Best Tent Camping near Indian Springs, AL

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent camping opportunities near Indian Springs, Alabama are predominantly concentrated in established campgrounds with basic amenities. Shepard State Park Campground in Gautier, Mississippi offers the most well-reviewed tent camping experience in the region, featuring both standard and primitive tent sites. Escatawpa Hollow Campground in Wilmer, Alabama also accommodates tent campers with electric hookups and pet-friendly policies.

Most tent sites in the area provide basic camping infrastructure with varying levels of amenities. Shepard State Park offers fire rings at campsites, picnic tables, and access to showers and toilets, though availability may be limited during renovations. A recent review noted, "The primitive campsite was very nice. Even though the park was a bit crowded we still had privacy." Campers should be prepared for potential crowds at Shepard State Park, especially during peak seasons, though the wooded setting helps maintain some sense of seclusion. Sites are spaced adequately to prevent feeling overcrowded.

The tent camping experience in this region often includes access to nature trails and water recreation. Shepard State Park features multiple hiking paths through wooded areas and marsh trails for wildlife viewing. A visitor commented that "The marsh trails were perfect for viewing wildlife." Tent campers at Escatawpa Hollow may appreciate the canoe rental options available for exploring local waterways. The primitive camping areas at Shepard State Park are particularly well-situated, with one located near a small boat launch for fishing access and another positioned at the trailheads, making it convenient for hikers. Bug activity can be significant, especially in warmer months, so appropriate insect protection is advisable. Most tent sites in the region are set in wooded environments that provide natural shade and a traditional forest camping atmosphere.

Best Tent Sites Near Indian Springs, Alabama (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Indian Springs, AL

2 Photos of 6 Indian Springs Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Indian Springs, AL

407 Reviews of 6 Indian Springs Campgrounds


  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2017

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Educational Trails

    The park is set up on a historic site where they have several trails set up talking about civil war battles that occurred there. They have two separate areas for camping where one is for RVs and tents and the other is the more basic tent only sites. I visited the tent only area which had many many sites and most had a nice amount of space with a good bit of privacy. I was there in June though and it gets really hot during the day and night and also very buggy. If you were here in the fall or winter it could be a great place to camp though. The bathrooms were nice but nothing special. There is a single bathroom for all of the tent sites so if you are far you could have a pretty long walk. The sites are pretty cool to see so if you are a civil war buff it might be worth checking out. The camping is expensive though at $20 a night for the tent sites and $30 for an RV site. People were friendly though and it was one of the nicest places in the area.

  • Karen L.
    May. 17, 2018

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Very large park, hiking, camping, battlegrounds

    Blakely State Park is a very large State Park, with different choices for camping. There are larger primitive tent sites, smaller tent sites with power/water hookups, RV sites, two primitive cabins and 2 newer cabins which are very nice. There's TONS of hiking, a battleground for history buffs, a playground, a boatdock, lots of hiking, horseback riding etc.

    I stayed in one of the two Squirrels Nest, which are primitive cabins. Basically open air cabins. 2 walls, a roof and 2 walls of screens. There are two wooden platforms for beds. A twin and a queen, and barstools to sit inside and look out into the woods, over the hill in which they are nestled. There's a sink (but no water) and a cabinet, and outside a large deck with bench seating. Below is a fire pit and picnic table. There is a shared porta potty outside of the two cabins. These cabins are a bit of a drive out in the woods, so make sure your vehicle is up to it. It's very peaceful out there. My cabin was inhabited by mice at night, so I kept my food in airtight plastic paint bucket containers & my belongings covered by garbage bags on one of the platforms and had my air mattress inside a pop-up mosquito tent, so the mice did not bother me. I was after all in their house. I sprinkled peppermint oil around my gear & my bed platform to keep the mice away. Next time I will have my food in a large cooler so that the wildlife is not attracted.

    There are hiking trails by these sites, as well as, steps down the hill, leading off into another trail.

    i would stay there again. Great place to get away.

  • Lisa S.
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Harper - Blakeley State Park

    Beautiful Well Maintained Huge Park

    April 4, 2021 Camper Van Site: Harper #7 Primitive $20 Over 2,000 acres crisscrossed with trails. Interesting replication of the ghost town of Blakeley which disappeared around 1830, but before then it rivaled Mobile in population and economy. Harper loop, where I camped, is at least a mile into the woods and has no hook ups. The sites have picnic tables and fire rings and offer decent privacy. Bath house is 7 minute walk. My shower was cold. Dumpsters near bath house. Staff house nearby. Staff very pleasant and helpful. Wish I could stay more than two nights.

    RV park closer to entrance.

  • M
    May. 16, 2018

    Gulf State Park Campground

    Great Spot for Family Fun

    You could stay at this park for your whole trip and not have to leave. There is an awesome pool and splash pad, basketball courts, and boat launch on the property, plus a laundromat and impressive camp store. The restroom facilities are relatively nice and are always air conditioned during the warmer months. The only complaint I have of this park is that there are only 11 tent camping sites. They claim any site can be used for tent camping, but no one in a tent wants to set up on a concrete pad, especially when it is hot! The tent sites they do have are primitive without water or electrical hook ups - it would be nice to have some sites with hook ups. The sites they do have for tents are very shady and clean. They do back up to a swampy canal, but I have never seen any alligators although I am sure they are in there somewhere.

    I would definitely recommend this park for families.

  • Lynn G.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Civil war history and beautiful scenery

    When you think Alabama this is the kind of beauty you imagine. The water, huge oak and cypress trees, Spanish moss, boardwalks are all lovely to explore. The Civil War history is interesting and the rangers are well-versed in history (I think they have reenactments sometimes). Great hiking trails (all easy, not too long) that are horse friendly (BYOH). There’s a nature center and lots of different ecosystems.

    Yay: Campgrounds are shaded in fairly dense forests for good privacy. They have simple campsites to full RV campsites, all have a fire ring and similar atmosphere. There are a few different campgrounds, one is tent only. They also have relatively new camping shelters that get you out of the bugs.

    Nay: Close to Mobile so can be crowded. A little expensive for camping. Some areas have just a pit toilet and some have full flush.

    Surprise: amazing cruises along the Delta with lots of wildlife viewing and history!! They have sunset cruises, seafood cruises, and seasonal themed cruises. Definitely the highlight of visiting this whole area. Loved the boardwalk.

  • Chirleen E.
    May. 13, 2020

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    We love Blakely!

    Great tent campground. Most sites have some privacy but a few are close to neighboring sites. Its a short walk to the bathhouse and tons of hiking trails are nearby. Rates are reasonable, picnic tables, and fire rings at the sites. Our favorite nearby camlground!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2018

    Gulf State Park Campground

    Tent Camper Beware

    I will preface this review with this: if you're an RV camper who enjoys all the amenities then you may very well love this campground. I will also say that the staff were very accommodating when we expressed our concerns and we were able to move to my parent's RV site and pitch our tent there for our four night stay. That being said, I am going to continue my review as it pertains to my experience as a tent camper.

    I've stayed here before and the tent sites, of which there are only 12 (the entire campground has over 500 RV sites, so it's big) have really been neglected. When we arrived to our site it was littered with trash, the lantern post had been run over and was on the ground, there were more fire ants than grains of sand and the small marshy canal that ran through the back of the site was only about 10 feet from the picnic table and frequented by large alligators sunning themselves in the campsite. There was no way, especially with two dogs, that we were going to stay in this site. The campground personnel had us move to another tent site which was just as bad as the first one. We wound up pitching our tent in my parent's RV site where the grounds were actually maintained and landscaped.

    You can rent bikes here, there's also a pool and a cool little nature center. Lot's of amenities available to guests and many of the RV folks are here for weeks upon weeks. It's a short bike ride to the beach and there are many miles of bike/walking paths throughout the park (it's quite large in terms of real estate).

    There is a "dog park" but use at your own risk. My cousin lives a short drive from this spot and passed by frequently, often seeing large alligators sunning themselves on the "dog park" beach. They live in the "pond" that is fenced in as part of the dog area. There have been a few incidents and interactions with dogs and gators.

    The RV sites are quite nice, large concrete pads and picnic tables. Stand up grills and lantern/trash poles (not run over and on the ground). Be aware of the raccoons and other critters that like pilfering through the garbage at night. Some of the sites are on canals which are home to large alligators and they do sun themselves in the sites from time to time. Unlike the heavily wooded tent sites, you can see the reptiles in the RV sites due to the impeccable landscaping in that part of the campground.

    BONUS: We were there during the super moon and it was spectacular!

  • K
    Jan. 23, 2021

    Harper - Blakeley State Park

    Spacious and Historic

    Harper Campground is designed for tent camping, $20 for unimproved and $30 for improved (electricity and water). If you have a $20 site, you have to bum water from one of the $30 sites. The restroom is nice and clean, showers are hot, and dumpsters are close to restrooms, but is a bit of a walk since the campground is so spacious. I rode my bike to use the bathroom. Enough brush to discreetly pop a squat if that’s your style. A small RV or camper van can easily fit in most of the sites. They’re quite spacious and only a couple (17 and 19) had mud pits. Every site is quite flat and clear and has good hammock trees. Sites 20 and up are not very private since the day use people can see right into your camp but otherwise they’re quite private since the shrubs are thick. Lots of cover meant less dew-covered gear in the morning. Each site had a nice wooden picnic table and fire pit. They sell small bundles of wet firewood for $6 a pop online and at the gatehouse so I recommend buying the regular sized dry bundles at the local supermarket a couple minutes down the road. Wildlife was good for birds, and we had an armadillo visit us all 4 nights! The history of the place is also really cool and we did not get any creepy vibes.

  • Alicia L.
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Turkey Fork Rec Area

    Quiet, Clean and Spacious

    We ventured to this campground not knowing what to expect. It did not disappoint! The sites were spaced further apart than many of the other campgrounds we've been. It was quite and peaceful. There were only a few other folks camping at the same time as us but we spoke to a Park Ranger who mentioned it does fill up sometimes on peak weekends. We camp in a pop-up so we rely on the bath houses - these were clean and the showers were hot! Each site had a picnic table and fire ring which also seconds as a grill. I didn't scout out every site but ours was in excellent condition.  They don't "over-manicure" the space between the lake and campsites so it feels more natural and tucked into nature than other places we've been (which we prefer). Better for the environment.  Each RV site had a decent sized parking pad, water hook up, electric hook up; no greywater drain so make sure you take a basin. The sewer dump/trash are located just as you exit the campground like most places. There's also a primitive section where you park in a lot and walk to your site (those were $7/night). We were there during the 2020 Covid debacle so payment was made to the honor box. I assume it's always like that but that may not be true when there isn't a pandemic.  There are two different swimming areas and a boat dock just across the lake from the camp. Highly recommend!


Guide to Indian Springs

Tent camping near Indian Springs, Alabama offers several options within an hour's drive. Most campgrounds in this region feature densely forested sites that provide natural shade during hot summer months. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-60°F, making year-round camping viable with proper equipment.

What to do

Disc golf course access: Shepard State Park Campground offers an on-site disc golf course for campers seeking recreational activities without leaving the grounds. A camper noted, "My wife and I played disc golf there. It was also a decent course" at Shepard State Park Campground.

Archery practice: Dedicated archery facilities provide target practice opportunities for camping enthusiasts bringing their equipment. "There are several trails, lots of trees and underbrush, a playground. There is an archery range, and boat launch," reports one visitor to Shepard State Park.

Canoe rental: Explore local waterways with rental options available directly at some campgrounds. Escatawpa Hollow Campground features canoe rentals as part of their standard offerings, allowing visitors to experience the natural waterways without bringing their own equipment.

What campers like

Well-spaced sites: Campers appreciate the privacy afforded by thoughtful site arrangement. At Escatawpa Hollow Campground, sites are equipped with electric hookups while maintaining adequate spacing between neighbors.

Updated facilities: Recent renovations have improved amenities at some locations. A Shepard State Park visitor commented, "Camp here a couple nights. The have completely updated. Nice clean bathrooms and sights."

Multiple trail options: The network of paths provides opportunities for different skill levels. "There are numerous trails, almost all sites are heavily shaded and it's very peaceful. The sites are not on top of each other for the most part," observed a camper at Shepard State Park Campground.

What you should know

Site accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have sites that may be difficult to access with larger rigs. A camper at Shepard State Park shared, "We stayed at site 24 on the last trip. It was challenging to back into this site with a 34' travel trailer but we finally prevailed. Other sites appeared easier to access."

Bathroom conditions vary: Facility quality can differ significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. A review noted, "The showers are adequate—no mold or mildew, tiled, nice benches, plenty of hooks and hot water. The rest of the bathroom is quite old and stained, but generally clean, if outdated/chipped/showing age."

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies by carrier in these rural locations. According to one camper, "AT&T is 1 bar, Verizon is 2-3 bars" at Lakeview RV City Park.

Tips for camping with families

Dog-friendly areas: Some campgrounds offer dedicated spaces for pets to exercise. One family mentioned, "The dog park was perfect for our two large dog, very clean" at Bluff Creek Campgrounds.

Toddler-accessible terrain: Parents with young children should consider ground conditions. A parent camping at Shepard State Park noted, "My toddler had a very easy time walking around which was a huge plus!"

Affordable firewood: Budget-conscious families can purchase reasonably priced firewood on-site at select campgrounds. A camper mentioned, "$8 bundles of firewood at the camp store" at Shepard State Park.

Tips from RVers

Utility reliability: Electric service remains stable even during peak usage times. One RVer reported, "The roads are gravel, sites are level, electric is strong and reliable" at Fairley Bridge Landing.

Dump station location: Plan accordingly as most campgrounds have limited waste disposal facilities. A reviewer noted, "There is 1 dump station on at the entrance, and 1 large dumpster" at Shepard State Park.

Long-term residents: Some campgrounds have a mix of transient and permanent campers. According to one review, "It seems like there are several long-time/permanent residents here" which can affect the overall camping atmosphere and site availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Indian Springs, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Indian Springs, AL is Escatawpa Hollow Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Indian Springs, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Indian Springs, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.