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Best Campgrounds near Chelsea, AL

521 Reviews

Chelsea, Alabama and its surrounding areas provide multiple campground options within a short drive of the city. Oak Mountain State Park, located in nearby Pelham, serves as the primary developed camping destination with options for tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The park offers a range of site types from primitive walk-in tent areas to full-hookup RV spots with 50-amp service. Additional camping areas include Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park in McCalla and several private RV parks such as Birmingham South RV Park and Rolling Hills RV Park in Calera, all within 15-20 miles of Chelsea.

Access to campgrounds in the region typically requires reservations, particularly at Oak Mountain State Park where campsites often fill quickly during warmer months. "This is one of the most beautiful places I've been. There's lots to do. Level lots for RVs. Fire pit and picnic tables at site," noted one visitor about Oak Mountain. Most developed campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though summer brings higher temperatures and humidity. Winter camping offers milder conditions but occasional cold snaps. Many campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, while bathroom facilities vary in quality and accessibility across different properties.

Camping experiences near Chelsea feature diverse recreational opportunities with hiking, fishing, and water activities being most prominent at Oak Mountain State Park. The park contains multiple lakes, hiking trails, and mountain biking paths that attract outdoor enthusiasts. Several reviews highlight the spaciousness of tent sites and the shaded camping areas available. A camper mentioned that "Although the tent sites were a good distance from each other and had power and water, they were carry-in sites requiring a walk uphill from parking areas." Bathroom facilities throughout the area's campgrounds receive mixed reviews, with some visitors noting they need updating. Private RV parks tend to focus more on convenience and hookups rather than natural amenities, making them suitable for travelers seeking easier access to Birmingham-area attractions.

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Best Camping Sites Near Chelsea, Alabama (116)

    1. Oak Mountain State Park Campground

    95 Reviews
    Hoover, AL
    5 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
    10 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. Hoover Met Complex RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Helena, AL
    12 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."

    4. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Green Pond, AL
    25 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."

    5. Backcountry Site — Oak Mountain State Park

    1 Review
    Pelham, AL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 620-2520

    $6 - $18 / night

    "You’ll never run out of things to do between the endless hiking trails, the museum of wildlife, and the wildlife rescue center. There’s an archery station within the park and a petting farm."

    6. Rolling Hills RV Park

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

    7. Paradise Point Marina and RV Resort

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

    8. Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park

    90 Reviews
    Oxford, AL
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 488-5115

    "The kids love hiking around Alabama’s highest peak! There is a lake at the base of the mountain that stays busy in summer but it’s not terribly crowded."

    "Cheaha State Park is a absolute must visit if you're living in Alabama or visiting."

    9. Covenant Woodlands

    1 Review
    Moody, AL
    17 miles
    +1 (205) 639-7062

    $25 - $111 / night

    "Great movie selection, oldie classic records for the victrola, hammock, outdoor dining furniture , rockers on a covered porch plus several trails thru the lovely 10 acres of farmland gives plenty to do"

    10. Chilton County Minooka Park

    4 Reviews
    Calera, AL
    22 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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Chelsea, AL

166 Photos of 116 Chelsea Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Chelsea, AL

521 Reviews of 116 Chelsea Campgrounds

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Chilton County Minooka Park

    Fine for big RV’s

    It’s more of an RV park than campground. There are spaces for tents, but they don’t have picnic tables. The trees are actually behind the sites. So, don’t think about a hammock. The bathrooms are clean, but there are no showers.

  • 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

Guide to Chelsea

Camping near Chelsea, Alabama, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed adventure, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different tastes.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Oak Mountain State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The park has so many different activities including hiking, BMX trails, swimming, and an archery range."
  • Water Sports: If you're into 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."
  • Fishing: For fishing enthusiasts, Gunter Hill Campground is a great spot. One camper noted, "If you have a boat and are a fisherman you will love this park."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park. A visitor shared, "Very clean well-kept campground; lady at campground store very nice."
  • Friendly Staff: Many enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Wind Creek Atmore Casino RV Park. One reviewer said, "This is a casino RV park and looks to be new. Pads are hard surfaced and spaced far apart."
  • Quiet Environment: Campers often mention the peacefulness of Lakeside Landing RV Park & Marina. A guest remarked, "Very quiet at night due to 10 pm quiet time."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Birmingham South RV Park, have mixed reviews about their facilities. One camper expressed frustration, saying, "The staff's rude and wouldn't take my discount despite the fact that I followed the link from their website!"
  • Old Facilities: At Peach Queen Campground, some visitors found the bathrooms lacking. A reviewer stated, "The bathrooms are dirty. The pool is a nice size. It could use a vacuum."
  • Seasonal Crowds: Expect more visitors during peak seasons. A camper at Hoover Met Complex RV Park noted, "Hurricane Ian sent a multitude of people fleeing from Florida that were now headed to the Hoover Met RV."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground has plenty of trails and water fun. One family said, "The newly remodeled campground is spectacular."
  • Safety First: Be aware of poison ivy at Gunter Hill Campground. A visitor warned, "Oh and be aware of poison ivy. It was EVERYWHERE."
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds may not have nearby food options. A camper at Birmingham South RV Park mentioned, "The doggie park is the size of my bathroom and the wifi doesn't work."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure to verify the type of hookups available. A reviewer at Oak Mountain State Park Campground noted, "I think all RV sites are now 50/30/20 but I'm not certain."
  • Level Sites: Some sites may require leveling. A camper at Wind Creek Atmore Casino RV Park mentioned, "While they are paved sites, we found that you do have to level out still by around 3 inches."
  • Stay Connected: Wi-Fi can be spotty at some campgrounds. A visitor at Lakeside Landing RV Park & Marina said, "Spotty wifi and frequent brown outs on power."

Camping around Chelsea, AL, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just be sure to check out the specific campgrounds and their amenities before you go!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Chelsea, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Chelsea, AL offers a wide range of camping options, with 116 campgrounds and RV parks near Chelsea, AL and 19 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Chelsea, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chelsea, AL is Oak Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 95 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chelsea, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Chelsea, AL.

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