Monte Sano State Park sits atop a mountain at 1,621 feet, providing cooler temperatures than surrounding areas near Baileyton, Alabama. The park has limited tree cover in some areas due to tornado damage in 2011-2012, which affects shade availability during summer months. The glamping options around Baileyton feature diverse styles including yurts, canvas tents, and climate-controlled structures with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Guntersville State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access with boat slip rentals available. "We had a great time. Very clean place and great fishing!" notes Collin D., who gave the park a 5-star rating.
Mountain biking trails: Monte Sano State Park features technical trails for all skill levels. A visitor observed, "The hiking is moderate to extreme up and down some interesting rock formations. The mountain bikers and bikers seem to enjoy themselves too, flying down the closed roadway or the steep roadways and challenging themselves on the rocky terrain."
Water recreation: Honeycomb Campground provides multiple water activities with beach access. According to M&P M., "My kids did love the beach front entrance that was built for lake access and swimming. The camp store was well supplied. The staff was also great!"
What campers like
Natural features: Many glamping accommodations near Baileyton offer remarkable water views. "We stayed in site 17 on the Fox loop. It's right on the water and couldn't have been more perfect!!" says Rebekah C. about Clear Creek Recreation Area, adding "There's even a beach nearby for people to swim, if you like lake swimming!"
Bath facilities: Clean bath facilities are consistently mentioned as a plus. According to Jordan P., "The restrooms and showers are very clean. 10/10 would recommend." The bathhouses at Honeycomb Campground feature "individual rooms with locking door which is really nice for security," notes Farmer Family.
Site spacing: While some campgrounds have tightly packed sites, others offer more privacy. At Clear Creek Recreation Area, "The lots were beautifully wooded and spacing between each site was adequate," reports M&P M., who appreciated the lake access from perimeter sites.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Several campgrounds have experienced tornado damage that affected tree coverage. Emily C. notes about Lake Guntersville, "We like a bit more trees, which they had until a tornado came through in 2011 or 12. There is not a lot of privacy; but we love to SUP, which was great there."
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially for waterfront locations. Malissa R. advises, "Book in advance, water sites are hard to come by in the summer!"
Seasonal considerations: While many glamping sites operate year-round, peak season runs March through October. At Corinth Recreation Area, Thomas H. noted, "Beach & Bath houses were closed due to COVID-19" during their off-season visit, though full hookups remained available.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: The Cove RV Resort provides family-friendly amenities including fishing ponds and swimming pools. A visitor mentioned, "There is a nice pool and fishing pond," making it suitable for families seeking structured recreation.
Kid-friendly spaces: Several glamping locations offer dedicated areas for children. At TGL Adventures, a visitor commented, "Nice playground for the kids as well. We plan on staying and would highly recommend."
Safety features: Secure campgrounds are important for families. Sharon H. described Honeycomb Campground as a "very safe campground on Guntersville Lake" with "good roads (gravel) for the kiddos to ride bikes on."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers should consider site size and access when glamping near Baileyton. At River Rocks Landing, one camper noted, "The sites around the water are very large and beautiful, so I'm referring to the interior ones. Ours would have been narrow for a pop up."
Hookup limitations: Not all glamping sites offer full hookups. Jaime W. points out, "The only downside is that they do not have sewer hookups" at Honeycomb Campground, which offers electric and water but requires use of dump stations.
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges at some locations. An RVer at The Cove RV Resort observed, "The negatives are when it rains the roads are a mess," suggesting caution during wet weather.
