Auburn, Alabama sits at an elevation of around 650 feet above sea level in the east-central part of the state, characterized by gently rolling hills and mixed pine and hardwood forests. The camping region experiences four distinct seasons with average summer temperatures between 75-92°F and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Local campgrounds typically remain open year-round with most facilities experiencing peak demand during Auburn University's football season.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Chewacla State Park Campground offers extensive mountain biking opportunities with trails ranging from beginner to advanced. "Many areas have killed mtb trails to ride, worth a sniff," notes one visitor, while another mentions the "amazing mountain bike trials" available throughout the park.
Waterfall hiking: The waterfall trail at Chewacla State Park Campground is accessible for most ability levels. A visitor describes, "Many hiking trails, including a waterfall trail are inside the gate checkpoint." The trail loops around a lake and leads to a man-made waterfall built by the CCC that doubles as a dam.
Lake activities: Wind Creek State Park Campground provides numerous water-based activities on Lake Martin. "Boat rentals include two different places. The marina for motorized jon boats and pontoon boats. You can rent these for 4-48 hours," explains one camper. Non-motorized options like pedal boats and canoes are available at the Creem Shop.
Adventure activities: Beyond standard camping, some parks offer additional recreational options. At Wind Creek, "They have a zip line and tree line adventure course, mini-golf, a beach area for swimming, and plenty of fishing spots," according to one review, making it suitable for visitors seeking more structured activities.
What campers like
Full hookup convenience: Many campers appreciate the full-service sites available near Auburn. At Spring Villa Campground, visitors enjoy "Full Hookups, easy entry, paved sites, Quiet park." Another camper at Chewacla noted, "Nice campground with large, level, full hookup sites. Site 15 is easy back in and large."
Proximity to town: Campgrounds in the Auburn area offer convenient access to urban amenities while maintaining natural settings. "The park is close to town, meaning abundance of food options and cheap gas," reports a Chewacla visitor. Another camper staying at University Station RV Resort mentioned being "near a university" with "perfect accessibility to local attractions."
Scenic water sites: Waterfront camping options provide popular settings for outdoor recreation. At R. Shaefer Heard Campground, "We had spot 96 and we tent camped. The spot was recommended in another review and it was wonderful. Right beside the water so the kids were able to play in the water most of the time." Wind Creek also features premium waterfront sites with electric, water, and sewer connections.
Historical elements: Spring Villa Campground offers unique historical features beyond natural attractions. "There's a haunted antebellum mansion, a hiking trail and a huge picnic area and playground," explains one camper. This adds cultural interest to the standard outdoor activities available at most parks.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Football season drastically affects campground availability. "We spent two days here and was assigned to site #10 of the 1st loop," noted a Chewacla visitor who added they secured their spot through a "quick call in for same day reservations." Some campgrounds require codes for entry, as one camper at Auburn RV Park at Leisure Time Campground explained: "In order to get in the campground, you have to have a code texted to you, no other way in!"
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts differ significantly in terms of privacy and space. At Spring Villa, sites are "large, level, full hookup" while Wind Creek sites are described as "close together" despite being in a forested setting. Bar-W RV Park sites are notable for their size, with one camper commenting, "Each site is quite large, I've never seen such large campsites before."
Facility conditions: Bathroom and shower facilities vary in quality and maintenance across area campgrounds. One camper at Auburn RV Park reported "Nasty restrooms" with "trash all over floor, showers that didn't look to have cleaned in quite some time," while Wind Creek's bathhouses were described as "large and very well taken care of."
Connectivity considerations: Internet and cell service differ by location. At Wind Creek, one visitor noted, "WiFi works great in our section as well if you need that. Speed test showed 10Mbps on my device and I had no issues streaming 4K on a Roku TV." Meanwhile, at Lakeside RV Park, a disappointed camper reported, "The website advertises free high speed wifi and cable. The park has NEITHER."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Wind Creek State Park Campground offers numerous child-friendly water activities. "The lake is a great place for swimming, boating, fishing. Sites are very open to each other but a lot of shade," reports one family. The swimming area includes "a swim platform which has an elevated diving board about 10 to 12 feet high."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Spring Villa offers "a huge picnic area and playground," while Wind Creek has "playgrounds throughout the campground" making it easier for families to find recreation near their sites.
Budget-friendly alternatives: For families on a tight budget, Whippoorwill Vineyards offers free basic camping. "Great for one night stays. I called 24 hrs in advance, since I have a car it was no problem to find a spot," writes one visitor. The location requests small purchases from their winery in exchange for free overnight stays.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds provide learning experiences alongside recreation. Wind Creek offers "church services on Sunday morning," while Spring Villa features a historic mansion with local significance. These additions can enhance a family camping trip with cultural or educational components.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: RVers recommend researching specific site layouts before booking. At R. Shaefer Heard Campground, one camper advised, "Reserved out spot long in advance to get a spot on the lake, please do like all campgrounds all sites are not created equal. Most all are concrete pads and level but if your camper is over 25' or so length may cause a problem."
Utility reliability: Power and water hookups vary in quality across the region. At Wind Creek, premium sites offer "50 amp service, water, sewer, cable and waterfront access," providing comprehensive hookups for larger rigs. Bar-W RV Park, described as a "working farm," offers reliable full hookups with "owners live on property and are very helpful."
Gate hours: Pay attention to campground access restrictions. One R. Shaefer Heard visitor warned, "They lock the gate at 10, sharp," which could impact late arrivals or evening activities off-site. Spring Villa's manager was noted as "wonderful" for assistance with after-hours needs.
