Prairie Creek Campground offers spacious waterfront campsites along the Alabama River with multiple concrete pads and water/electric hookups. Many sites sit right at the water's edge, allowing campers to fish directly from their site with shoreline access. Located just 23 miles southwest of Marbury, this Corps of Engineers campground features mostly shaded sites and well-maintained bathroom facilities, though campers should be prepared for limited cell service with most carriers.
What to Do
Fishing from your campsite: At Prairie Creek Campground, many sites provide direct water access for fishing. "We saw huge paddlefish jumping out of the water, many birds and deer on the nature trail. Bring fishing poles," notes Jess S. The shoreline access lets anglers catch gar, blue catfish, and crappie without leaving their site.
Kayaking and canoeing: The Alabama River system provides excellent paddling opportunities. Campers can "drop our canoe in the water from the boat ramp to explore Woodruff Lake which was fantastic," according to Zachary K. The multiple boat ramps make water access simple for paddlers of all experience levels.
Trail exploration: Oak Mountain State Park Campground features extensive hiking trails about an hour north of Marbury. "Oak Mountain is a big state park with lots to do (golf, biking, archery, lots of trails that are very well marked, petting zoo, very neat trail with rescued owls, turkeys and red hawks, and more)," reports Scott C. The trails range from 1 to 15 miles in length.
Swimming and water recreation: Most campgrounds in the region offer swimming opportunities during warmer months. "Large lakes for fishing, swimming or canoeing," mentions Scott C. about Oak Mountain State Park. Water temperatures remain comfortable for swimming from late April through early October in most areas.
What Campers Like
Spacious, level sites: Gunter Hill receives consistent praise for its well-designed campsites. "Large sites, shaded, have sewer hookups, concrete pads, many on a beautiful lake," writes druann B. The campground's recent renovations have improved site quality with "large concrete pads, as well as water and electrical hook ups," according to Ian D.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the thoughtful layout at area campgrounds. "The sites are nicely spaced out so even if there had been a lot of people there, it wouldn't have felt too crowded," reports Sarah C. This spacing helps maintain a more natural camping experience even when parks are busy.
Quiet atmosphere: Pet friendly camping near Marbury tends to be peaceful, especially during weekdays. "It was a Thursday night following 4th of July and there were several others there but only a small number of other campers," notes Richard A. about Gunter Hill. The tranquility makes these campgrounds ideal for those seeking to escape noise.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting around Kountry Air RV Park creates opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Just a beautiful and bucolic setting," mentions Steve D. Many campers report seeing deer, various bird species, and occasionally small reptiles during their stays.
What You Should Know
Ant prevention: Several campgrounds in the Marbury area require preparation for ants, especially in warmer months. At Prairie Creek Campground, "the only negative was the amount of ants, which we kept out of the camper with comet," advises Nate S. Bringing ant prevention supplies is strongly recommended for all sites.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "Sketchy phone service...we have verizon and had very limited coverage," reports Wolf P. about Prairie Creek Campground. However, sites closer to Montgomery typically have stronger signals, with Gunter Hill offering "Great Verizon signal and numerous free digital TV stations to choose from," according to Rick G.
Seasonal considerations: The best camping weather near Marbury occurs from March through May and September through November. Summer months can be extremely hot and humid, while winter camping remains available but with significantly cooler temperatures. "We stayed in winter... being right on the lake and having the ducks swim up really thrilled our dogs," notes Erin L. about winter camping at Wind Creek State Park.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly for weekends and holidays, especially waterfront sites. Reservations should be made at least 3-6 months in advance for prime spots during peak season (April-October).
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds and activities: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. Gunter Hill features "a sizable modern playground right next to the bathhouse," according to Richard A., while Wind Creek State Park Campground has numerous recreational options including "mini golf, a beach area for swimming, and plenty of fishing spots," as noted by Romeo M.
Pet and child-friendly areas: Camp Sherrye on the Coosa provides combined play spaces. "They have a large dog run, but it is connected to the playground," mentions Brittany V., making it convenient for families with both children and pets to recreate together.
Swimming safety: Most waterfront sites have natural shorelines rather than developed beaches. "Sites along the lake tended to be closer together than I like, but with great views," reports Terry P. about Prairie Creek. Parents should supervise children closely around water areas, especially where currents may exist.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs and wildlife viewing opportunities. Oak Mountain features "a very neat trail with rescued owls, turkeys and red hawks," according to Scott C., providing educational experiences for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At Gunter Hill, some campers note sewer connection challenges. "The sewer was a bit far from the parking pad. If you have a single black tank hose this may be an issue," warns Richard A. Bringing extension hoses is recommended for most pet friendly RV camping near Marbury.
Leveling requirements: While many sites feature concrete pads, some still require adjustment. At Wind Creek Atmore Casino RV Park, "While they are paved sites, we found that you do have to level out still by around 3 inches," notes Brittany V.
Site selection strategy: Waterfront sites offer the best views but tend to be more exposed to weather. "We moved to site 18 which was level with the water and pretty wide open," mentions Nate S. about Prairie Creek, highlighting how different sites within the same campground can provide varied experiences.
Entrance and navigation tips: Several campgrounds have specific entrance requirements. For Kountry Air RV Park, "When we made reservations, we were told to only take exit 179 off I-65 and follow the GPS directions, as any other way will take you on narrow roads, including gravel roads," advises MickandKarla W.
