Best Campgrounds near Columbiana, AL

State parks and recreational areas surrounding Columbiana, Alabama provide diverse camping experiences within a short drive of Birmingham. Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama's largest state park, offers both developed campgrounds and backcountry sites just 20-40 minutes from downtown Birmingham. Paradise Point Marina and RV Resort in Columbiana provides waterfront camping with boat access. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground, located near McCalla, features camping options from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots alongside historical attractions. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can find additional options at Birmingham South RV Park, Hoover Met Complex RV Park, and several county parks that accommodate both tent and RV camping.

Summer heat significantly impacts camping comfort in the region, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. As one camper noted, "A key bonus to this site is the pool which is very necessary when camping in Alabama in the summer." Shaded sites become premium during hot months, with many visitors seeking campgrounds near water for swimming opportunities. Most state park campgrounds remain open year-round, with fall and spring offering more moderate temperatures. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend camping, especially at Oak Mountain and Tannehill, which can fill quickly during peak seasons. Many campgrounds offer both primitive sites and those with electrical hookups, allowing tent campers to use fans during hot weather. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area except in some backcountry locations.

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with several sites offering swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. According to one visitor at Oak Mountain, "There is a huge lake which is perfect for swimming and family picnics, especially on a hot and humid Alabama summer day." The backcountry sites at Oak Mountain provide more seclusion than the main campground areas, with one camper noting they "couldn't hear a single car and it felt very secluded from the rest of the park." Historical attractions enhance several camping areas, particularly at Tannehill, where visitors can explore an old ironworks plant with a museum explaining the process. Facilities vary widely across campgrounds, with some offering modern bathhouses while others provide more basic amenities. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, woodpeckers, and various bird species.

Best Camping Sites Near Columbiana, Alabama (107)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 107 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Columbiana, AL

447 Reviews of 107 Columbiana Campgrounds


  • R
    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 Columbiana

Camping near Columbiana, Alabama, offers a mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.

What to do

  • Hiking and Biking: Many campgrounds, like Oak Mountain State Park Campground, have trails for hiking and biking. One visitor mentioned, “The park has so many different activities including hiking and BMX trails.”
  • Water Sports: If you’re into water activities, check out the options at Oak Mountain. A reviewer noted, “Paid activities include wakeboarding, Aqua Park, and rentals of kayaks and paddle boats.”
  • Playgrounds and Swimming: Kids will love the playgrounds and swimming areas. One camper said, “This state park has it all. A place to swim, numerous hiking trails, playgrounds, etc.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean restrooms and showers. One review stated, “The bathrooms and showers were consistently clean and the hot water was great.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors have praised the staff at various campgrounds. A reviewer shared, “The lady at the campground store was very nice; we will be going back.”
  • Level Campsites: Campers enjoy well-maintained, level sites. One camper mentioned, “The pads are super level (at least in A16).”

What you should know

  • Limited Wi-Fi: Some campgrounds, like Birmingham South RV Park, have issues with Wi-Fi. A visitor complained, “The Wi-Fi doesn’t work, and we paid $64 for one night.”
  • Old Facilities: Some campers have noted that certain facilities are outdated. One review stated, “The bathhouses were pretty rough, dirty in disrepair and dated.”
  • Proximity to Noise: Campgrounds near highways or railroads can be noisy. A camper remarked, “This place is located with the railroad on one side and the highway on the other.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Check for Activities: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly activities. One reviewer said, “There are things to do year-round, and the weather was great for mid-July.”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: With playgrounds available, it’s a good idea to bring outdoor games. A camper noted, “My son has been having a great time playing with other kids there.”
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have limited food options. A visitor mentioned, “There is no market, so plan to bring your own food.”

Tips from RVers

  • Level Your Site: Make sure your RV site is level for a comfortable stay. A reviewer noted, “Rv sites were paved, pretty level and well spaced.”
  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the right hookups. One camper said, “There’s only 30amp connections at the regular campground.”
  • Be Mindful of Check-Out Times: Some RV parks can be strict about check-out times. A visitor shared, “I got a phone call reminding me check-out is at 11 AM and asking if I wanted to extend my stay.”

Camping around Columbiana, Alabama, has its ups and downs, but with the right preparation, you can have a great time enjoying the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Columbiana, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Columbiana, AL offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 campgrounds and RV parks near Columbiana, AL and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Columbiana, AL?

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

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Columbiana, AL.