Near Eight Mile, Alabama, RV sites and campgrounds offer access to Mobile Bay's coastal environments across varied terrain. The region maintains a humid subtropical climate with mild winters where temperatures rarely drop below freezing and hot summers averaging 90°F. Camping facilities in the area range from basic sites to developed RV parks with varying levels of privacy between sites.
What to do
Hiking historical trails: At Apalachee RV Campground - Blakeley State Park, visitors can explore preserved areas from the 1800s. "Great park with a ton of historically preserved areas from the 1800's," notes John W., adding that wildlife is abundant with "deer that come very close."
Kayaking waterways: The region offers multiple paddling options near camping areas. Christie M. mentions that Blakeley State Park has "kayaking trails all around in the park and local," providing water recreation while still being "close by to big city life but camping in the wild yonder."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming facilities for summer recreation. At Bay Palms RV Resort, Elizabeth Z. reports they "went in March" hoping to use the heated pool but found it "ice cold" though it "looked nice and clean for summer use."
Fishing opportunities: The Styx River area provides fishing access, though results vary. At The Retreat RV & Campground On Styx River, Patricia noted it was an "awesome campground but no fish" though still a "great place for families with little ones."
What campers like
Large camping spaces: Campers frequently mention the spaciousness at certain parks. Christie M. appreciated that Blakeley State Park offers "big camping spaces - semi private" while Ryan & Lorri R. noted that All About Relaxing RV Park has "well landscaped" sites despite being "a little cramped/close together."
Outstanding customer service: Several parks receive praise for staff assistance. Clayton D. shared that at All About Relaxing RV Park, the owners "took us to our pull through spot, helped us get lined up, and greeted us like old friends!"
Clean facilities: Multiple reviewers highlight cleanliness as a key benefit. At Homestead RV Community, Sonya P. stated the place is "super clean and quiet" with "gorgeous" views, while Cameron C. noted "the park itself is immaculately clean, the pool is beautiful."
Quiet environment: Many campers value the peaceful settings. Lori found Magnolia Springs RV Hideaway to be a "quiet, friendly campground" with "good size" sites in a "well-maintained" park "within an easy drive to the gulf."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. Chloe F. advises for The Retreat campground: "make sure you bring leveling blocks, some of the sites are fairly level while others are not. Our site sloped down towards the river and we needed extra blocks."
Wi-Fi reliability issues: Internet access varies significantly. At Magnolia Springs RV Hideaway, Lori experienced "intermittent wi-fi signal" issues during their multi-month stays, while Elizabeth Z. found the Wi-Fi at Bay Palms "pretty unusable for us."
Varied shower conditions: Hot water availability differs between locations. At Citronelle Lakeview RV Park, the "bath house is great and has a washer and dryer" according to JD J., but Gregg K. reported having "no hot showers all week" during their stay at Bay Palms.
Limited grocery and dining options: Stock up before arriving at certain locations. Elizabeth Z. advises: "Luckily we brought most of the food we needed because there is no nearby fast food and limited grocery stores" near Bay Palms, noting "mainly seafood or pizza restaurants around."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kid spaces: Some campgrounds offer specific children's areas. Amber L. notes that The Retreat "offers several amenities including showers, laundromat, and gas grills. There are even bouncy houses and playgrounds for the kids."
Pet-friendly features: For families traveling with pets, Winner's Circle RV Resort earns praise from Jareth C. who found "easy check in, great office personnel, clean, safe and nice amenities" including pet accommodations.
Water recreation access: Cameron C. highlights that Homestead RV Community has features children appreciate: "The dog park is so big and our pups were able to really run around and get their energy out" plus "the pool is beautiful."
Safety considerations: Secure campgrounds provide peace of mind for families. Cbryner notes that Mobile Oaks RV Resort (formerly Johnny's RV Resort) offers a "pretty quiet park with security gates and cameras" though the reviewer also mentions "a lot of long term worker campers."
Tips from RVers
Site navigation challenges: RVers should assess maneuverability before booking. Tom reports at The Retreat: "The RV sites are not on any type of paved or level ground and are not suitable for larger RVs" adding they're "VERY close together and there are a lot of trees."
RV size considerations: Larger rigs may face limitations at certain parks. Chloe F. notes their "35 feet travel trailer" was "quiet tight getting into our spot" at The Retreat, adding "we would not have been able to park where we were had there been a camper next to us."
Hookup variations: Check specific site utilities before arriving. The Retreat currently has "limited" full-service hookups during expansion according to Amber L., though "they do have plenty of water/power hookups both off and on the river."
Concrete pad availability: Some rv sites near Eight Mile, Alabama feature concrete surfaces for easier setup. Monica B. appreciates that Homestead RV Community offers "large concrete sites" along with "friendly host and guest" and the "best Wi-Fi ever."
