Blakeley State Park provides equestrian camping opportunities near Fairhope, Alabama, with distinct camping areas serving different needs. The Apalachee RV Campground section offers spacious sites with full hookups, while the Bartram tent camping area provides more rustic accommodations with water access and fire rings. Campsites in both areas maintain separation from neighboring sites, creating a sense of privacy despite the park's popularity during peak seasons.
What to do
Historic exploration: The park preserves significant Civil War sites with self-guided and ranger-led tours available. "There are bathrooms and bath houses, fairly secluded campsites, along with 26 miles of trails which are easy to moderate with a flat surface. You will walk through historic civil war sites, trails that were once the streets of the town of Blakeley," notes reviewer Julie D. at Blakeley State Park Campground.
Riverside activities: The boat launch area provides water access for personal watercraft, though scheduled boat tours may be seasonal. "Boat tours not running when we were there. There is a boat launch if you want to bring your own," mentions MomSolo from her experience at Blakeley State Park.
Family-friendly hiking: Most trails maintain gentle grades suitable for children and casual hikers, connecting historical sites with natural areas. "If you bring nothing but a love of history this is the perfect spot for you. If you bring your family, this is the perfect spot for you. If you bring a horse, a bike, or good hiking shoes this is the perfect spot for you," shares Nicole G. about her experience at Apalachee RV Campground.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: The RV campground receives consistent praise for site separation and size. "HUGE sites, very secluded. If I look really hard through the woods I can see a neighbor. Very clean, well kept," reports Laurie A. about her trailer camping experience at Blakeley State Park.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers note the peaceful environment, especially at night. "Two nights under stars and immaculate quiet. (To the point where we couldn't help but laugh (quietly) when our fire cracked loudly a couple times," shares Nicole G. about the camping environment.
Convenient amenities: The campground maintains clean facilities while preserving a natural setting. "The bathroom was clean, had a light, very soft toilet paper, and hand sanitizer," notes Amy B. about her overnight stay at the Bartram tent campground at Anchors Aweigh RV Resort.
What you should know
Weekend services: A food truck sometimes operates on weekends, providing meal options without leaving the park. "Food truck on Saturday for lunch was a nice surprise," mentions MomSolo about amenities available during busy periods.
Bathroom usage patterns: The main bathhouse serves both campers and day visitors, which can cause congestion. "The bathhouse serves as the public restroom for day use as well which made it very crowded at times," notes MomSolo from her tent camping experience.
Site leveling requirements: Some RV sites require significant leveling equipment. "Some of the sites are so unlevel. But the historical tour of the park is amazing," warns Michael in his review of Peaceful Camping in the Woods.
Wildlife encounters: The wooded surroundings support diverse wildlife including deer that frequently approach camping areas. "Lots of wildlife including deer that come very close," reports John W. about his weekend stay at Apalachee Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Junior Ranger programs: The park offers educational materials for children upon check-in. "Woke up to begin the junior ranger packet for our kiddos (provided at checkout) and hiked and explored all day," shares Nicole G. about activities available for children.
Bike-friendly environment: Park roads have minimal traffic, making them suitable for younger cyclists. "Bring your bikes, lots of roads to explore with little traffic," recommends DALLEEN from Big Pine.
Seasonal planning: Spring and fall provide the most comfortable temperatures for family activities. "We were there for Mother's Day weekend, which was cooler than normal with lows in the 50s," notes MomSolo about seasonal conditions affecting comfort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Request specific sites based on leveling needs and privacy preferences. "We stayed at spot RV Spot 2. It was a pull through spot and easy to get into. The spot was somewhat flat but we had to maneuver to get even and then still needed leveling blocks," advises Aaron D. about his stay at Blakeley State Park.
Accessibility considerations: All RV sites provide full hookups including sewer connections. "Super friendly staff and the spots, wowza, they are huge and all pull through. Oh, and all sites also have sewer!" confirms DALLEEN about the amenities available.
Location advantages: Despite the natural setting, cellular service remains reliable. "The cell service was pretty good since it close to town. We didn't stay for long, but the historic park was nice to check out and the sunset at the water was beautiful," notes Aaron D. about connectivity and nearby attractions.
