Best Campgrounds near Decatur, AL

You'll find several good camping spots within a short drive of Decatur, Alabama. Many campers head to Monte Sano State Park, which has tent sites with hiking trails and good views of the valley. Joe Wheeler State Park sits right on the Tennessee River, making it convenient for people who want to fish or take their boats out. If you need RV hookups, T's Outback RV Park has large sites with full connections. The weather here matters when planning your trip - summers get really hot and sticky, while fall and spring have much better temperatures for camping. Winter camping works too since it rarely gets too cold. Pay attention to the rules about campfires, especially during dry periods when restrictions might be in place. Keep your food secured since raccoons and other wildlife are common around the campgrounds. The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is worth visiting while you're in the area - lots of birds and walking paths. Decatur itself is close enough that you can easily run into town for ice, groceries, or anything you forgot to pack. Most campgrounds in this area stay open year-round, but some facilities might close during winter months. The camping around Decatur works well for both quick weekend trips and longer stays. Remember to clean up your campsite thoroughly when you leave.

Best Camping Sites Near Decatur, Alabama (109)

    1. Point Mallard City Campground

    12 Reviews
    Decatur, AL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 341-4826

    "Very friendly staff, clean bath houses and next to a fun water park. Located in Decatur, AL, you are close to grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and more!"

    "Walking distance to water park. Sites are very nice, although a little close to each other."

    2. Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday

    13 Reviews
    Trinity, AL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 280-4390

    "This is a huge, beautiful campground with spots that back right up to the water's edge. There are plenty of amenities for the kids, and we had a blast."

    "We enjoy being close to conveniences, but far enough away to unplug and unwind."

    3. Monte Sano State Park Campground

    76 Reviews
    Brownsboro, AL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 534-6589

    $14 - $30 / night

    "This site backs up to a draw and each evening just before dust we could watch the deer walk up through.  The bathhouse is centrally located, newer, and cleaned daily."

    "On top of Monte Sano in the woods and a world away from the town -- although it's close by. So many trails to run or walk and a playground for the kiddos. This has primitive camping as well as W/E/S."

    4. Jay Landings Marina & RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Decatur, AL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 350-4722

    "Jays landing has many amenities, full hookups, pool, boat docks, fishing dock and a nice area to gather near the River. Staff was very friendly and works with us on last minute reservations."

    "The pool was also a beautiful plus and it was a perfect temperature for a nice relaxing after driving dip! Again, very clean and well maintained."

    5. Joe Wheeler State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Rogersville, AL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 247-1184

    $17 - $256 / night

    "ONE OF THE BEST STATE PARKS IN ALABAMA GREAT TRAILS LARGE RV SITES GREAT STAFF AND GREAT EVENTS PLENTY OF WILDLIFE RUNNING AROUND"

    "This is a great spot located in Northern Alabama just east of Florence on the Tennessee River."

    6. Cowford Campground

    1 Review
    Orrville, AL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 434-0174

    $24 - $142 / night

    "Right off the TN River, boat access, fishing, swimming and a couple of trails to walk. Small cafe down the road. My husband stayed here for a few months before we sold our house and moved."

    7. T's Outback RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Rogersville, AL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 431-4761

    $45 - $550 / night

    8. Northgate RV Travel Park

    6 Reviews
    Athens, AL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 232-8800

    $50 / night

    "The Roosters were crowing on their adjacent farmstead and we were at peace in the countryside.  Road noise was minimal, surprisingly, and no jake brakes were heard. "

    "The only “complaints” were no fire pits for fires and is a little noisy from the highway traffic. Otherwise great pull thru full hookup RV park for the price."

    9. Brushy Lake Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Addison, AL
    25 miles
    Website

    "Campground Review: Located right outside of the core part of Sipsey wilderness (William Bankhead) this campground is a great place for people who want to be around other tent campers and want something"

    "Close to Sipsey Wilderness and several waterfalls. Clean and quiet. Short paved walking trail, fishing pier, restrooms/showers."

    10. Quail Creek RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Falkville, AL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 784-5033

    $36 - $40 / night

    "The site was plenty long enough to situate and disconnect for our two-night stay."

    "Close to 65."

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Recent Reviews near Decatur, AL

480 Reviews of 109 Decatur Campgrounds


  • Anna M.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Twin Forks County Park and Campground

    Lots of Waterfront Sites

    This place has a lot of campsites right in the water. You can only reserve one day in advance. They do not accept cash. The bathrooms are clean and they do not have push button water it’s knobs and levers. Hot water worked when I was there. They close November 1st every year.

  • Lizzy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Red Coach Resort

    Tucked away in the trees

    This park is tucked away in a private neighborhood on about 80 acres. There are a lot of RV sites as well as primitive camping in the back. We really enjoyed all of the trees and being able to take the kids to play in the small creek in the back of the property. They have a nice playground and a koi pond with a little deck to sit on. The only negative is I feel like they “nickle and dimed” us to death.

  • Jeff C.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Clear Creek Recreation Area

    Great place to camp

    Clear Creek is a really nice campground.  The sites are very nice and there is lots of shade.  The majority of sites are pretty level and the comfort stations were clean.  It takes four or five presses on the water activator in the shower before the warm water starts flowing, but there is plenty of water pressure. AT&T cell service was pretty good.

  • Jeff C.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday

    Nice place to relax

    Very nice campground on Wheeler Lake.  The staff is very pleasant and will work with you to find a site to your liking.  Facilities were clean and the campground was very quiet.  I only gave it four stars because the sites were kind of rocky and hard on my golden retreiver's feet.

  • Rae W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    Simple & Peaceful

    Nice little spot out in the forest. Spotted the gravel road and went down a little to the first opening. Pretty decent sized clearing. You can hear cars on the road, but it didn’t bother us. Pretty warm, humid, and buggy this time of year, but cooled off through the night.

    The stars were incredible after the moon went down a bit. Lots of bird sounds especially in the morning. A previous camper had left behind some kindling, which was cool. Ended up having a little cell reception with T Mobile.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    Great place for kids

    We went to Guntersville State Park campground for our first camping trip and really enjoyed it. We went on Labor Day weekend so it was pretty full. Even though nearly every campsite was booked, there was plenty of room for kids to roam, ride bikes, and play. I was really surprised how quiet it was despite the number of people there. No noise issues (other than my own kids). We spent alot of time at the playground and also a morning on the beach area. We’ll definitely be back one day.

  • Bobbie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Jay Landings Marina & RV Park

    Beautiful Sunsets

    Absolutely beautiful place to stay with all the needed amenities plus extra! I felt very safe here every day while my husband was at work. They have a shower house, laundry room, several common areas to sit, docs, boat ramp, salt water pool & basketball hoop. But for the noise, this would be a five star place to stay. There is a scrap metal recycling plant beside the campground, a train not too far away (whistle blows at night 😫) and across the river is a nuclear power plant and a refinery. The grounds are very well kept with lovey landscaping, paved roads and level sites with crushed rock and grass. Jessica at the front desk was pleasant and easy to work with. I would absolutely stay here again.

  • Michael C.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Joe Wheeler State Park Campground

    beautiful RV/Tent sites

    Stayed in A25 RV/Tent spot and had a beautiful view of the lake. Great little hiking trails near by. We ended up in this spot because the dispersed camping area had tornado destruction from years ago. So it was a bit pricey for just tent camping ($46)

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Northgate RV Travel Park

    Nice place to JUST stay in your RV

    Nice level gravel pull through sites. Full hook ups. Great water pressure. WiFi signal was very good ! Arrived on a Sunday afternoon and only one other RV was here. As explained in the description no bathhouse, pool or anything so just basic RVing. The only “complaints” were no fire pits for fires and is a little noisy from the highway traffic. Otherwise great pull thru full hookup RV park for the price.


Guide to Decatur

Campsites near Decatur, Alabama range from lakefront spaces with water recreation access to forested sites amid the Bankhead National Forest. The region's terrain combines rolling woodlands with Tennessee River access points at elevations between 500-650 feet above sea level. Winter camping temperatures typically remain above freezing with daytime highs in the 40s-50s°F, making year-round camping viable with proper preparation.

What to Do

Kayaking on Wheeler Lake: Launch directly from Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday where water activities are readily available. "We fished feet from our camper off of the bank. They have a tie-down for animals, fire pit (with grill), all the hook ups for the rv/campers," notes Mallory H.

Hiking forest trails: Access multiple trail systems from Monte Sano State Park Campground where both moderate and challenging routes exist. "The hiking is moderate to extreme up and down some interesting rock formations. The mountain bikers and bikers seem to enjoy themselves too, flying down the closed roadway," reports Shelly S.

Waterpark access: Camp within walking distance of Point Mallard water attractions. "The fact that this campground stays packed should be an indication of what a great place it is! Very friendly staff, clean bath houses and next to a fun water park," writes Lenice G.

Fishing from shore: Cast your line at Brushy Lake Recreation Area for $5 per night. "Brushy Lake is a lovely spot in the beautiful Bankhead National Forest. The 33 acre lake is perfect for canoeing or kayaking. The fishing is excellent," explains Gregg G.

What Campers Like

Waterfront sites: Joe Wheeler State Park Campground offers numerous lakeside camping options. "Joe wheeler state park is an awesome campground! Most sites are on the water with full hook ups! All sites are spacious! Hiking trails all around with water access everywhere!" explains Noel J.

Convenient town access: Stay close to amenities while maintaining natural surroundings. "Being right by water and soaking in the tranquility of this campground is the recharge anyone needs heading back to the real world. We enjoy being close to conveniences, but far enough away to unplug and unwind," says Leah S. about Wheeler Lake KOA.

Dark skies for stargazing: Some campgrounds provide minimal light pollution. At Brushy Lake, "We visited in late January and experienced the beautiful songs of the birds. They were large and loud. That made not having cell service all the better," according to Gregg G.

Level sites: T's Outback RV Park provides well-maintained, level camping spots. "Gravel road but cement pavements on site. Site is very clean and landscape is well maintained," notes Stephanie R.

What You Should Know

Cell service limitations: Many forest campgrounds lack connectivity. At Brushy Lake Recreation Area, "Warning: this place has no cell service, that could be a good thing or a bad thing. I do recommend downloading an offline version the area in Google Maps, just in case," advises Michael R.

Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "This campground is small and usually stays full," mentions Nikki W. about Brushy Lake.

Weather preparedness: Summer heat requires additional planning with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F. Pack extra water and cooling methods when camping between June-September.

Wildlife awareness: Watch for native wildlife including water moccasins. "There are water moccasins in this area so beware of them," cautions Michael H.

Tips for Camping with Families

Water activities: Point Mallard City Campground offers swimming access with nearby attractions. "Walking distance to water park. Sites are very nice, although a little close to each other," says Timothy R.

Playgrounds and recreation: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Monte Sano has "cool little wooden play obstacles for the kids in the campground and a huge playground 1/2 mile away inside the park," according to Greg S.

Educational opportunities: Combine camping with nature learning. "The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is worth visiting while you're in the area - lots of birds and walking paths," note several reviewers.

Paved trails for young cyclists: Look for campgrounds with accessible pathways. "There is a six mile walking/biking trail along the Tennessee river. The golf course is at the campground entrance," mentions Kathy C.

Tips from RVers

Site spacing considerations: Quail Creek RV Resort offers pull-through sites but with some limitations. "Some pull-through reviews stated spacious, and I guess if you rate pad length, that could be accurate, but the sites are close together," reports MickandKarla W.

Navigating campground roads: Access can be challenging at some locations. "The roads to the site was hard to navigate due to the amount of vehicles parked along the roads. However, the sites were great angles and easy to maneuver into and out of," notes Katie D. about Point Mallard.

Utility quality: Water pressure and electrical service vary between campgrounds. "The water pressure was excellent, and we really liked the new cedar picnic table," states MickandKarla W. about Quail Creek.

Drive-through considerations: Check for roadway hazards when approaching sites. "When we departed...we took the right turn, and about the time the trailer swung, we saw the drop-off into the ditch, and the driver's side wheels went into it," warns MickandKarla W.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there tent camping options near Decatur, Alabama?

Yes, several excellent tent camping options exist near Decatur. Monte Sano State Park Campground offers 21 primitive tent sites in a wooded setting with plenty of shade. The park features numerous trails for hiking and is located near Huntsville, providing a natural escape that feels worlds away from urban areas. For more adventurous campers, the Sipsey Wilderness offers numerous backcountry sites along its trail system, ideal for spring and fall visits when temperatures are moderate and mosquitoes are less active. These wilderness sites provide an authentic tent camping experience in one of Alabama's most scenic natural areas.

What are the best campgrounds in Decatur, AL?

Point Mallard City Campground is a top choice in Decatur, consistently busy due to its excellent amenities. The campground features clean bath houses and friendly staff, plus it's adjacent to a water park for added entertainment. Its convenient location provides easy access to grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants. Another excellent option near Decatur is Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday, which offers full hookups for RVs and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and lake access. Both campgrounds provide visitors with a great base to explore northern Alabama.

Is Point Mallard a good campground for camping in Decatur?

Yes, Point Mallard City Campground is an excellent camping option in Decatur. The campground stays consistently busy for good reason - it offers clean facilities, including well-maintained bath houses, and the staff is known for being friendly and helpful. One of its biggest attractions is the adjacent water park, providing entertainment for families and visitors of all ages. The location is especially convenient, situated close to essential services including grocery stores, gas stations, and various dining options. For those looking to explore beyond Decatur, Lake Guntersville State Park is another worthwhile option within driving distance, offering additional recreational activities like zip lining.