Looking to cabin camp near Birmingham and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? Find the best cabin camping near Birmingham. From secluded to easy-to-reach, these Alabama cabin rentals are perfect for any adventurer.
From its humble beginning as a 940-acre park atop Double Oak Mountain established by the Alabama State Lands Act of 1927, Oak Mountain State Park has grown to 9,940 acres making it Alabama’s largest state park. With the largest land-area, one of the widest varieties of outdoor activities of any state park, and its proximity to Birmingham, Oak Mountain is a perfect stop while traveling to and from the state’s largest city. Topping it all off is the park’s stunning physical landscape, which alone makes for an unforgettable experience.
Oak Mountain State Park has once again been awarded the coveted "Certificate of Excellence" from Tripadvisor!
Hidden Cove RV Resort is a wonderful, family-friendly, lakefront getaway with first class amenities. Bring your RV, or stay in one of Hidden Cove RV Resort 's affordable rentals. Relax by our inviting pool or bring your boat. Smith Lake is world-famous for its fishing and perfect for water sports too. At our Thousand Trails North Alabama RV campground , you can take in the gorgeous lake view right from the campground. There are plenty of places to explore along Hidden Cove RV Resort's shoreline, as well as local attractions in the area around this North Alabama RV campground. Don't miss weekend shopping at the Cullman Flea Market or natural attractions like the Ave Maria Grotto, Clarkson Covered Bridge, Crooked Creek Civil War Museum, Natural Bridge, waterfall hikes in nearby Bankhead National Forest, and so much more. Come discover this delightful "hidden" treasure in Sweet Home Alabama. North Alabama RV campground on the shores of pristine Lewis Smith Lake Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Hidden Cove RV & Camping Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Welcome overnight backpackers. Please observe these rules for your safety and to help preserve the natural beauty of Oak Mountain State Park.
Overnight backpackers are entitled to camp at a designated backcountry campsite only. Backpackers are not entitled to use the improved campground facilities.
$6 - $18 / night
$5 / night
$10 - $30 / night
$20 - $30 / night
Cullman Campground is a hidden gem in Cullman, Alabama. You'll feel at home in our RV & tiny cabin community as soon as you arrive — close to the interstate but far enough away to be quiet and peaceful.
**Looking for a place to stay during NASCAR races is not always easy. At Talladega PitStop, we provide our customers with tiny homes or RVs that they can rent so that they can enjoy not only the races but also the place and the people.
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Family operators of mobile home parks and short term beach vacation rentals combined with southern hospitality make them the perfect entertaining host for your best NASCAR experience of a life time.
**Visit us on the web: www.talladegapitstop.com**
Open Year round, offering nightly, weekly, and monthly rentals.
$20 - $40 / night
Legend
Update for most recent visit: This is by far the best place to camp near Birmingham and has many different options. I was just there this past weekend and it was so beautiful to see all the fall colors starting to show. My wife and I hiked up to the King’s Chair lookout on this visit and it was such an amazing sight. I would definitely recommend this time of year to visit the park. Make sure to check out my videos that show off some of the great features of the trails. The campground here has several different types of sites including walk in (tent only), RV, and even horse camping. Just make sure to check in advance if they have space since it can fill up in the busy season.
Traveler
*Cabin 3 Stars- Older cabin that had some maintenance and repair issues, generally clean however several minor details needed some cleaning attention, would also benefit from a fresh coat of paint throughout, could use a pressure wash outside *Campground 3 Stars- very peaceful and quiet, nice lake overlook areas, minimal shade, gravel roads *Amenities 3 stars- many amenities yet minimally maintained and showing age and wear *Staff 5 stars- Very friendly, helpful, and responsive
ScoutOak mountain state park has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. There's so much to do; and its always growing. It's the largest state park in Alabama. Theres lakes, waterfalls, nature trails, basket ball court, volley ball, a petting zoo, horses back riding, water sports, dirt bikes trails, BMX course, archery, cabins, primitive camping and rv's , a beach, a wildlife rescue center and so much more. If you're in the area do yourself a favor and check it out.
GuideThe campground is very acceptable. Some RV sites with FHU and some without sewer. Tent sites also. We have camped here many times on many different sites in the B section. Sites mostly level and drain ok when it rains. Campground registration is easy and painless and staff is great. There is a dump station on the way out of the campground. They sell firewood and fill propane. Some sites near/on lake. This campground stays crowded most of the year. FHU sites go first. Campground is 5.5 miles from main entrance.
The rest of the park is amazing. Probably 50 miles of hiking trails. Over 30 miles of biking trails and most are maintained regularly. Also horse/hiking trails and stables. Cabins on semi private lake.
18 hole golf course and is enjoyable and easily walkable.
Marina with kayak,canoe,sup and pedal boat rentals. This has been closed due to covid19 though. You can still rent these at the cable skiing area near back entrance. Picnic tables everywhere.
Archery area with targets and elevated shooting platform.
Pump track and BMX track.
Costs 5$ per person to enter park but included if you are camping.
Will visit again.
LegendThis state campground in the Birmingham AL metro area is a quick getaway for city and suburban dwellers. We were looking for continued warm fall weather on a slow trip north; this met the warmth and fall criteria in late October. The proximity to the city made it a good choice for exploring Birmingham.
Campground as Hotel
We left in the morning and came back in the evening. Using the campground strictly for accommodations worked out well; it wasn't a place where we would have wanted to hang around the campground all day. The large RVs crammed on sites that weren't very large gave us a closed in feeling. We pulled down the shade in our teardrop to avoid the light pollution from the campers who leave ground lights and other decorative lights on all night. (Do they leave their outdoor holiday lights on all night at home?)
Tent Only Sites
The tent only sites are the best feature of this park. You can pitch your tent among the trees away from the RVs packed together in the rest of the park.
There's no power or water at these sites.
These sites are listed as tent only, but the park office attendant told us there were a few where we could fit our vehicle and teardrop. We declined because we thought we'd be too close to the road although we later saw several that would have been fine
Site 42B is the BEST SITE IN THE PARK! You walk down to the site from the parking area, and then there's a great view of the water. I took a photo looking back at the site from the beach area.
Other Sites
All sites not designated tent only have electricity and water. There are some sites with sewer hookup as well as 50 amp power. See site map photo.
Loop A's sites are more spread out than sites in Loop B.
Loop B: B33 was ok. I recommend sticking to the outside of this loop because there are two roads down the center where you'll have sites on both sides, across the road and behind you. Inside the loop seemed crowded because there were large RVs.
Restrooms
Several restrooms are spread throughout the park. They each have a couple toilets and a shower along with hot and cold water in the sinks. Restrooms are clean and a checklist indicates they're inspected 2 or 3 times per day. Everything works fine, but they could use an update inside. If the usage at the end of October is any indication of overall usage, this park is heavily used. It's close to Birmingham which has over a million people, one-fourth of Alabama's population. The state of Alabama should step up and do some renovation.
Site Taxes are HIGH
Be prepared for a significant jump to the cost when taxes are applied. Our campsite fee was a reasonable $22.65/night which included a 15% senior discount. Regular price is $26.65. Taxes and a $4.50 one-time fee were added for a grand total of $85.62 for 3 nights. If you're counting, that's 20+% in taxes.
Things To Do In The Park: boating, fishing, swimming, hiking. You can purchase a detailed hiking map for $1. If you aren't from the area and want to take in some Birmingham history, there are options.
Red Mountain Park has hiking trails along with old iron ore mines. There's an adventure park with zip lining, climbing, etc.
The base of Vulcan, Alabama's entry in the 1904 World's Fair, is the best place to see Birmingham. The museum next to the statue was well done; it provides a history of this steel city.
The park across from the 16th Street Baptist Church (site of the bombing on 9/15/1963 that killed 4 young girls) is a window into the sad part of Birmingham's history. There's also a civil rights museum nearby.
The craft breweries (Good People and Avondale) were good. And great barbecue at Saw. Pizza was good at Post Office Pies but they need to put more basil on a pizza advertised as a white basil pizza, not 5 little scraps.
Traveler
Park has cabins on site, places for rvs, and also areas for tents. There is a beach area and a boat launch. They have pavilions with grills and electrical outlets
Traveler
Simple and enjoyable. Caretaker and author Sunny Eberhart (Nimblewill Nomad ) is wonderful to talk to. Access to southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail. CCC tower and cabins from 1930’s.
ScoutBeautiful park and very well kept. If you can’t find something to do here you aren’t looking. Mountain Biking, road biking and very well payed out lanes. Tents, cabins, pull thoughts for classA’s. Just a beautiful park!!
GuideI've been here a lot over the years and always find something new. There are cabins, RV and tent camping available. There is a bmx area, an aviary, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats. You can fish, ride horses, golf, swim and hike. They have an amphitheater and have lots of concerts, too.
GuideThis is a gem right in the Birmingham area! Oak Mountain is located in the suburbs of Birmingham, but it's surrounded by a vast natural area and a huge lake. I camped right on the lake and it was the perfect place for a midnight swim!
Legend
I went here one summer for camp as a kid and have spent several weekends throughout my life on retreats on the Cosby campus. Although they are not available for everyday campers looking to pitch a tent for the night it is an amazing place to host a retreat. They have many options from cabins to more rustic lodging. They also have wonderful facilities with lots of activities for all different ages. One of the big advantages Camp Cosby has is that they are located right on the river providing easy access for boating and swimming activities.
LegendOak Mountain is a great camping spot for people that want to have a quick escape from the city of Birmingham. It is located only about 20-40 min outside downtown. Oak Mountain has several of options of things to do away from just camping and hiking (which of course are also great to do here). The roads offer a great opportunity for a nice long bike ride. There is a huge lake which is perfect for swimming and family picnics, especially on a hot and humid Alabama summer day. We had a fantastic time camping at Oak Mountain and will definitely be back!
TravelerWe love going to Oak Mountain SP when we are close to Birmingham! Beautiful and peaceful!
TravelerSo I've only camped here in a Tent & RV. There are nice Bathhouses that include Toilets, Urinals, Sinks, Stand-Up Showers & Lights! There is also WiFi and a small beach. And Cabins that are not in the campground area you can camp Primitive campsites, one's with power & water hookups and others w/power, water & sewage and a fire🔥pits in every campsite.and you can bring your own boat as long as you Only Use an electric motor like a trolling motor. There is fishing and pets are allowed. Also certain nights there will be games including bingo for all campers to participate in & win stuff. Every Sunday morning there is an indoor/outdoor Church gathering.
TravelerLove this park, you really forget how close to Birmingham you are. Lot’s to do here, camping , biking, fishing, hiking . So worth a visit if you’ve never been here .
LegendI was very excited to visit Birmingham for my first trip. I didn’t know what to expect out of the city although I have heard several things about it’s long standing history.
One of the most attractive things about this location was that it was close to the Botanical Gardens which I had seen raved about and a lot of top magazines. Southern Living had featured them as one of their southern living gardens and I was very interested in seeing exactly just what that had in store.
Since I am a tent camper finding a location close to a city is sometimes somewhat difficult. However Birmingham location and proximity to this park are very close and that made for the best of both worlds.
While I was at the campground I enjoyed a wonderful tent site that was primitive. They have both primitive and improve sides at the campground and you can pick and choose from either. I enjoy the primitive sites simply because it does save a little bit of money while on one of my budget blog trips this stretches my dollars further and helps me go a little bit farther to the next location. I noticed that the RV sites were plenty long and could accommodate almost any size rig and still have space. There were both pull through and back and sides for both tent campers and RV campers.
The shower house although it was not the most improved our house I have been to was nice and the water pressure was strong. I enjoyed several hiking trails while out at the park during the day and then made my way into Birmingham for the evening.
The community of Birmingham it’s a wonderful place and I truly enjoyed this stop I only hope that I can explore it more on my next trip there. So many things to do while here it was hard to not have a bit more time here.
GuideWhat an amazing campground! Alabama knocked this one out of the park. From the first time you enter the park, which isn’t too far from BHam or the interstate, you’re transported to a different place where things move much more slowly just the way we like it. The campground is a 5 mile ride from the main entrance. A beautiful winding road takes you all the way, deep into the property. If you’re lucky, you will see plenty of wildlife (we saw 7 deer and one rabbit). The campsites are very spacious, we stayed in site A30 which was great! But if you want a view, try A26 which overlooks the lake. There is a general store on property that even has propane. If you’re active, they offer bike and hiking trails, horse riding, kayak and paddle boat rentals, and a couple of beaches. Don’t wait, book your stay here ASAP!
Guide
Great place to get away and relax. Only stayed one night passing through and everyone was super friendly and the park was kept up well.
LegendThis is one of our favorite places to go camping on a regular basis because of how close it is to Birmingham. The campsites are pretty spaced out and have a nice sized space for tent setup. The have a gravel area that makes it easy to keep everything level. This past trip we did something new and camped out in the backcountry. It was amazing since the views in the park are really amazing. When you visit the park make sure to hike up to the overlooks. And if you are willing to get up early you can get one of the most amazing sunrise views.
GuideI really enjoy Smith lake campground it has a lot of great sites. There are plenty of shades sites for summer camping. They have primitive and powered sites with most having picnic tables and some with shared water. It is very affordable and quiet with lots to do. They have canoe rentals, mini golf, pool, and a beach area by the lake. The bathhouses are close by to the powered sites which is really nice. The only drawbacks are the bathhouses at least for the mens side is they need to have a place to hang your shower bag with clothes and toiletries instead of having to sit them on the floor. (Tip now that I've been a couple of times go buy a suction cup hook to hang your bag or towel on). I'll definitely be going back! Note you'll have to check with front office about pool and canoe rentals due to the covid-19. 403 Co Rd 386, Cullman, AL 35057
(256)-739-2916 http://www.cullmancountyparks.com/smithlake.html
TravelerThis campground was a great place to get away! There are a lot of tent sites that are back in the woods for quiet and solitude. The swimming area and dock were a short walk from our campsite. The kids loved it. There are many beautiful trails for hiking. We did the hike to peavine falls! Beautiful!
GuideThis is a must visit park. Plan to stay at least 3 days. The campground is very nice. The bathrooms and showers need some maintenance, but overall it's nice. There are many activities for everyone of all ages and abilities. They have a Gulf course, an interactive farm, wildlife area with animals, water activities with rentals, trails for bicycling and hiking and amazing sites to see.
LegendOak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park. Located just outside of Birmingham, it’s easy to escape to nature without being too far off the beaten path. This park is HUGE! There’s so many things to do here, we plan to return when we have more time to explore!
We saw several hiking trails, a horseback riding area, a golf course, a lake with a beach and swimming area, plus kayak and boats, we also saw some kind of skiing tow rope area! It was really cool, I’d never seen one of those! I read the park is known for mountain biking also, and I noticed a few road bikes in the bike lane driving in.
We originally booked a tent site without electric, but it was blazing hot, so we decided to move to a site with electric so we could have fans in our rooftop tent and ended up in site A06. The site was shaded and there was no one in that area so we had great privacy. Our site backed up to the woods, so it was nice.
The tent (no electric) sites are the best in my opinion. Most are back in the woods and shaded. I don’t believe you can reserve a specific tent site, as they assign you one when you arrive, but there were so many great tent sites, i don’t think it would be a problem unless it was a super busy weekend. Most of the tent sites are walk in also, so if you have a rooftop tent, or car camping, these won’t work.
A loop seemed to have larger, wooded, sites with more privacy. B loop was wide open. The tent sites were great in both loops though.
The restrooms were ancient. They could use some updates, but they were clean and functional, and there were multiple facilities throughout the campground.
There’s a camp store at the check in area, they have the essentials, and they do have ice. The ladies working in there were really nice and helpful too.
Oak Mountain is a great spot to camp, just go when there’s not a heat wave in Alabama, and you have time to explore the park!
RangerOak Mountain State Park has a great campground. Our site was A5 and was a full hook-up, pull-through site. A5 was not the greatest site in the campground, but it was still good. The sites are spaced well apart and all are shaded. The state park has a golf course, stables, 2 beaches, kayak/canoe rentals, bike lane through the park, and lots of trails.
We liked our experience so much that we stayed there on the way home!
RangerWe went camping for 2 nights stayed on lot A14 it’s my personal favorite (it’s a pull through level lot) it was $68. It was close to the bath house and the little beach area and fishing pier. The bath house was heated so nice and toasty in there. There was only one shower stall so don’t know if that would be issue when it’s busier. It had ok shower with super hot water be careful. The bathrooms were clean. We did some geocaching that was nice there was some good ones! Trees for hammocks not a lot of shade on the site but some behind the site. We went ahead and booked for some other future dates to make sure we got that site. Fire bundles were $8 it was quiet and peaceful when we went. Just the getaway we needed. ❤️
GuideHaving visited 3 times now, twice before the renovations and now once after, I can confidently say I love this park! I have previously primitive camped here and now camper at a full hookup RV site. Tent sites range from "water in vicinity," "water at site," and "water and 20 amp power at site." Rv sites are water and electric or full hook up. I think all RV sites are now 50/30/20 but I'm not certain. There is a dump station near the exit of the campground. Sites are mostly level/slight grade but found that not all drain very well when it rains, including our site a17.
The park has so many different activities including -Hiking -Bmx trails -Swimmimg -Archery range And more I can't even remember.
Flip side watersports operates at 2 locations and paid activities include -wake boarding -Aqua Park And rentals of -Kayaks -stand up paddle boards -paddle boats And -Canoes.
There are things to do year round and the weather was great for mid July.
LegendPROS
Senior discount
Reserved 363 days prior to arriving
Very friendly check in staff H
Huge park…very nicely landscaped and neatly mowed
Quiet
Regularly saw ranger driving through campground
A30 level site and nearly full shade coverage
Moveable wooden and metal picnic table
Metal fire pit with cooking grate
Campfire wood for sale at park office
Don’t miss the TREE TOP NATURE TRAIL!
Good food at The Grille at Oak Mountain State Park inside the Pro Shop at The Oaks Golf Course
All major shopping and eateries just beyond the park boundaries in Pelham, Hoover and Birmingham
CONS
$5 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation
Street lights throughout campground
Toilet/shower facility heavily used which badly needs updating
Campground trash dumpsters are beyond the campground gate…not walkable
Poor signage upon entering Park. We stopped at the first building on the right, as it was marked RANGER OFFICE with a large, rig-friendly parking area, but it was not a check-in for campers. Then we went through another gate on the main roadway and it wasn’t the campground check-in either. Campground directional signs after we got through that gate. Glad we didn’t arrive in the dark!
Limited and very tight rig parking at campground gate check-in
No notice by park on the south entrance roadwork and roundabout construction...horribly tight to maneuver... recommend North entrance/exit until construction is completed…that’s how we departed.
Never saw a camp host
No WiFi
2 bars Verizon
Cabin camping near Birmingham, Alabama, offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, making it an ideal getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Birmingham, AL is Oak Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 94 reviews.
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