Campgrounds near Alabama River Lakes offer a mix of Army Corps of Engineers sites and private RV parks, with Prairie Creek Campground and Gunter Hill providing waterfront camping opportunities. Most campgrounds in the area feature concrete pads suitable for both tents and RVs, with many sites offering water and electric hookups. Several campgrounds like Prairie Creek provide direct water access for boating and fishing on the Alabama River, while others like Kountry Air RV Park and Montgomery South RV Park offer additional amenities including cabin rentals.
Alabama River Lakes campgrounds generally remain accessible year-round, with seasonal operations at some locations. Prairie Creek Campground stays open throughout the year while Gunter Hill operates from March through October. "We stayed in spot 36. We were very close to the water with a little cutout to walk down to the water," notes one visitor about Prairie Creek. Most sites feature level concrete pads with reliable utilities, though visitors should be prepared for local wildlife concerns, particularly ants at some locations. Cell service varies throughout the region, with several reviewers mentioning limited Verizon coverage at Prairie Creek Campground. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for camping.
The waterfront sites receive consistently positive feedback across multiple campgrounds in the Alabama River Lakes system. Campers appreciate the spacious, shaded sites at Gunter Hill, which one visitor described as having "large sites, shaded, have sewer hookups, concrete pads, many on a beautiful lake." At Prairie Creek Campground, visitors enjoy fishing opportunities and wildlife viewing, with reports of paddlefish, gar, catfish and crappie. According to one camper, "We saw huge paddlefish jumping out of the water, many birds and deer on the nature trail." Many campgrounds maintain clean facilities with individual bathroom stalls rather than community layouts. Visitors particularly value the quiet atmosphere and natural setting at these camping areas, with multiple reviews highlighting the peaceful environment despite proximity to Montgomery and other area attractions.
$24 - $34 / night
"We stayed here for one night while traveling through Alabama. Looks like most of the sites are level with concrete parking pads. Many great waterfront sites with lots of big shade trees."
"Sites along the lake tended to be closer together than I like, but with great views. Sites across the street tended to offer a little more space and, in some cases, more privacy."
$28 - $34 / night
"Busy but quiet woods all around. On the Alabama River Lakes with a boat ramp in the older Antioch Loop which is in need of updating."
"Very quiet peaceful campground on the wooded shores of the Alabama River. Plenty of level sites. Bathroom and showers centrally located."
"Also known as Bob Woodruff Park, located right on the Alabama River, there's access to swimming, hiking, fishing and of course boating."
"Really liked this campground it is a nice ace to break the trip from Decatur Alabama to Gulfshores Alabama sites are nice and clean there is a camp store on site."
"This park is right up the street from Alabama Safari Park, and there are a few restaurants up the road near the interstate. Overall, I highly recommend this park!"
"When we made reservations, we were told to only take exit 179 off I-65 and follow the GPS directions, as any other way will take you on narrow roads, including gravel roads."
"This little gem of a campground is kind of off the beaten path between Montgomery and Selma."
$50 - $70 / night
"Approaching from US-231 to US-80, the directions from Florida prompted a U-turn to reach Sassafras Circle, and traffic was heavy since the campground (CG) sits near I-65 by the TA Travel Center and several"
"We feel safe here with the hidden location and security cameras. Our dogs enjoyed the dog park and walks through the woods and around the lake."
"Sherling Lake is owned by the city of Greenville."
"Very close to the interstate. Extremely affordable for full hook ups. Pull through and back in sites available. The only things to mention that are not the norm are."
$10 - $26 / night
"Very Quiet location with level pull thru sites. Showers are clean and laundry on site. Many long term campers on site. Camping is a little pricy at 28 dollars a night but very safe."
"Lake with playground and large dog park. Exceptionally friendly staff. Quiet and we'll maintained. Shower rooms available, although have not used."
$24 - $28 / night
"Very isolated with full amenities on the Alabama river system.. David and Lora Fitch."
"I thought I was lost I had traveled so far off the beaten path. Suddenly I see a sign! Whew! Surrounded by water this campground was not very full in November."
$14 / night
TravelerGood place to stop overnight. Got a pull through site # 18 and didn’t have to disconnect. Sites have full hookups. Con is that the next morning I had small black ants streaming along my front & rear door frames. Be sure you spray or do something to keep them off your equipment.
ScoutNo power, no water, grasses, room for 2 or 3 campers, just a quiet place to rest for the night. Be sure to pick up what you bring. Leave no trash. Free. No need to call for reservation. Just be respectful.
ScoutThis immaculate campground/manufactured home seller is easy off I65 and easy back on. Has laundry, playground, dog park, showers, restrooms, tv lounge vending machines, wifi, AND FULLhookup. Enjoyed one night.
Would definitely stay again.
LegendWe stop here often and love how easy it is to get to from route 80 and not too far from I-65. There are two sections– Catoma Creek and Antioch Loop– both of which are very different. The Catoma Loop is full hook-up (50 and 30 amps) with a nice, level paved driveway and gravel patio. Sites in this loop have more space between campsites so you don’t feel like you are right on top of your neighbor. This loop is more open and less treed but there are a few shade trees. The waterfront sites are really nice with great views of the sunset. The only problem with this section is that it is more desirable and therefore more crowded. The Antioch Loop is the older more dilapidated section of the park. The roads are old concrete that are now full of potholes and loose gravel. The area is heavily treed so there is lots of shade but very little grass in between and around sites. Trees and shrubs have not been trimmed for a long time and overhang the roads and campsites. The sites are gravel with large gravel patios. Many of the sites are not level and have pretty bad slopes to them. Bathrooms are located towards the front of the section so pick your site accordingly if you want to be close to the restrooms. The bathhouse was extremely old and looked like it belonged in a state prison. The doors on the bathroom stalls where falling apart and I needed my shoulder to get out of the stall. This section is very unkept and old– definitely get a site in the Catoma Loop if you can. There is a boat launch, each loop has a playground, and group shelter. Dump stations are located in each loop. Garbage dumpsters are located near the entrance of the park so you either have to drive your garbage or take a fairly long walk. Check in is 4 and check out is 3 so make sure you don’t plan on coming very early as your site may be occupied until 3.
GuideThe park was beautiful and well maintained. The sites were big and the prices were low. The only downside was we couldn’t stay longer due to my wife’s allergies and it was too hot. We’ll visit it again during fall or spring when the temperatures allow us to in joy it more.
RangerMy husband's job requires constant travel. We stayed here for five weeks for a job in Selma. I absolutely LOVED this campground! GiGi and Don work tirelessly six days a week. If there were 8 days in a week, they would work 7. Beautiful flowers, more trees than I have ever seen in a campground, fenced dog park, seasonal pool, bathrooms with a shower, large laundry room/sitting area at the front of the park, book/DVD swap, second laundry room being renovated at the back of the park, propane filled on site and safe walking within the park (hills). Some road noise but not obnoxious. Will absolutely stay here again if we are in the area.
TravelerGunter Hill is a great stopping point for our travels to Florida- easy access, nice sites
ScoutGood site, lots of room, site only 30 amps. Love this place. Come here often just to relax.
LegendWe used Trip Wizard, Waze, and Google Maps for navigation. Approaching from US-231 to US-80, the directions from Florida prompted a U-turn to reach Sassafras Circle, and traffic was heavy since the campground (CG) sits near I-65 by the TA Travel Center and several fast-food restaurants. We later realized a left turn at Arby’s provides a much easier entrance into the CG. Check-in was quick and easy, and we received a helpful information packet before being escorted to pull-through site 402 with full hookups. The site was more than long enough for our 40' toy hauler and F450 and was fairly level. Utilities were nicely positioned near the middle of the pad. Sites in this CG were spaced nicely apart, though not especially spacious. Site 402 was considered a premium site, but there was no picnic table or fire ring, and only a couple of sites had those features—site 403 on the end cap included a nice fire pit and picnic table. Along with a fishing pond and a few minor amenities, the“resort” name felt a bit generous. We had 2 bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. Water pressure was strong, and management recommended using a pressure reducer. The CG information noted fast internet with no need for cable; however, our speed test showed about 18 Mbps download. The open layout with no trees would make satellite easy to use. There is a small fenced dog area, and additional space around the property worked well for leashed walks. Overall, this was a good CG for an overnight stop or even a few days.
Alabama River Lakes camping areas offer direct water access to Woodruff Lake, one segment of the 318-mile Alabama River waterway managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The river system supports diverse wildlife including paddlefish, gar, catfish, and turtles along with occasional alligators. Camping spots along these waterways range from primitive sites with vault toilets to full-service campgrounds with boat ramps and fishing piers at elevations generally below 200 feet above sea level.
Fishing from shore or dock: Chilatchee Creek Campground offers multiple fishing spots from private docks. "We drove through Two miles of red mud to get to the paved access road," notes a camper about accessing this fishing haven. The campground provides good catfish fishing opportunities directly from waterfront sites.
Wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk: Morning wildlife watching can be rewarding near water sites. "I thought I was lost I had traveled so far off the beaten path. Suddenly I see a sign! Whew! Surrounded by water this campground was not very full in November. On a tiny island there appeared to be thousands of birds roosting in the evening," shares one visitor about Chilatchee Creek.
Hiking nature trails: Maxwell-Gunter AFB FamCamp includes walking paths around a lake plus a repurposed softball field serving as a spacious dog exercise area. The campground offers "a nice little lake but that's about it in terms of 'natural' amenities," according to one reviewer who also noted proximity to train tracks.
Spacious waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the generous spacing between sites at Alabama River Lakes campgrounds. At Elm Bluff Campground, visitors appreciate the "large paved parking pads" along the Alabama River. This smaller, more remote campground offers approximately ten sites with water hookups and clean outhouses during off-season periods.
Privacy and seclusion: The remote locations provide genuine outdoor experiences away from urban areas. "Secluded, quiet, plenty of wildlife and great fishing. Can't wait to go back," remarks a visitor about Chilatchee Creek Campground, while another describes it as "gorgeous" with "beautiful lake and Spanish moss, spacious sites, plenty of privacy, and very quiet."
Wildlife encounters: The Alabama River system supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw huge paddlefish jumping out of the water, many birds and deer on the nature trail. Bring fishing poles," suggests one Prairie Creek visitor, while another mentions spotting "turtles and gators" at Chilatchee Creek.
Ant prevention essential: Multiple campgrounds report significant ant issues, particularly in warmer months. Bring preventative measures like powdered deterrents or barriers. "Don't let the partial dirt road fool you. What a find. Secluded, quiet, plenty of wildlife and great fishing," shares a visitor about Sherling Lake Park, a well-maintained city-owned campground near the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Road conditions vary: Access roads to more remote campgrounds may become difficult during wet weather. "We thought we were lost because the dirt road to get to the campground was very narrow and rough. Once arrived near the campground it was fine," explains one camper about their journey to Chilatchee Creek.
Site utilities placement: Water and electric hookups vary by campsite, with some requiring longer hoses or cords. "Laundry and bathroom needs updated, but clean. Fire-ring, picnic table, and water & electric at each sight," notes a Chilatchee Creek visitor who also mentioned spotting fireflies at night.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Prairie Creek Campground offers accessible fishing areas ideal for children. "We needed a place in a pinch since we got on the road in the afternoon... $18 for the night and we had running water, a fire pit, and a decent little plot overlooking a section of the Alabama River," shares one family who also enjoyed canoeing on Woodruff Lake.
Playgrounds and open spaces: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment and open areas for children. "Level gavel site! Lots of trees So cool to see lighting bugs at night! Lot of sites on the water not ours though. Trails and nature for walking dogs. Nice playground," reports a Chilatchee Creek visitor.
Safety around water: Given the prevalence of waterfront sites, maintain close supervision of children near water. "There was a 3 foot gator around most of the weekend. Some gar and blue cats to catch along with a lot of small crappie," notes one Prairie Creek camper, highlighting both the fishing opportunities and the need for awareness of wildlife.
Level sites with concrete pads: The Backyard RV Resort (formerly The Woods) features "gravel roads and pull-thru sites" close to I-65. "Spots are level and decent sized. Booking was a breeze, staff was very friendly," shares one visitor who also noted good cell reception with "AT&T had 5 bars and streamed videos with no problem. Verizon had 4 bars as well."
Bathhouse quality varies: While most campgrounds maintain clean facilities, construction ranges from modern to basic. "The bathhouses are minimal and outdated, but very clean," reports a Chilatchee Creek visitor, while another mentioned "two of the three bathhouses are well maintained. The bathhouse at the dump station is in bad need of repairs."
Sewer hookup availability: Many Alabama River Lakes campgrounds offer water and electric but limited sewer connections. "This is everything I want in a campground except it has no sewer sites. Flat campground that is easily walkable and can ride bikes," explains a Prairie Creek visitor who also appreciated the on-site laundry facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Alabama River Lakes?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alabama River Lakes is Prairie Creek Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.
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