1-4 people. Up to 8 people can stay in a site for an additional $2.20 per person. 
• One extra tent is allowed for dependent children for an additional $5.50 per night. 

10. Lake Lurleen State Park

This park offers 4 primitive sites and 91 modern campsites overlooking the scenic 250-acre natural lake. All campsites have water, a picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. Modern sites have 30/50 Amp electricity, 29 sites also have sewer hookups, and 20 have wooden decks. A sewage dump station is available, and there are 3 bathhouses. 

You can swim in the lake or easily access the boat launch to explore the tranquil waters. Over 23 miles of easy-to-moderate multi-use trails are also available for enjoying the wilderness. 

• Boat launch fees are included in camping fees.
• A boater’s license may be required. 
• Fishers need an Alabama Fishing License.
• Pets are welcome in the park but not the beaches or swimming areas.

What To Pack for an Alabama Camping Trip

• Always plan for rain, bringing a quality tent with a good rain fly, a raincoat, and boots.
• Camp stove and cooking utensils
• Firestarter
• Loose-fitting clothing for summer and layered clothes for the rest of the year 
• Sunscreen and sunhats
• Mosquito netting and repellant   
• Water bottles for hiking 
• Camera
• A portable power station for sites without power

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Alabama’s camping scene offers something for everyone, from Gulf State Park’s pristine shores to the lovely nature trails of Lake Lurleen State Park. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or a family camper, these destinations blend natural beauty, convenience, and excitement. 

Don’t forget to gear up with essentials like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series portable power station to make your camping trips more comfortable and sustainable. Plan your adventure today and experience the best of Alabama’s outdoors.