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Best Campgrounds near Calera, AL

331 Reviews

Camping options near Calera, Alabama range from established RV parks to state park campgrounds with cabin accommodations. Rolling Hills RV Park in Calera provides full hookup sites with water, electric, and sewer connections, while Oak Mountain State Park Campground in nearby Pelham offers a more diverse camping experience with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Several campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails, with most facilities maintaining year-round operations regardless of season.

Road access to campgrounds in the Calera region is generally well-maintained, with most sites accessible via paved roads suitable for standard vehicles and large RVs. Summer temperatures in central Alabama regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity. Oak Mountain State Park, the largest state park in Alabama, provides numerous recreational opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and boating. "Oak 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."

Campers consistently rate waterfront access as a significant advantage at several area campgrounds. Paradise Point Marina and RV Resort on Lay Lake offers boat-in camping options and direct water access, while Oak Mountain's campground includes a dedicated beach area exclusively for overnight guests. The region's historical sites add cultural interest to the camping experience, with Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground and Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park both offering camping facilities alongside preserved industrial heritage sites. Family-friendly amenities receive positive mentions in visitor feedback, with one camper noting that Oak Mountain has "so much to do; and it's always growing. There's lakes, waterfalls, nature trails, basketball court, volleyball, a petting zoo, horseback riding, water sports, dirt bikes trails, BMX course, archery, cabins, primitive camping and RVs, a beach, a wildlife rescue center and so much more."

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Best Camping Sites Near Calera, Alabama (79)

    1. Oak Mountain State Park Campground

    95 Reviews
    Hoover, AL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 620-2520

    "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)."

    "Oak 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!"

    2. Birmingham South RV Park

    18 Reviews
    Pelham, AL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 664-8832

    $35 - $65 / night

    "They put us in a pull though site which was awesome for being easy to make quiet exit. Never I’m hooked the truck."

    "Easy access to highway, very spacious and new bathrooms and showers. Very much enjoyed our stay."

    3. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Green Pond, AL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 477-5711

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Situated on a beautiful mountain side just minute from university of alabama. Camp beside a churning creek and listen to nature."

    "The park is in a great part of Alabama and is located close to a lot of the best hiking in the state. Additionally, the park is set up on an old ironworks plant where many people lived and worked."

    4. Hoover Met Complex RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Helena, AL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 739-7400

    "On the outskirts of a parking lot of a stadium!"

    "In addition to the Hoover Met sports complex and sports arena there is a new brewery within walking distance of the campground."

    5. Chilton County Minooka Park

    3 Reviews
    Calera, AL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 312-1376

    "Right now there’s about 30-40 spots, spaced out well, and lots of trails! There’s a small lake but it’s only for fishing. Can’t paddle board or canoe here."

    "Lots of trails to hit on the dirt bikes or ATVs. We go for day riding trips once a month or so."

    6. Rolling Hills RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Calera, AL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (205) 668-6893

    7. Peach Queen Campground

    6 Reviews
    Calera, AL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 688-2573

    8. Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park

    5 Reviews
    Brierfield, AL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 665-1856

    "Nice quite camping area. nice bath houses, walking trails and wonderful inground pool!"

    9. Paradise Point Marina and RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Columbiana, AL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 669-1515

    10. Wind Creek Atmore Casino RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Stanton, AL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 946-3360

    "This is a nice campground just off I-65 in Alabama. Convenient for trips to the Gulf Coast, New Orleans, or farther west. Previous review said only 18 sites, but there are 28 now."

    "Walking distance to casino and they offer a shuttle."

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Recent Camping Photos near Calera, AL

93 Photos of 79 Calera Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Calera, AL

331 Reviews of 79 Calera Campgrounds

  • Peyton P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Hollins Hunting Camp

    Open and quiet

    Best for overlanding/camper/tents. No marked sites, just pull in and find a spot. I got in around 8 and there were only a couple people here, lots of space and easy to find a private spot. Hardly any bugs, no amenities

  • Randi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 — Great mix of nature, history, and family fun

    We stayed at Tannehill Ironworks Campground for a long weekend and had a great experience. We arrived late on a Thursday night and appreciated that the ranger is on-site 24/7, since the campground doesn’t take reservations. The process is easy—you just pull in, find a site, and register/pay the next morning. It was a little hard to find a spot in the dark, but that was on us.

    There are three main campground areas. • Campgrounds 1 and 2 offer full hook-ups, with many outer sites backing up to a scenic creek. • Campground 3 has water and electric only.

    We stayed in site 122 in Campground 1, right on the creek. The sites are all gravel with picnic tables (a little worn—we brought our own table setup). Ours was pretty spacious, and since it wasn’t full, we had empty sites in front of and behind us, which made it feel even more open.

    The creek is peaceful and adds great ambiance, but there’s no designated access area for wading or swimming. That said, lots of kids were playing in the water right near their sites.

    T-Mobile service was decent—we were able to use our hotspot to stream TV at night. There’s no public Wi-Fi, but we didn’t miss it. We didn’t use the dump stations, but they looked clean and easy to access.

    Check-out time is 1:00 PM, and we didn’t see an official check-in time or posted quiet hours. The campground was fairly calm and relaxed, especially at night.

    The best part of Tannehill is everything there is to do. We brought bikes and explored miles of trails, all clearly marked by difficulty level. The park is also full of historical buildings like an old mill, furnace, blacksmith shop, and restored cabins (some are available to rent). There’s a Sunday church service at 9AM, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, a general store, a miniature train ride, and even an ice cream shop.

    If you visit during one of their Trade Days weekends, you’re in for a treat—it’s like a huge flea market with over 400 vendors, food stands, and all kinds of local treasures.

    Tannehill is a unique blend of history, nature, and activities for all ages. We’ll definitely be back and would recommend it to anyone looking for a laid-back getaway with lots to explore!

  • Melinda S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Oak Mountain State Park Campground

    Oak Mtn State Park Equestrian & section B campground

    A great State Park. I stayed one night in the Equestrian campground. They are all pull thru with as remodeled bathhouse. It was extremely clean. Then moved over to Section B of the main camp ground. Remodeled spaces with adequate space for a newbie to back her travel trailer in with no problems. “ What an Ego booster!” Remodeled bathhouses as well and kept clean even on a busy July 4th weekend. Gets morning sun but shade in the afternoon.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Birmingham South RV Park

    Ants, Dogs and Smells

    To be fair, the check in and staff were nice. Sites are level and partially shaded. Rules loosely enforced as there were trucks parked on grass which was noted as a very prominent rule on reservation and check in. Ants attempted to infest anything we sat outside (not food related items were specifically targeted as it was a pair of diving boots and our leveling blocks). It was horrible. There’s little to no control over everyone’s dogs. The best you can get is that they are leashed, otherwise, lunging at people or other dogs and barking all throughout the day is completely permitted. The sites are very small and your neighbors sewer hookups happen to be about 3 feet from your site’s picnic table. It’s just gross.

  • Patrick P.
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Birmingham South RV Park

    Nice place ,

    Nice place , but the internet doesn’t work, bathrooms clean

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 4, 2025

    Higgins Ferry RV Park

    Winter Camping

    The host are very nice and very helpful. This was a group event. The spots are very close and perfect from group camping.

  • Calvin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2025

    Safe Harbor RV Park

    Safe Harbor

    I've been here for the month of April it's on the water and Good people around no washer and dryer but the laundry mat is less than 5 miles away in both directions there is a restaurant and a bar less than a half mile away it's close to everything WiFi isn't that good had to get hot spot on my phone I've enjoyed it here if your into fishing and getting out on the water and I do it's great ya do hear the train going down the track but I've gotten used to it and it's not that bad I'll stay here again

  • Hannah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Payne Lake Spillway

    Spillway recreation area

    The Payne Lake spillway is a nice place to have a picnic and view the lake. There is a pavilion with four picnic tables underneath it and then there are isolated picnic tables around the area. They have fire pits and grills nearby for cooking. There are also bathrooms across from the pavilion. The boat ramp for the lake is right down the road from the spillway parking area. No camping is allowed in this area of the campground.

Guide to Calera

Camping near Calera, Alabama, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an action-packed adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Trails: Many campgrounds, like Oak Mountain State Park Campground, have great hiking trails. One visitor mentioned, “The park has so many different activities including hiking, BMX trails, swimming, and an archery range.”
  • Water Sports: If you enjoy water activities, check out Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground. A reviewer said, “Trails to hike, water to play in, fishing, history places to see and go through.”
  • Relaxing by the Water: Campgrounds like Gunter Hill Campground offer beautiful views of the water. One camper noted, “If you have a boat and are a fisherman you will love this park. We had a spot right on the water.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean restrooms and showers. A visitor at Birmingham South RV Park said, “The bathrooms and showers were consistently clean and the hot water was great.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many reviews highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park mentioned, “Great place to get away and relax. Everyone was super friendly and the park was kept up well.”
  • Level Campsites: Campers enjoy the well-maintained and level sites. A reviewer at Oak Mountain State Park Campground stated, “The pads are super level (at least in A16).”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Peach Queen Campground, have limited facilities. One camper noted, “The bathrooms are dirty, and the pool could use a vacuum.”
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of poison ivy and other wildlife. A visitor at Gunter Hill Campground warned, “Only downside - lots of poison ivy!!”
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds, such as Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground, do not allow reservations. A reviewer mentioned, “NO reservable.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. One parent at Peach Queen Campground said, “There is a decent size jungle gym at the playground. My son has been having a great time playing with other kids there.”
  • Activities for All Ages: Choose campgrounds that offer various activities. A visitor at Oak Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, “There are things to do year-round.”
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on younger kids, especially near water. A camper at Birmingham South RV Park noted, “Staff very friendly. Extremely clean bathrooms & showers.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Make sure to check the availability of electric and water hookups. A reviewer at Wind Creek Atmore Casino RV Park said, “Paved sites with 50Amp FHU.”
  • Plan for Noise: Some campgrounds are near highways or railroads, so be prepared for noise. A visitor at Birmingham South RV Park mentioned, “This place is located with the railroad on one side and the highway on the other.”
  • Stay Connected: Check the Wi-Fi availability if you need to stay connected. One camper at Hoover Met Complex RV Park said, “WIFI is meh. Would expect more from a city campground.”

Camping around Calera, Alabama, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping places near Calera?

For tent camping near Calera, Oak Mountain State Park Campground is an excellent choice just 20-40 minutes from Birmingham. As Alabama's largest state park, it offers numerous tent sites in a natural setting with hiking trails, swimming, and fishing opportunities. Another great option is Shadyoaks Campground and RV Park, which features a wooded, grassy area perfect for tent camping with bathroom facilities and convenient access to nearby attractions. Both locations provide a quick escape from urban areas while maintaining accessibility to Calera and surrounding communities.

What amenities are available at Calera camping sites?

Camping sites near Calera offer a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground provides options from primitive camping to cabins with reasonable fees, historical museums, and creek-side camping. Time Away RV Resort features newly renovated facilities, a swimming pool, playground, and covered picnic areas for group gatherings. Other campgrounds in the area typically offer essential amenities like water hookups, restroom facilities, and some have extras such as fishing piers, swimming areas, and hiking trails nearby.

What is the best time of year to go camping in Calera?

The best time for camping around Calera is generally spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate and comfortable for outdoor activities. Sunset Cove RV Park and Marina along the Coosa River is particularly enjoyable during these seasons when you can take advantage of swimming and boating opportunities without extreme summer heat. Deerlick Creek offers beautiful hillside views and woodland walks that are especially pleasant during spring wildflower season and fall foliage. Late October still provides warm fall weather for camping while avoiding summer's humidity and crowded peak season.

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