Best RV Parks & Resorts near Gulf Shores, AL

I’m not sure where they got the name from, but if El Colon was still living, he would really dig how this RV parking lot is using the name of his beloved Santa Maria! Located due south of Farragut Lake, right off Rt. 10 and just west of the Pascagoula River, you’ll come across Santa Maria RV Resort Marina. 

This spot offers up just about everything you would expect – full RV hook ups including water, sewer and electricity (30 / 50 amp), level gravel beds where you can just connect, level up and be done with it in under 5 minutes. Unlike most RV parking lots, this place has a ton of space and there’s somewhat good distance between your spot and those on either side of you. And if you’re hauling or driving anything bigger than the standard RV or camper, no worries, this place is spacious enough to accommodate just about any size (and even large group sizes). The campground was both kid and pet friendly. Also, I found the on-site campground management team to be incredibly over-friendly (nice Southern hospitality!) and accommodating. 

From an amenities standpoint, this place is completely full-service (in fact, they’ll escort you right to your campsite!). They’ve got a small, but clean swimming pool, laundr-O-mat, spartan restroom facilities and a propane pump on-site. WiFi is available for free and cable is offered for a small price if you need that. Overall, I found the place to be very well-organized, incredibly clean and exceptionally safe with round-the-clock security. 

With nature in mind, this place is in close proximity to quite a bit – from Gautier, MS who’s moniker is ‘Nature’s Playground,’ there’s tons of wildlife to see, decent outdoor recreation and hiking to be found and bayous all over the place to drop your kayak or canoe into. 

Insider’s tip? Some of the best kayaking was had in and around Mississippi - Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. Closer to the campground though, you’ll find a splendid little Southern town in the City of Gautier, which has some quiet boutique-type shops, Southern restauarnts (I strongly recommend Belle’s on the Bayou or Country Gentleman), farmers market on the weekends, nice municipal parks and even some art exhibits from time to time. All in all, I strongly recommend Santa Maria RV Resort Marina if you’re looking for a decent stop along your travels. 

Happy Camping!

This is a mobile home/rv park. Very quiet, pets allowed, full hookups, flawless wifi, big sites with driveways and slab for entryway to your rig. They offer weekly and monthly, very hard to get a spot sometimes, very popular place for long term stays. They have always managed to squeeze me in. The owner and managers are amazing as well.

Level sites, full hook ups, clean & neat.

This is our go to campground in Mobile,Al. We stay here to visit family locally. Nice mtb trails. Disc golf course for a small fee. Rv camping is like 28$ for full hook ups. Local tv received easily. Sites level but mostly dirt. Fire rings and they deliver your firewood to your site. Will be back.

This was a no frills campground with full hook up. Close to the USS Alabama Mem. Park and about an hour to Gulf Shores. About a half hour to Dauphin Island. Stayed 12 days while WFC. Mike, the property mgr. was great. Gave us good recommendations on places to go, people to see, off-site firewood and even lent us his firepit. ATT and Verizon were excellent for working from camper

If RV parks are your thing, you will likely enjoy staying here. I would rate it a 4 based on friendliness of staff and amenities but lower on location and layout (parking lot style). This is simply because of the fact that we travel in our campervan and only wish to spend a limited amount of time IN our van as opposed to larger RVs that are more conducive to staying inside.

Rates vary from $35/night full gravel back-in during the winter to $55/night for a premium pull-through in the summer. Weekly rates are also available. Military and Good Sam discounts are also given. 

Amenities include a heated pool, community room, dog park, gym (new equipment was being delivered the day I visited) and new laundry appliances due to be delivered. This RV park is located on the road to Dauphin Island, about eight miles away. I don’t think you would be on your way to/from anywhere so it is not likely you would stay here as a stopover but if you were coming with a group or escaping the winter, this might be a nice place for you.

This is a nice campground. It has RV hookup, tent sites, and site with just electric and water hookup for campers or tents. We stayed in site 11. We had two large tents. Each site has picnic table and fire ring and small open type grill. Several bathhouses. Playgrounds ball fields and also a roped off swimming area. The swimming area has sidewalk almost to the beach area but the ground all the way to the sand is hard so wheelchair's, strollers, ice chest, and anything with wheels is perfect. Nice covered patios with tables near swimming area. Nice boat launch and plenty of fishing

Very nice rv park. All have full hookups including sewer. Lots at gravel and level with plenty of room to park your camper & tow vehicle. Swimming g pool is nice, there is also a large fire pit. We arrived late and we’re offered help setting up since it was getting dark. WiFi is good enough for Roku & Hulu. Fishing dock is right across the street and we were only 25 minutes from Dauphin Island.

For those campers who enjoy a more basic less touristy campground, this one is great. Has rv hookup sights, bath houses and laundry facilities. But no facilities like crowded pools, game rooms, etc. Park rangers are great and always had very helpful camp hosts. Best step above primitive camping while allowing for close to nature setting. Short walk to water, good coastal fishing, Ft Pickens historical site to visit, etc. Not long drive to town. We love it especially in early winter.

Came here expecting Jellystone experience with lots of activities. They have none. Temper your expectations to be a campground with a playground. When we pulled into our assigned spot the water and electricity hookups were oddly placed (site 74 I think). On top of that, the permanent resident in the spot next to the one we were to be in had their pickup parked in what would be our “backyard,” had a tarp on our fire pit, and had moved and taken over what would have been our picnic table. I went and asked for a different site because of this! The outside edge spots seem to be more permanent long term people and the inner ones more short term. Pool was open but very cold.

Arriving in the dark and rain, we were met at the gate and escorted in. He guided me back into the spot and got us settled in. The park is quite and the staff is super. One of the best parks that we have stayed at, ever.

The article blast came while we were here add precautions were made. We were here visiting family and did not participate in the activities that they offered as we were not on property during those times.

We highly recommend this family owned RV Resort!

Great location, concrete pad, full hook up

The retreat offers several amenities including showers, laundromat, and gas grills. There are even bouncy houses and playgrounds for the kids.

It's located on the river and they have a pet beach separate so even your dogs can enjoy the water.

The camp manager is nice and very helpful. They are definitely a great asset.

Full service hookups are currently limited as they work on an expansion, but they do have plenty of water/power hookups both off and on the river. There's also a cabin, glamping tents, and a tiny house. There are plenty of shaded spots.

There are a few long term residents who are friendly and welcoming.

I definitely recommend this campground for a fun, relaxing stay.

This is a super nice RV Resort. Very clean and perfectly landscaped. Pads are large and concrete. All pedestals are up to date and water pressure is adequate at 45 psi. Cable is digital (60+ channels). AT&T phone signal is not great, but adequate. WiFi is not great, at least not at site 137, however we are in a newly developed area and may be better older areas. Amenities are fine. Two pools, hot tub, two well stocked fishing lakes, volleyball, pickle ball, horse shoes, two pet runs, laundry, club room, bath house, and more. Have visited here several times, and will surely return.

Great little park with all amenities needed either camping or full hook up RV. We have one older dog and they have nice shorter trails that are on the campground property. Neat water and very clean and quiet.