Campgrounds near Gurley, Alabama offer varied terrain from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to valley settings with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet. The region's humid subtropical climate brings hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Water access is a key consideration at most campgrounds in this area, with creeks and lakes supplementing limited shower facilities during peak season.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Oak Mountain State Park Campground features extensive bike paths for all skill levels. "This place has everything, mtn bike, gravel bike, trail running, road running, road biking, golf, equestrian, sailing and fishing," notes Soren B. The park recently underwent significant renovations to improve trail access.
Cave exploration: At Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground, tours run four times daily from January through November. "The tour of the caverns was well worth the trip," shares Matthew D. Discounted cave tour tickets are available for registered campers, making this an affordable day activity.
Outdoor adventure sports: The Ridge Outdoor Resort offers multiple adventure activities beyond traditional camping. Joseph K. reports, "Very cheap, clean and friendly! Most of the camp is for dirt bike riding but the park was almost empty at the end of the night!" The resort includes zip lining, airsoft courses, and pond activities.
Creek swimming: Brookside Greenway Park provides creek access for swimming and canoeing during summer months. "Wonderful, quiet and shaded camping areas and also has a awesome clean creek to swim and canoe in," according to Holly S. The creek maintains cooler temperatures even during hot summer days.
What campers like
Recently renovated facilities: Oak Mountain State Park Campground receives praise for its updated amenities. "They put a massive amount of money into updating this place. This is the #1 best state park campground I have ever been at," states Soren B. The bathhouses and campsite improvements are particularly noted by visitors.
Clean bathrooms: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities despite heavy use. "Bathrooms are clean kept, camp sites are shaded. The pool is big but wasn't open when we were there," explains Macy P. about Rickwood Caverns. Sites with bathroom proximity are often booked first.
Primitive camping options: Big Canoe Creek Outfitters offers more secluded tent camping with basic amenities. Ryan T. shares, "Did some tent camping brought my inflatable fishing boat fish the river caught about eight bluegill and a couple Bass campsite has a fire pit and a grill and the bathroom is fairly close." These sites provide better spacing than many of the more developed RV areas.
Fishing access: Smith Lake Park provides direct lake access for fishing enthusiasts. "There is a beach area and a boat launch. They have pavilions with grills and electrical outlets," explains Vanessa S. Tent sites with electrical hookups are available for under $30, making this an economical option for anglers.
What you should know
Site spacing varies dramatically: Many campgrounds have tight spacing between RV sites but more room in primitive areas. At Rickwood Caverns, Amy G. warns, "Not only are these the world's tiniest campsites with no buffer between you and next site, they apparently have no limits as to how many people, vehicles, or tents are allowed on one site."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking during summer months and holidays. For Oak Mountain, Melinda S. suggests, "Remodeled spaces with adequate space for a newbie to back her travel trailer in with no problems." Reservations can be made up to 363 days in advance at state parks.
Pool availability: Several campgrounds have seasonal pools that close during winter months. Elizabeth P. notes about Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground, "The pool is a major hit in the summer, some of the water running in the pool is from the cave and it is ice cold!" Operating hours vary based on weather and staff availability.
Connectivity considerations: Cell coverage and WiFi access vary significantly between campgrounds. "It has wifi throughout and almost everywhere in the park has cell reception," reports Soren B. about Oak Mountain, while more remote sites may have limited connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Noccalula Falls Park has child-friendly facilities beyond natural attractions. Tiffany D. shares, "Nice amenities (pool - closed to covid19, playground, access to public park, bathrooms, pavilion, laundry room-really affordable), neat setting, plenty to do there and near by." The playground is accessible from camping areas.
Educational opportunities: The Noccalula Falls Park & Campground offers educational experiences. "This place has a heartfelt history with the Indians and loads of stuff to do! There is a petting zoo, hiking trails, campgrounds, swimming spots, train to ride," explains Haley H. Programs run daily during summer months.
Accessible hiking: Oak Mountain provides family-friendly trail options for various ages. Melissa R. explains, "The primitive camping 'loop' and had SO much space and woods to run in, hills to climb, and space to explore. It was absolutely perfect for kids." These trails feature interpretive signage suitable for younger hikers.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have limited separation between public areas and campsites. Tiffany D. cautions about Noccalula Falls, "It's attached to the public park - pro because you can jump straight on the trails con because anyone from the public park can jump straight onto your campsite... I was not comfortable with them being outside our camper without us."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require additional equipment for proper setup. About Smith Lake Park, UnnamedAdventures notes, "We stayed during the slow season and was raining the entire time. When the rain periodically stopped we were able to explore the expansive campground which allowed for a nice walk."
Navigation difficulties: Larger rigs face challenges at some locations. For Smith Lake Park, Wendy T. advises, "GPS took us in a very rural way with lots of twisty roads. One there we found an open spot on our own since it was a holiday the office was closed. Full hook ups and a fairly level grass pad."
Hookup reliability: Water and electrical services vary by site. At Brookside Campground, Joceline D. mentions, "More of a community than a passersby campground. We arrived late at night, but the manger on site was more than happy to accommodate us." Check with park offices about specific site amenities before booking.
Long-term stays: Some campgrounds have significant permanent or seasonal residents. Jennifer A. notes about Smith Lake, "The camping area itself feels like more of a trailer park than RV Park. It looked like the majority of the campers there were for the long haul." This affects site availability for short-term visitors.
