RV camping near Arab, Alabama offers options with varying levels of proximity to lakes, forests, and small towns. The area sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at elevations between 700-1100 feet, creating terrain that ranges from gently rolling hills to steeper wooded areas. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while winters see occasional freezes that can affect water hookups at certain campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing at Smith Lake: Thousand Trails Hidden Cove provides direct lake access for anglers. "This is a nice campground that is adding a lot of new sites. The older sites seem to be mostly 30 amp, FHU. They do have some 50 amp, and it looks like all the new sites are 50 amp. You are right on the lake with a good view," notes one visitor.
Explore Little River Canyon: Little River RV Park & Campground serves as a convenient base for visiting this natural attraction. "This campground is in a great location with amazing trails, history stops, waterfalls, and more located very close by," explains a camper. Sites are uneven but manageable, with most having partial shade.
Golfing opportunities: Quail Creek RV Resort connects to a golf course that receives substantial local traffic. "We played a round of golf and were surprised that the course is not very well maintained, but it does get a lot of play. The CG and the golf course are actually separate entities even though they are co-located," reports a reviewer who spent time at the facility.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Redstone Arsenal RV Park maintains well-kept common areas despite having no shade. "They have Laundry. Showers and bath. Full hook up. No trees for shade," states one camper. Access requires military ID, making this a specialized option for eligible visitors.
Lake activities: Greensport RV Park and Campground offers multiple water-based recreational options. "Playground for the kids, dog park, swimming pool, boating and fishing. Great staff and guests. Clean laundry and restrooms," shares a long-term guest who stayed for nine months. The campground features 179 sites with varying proximity to the water.
Quiet environment: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting at several area campgrounds. "We stayed here for a month to visit the area. The park is exceptionally well kept and the people we met were very friendly and helpful. The park is predominantly full time sites but they keep many open for daily camping," notes a visitor to Georgia Mountain RV Resort.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. "I had no reception with Verizon but my AT&T hotspot had good reception," reports a camper at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove. Many campgrounds compensate with WiFi access points, though quality differs based on location within each property.
Gate access restrictions: Some campgrounds implement security measures that affect late arrivals. "If you are out after 9pm the gate will be closed. Make sure you check your email or text messages as the gate is opened with a QR code that is sent to you. This is not explained very well in the welcoming documents," advises a camper at Greensport RV Park.
Road navigation challenges: The Cove RV Resort offers convenient highway access but requires attention to internal roads. "The negatives are when it rains the roads are a mess," mentions one reviewer. Several campgrounds in the area have similar issues with gravel or dirt access roads that become problematic in wet weather.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Palomino RV Resort offers water recreation specifically designed for families. "The park was very clean and the employees were super nice. There was a swimming pond, a fishing pond, basketball & tennis court, fire pit, picnic tables. They had some really neat buddy camp sites," explains a visitor who stopped for a short stay.
Playground conditions: Check recent reviews for current playground status at various campgrounds. "We stayed close to the park, mini golf, and horse shoes since we have a child. The wood on the playground needs to be replaced and the grass really needed cut. There were no horse shoes to play and no golf stuff," notes a family who visited Little River RV Park & Campground.
Planned activities: Greensport RV Park organizes regular events for younger campers. "Had a great time camping this weekend at Greensport campground. This was our first time camping my wife and I and our 9 year old grand daughter. The staff were very helpful, lots of planned activities for the kids," shares a first-time camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: When booking at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove, be aware of lake visibility factors. "Sadly every spot you might be able to see the lake from was already taken by what seems to be someone living there full time. Not many even close to level spots," warns a visitor, highlighting the importance of advance reservations for prime locations.
Travel distances for supplies: Plan ahead for grocery runs when staying at more remote campgrounds. "Very hot, humid and rainy time of year! Would be back in the fall perhaps. Nearest Walmart is Cullman which is 45 mins away," advises an RVer who stayed at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove during summer months.
Power concerns: Monitor electrical connections during peak usage periods. "We did have some issues but I was able to verify with the grounds electrician that the low voltage issue was due to Alabama electric and not the camp ground," explains a camper at Greensport, noting that regional power grid issues can affect RV systems regardless of campground quality.
