Blakeley State Park provides extensive equestrian camping opportunities near Dauphin Island, Alabama. The park offers 2,000 acres of terrain with approximately 26 miles of maintained trails suitable for horseback riding. Most trails feature a flat surface with easy to moderate difficulty levels, making them accessible for riders of various experience levels. The camping areas include spacious sites that accommodate horse trailers with full hookup options.
What to do
Historical exploration by horseback: Riders can explore Civil War sites and the former streets of the town of Blakeley while on horseback at Blakeley State Park. "You will walk through historic civil war sites, trails that were once the streets of the town of Blakeley. A beautiful hike on boardwalks along the Blakeley River then through a swamp on deep into woods amongst ancient oaks," notes Julie D.
Delta wildlife viewing: Take advantage of the guided boat tours that depart from the park. "Amazing cruises along the Delta with lots of wildlife viewing and history!! They have sunset cruises, seafood cruises, and seasonal themed cruises," reports a visitor to the park.
Junior Ranger activities: Families can pick up Junior Ranger packets at the Apalachee RV Campground check-in desk. "Woke up to begin the junior ranger packet for our kiddos (provided at checkout) and hiked and explored all day," shares Nicole G., who visited with her family.
Kayaking: Multiple water access points allow paddlers to explore the delta waterways. "Kayaking trails all around in the park and local. Close by to big city life but camping in the wild yonder," mentions Christie M. about the paddling opportunities.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: The equestrian camping areas offer considerable space between sites. "HUGE sites, very secluded. If I look really hard through the woods I can see a neighbor," reports Laurie A. at Blakeley State Park Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities. "Sites were immaculate with water and power. Bathrooms were fine, no sinks but sanitizer and again water at our site," reports Nicole G., who stayed at the park.
Natural surroundings: The camping areas provide direct access to natural habitats. "Campgrounds are shaded in fairly dense forests for good privacy," notes one visitor. The equestrian camping sections particularly benefit from the tree cover while maintaining sufficient space for horse trailers.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers note the peaceful environment. "Two nights under stars and immaculate quiet. (To the point where we couldn't help but laugh (quietly) when our fire cracked loudly a couple times," shares a family who enjoyed the serenity of their camping experience.
What you should know
Entrance fees: The park charges an entrance fee per person in addition to camping fees. Day visitors should budget for this additional cost when planning visits.
Insect preparation: During warmer months, insect repellent is essential equipment. Yellow flies can be particularly problematic in certain areas of the park, especially near water features.
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites require significant leveling. "Some of the sites are so unlevel. But the historical tour of the park is amazing," notes Michael, who stayed at Anchors Aweigh RV Resort.
Food options: Weekend visitors may find a food truck on-site. "We were super happy at the food truck that was there so we didn't have to go off site for lunch. (Probably just a weekend thing?)," notes Nicole G., who appreciated this convenience during her stay.
Tips for camping with families
Bring bikes: The park roads offer safe cycling opportunities for children. "Bring your bikes, lots of roads to explore with little traffic," advises Dalleen, who enjoyed cycling during her visit to Blakeley State Park.
Tent camping options: For families preferring tent camping, specific areas are designated for this use. "We stayed in site 6. We were surrounded on 3 sides by woods but had neighbors directly across from us and diagonally," shares MomSolo, who found the Big Pine tent sites accommodating for family needs.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can often spot deer and other wildlife near the campsites. "Lots of wildlife including deer that come very close," notes John W., who observed frequent wildlife activity during his weekend stay.
Seasonal considerations: Weather can significantly impact the camping experience. "We were there for Mother's Day weekend, which was cooler than normal with lows in the 50s. Friday night it rained and was quiet," reports one camper who visited during spring.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Most equestrian-friendly sites include water, electric, and sewer connections. "Super friendly staff and the spots, wowza, they are huge and all pull through... Oh, and all sites also have sewer!" notes Dalleen about the convenience of the full-service sites.
Proximity to attractions: Despite feeling remote, the equestrian camping areas provide convenient access to nearby urban amenities. "We stayed a few nights enroute to our final destination and really enjoyed this campground. It is very close to Mobile, but also very secluded," shares Alana R., who appreciated this balance during her stay.
Pull-through sites: Horse trailers can easily navigate the spacious pull-through sites designed for equestrian campers. "Big pull through rv spots and a tent campground," notes Kevin L. about the accommodating layout of the camping areas.
