Camping cabins near Mentone, Alabama are situated along the eastern edge of Lookout Mountain, with elevations around 1,700 feet above sea level. The higher altitude brings cooler temperatures compared to surrounding areas, with summer highs typically 5-10 degrees lower than nearby valleys. Winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March, making cabin accommodations particularly valuable during cold-weather camping seasons.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Multiple trails lead to seasonal waterfalls at DeSoto State Park Campground, where water flow varies depending on recent rainfall. "We hiked right off the campground loop or go down to the visitor center to other hikes. All were on rocky uneven surfaces, and muddy in a few spots but not terribly strenuous," notes one visitor who spent five days exploring the park's network of trails.
Cave exploration: Guided tours available at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground provide underground adventures suitable for most ability levels. "We all loved that Crystal Cave was right on site and enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.) We also loved the guided tour just down the road at Ruby Falls," shares a family that visited with their children.
Fishing opportunities: Ponds and lake access at several campgrounds provide catch-and-release fishing options. At Tranquility Campground, visitors mention "a 6 acre lake for fishing but it's catch & release. And no swimming or kayaks allowed." For more extensive fishing, Marion County Park offers "easy access to water from site and had two boat launches."
What campers like
Quiet, wooded settings: Many cabins are situated to maximize privacy and natural surroundings. "The west rim campground is vastly superior with tons of privacy, tree cover, great terraces at most sites, with the ones outside ones being the best," writes a reviewer about Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground.
Modern bathroom facilities: Clean, well-maintained bathroom buildings are consistently mentioned in reviews. "Bathhouse was clean albeit cold when I went. Owners were friendly and helpful," notes a visitor to Tranquility Campground. Similarly, at Lake Guntersville State Park, a reviewer points out "clean bathhouses" as a highlight.
Four-season availability: Many cabin rental options remain open year-round with appropriate heating and cooling systems. One local camper shared that at DeSoto State Park, "each season offers something different. Summertime you can swim, Spring has full waterfalls and beautiful flowers, Fall has colorful leaves, and the winter gives just enough bare trees and icicles for great pictures."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak periods for cabin rentals in the Mentone area typically run April through November, with weekends requiring early bookings. "We stayed here in our 5th wheel for five nights but had to move twice as we couldn't book a spot for the entire weekend," explains a DeSoto State Park visitor.
Road conditions: Access to some mountain cabins involves steep, winding roads that may challenge larger vehicles. A DeSoto visitor advises, "be careful to take Desoto Parkway up. Google tried to send us on an alternate road that had a big sign saying ABSOLUTELY no trucks - and from other reviews we gather that's the more treacherous one."
Internet connectivity: Cell service and WiFi availability vary significantly by location at James H 'Sloppy' Floyd State Park Campground. "I work remotely and internet was a challenge. I have phones with Verizon and T-mobile service as well as AT&T and T-Mobile hotspots. The Verizon phone was the only service that got any signal at all, and it was spotty," according to one remote worker who stayed at DeSoto State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children that are centrally located. At 1776 RV And Campground, families appreciate the "nice quiet small campground just outside downtown Mentone" with facilities that accommodate both children and adults.
Educational opportunities: Junior Ranger programs and guided activities for kids are available at specific parks. "They have scout activities, a Junior Ranger program, playgrounds, swimming pools, and plenty of trails to hike," shares a local about DeSoto State Park's family offerings.
Safety considerations: Sites with rushing water or cliff edges require extra supervision for young children. At Cloudland Canyon State Park, one visitor notes that "the Canyon Climbers Club" trail involves "4924 steps, all in approximately 3 miles-ish," which may be challenging for families with small children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Many campgrounds offer a two-tier selection process - reserve a site type but choose specific location upon arrival. "After picking our tent site (there are no reserve ahead sites, only reserve ahead choice. Once you check in you go pick a site. So no telling where you may end up only that you will have a site for the night," explains an RVer about the process at Cloudland Canyon.
Hookup variations: Full-service sites aren't universal, with many cabins and RV spots offering only partial hookups. "Most spots are very close together so you don't eat much privacy. Super crowded on the weekends. Great place if you like to fish," advises a Lake Guntersville State Park camper.
Leveling requirements: Terrain in mountain camping areas often requires leveling equipment for RVs and trailers. "Site 212 unlevel" and "Gravel roadways in the campground, which were very dusty" are notes from a visitor to Raccoon Mountain, highlighting the importance of being prepared for uneven terrain.
