Best Campgrounds near Coker, AL

Campgrounds near Coker, Alabama range from state parks to Army Corps of Engineers facilities, with Lake Lurleen State Park Campground serving as a central destination for outdoor recreation. The area features a mix of developed campgrounds with full hookups and more rustic options for tent camping. Lake Lurleen State Park offers year-round camping with both tent and RV sites, complete with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities. Several miles east, Deerlick Creek provides additional camping options with concrete pads and tiered layouts that accommodate various camping styles. Blue Creek Public Use Area offers dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking a more primitive experience.

Many campgrounds in the region maintain seasonal operations, with some facilities like Deerlick Creek operating from early March through late November. Summer months bring higher temperatures and increased demand for waterfront sites, particularly at Lake Lurleen where the swimming beach becomes a popular attraction. Most developed campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Cell service can be limited in some areas, particularly at Lake Lurleen where connectivity is notably sparse. A review noted: "My only complaint about Lake Lurleen is the lack of cell service—but do you need that when camping!?"

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers throughout the region. Lake Lurleen's beach area receives consistent praise from visitors who appreciate the swimming opportunities and paddle-friendly waters. The campground's proximity to hiking and mountain biking trails enhances its appeal for active outdoor enthusiasts. Deerlick Creek campers highlight the well-maintained concrete pads and tiered site layouts that maximize views of the water. Several visitors mentioned the quality of bathhouse facilities as an important consideration when choosing campgrounds in the area. According to one camper: "The tent sites are very nice and groomed and have a wonderful view of the lake. They have individual water pumps at each site and room for several cars to pull up and park." Most developed campgrounds in the region offer a balance between natural settings and convenient amenities, making them suitable for weekend getaways or longer stays.

Best Camping Sites Near Coker, Alabama (48)

    1. Deerlick Creek

    26 Reviews
    Peterson, AL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 759-1591

    $20 - $30 / night

    "My campsite was near the bathroom/shower which was convenient.  Enjoyed the hillside view I had and the walks in the woods surrounding the campground."

    "Greta place to camp in the fall for Alabama football games, only about 15-16 miles from campus, yet very secluded. Really a great place to camp, whether with RV or tent camping!"

    2. Lake Lurleen State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Coker, AL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 339-1558

    "My only complaint about lake lurleen is the lack of cell service- but do you need that when camping!? Bathrooms are older, best well kept for public bathrooms."

    "We really enjoyed the beach area and the trails. Lots of mountain bikers throughout the weekend."

    3. Sunset RV

    6 Reviews
    Peterson, AL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 553-9233

    $29 - $32 / night

    "Because it's across the highway. Close to everything in Tuscaloosa. No 5 stars because it sufficient for camping, not much more! Which is what we do!"

    4. Coaches Corner RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Moundville, AL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (334) 425-1846

    $45 - $675 / night

    5. Bama RV Station

    3 Reviews
    Peterson, AL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 722-7005

    $30 - $35 / night

    6. Burchfield Branch Park

    11 Reviews
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 497-9828

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Most of the campsites are tucked away beneath a canopy of trees with nice shade. The bath houses are always clean, as well as the entire campground. It is great for a relaxing weekend getaway."

    "The location was beautiful but there is no privacy.  The sites are small and very close together with no trees or brush separating them. "

    7. Holt Lake

    2 Reviews
    Peterson, AL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 553-9373

    "The tent sites are very nice and groomed and have a wonderful view of the lake. They have individual water pumps at each site and room for several cars to pull up and park."

    "The beach can be pretty crowded during the summer but it's a decent size and the bathrooms are nearby. Last time I went I found a needle in the sand, so keep an eye out."

    8. Moundville Archaeological Park

    4 Reviews
    Moundville, AL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 371-2234

    $15 - $25 / night

    "This is a great campground managed by the University of Alabama. It is on the site of the Moundville Indian mound complex, from the Mississippian period."

    "This ground is connected to ancient historical native american land. it’s amazing you get to walk around on two of the mounds and stay so close. there’s activities for summer saturdays i’ll be staying"

    9. Blue Creek Public Use Area

    5 Reviews
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    22 miles
    Website

    "Has boat ramp and camping areas are near pacer park roads. Local traffic is mostly folks going to boat ramp. Camping area is along bluff over looking the River."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 48 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Coker, AL

179 Reviews of 48 Coker Campgrounds


  • 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!

  • 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.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground

    Great price for what you get

    Didn’t get to explore much as we stayed 1 night passing through. First come first serve reservations. There were many open spots when we arrived. We paid $25 that included electric hookup, bath house with showers, water on site, and a dump station. I believe you can pay another $5 for sewage on site. There were still several other RVs and trailers here, everyone being very friendly and keeping to themselves. Very quiet sleep and bathrooms were clean. Would definitely recommend.

  • Jules S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 20, 2025

    Deerlick Creek

    March 2025

    Stayed here for a few days in March 2025. Beautiful campground. My only complaint is the staff are hard to find. Upon checking in there was no one at the office and after 2 days there I had to hunt someone down for my tag and questions regarding the gate closing at night. Clean bath houses & campground. Good place for my dogs to swim as well. Also only small complaint is most of the decks at the campsites are rotting.

  • Michael U.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2025

    Moundville Archaeological Park

    Tent camping not recommended

    The rv sites look maintained. Tent camping is not. Ground is unkept so be careful of sticks poking holes in the floor. If you have a truck-mounted tent, you will have to get an RV site as you have to carry your tent a short ways. The rest of the park is great.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2025

    Forkland Campground

    Right on the water

    Had a nice spot right on the water. Lots of fisherman here and each site has a fish cleaning station. Place to put your boat in right when you enter the campground. Lots of mosquitos when the sun goes down so bring your spray.

  • Michael P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 6, 2025

    Blue Creek Public Use Area

    Totally Relaxing

    I have camped here several times, alway relaxing and restful. Has a latrine, no water or electric. Has boat ramp and camping areas are near pacer park roads. Local traffic is mostly folks going to boat ramp. Camping area is along bluff over looking the River. Second area is in a grove at the end of the paved road and turn around. Ample space, some folks also pull RV down to an area near the boat ramp. Other that the latrine self-contained rustic camping.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 18, 2025

    Hoover Met Complex RV Park

    Staff is very friendly and helpful but…

    The pads are very uneven and there are just not many amenities. Very close to sports fields though.


Guide to Coker

Camping near Coker, Alabama, offers a mix of beautiful nature and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or a fun family trip, there are some great spots to check out.

What to do

  • Explore the outdoors: Campgrounds like Lake Lurleen State Park Campground have lovely trails and a beach area. One visitor said, “We really enjoyed the beach area and the trails. Lots of mountain bikers throughout the weekend.”
  • Fishing and kayaking: Many campers enjoy fishing or kayaking in the nearby lakes. A review mentioned, “When we started to kayak there was a ton of trash in the water but eventually the water started moving and cleared it out.”
  • Hiking: Trails are available at various campgrounds, but some may not be well-maintained. One camper noted, “The trails are not maintained or marked on a map,” so be prepared for some adventure.

What campers like

  • Peaceful surroundings: Campers appreciate the tranquility at places like Burchfield Branch Park. A happy camper shared, “This is a quiet campground with well spaced sites.”
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer large sites. One review stated, “The sites were large with new wooden picnic tables and water and electric.”
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor said, “The guy at the front gate was super nice and helpful.”

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Sunset RV, have basic facilities. A camper remarked, “Definitely just a no frills parking lot with full hookups.”
  • Cell service issues: If you need to stay connected, be aware that some areas have poor reception. One camper noted, “This campground has zero cell service, so if you can’t do without that read no further.”
  • Ticks and bugs: Some campers have reported ticks in certain areas. One review mentioned, “Beautiful camp ground, unfortunately infested with ticks.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the right site: Look for campgrounds with spacious sites and family-friendly amenities. A parent shared, “Each site has a nice fire ring, picnic table and a grill.”
  • Plan for noise: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during holidays. A family camper said, “It was noisy at night with some folks partying but eventually it died down.”
  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities. One review mentioned, “My kids enjoyed hiking and the bball court.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check site lengths: If you have a larger RV, make sure to reserve a pull-through site. A camper advised, “If you have a rig longer than 30ft and want room to breathe, get a pull-through site.”
  • Water pressure: Be prepared for varying water pressure at different campgrounds. One visitor noted, “Water pressure is on the low side compared to other campgrounds.”
  • Access types: Some campgrounds are accessible by boat or have limited access. A review mentioned, “The campground doesn’t do the best job at marking how to get to each site.”

Camping around Coker, Alabama, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent a camper in Coker?

Camper rental prices in Coker typically range from $75-150 per night for smaller trailers to $150-300 for larger RVs, depending on size, amenities, and season. At Coaches Corner RV Park, rental units may be available at premium rates due to its proximity to Tuscaloosa. Budget-conscious travelers might consider Lake Lurleen State Park Campground where you can bring a rented camper and enjoy affordable site fees with amenities like swimming areas, boat ramps, and trails. Weekly and monthly rental discounts of 10-15% are often available from local rental companies, with additional fees for delivery, setup, and generator usage.

What types of campers are available to rent in Coker?

The Coker area offers diverse camper rental options ranging from compact travel trailers to full-size motorhomes. You'll find pop-up campers, teardrop trailers, and traditional travel trailers for families of various sizes. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground accommodates various camper types from small trailers to larger RVs, making it ideal for trying different rental options. Moundville Archaeological Park supports a variety of electric and water-equipped units on their sites. For those seeking luxury options, fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes are also available from rental companies servicing the Coker area, many offering modern amenities like full kitchens, entertainment systems, and slide-outs.

What is the reservation process for renting a camper in Coker?

To rent a camper in Coker, start by researching local rental companies online and comparing prices at least 2-3 months in advance, especially during football season or summer. Most companies require a 25-50% deposit, valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a security deposit ranging from $250-500. Deerlick Creek is a popular destination for camper rentals, located just 15-16 miles from campus. When booking, you'll need to coordinate both the camper rental and your Pickensville Campground reservation separately. Many rental companies offer delivery and setup services for an additional fee, eliminating the need for you to tow the unit. Cancellation policies typically offer partial refunds with 7-14 days notice.