Oak Mountain State Park Campground offers renovated sites in multiple camping areas with varying levels of terrain. Campers can choose from sites along the lake or tucked into wooded areas, with recently updated facilities throughout the park. The campground sits about 15 miles southeast of Vestavia Hills with an elevation range of 600-1,000 feet, creating diverse camping environments from lakeside flats to hillside retreats.
What to do
Explore historic ironworks sites: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground features preserved furnaces and historical buildings throughout its grounds. "The park is full of historical buildings like an old mill, furnace, blacksmith shop, and restored cabins (some are available to rent)," notes Randi P. Visitors can attend Trade Days weekends which offer "a huge flea market with over 400 vendors, food stands, and all kinds of local treasures."
Try water recreation activities: The lakes at Oak Mountain provide excellent fishing, swimming, and paddling options. "The park's extensive trail system includes paths suitable for all ability levels, with multiple water access points where pets can cool off during warmer months," making it one of the most dog friendly campgrounds near Vestavia Hills. One camper mentions their site "on the lake was beautiful and had ducks came right up to our site."
Visit wildlife rehabilitation centers: At Oak Mountain State Park, visitors can explore the wildlife rehabilitation center showcasing rescued animals. "We took a hike to Pevine falls which I would highly suggest. There is a 5.5 mile roundtrip hike that starts near the beach area and ends at the falls," reports one camper. Another visitor recommends "the TREE TOP NATURE TRAIL" as a must-see attraction.
What campers like
Recently renovated camping loops: Oak Mountain State Park Campground has undergone significant improvements. "They put a massive amount of money into updating this place. This is the #1 best state park campground I have ever been at," shares Soren B. Another camper appreciates "Remodeled spaces with adequate space for a newbie to back her travel trailer in with no problems."
Multi-use trail networks: The trails accommodate hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding with clearly marked difficulty levels. "The park has everything, mtn bike, gravel bike, trail running, road running, road biking, golf, equestrian, sailing and fishing," one visitor explains. Another mentions "lots of trails that are very well marked" throughout the park.
Creek-side camping options: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground offers sites along a peaceful creek. "We stayed in site 122 in Campground 1, right on the creek. The sites are all gravel with picnic tables. Ours was pretty spacious," reports a camper. Others note that "the creek is peaceful and adds great ambiance" to the camping experience.
What you should know
Limited privacy at some parks: Birmingham South RV Park offers convenience but lacks natural buffers between sites. "No concrete pads but nice small sites," notes one camper. Another visitor mentions that "the sites are very small and your neighbors sewer hookups happen to be about 3 feet from your site's picnic table."
Varying bathhouse conditions: Facility maintenance differs between parks. At Tannehill, a reviewer noted that "bathhouses need attention" despite the park's other amenities. In other locations, visitors report "Remodeled bathhouses as well and kept clean even on a busy July 4th weekend."
First-come, first-served sites: Some campgrounds don't take reservations. "We arrived late on a Thursday night and appreciated that the ranger is on-site 24/7, since the campground doesn't take reservations. The process is easy—you just pull in, find a site, and register/pay the next morning," explains a Tannehill camper.
Check-out policies: Campgrounds enforce check-out times differently. Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Vestavia Hills have check-outs ranging from 11am to 1pm. As one Tannehill visitor notes, "Check-out time is 1:00 PM, and we didn't see an official check-in time or posted quiet hours."
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration for kids: Brookside Greenway Park offers a "awesome clean creek to swim and canoe in" that's pet-friendly. "My grandkids absolutely love it. They ride their bikes, play in the creek, and eat great ice cream from the creamery!" says one regular visitor to Tannehill.
Educational opportunities: State parks often feature historical and nature programs. "The park is also full of historical buildings" where children can learn about local history. One visitor recommends the "petting zoo, very neat trail with rescued owls, turkeys and red hawks" at Oak Mountain as particularly interesting for children.
Playground amenities: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds to keep children entertained. One camper mentions that Rickwood Caverns has "a cute playground for the little ones and a great hiking trail that was absolutely gorgeous," making it another good choice for families seeking dog friendly campgrounds around Vestavia Hills.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through convenience: Hoover Met Complex RV Park offers easy-access sites for larger rigs. "Very easy to find and super easy to park. Very clean and easy hookups. All lots are pull through and asphalt," notes Millibeth R. Another RVer agrees: "Easy pull through, paved lot. Close access to anything you need."
Connectivity options: RVers value internet access while camping. "It has wifi throughout and almost everywhere in the park has cell reception," mentions a camper about Oak Mountain. Another notes that at Hoover Met, the "wifi is meh. Would expect more from a city campground," while T-Mobile service at Tannehill "was decent—we were able to use our hotspot to stream TV at night."
Site leveling considerations: Site quality varies between parks. "The pads are very uneven and there are just not many amenities," cautions an RVer about Hoover Met Complex. At Oak Mountain, campers appreciate that "the recently renovated camping areas offer level pads for easy setup."
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