Dauphin Island campgrounds offer direct access to both bay and Gulf waters with camping opportunities scattered across the barrier island and nearby mainland. Located at the mouth of Mobile Bay, campers can enjoy mild winter temperatures in the 60s and hot summers with highs in the 90s. Most campgrounds remain open year-round with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions for exploring the island's seven miles of beaches.
What to do
Fort exploration: Visit Fort Gaines, where you can experience Civil War history while camping nearby. "If you like your history this part if the park is for you. Fort Gaines is cool to explore and travel back to the Civil War, give the kids some history with their day at the beach," notes Shelly S. from Dauphin Island Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Hike the trails at Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge, located across from Bay Breeze RV Park. The refuge features hiking paths, sandy beaches on Little Lagoon, and a kayak launch point. Keith G. explains, "Across the road is the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge with hiking trails, sandy beaches on Little Lagoon and a kayak launch."
Fishing: Mobile Bay and surrounding waters offer excellent fishing opportunities. Benjamin K. from Dauphin Island Campground recommends, "The Ferry is on one side of campground...Sea lab and Fort Gaines on the other. Get up early to get some great pics of the sunrise!!!"
What campers like
Beach accessibility: Most campers appreciate the short walking distance to beach areas. "We camped a week in the tent sites. Very clean. Great bathrooms. Great staff. 24 hour access to the beach, which is just a short stroll away," writes Donna H. about Dauphin Island Campground.
Island mobility: The compact size of Dauphin Island makes bicycle travel practical for campers without vehicles. "One of the best features about the island is you can ride your bicycle from one end of the island to the other," notes Benjamin K.
Swimming areas: Gulf State Park offers additional swimming options beyond the beach. Matthew M. shares, "Kids love the splash pad... Nice pool... Access to the beach and between gulf shores and orange beach. Conveniently located to everything."
What you should know
Site conditions: Some campgrounds need maintenance improvements. Jenny W. from Dauphin Island Campground observes, "The actual campground is not great - it definitely could use some TLC. We had a beach back in spot, which is only a beach view in theory as the brush and forest was so thick that it blocked the view."
Wildlife hazards: Campers should be aware of potential wildlife encounters. Gregg K. from Bay Palms RV Resort warns, "Place is nice visually coming in but zero hot water in showers x 5 days, no mirrors in bathrooms."
Weather preparation: Summer heat requires planning for comfort. Paul G. from Gulf State Park advises, "Went hiking along the trails and found 3 baby gators hanging out! Had a few good tent spots and lots of RV spots. Just watch out where you swim!"
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Plan visits to the Sea Lab for marine science learning. Aaron S. notes that Dauphin Island Campground is "a ten minute walk from the beach through part of the bird sanctuary. The campsites are large, big enough to fit a 10 person tent."
Playground access: Dauphin Island Campground offers play facilities for children. David S. mentions, "This is a very nice park, split between an RV section and a camping section. Firepits available, a playground for kiddies, basic bathrooms, and a short walk to the beach!"
Budget-friendly options: Devon O. shares that Dauphin Island provides "a perfect campsite within minutes of the beach in a nice shady spot! The rates are surprisingly low for such a beautiful spot."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking at pet-friendly campgrounds near Dauphin Island, choose sites carefully for size and placement. Jane R. from Pelican Nest RV Resort & Campground cautions, "Located directly across from the public beach access, which was great. But the campers are crammed together in a gravel lot without any privacy."
Utility reliability: Bay Palms RV Resort occasionally experiences service interruptions. Charles H. notes, "Power and water went off several times in month we were there."
Reception planning: Many campgrounds near Dauphin Island provide adequate TV reception. Clay M. from Meaher State Park Campground reports, "Tv antenna reception good from Mobile and Pensacola. About an hour drive to great beaches also."
Leveling preparation: Concrete pads at Homestead RV Community simplify setup. Cameron C. shares, "The concrete pads are really large and make for easy leveling and give ample space to park 2 vehicles easily."
