Camping options near Mentone, Alabama range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV parks. Located atop Lookout Mountain at 1,800 feet elevation, Mentone's higher altitude offers cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Cell service remains unreliable throughout the mountainous terrain despite some campgrounds offering WiFi, with particular signal challenges during heavy tree cover in summer months.
What to do
Kayaking at Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center offers kayak rentals and sales for paddlers wanting to explore Big Cedar Creek. "If you love kayaking this could be a potential spot for you," notes a camper, while another mentions "Kayaking is one of the main activities. Kayak rentals and sales."
Hiking to Little River Canyon: Little River RV Park & Campground provides easy access to canyon trails. "It's beautiful and features many waterfalls and hiking!" says one visitor. Another adds that "Little River Canyon park which makes it worth it. The canyon is gorgeous and provides for some amazing views especially if you drive the entire scenic road and stop at all the lookouts."
Fishing at Tranquility: Tranquility Campground offers a 6-acre catch-and-release fishing lake on the property. "There is a nice little pond to fish and a few little trails around the park," writes one camper. Another notes "A lake front campsite with water & power hookup was $30 per night and that was on Memorial Day Weekend."
What campers like
Fast internet access: 1776 RV And Campground gets high marks for connectivity. "The best part is the screaming fast internet! We work from home and the internet was so fast, people were amazed when I told them I was at a campground," shares one reviewer. Another mentioned, "Full hook ups 30/50...WI FI works great all over the park."
Proximity to attractions: Campers appreciate the strategic location of rv parks near Mentone, Alabama. "You can easily get to Desoto falls by foot (.85 mile) with spectacular views. Also this park is just minutes from downtown Mentone and super close to Desoto State Park," writes a Tranquility Campground visitor.
Clean facilities: Wills Creek RV Park earns points for cleanliness. "One night stop and it's a great place. Water, electric and sewer which is a huge plus," notes a visitor. Another camper adds, "Clean, friendly staff, huge spots… great for a last minute stop, not far off the interstate!"
What you should know
Seasonal popularity: Fall is peak season due to leaf viewing, but summer offers comfortable temperatures compared to lower elevations. "This is one of the few parts of Alabama that is cool enough to camp in the summer (still hot but not miserable)," notes a visitor to Tranquility Campground.
Site conditions vary: Many RV parks in the Mentone area have uneven terrain. "Most sites have a slight to moderate slope to them," writes a Little River RV Park & Campground visitor. Another notes, "Sites are close together, but we were able to camp in the 'back country' sites, which was all we needed."
Limited amenities at some sites: Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center has basic facilities. "The bath house located in the pavilion was very nice," shares a reviewer, while another cautions, "The shower rooms are much in need of an update and be more available."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Most Mentone area campgrounds welcome pets. At Wills Creek RV Park, "The sites are very close but the pull through sites are in an open area," making dog walking easier according to reviews.
Playground access: Cedar Creek provides children's play equipment. "The playground was fun for my kiddos although it really wasn't age appropriate for our 3 year old twins very well," shares one family.
Weather monitoring: Battlefield Campground & RV Park staff help during severe weather events. "They looked after us and even stayed up all night to help everyone watch the weather during a tornado watch," notes a visitor, highlighting the importance of weather awareness in this mountain region.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation as mountain roads can be challenging. "The campground seems to have a lot of long term guests, so I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a relaxing retreat to the woods," notes a Battlefield Campground visitor.
Utilities management: Water pressure varies between Mentone area RV parks. "Water pressure was slightly over 40 psi which made my water pump run continuously until I just shut it off," reports a Cedar Creek RV camper.
Navigation challenges: Finding level sites can be difficult at many campgrounds. "The campground is hilly, which makes it even more appealing for me as I wanted to camp in the mountains amongst nature. Although hilly, our site was quite level and easy to get to," writes a Little River RV Park visitor.
