Chilton County Minooka Park in Jemison serves as a major off-road recreation destination near Marion Junction, Alabama. Located in the rolling foothills of central Alabama, this region experiences mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below 30°F, making it suitable for year-round camping. The area's red clay soil creates challenging terrain conditions after rainfall, particularly for motorized trail users.
What to do
Trail riding for motorized vehicles: Minooka Park maintains an extensive network of off-road trails specifically designed for ATVs and dirt bikes. "Minooka is a really fun place. They just added several tv hookups and have an almost new bath house with large showers. The playground is also small but nice. Lots of trails to hit on the dirt bikes or ATVs," notes Chris B. about Chilton County Minooka Park.
Fishing from dedicated structures: The park offers fishing opportunities from newly constructed docks. According to Patty D., "Brand new docks to fish from! They're putting in a sports area but isn't done yet. Overall, this campground is very nice and for day use really fun if you have dirt bikes or an ATV."
RC car racing: The dirt track at Minooka Park accommodates both motorized dirt bikes and remote-control vehicles. As one visitor explains, "They have a dirt track for dirt bikes or even RC cars which we used the other day."
What campers like
Spacious site arrangement: The RV camping areas feature well-separated sites with strategic positioning. "So far there's nothing here I don't like! From what I've been told, this RV destination has seen significant improvements overs the last 2 years and they are still working on things. Right now there's about 30-40 spots, spaced out well," reports Patty D.
Staff assistance: Park personnel receive consistent praise for their helpful attitude. Amy L. mentions, "Great people Always willing to help, loves our long term stay here. Mr. Gerald, Mr. Teddy & Mr. Scott are always more than willing to work with you & help in any way."
Clean facilities: The bathhouse and shower facilities maintain high standards of cleanliness. According to reviews, the park features "Very clean bathrooms with full showers."
What you should know
Primarily designed for RVs: The camping infrastructure favors RV users over tent campers. Randal B. states, "It's more of an RV park than campground. There are spaces for tents, but they don't have picnic tables. The trees are actually behind the sites. So, don't think about a hammock."
Limited water recreation: Despite having a fishing lake, other water activities face restrictions. "There's a small lake but it's only for fishing. Can't paddle board or canoe here," notes Patty D.
Alternative horse campgrounds near Marion Junction, Alabama: Equestrian campers should note that Minooka Park does not offer specialized facilities for horses. No dedicated horse corrals or equestrian-focused trails exist within the park boundaries.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly atmosphere: The overall environment welcomes families with children. Amy L. describes the park as "Family friendly, atv park."
Playground access: Younger visitors can enjoy the modest but functional play area. Chris B. mentions, "The playground is also small but nice."
Day use options: For families not planning overnight stays, daily visits provide access to recreational facilities. "For day use really fun if you have dirt bikes or an ATV," according to visitor reports.
Tips from RVers
Big rig accommodation: The layout works well for larger recreational vehicles. Randal B. notes, "It's more of an RV park than campground," indicating the focus on RV-friendly infrastructure.
Hookup availability: Electric connections and water access points meet standard requirements for self-contained camping. Recent improvements include "several tv hookups" as mentioned by visitors.
Long-term stay potential: The facility accommodates extended stays for RV campers. "Loves our long term stay here," reports Amy L., suggesting policies favorable to longer-duration camping.
