Glamping close to Clio, Alabama provides a gateway to southeast Alabama's wiregrass region, characterized by sandy soil and longleaf pine forests. The area sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level with mild winters and humid summers averaging 92°F in July. Several campgrounds within a 30-mile radius offer upgraded camping options on lakes and waterways, with varying levels of seclusion and amenities.
What to do
Boat rentals at Florence Marina: The marina provides affordable boat rentals for exploring Lake Walter F. George. "The park was busy it was Halloween they have a haunted boat ride and a hayride. Great place to spend Halloween. It was decorated well and there was a fest going on we won a basket of goodies," noted one visitor to Florence Marina State Park Campground.
Visit Providence Canyon: Located just 6 miles from Florence Marina, this unique geological feature resembles a miniature version of western canyons. "We stayed to go hiking over at Providence Canyon. It was a short ten minute drive. The staff and crew were all amazing, and sites easy with large pull thru access," reports a camper who used the park as a base for exploration.
Watch military aircraft: Fort Rucker's helicopter training facility creates a unique aviation viewing opportunity. "If you like fast planes and helicopters this is your place to see and hear them," mentions a camper at Ozark-Fort Rucker KOA, highlighting an unexpected activity for aviation enthusiasts.
What campers like
Lake access for fishing: Many campgrounds provide direct access to fishing opportunities. "The marina offers fishing opportunities and scenic water views, with many sites positioned to maximize privacy while maintaining access to modern facilities," reports a visitor to Florence Marina State Park Campground.
Pull-through privacy: Some campgrounds feature well-designed sites that balance accessibility with seclusion. "This military RV campground was very nice. The pull through site that we were assigned provided privacy as it was situated off to itself," explains a visitor to Military Park Fort Rucker Recreation Area Engineer Beach RV Park.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness consistently receives positive reviews. "The bathrooms and showers were tidy and clean. I really did love it here and based on my experience here I will be looking at other KOA Journeys to visit," shares a tent camper at Ozark-Fort Rucker KOA.
What you should know
Ant management: Some campgrounds report seasonal ant problems requiring preparation. "We even pretreated around the site and at any part of the camper that touched the ground and we still got ants. They said they are an invasive species from Argentina and were going to be having a specialized treatment done for them," warns a visitor to Frank Jackson State Park Campground.
Waterfront site selection: Not all waterfront sites offer equal amenities or privacy. "Site #1 has a great view of the water and set off by itself and is probably the best in the park," advises a Frank Jackson State Park camper about selecting the optimal location.
Weather considerations: Seasonal storms can affect camping conditions. "Drawback was that some sites had alot of water on them and in them. Lots of low lying areas in the park and some campsites so, during rain it's gets very wet and can have alot of standing water," cautions a Florence Marina visitor about potential flooding issues.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly glamping options: Tent glamping provides a good introduction to camping for families with young children. "The camp sites are spacious, campground was full and it didn't feel crowded. Nice park to take a walk, you can rent a boat and I hear there's some great fishing. There's two playgrounds, nothing special but my kids got a chance to play a bit and stretch after the drive," shares a family staying at Florence Marina.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Local parks offer educational wildlife experiences. "We walked to the lake there were so many dragonflies it was cool. The birds were swooping up the dragonflies it was interesting to watch," reports a Family Time Campground visitor about natural entertainment options for children.
Weekend events: Many campgrounds organize special activities for families. "This little gem is tucked away on the central-eastern side of Alabama, just a 20 or so minute drive from the AL-GA state line. Insider's Tip? On Sunday's this campground offers up 'all-you-can eat' pancake breakfast for $4 – you can't beat this!" recommends a Family Time Campground visitor about budget-friendly family meals.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature level sites requiring minimal setup. "Very nice staff! Go a little bit extra. Showed us to our spot snd even dusted the services for clean connections! Place was meticulously maintained," shares an RVer at Ozark-Fort Rucker KOA.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "Cell service can be challenging, T-mobile was only Edge service (remember that?) was able to stream video for my kids on AT&T and Verizon. My site was totally wooded and that could have contributed to the difficulty in cell service," advises a Florence Marina camper about connectivity options.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds in the area provide complete RV services. "There's a sweet little solar-heated pool that's perfect for a classic sundowner, plenty of shaded and grassy areas for RV and trailers (22 spots in all), spacious long level lots in a private gated community. This RV site has full electrical, water and sewage hook-ups, free WiFi," describes a visitor to Omussee Creek Park about the glamping and RV accommodations near Clio.
