3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Elberta, Alabama has emerged as a family-focused glamping destination with a variety of upgraded accommodations. Just 30 minutes from Gulf Shores beaches, this resort houses glamping options featuring comfortable beds, climate control, and private outdoor areas. The campground boasts a clean swimming pool, splash pad for children, and fishing opportunities in their small pond. "Couldn't ask for a better place to take the family on a weekend get away. Lots of activities for the kids and very friendly staff," noted one guest. Sites are spacious with level gravel pads, fire pits, and picnic tables, while the campground store stocks essential items for guests who forget supplies.
Weekend activities make this glamping experience distinctive, with scheduled crafts, group s'mores around the campfire, and Yogi Bear character appearances delighting younger guests. Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA, located along the waterfront in nearby Lillian, offers additional glamping accommodations with premium patio sites featuring wooden decks, grills, and bay views. The location provides convenient access to Gulf Shores attractions, Pensacola beaches, and historic sites like Fort Morgan and the Pensacola Air Museum. According to a camper, "Our site was level with a grill, fire pit, picnic table and a wooden deck." Both resorts maintain clean facilities with updated bathrooms and showers, making them suitable for eco-friendly glamping experiences without sacrificing modern amenities.
"PROS Quiet
Minimal streetlights
Site 435 level
Asphalt parking pad is extended as an area for the picnic table
Pedestal BBQ in good condition and free of ash upon arrival
Moveable metal and"
"But, we could see the lake across the road, and we were really close to the air conditioned bath house/restrooms, and within a short walk from the swimming pool, nature center, lily pond, camp store, air"
Available next weekend
"There are water and electric hookups snd a dump station in all but D loop. Bathrooms and showers. Every site is just a short walk to the beach."
"Gorgeous white sand beaches a short walk from the campground. Clean, great hot showers, level asphalt pads, water and electric, dump station on site."
Available next weekend
from $20 - $40 / night
"Dog friendly park that is away from the major city hubs, nothing but the beach is walkable. Our site was level with a grill, fire pit, picnic table and a wooden deck."
"We had an issue with the electrical that we couldn’t figure out, but one of the campground workers was very nice and tried to help us figure out the issue. We loved walking to the waterfront."
"Enjoy taking the grandkids to Jellystone campground in Elberta, Alabama. "
"It is located in Elberta Al. The sites are gravel and dirt but they are level and very spacious. Great for RVs and large rigs."
"We did some paddle-boarding and walked trails. There is so much more we want to do, like play volleyball, mini golf, go kayaking, and ride bikes. It was quiet at quiet time, no problems."
"Electric, water with Dump Station. Very friendly staff. Quiet. Great area for long dog walks in the woods. We are repeat customers. 😎"
from $7 - $75 / night
"This was the closest thing I have found to a camping experience near the Gulf of America. Most RV parks in this region are sterile asphalt and concrete, but Bay Breeze is different."
"We canceled our reservations and they were kind enough to give us back our deposit."
from $59 - $76 / night
"**This park is in the middle of the delta, giving easy access to the water and lovely views. Trails are short but the boardwalk connecting the two parts of the park is incredible."
"Reserved a nice spot next to the Bay. Well kept campground. We arrived at 10 pm; site closed at 7, but we thought we would have access since we had a reservation."
Available next weekend
"The retreat offers several amenities including showers, laundromat, and gas grills. There are even bouncy houses and playgrounds for the kids."
"Ice on site always a plus."
from $20 - $150 / night
"There are two wooden platforms for beds. A twin and a queen, and barstools to sit inside and look out into the woods, over the hill in which they are nestled."
"There's a lot of cool Civil War history to witness, as well as a beautiful walking path/deck along the bay."
"Beautiful area, with great biking and hiking trails. Very close to the beach and shopping. The sites are mostly very good size and there are lots of sites to choose from!!"
ScoutIt has camper spots or rents campers that are already hooked up with cable there is a swimming hole a little further down the road pretty nice people own it not far from bellingrath gardens, the bayou and dauphin island is only 20 mins away. It's a little drive to a store
ScoutI rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience was incredibly disappointing. I reserved a specific campsite many months in advance for my birthday. Before arriving, I even received an email confirming that exact site. When I checked in, I was told they had given my reserved site to someone else and moved me to a different spot. The whole reason I booked so far in advance was to secure that particular location, so this completely defeated the purpose of planning ahead. What made the situation even worse was how it was handled. The manager never apologized or acknowledged the mistake. Instead, I was met with an attitude that made it seem like my frustration wasn’t justified. A sincere apology and some accountability would have gone a long way. To“make it right,” they offered a 20% discount, which honestly felt insulting given that they failed to honor a confirmed reservation on a special occasion. It wasn’t about the money—it was about keeping their commitment and treating customers with respect when they make a mistake. Unfortunately, what should have been a memorable birthday started with disappointment because of the park’s poor reservation management and lack of customer service. I hope they improve their processes and, more importantly, learn how to take responsibility when they let their guests down.
ScoutGreat campground, quick walk to the quiet beach, good bathrooms and laundry facilities
GuideWe have stayed at Gulf State Park several times. This is a busy campground with full amenities. It has level paved sites. There are some primitive sites with a little more privacy for tent camping. Its a bit expensive but has full hookups, a pool, laundromat, boat launch, nature center and tons of walking trails. Several sites are near the lakes and creeks. This is NOT on the beach but your pass gets you free parking at the Gulf State Park beach and the Pier which are both minutes from the campground.
TravelerWe recently stayed at Splash RV Resort at site 83 and had a great experience overall. Our site was excellent, featuring a decent little yard, and it was almost perfectly level—only about a half-inch off from left to right across the width of our camper. There was also plenty of room to park our F-450 right in front. The resort's location is perfect for day trips to the nearby beaches, and the roads inside the park are great with very easy access from the highway. (Note: There isn't much shopping nearby besides a Dollar General, so come prepared!) The facilities here are absolutely amazing. The bathhouses and laundry rooms are honestly resort-quality. We also ordered the cinnamon rolls a day in advance, and they were incredible. The resort app works flawlessly—we used it to request a propane refill, a fire pit, and firewood, and the service was incredibly fast every time. Almost all of the employees were super awesome and friendly. The only negative interaction we had was with the older lady working at the camp store. She constantly hounded us multiple times about not wearing our wristbands. Given that the resort has a gate code, gated security, and guest lists, the aggressive monitoring felt like overkill—especially since I personally cannot sleep with things on my wrists. To make this place a true 10/10, I have a few suggestions for management: 1 The Pizza: While the other poolside food was surprisingly good, the pizza was a letdown. It was a typical frozen, "waterpark-style" reheated pizza that cost $20. For that price point, the resort should definitely choose a higher-quality option. 2 Pool Sun Shades: Currently, the sun shades are over the shallow section of the adults-only pool. These really should be moved over the children’s section (at least on one side). Kids are much more sensitive to the sun and it’s always a struggle to get them out of the water to reapply sunscreen. 3 The Fitness Center: It was pretty pathetic and could definitely use a functional trainer or better equipment to match the quality of the rest of the resort. Overall, it’s a beautiful place to stay with top-tier amenities, and we would definitely come back!
TravelerWonderful quiet spot, great for tent camping, a lot of shade!
TravelerThis was our first outing with a new camper and glad we chose this location. Bad battery some mechanical issues but the location made it easier to fix and enjoy the weekend. Auto parts, grocery store, and Walmart is only a short drive away. Park itself inside was quite enjoyable. Bath houses were clean a variety of tasks can be done in the park which include Beach swimming, hiking, disc golf, and various parks for children. Highly recommended
TravelerThis campground is huge and adding 200 more campsites in 2026 for class A campers in their prior golf course.
Nice amenities! Bring bikes if you have them to enjoy the many trails and boardwalks. There are several hiking trails though a couple need to be maintained.
There are 8 primitive sites with more tree coverage than other areas. Surprisingly there is no water for washing dishes but there are areas for fish cleaning in the community areas. 🤷♀️ If they don’t provide water in the sites they should at least have a community dish washing station.
The bathrooms are newer and decently clean (though no soap for a week in the one we utilized). The showers are hot and there is a dry space for items and changing.
We enjoyed our week here and would come back if we were camping with friends.
TravelerThe lady on the gate was very helpful both on the phone and in person. Once I found the drive through site I found it very relaxing albeit with barely any cell signal (TMobile) Will definitely be back!
Elberta, Alabama sits at the intersection of coastal waterways and pine forests, with an average summer temperature of 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below 40°F. The area sees approximately 65 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush surroundings for campers year-round. Camping options range from primitive sites to upgraded facilities, with multiple parks offering water-based activities due to proximity to Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Explore historic forts: At Fort Pickens Campground, visitors can walk through Civil War-era structures. "We were less than a 10 minute walk from the beach and walked about 30 minutes to the old fort. The beach and water were just beautiful," notes a camper. The site combines beach access with historical exploration.
Fishing from piers: The Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA offers waterfront fishing opportunities. "We loved walking to the waterfront. My son enjoyed the basketball court," shares one visitor. Many sites provide direct access to Mobile Bay or river fishing.
Kayaking and water activities: Multiple water access points support various boating activities. "Took our kids and pups here often! They have tent spots, cabins, rv spots, sail boat rentals, paint ball, frisbee golf, and anything else you could want," says a visitor to Blue Angel Park. Water activities remain accessible year-round due to the moderate climate.
Waterfront views: Bay Breeze RV on the Bay provides direct water access. "The sites are located under massive oak trees with Spanish moss hanging from the limbs. There is a 150' fishing pier and chairs conveniently located for watching the beautiful sunrise over Bon Secour Bay," according to a recent visitor.
Wildlife observation: Blakeley State Park Campground offers extensive natural areas. "We heard coyotes at a distance which was amazing... Loved seeing the horses on the trails," recounts one camper. The park's 26 miles of trails provide wildlife viewing opportunities.
Organized activities: Scheduled events keep younger campers entertained. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, "We enjoyed taking the grandkids to Jellystone campground in Elberta, Alabama. Lots to do with their activities, wagon rides, group s'mores campfire, fishing, crafts," shares a visitor.
Site conditions vary significantly: Level sites can be hard to find at some parks. "Some of the sites are so unlevel. But the historical tour of the park is amazing," notes a visitor to Blakeley State Park Campground. Sites near water often have challenging terrain.
Weather considerations: The Gulf region experiences sudden storms. "Friday night it rained and was quiet. Saturday the park was very busy," reports a camper at Gulf State Park Campground. The park provides "amazing amenities including Pickle Ball, Pool, Restaurant, Trails, etc."
Bug preparation: Insects are common in the humid climate. "The ants are ridiculous. I had read reviews about the ants prior so I came prepared," warns a Meaher State Park visitor. Bringing insect repellent is essential during warmer months.
Water safety precautions: Supervise children near water areas. "Just watch out where you swim!" advises a Gulf State Park camper who "went hiking along the trails and found 3 baby gators hanging out!"
Kid-friendly amenities: The Retreat RV & Campground On Styx River offers family-oriented facilities. "The retreat offers several amenities including showers, laundromat, and gas grills. There are even bouncy houses and playgrounds for the kids," shares a visitor. Multiple parks feature splash pads or swimming areas.
Yurt camping options: For families seeking alternative accommodations, yurt camping in Elberta, Alabama provides sturdy shelter with basic amenities. "We stayed in one of the yurts that are set up and organized for camping during certain parts of the year that each have 4 cots and a fire pit. There is also a large pump sink and a wild west looking shower in this area," describes a Gulf State Park visitor.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites carefully based on size requirements. "Some sites have beautiful shade. The beach access for your site is a bit of a walk but I would come back here in a heartbeat!" reports a Fort Pickens camper.
Power considerations: Check electrical requirements before booking. "The campground website currently that all electric campsites are 50amp which they are not, if you need a 50amp site you will have to call the office to ensure you can secure one," advises a camper at The Retreat RV Campground.
Seasonal booking timing: Reserve well in advance for peak seasons. "Hard to get into this park, so best to reserve early!" warns a visitor to Gulf Coast RV Park. The winter months bring "snowbird" travelers who book extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Elberta, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Elberta, AL is Gulf State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 109 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Elberta, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 glamping camping locations near Elberta, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
