Camping near Foley, Alabama encompasses diverse terrains from forested areas to waterfront locations within 15-20 miles of the town center. The region sits at a low elevation around 40 feet above sea level, creating flat, accessible camping environments with sandy soils that drain quickly after the frequent summer afternoon thunderstorms. Weather conditions remain moderate through fall and winter months with temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F, extending the comfortable camping season beyond traditional summer months.
What to do
Explore historic Fort Pickens: The fort area at Fort Pickens Campground offers multiple walking trails with educational experiences. "We were able to use our senior national park pass to get in for free and a discount on our site. This is a busy park due to beaches and the actual old fort Pickens buildings, but the campsites were fairly peaceful. We walked about 30 minutes to the old fort," reports Deborah C.
Paddle the waterways: The shallow waters around Big Lagoon State Park Campground provide excellent kayaking opportunities. "Big Lagoon is my go-to quick getaway camping spot... There are sandy trails leading through the costal scrub vegetation and lots of animals to see and hear. The beach is the Intercoastal waterway so there is boat traffic and noise, but it's brackish water and calm compared to the gulf," notes Mary T.
Fish from dedicated piers: Multiple campgrounds feature fishing access with no boat needed. "There is a 150' fishing pier and chairs conveniently located for watching the beautiful sunrise over Bon Secour Bay," says Keith G. about Bay Breeze RV on the Bay.
What campers like
Well-maintained bike trails: The connected trail systems receive regular praise. "We rode bikes around the campground and outside of the campground on the surrounding dirt roads. They have volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, and tetherball," notes Jaimee D. about Ahoy RV Resort.
Clean bathroom facilities: This practical concern receives consistent positive feedback. "Very clean and spacious RV park. Close to beach(not on the beach). Close to restaurants and shopping. Lake is well stocked with big bass. Adjoins bike trails of Gulf State Park," mentions Mike H. about Pandion Ridge Luxury RV Resort.
Quick access to local attractions: The proximity to entertainment beyond beaches makes the area appealing. "Great place to decompress and unwind, in a natural environment. Spacious sites, also saw a nice tent area, several portable potty's, and a free to use washer and dryer in the Hanger/guest clubhouse. We are here to kick off the summer with our grand at OWA! ACC is within minutes of restaurants, stores and beaches!" shares L&A C. about Alabama Coast Campground.
What you should know
Weather patterns affect camping quality: Seasonal considerations impact comfort levels. "I usually go in the fall/winter/spring because without A/C it's too hot to camp," notes Mary T. about camping at Big Lagoon State Park.
Wildlife encounters are common: Be prepared for native fauna interactions. "We have camped here twice - once in early April and once in mid May. There were noticeably more bugs -- specifically termites and what we think were deer flies in May. It was pretty bad and they would swarm at certain times of the day. There were a lot of rodents roaming around waiting to steal food during the day and at night," warns Meghan S. about Big Lagoon.
Seasonal campground closures occur: Natural events can disrupt travel plans. "It is best to check the park's website before your visit because sometimes they have to close the road to the campground due to sand and water on the roads," advises Nancy W. about Fort Pickens Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for scheduled activities: Campgrounds that organize events enhance the experience. "The kids loved all of the Saturday activities. Campsites have a fire pit, so we made s'mores. They have a store with everything we needed, which was really nice. The staff was great and accommodating," shares Jaimee D. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort.
Seek shaded camping spots: The Gulf heat makes shade valuable. "If you are tent camping, I would highly recommend doing your research and picking a site with adequate shade because most of the sites are not shaded," recommends Meghan S. about Big Lagoon State Park.
Check beach pet restrictions: Not all waterfront areas welcome four-legged campers. "The only reason why I didn't rate 5 stars is the restrictions on dogs at the beaches. It was super hot the weekend we went and my poor pooch was dying to go swimming," notes Karen S. about Big Lagoon State Park.
Tips from RVers
Verify site sizes for larger rigs: Some parks have limited space for big motorhomes. "We had reservations but due to the size of our truck and camper we just thought it was too small for us. We canceled our reservations and they were kind enough to give us back our deposit," explains Douglas T. about Bay Breeze RV on the Bay.
Watch for aging infrastructure: Some parks have maintenance issues. "This was our first visit to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area and Pandion did not disappoint during our stay. Sites are huge. Plenty of space to park your camper and vehicle (or even two for the most part). The only downfall (very minor) was the trash drop off... it would be nice to have a couple of different locations," notes Beth H. about Pandion Ridge.
Book early for waterfront sites: Prime locations fill up well in advance. "All most all the campers were repeat campers who made reservations for next year at same time. (I also made reservations for next year as well). We reserved a spot for a week and ended up staying 3 weeks," advises Cheryl Ann G. about Bay Breeze RV on the Bay.
