Dauphin Island camping options extend beyond the main island to nearby coastal areas within a 30-minute drive. The island sits at the entrance to Mobile Bay with an average elevation of 7 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while winter months average 45-65°F, making camping viable year-round despite occasional coastal storms.
What to do
Beach fishing access: 7 miles from Pelican Nest: Pelican Nest RV Resort & Campground provides proximity to beach activities. "There are 7 miles of walking beach off this RV and the island is a bird sanctuary in the Gulf Coast all around," notes one visitor who particularly enjoyed the coastal location.
Wildlife refuge exploration: 15 minutes from Bay Breeze: The Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge offers hiking trails, sandy beaches and kayaking opportunities. A Bay Breeze visitor reports, "Across the road is the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge with hiking trails, sandy beaches on Little Lagoon and a kayak launch."
Historical sites: 8 miles from Fort Morgan: Fort Morgan offers historical exploration opportunities. One camper noted, "Head west and you will find historic Fort Morgan and a public pier perfect for watching sunsets over the gulf."
What campers like
Large sites with concrete pads: Homestead RV Community receives praise for their spacious sites. "The concrete pads are really large and make for easy leveling and give ample space to park 2 vehicles easily," one camper reports, appreciating the extra space.
Shaded camping under oak trees: Bay Breeze RV on the Bay offers a more natural setting. A camper describes, "The sites are located under massive oak trees with Spanish moss hanging from the limbs," noting this creates a true camping atmosphere rare in Gulf Coast RV parks.
Fishing access directly from campgrounds: Many campers value waterfront locations. "We had sight 2 which put us on the water. We got to watch 7 or 8 different fireworks shows from there," shares one Fort Morgan RV Park visitor, highlighting the benefit of waterfront sites.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Apalachee RV Campground offers wooded sites that provide some storm protection. "Bugs are not nearly as bad as I expected. Lots of wildlife including deer that come very close. Some sites are level some are more difficult to level," notes one reviewer about conditions.
Limited services: Several campgrounds near Dauphin Island have limited amenities. "We brought most of the food we needed because there is no nearby fast food and limited grocery stores. Just something to be aware of. Mainly seafood or pizza restaurants around," explains one Bay Palms visitor.
Reservation systems vary: Some RV campgrounds near Dauphin Island use older reservation methods. "Place is nice visually coming in but zero hot water in showers x 5 days, no mirrors in bathrooms," reported one Bay Palms visitor, highlighting maintenance inconsistencies.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: All About Relaxing RV Park caters to pets with specialized amenities. "The dog park is so big and our pups were able to really run around and get their energy out," notes one visitor, adding that the "park itself is immaculately clean."
Activity planning: When camping with kids, consider parks with entertainment options. "We had to rely on the cable TV, board games, and tablets to entertain the children," mentioned a Fort Morgan camper, indicating limited on-site activities for younger guests.
Pool amenities: Swimming options vary between campgrounds. One camper at Dockside RV Resort noted, "Swimming pool is nice, there is also a large fire pit," though others mentioned inconsistent maintenance of water facilities at some locations.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Winner's Circle RV Resort offers well-maintained sites. "Seems newer, close to town but not with all the noise, set far back from the road, clean, really nice pool, great amenities," reports one RVer, appreciating the quiet despite proximity to services.
Arrival timing: Several RV campgrounds offer arrival assistance. At All About Relaxing RV Park, one camper shared, "Arriving in the dark and rain, we were met at the gate and escorted in. He guided me back into the spot and got us settled in."
Seasonal staffing affects service: Service levels vary throughout the year at Dauphin Island rv campgrounds. Alabama coastal campgrounds often have different staff during peak vs off-season periods. "We visited in the off season (late October) and the weather was beautiful. The owners were very nice and the spaces were a good size and clean," reported one Pelican Nest visitor.
