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TravelerSouthern Way RV Park
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Camping near Orange Beach, AL
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Orange Beach, Alabama features several developed campground options along the Gulf Coast, providing access to pristine beaches and inland water features. Gulf State Park Campground serves as the primary camping destination, offering nearly 500 sites with full hookups for RVs, tent camping areas, and cabin accommodations. The park connects to extensive biking trails and beach access points across its 6,000+ acres. Nearby alternatives include Fort Pickens Campground in the Gulf Islands National Seashore and private RV resorts such as Pandion Ridge Luxury RV Resort and Island Retreat RV Park, which cater to different camping preferences with varying amenity levels.
Campground reservations are essential, particularly during peak seasons from March through October when Gulf Shores and Orange Beach experience high tourism traffic. A recent review noted, "Gulf State Park is the one by which all other parks in the region are to be compared. Good luck trying to book a site. Takes a pro, or a bot or something. It's rightfully popular." Most campgrounds in the area offer full hookups, though tent camping options are more limited. Weather considerations include intense summer heat and humidity from June through September, with milder temperatures in spring and fall making these seasons more comfortable for camping. Hurricane season (June-November) can affect camping plans, with occasional park closures for storm preparation or recovery.
The Gulf State Park campground provides substantial infrastructure including paved bike paths, beach access, and a swimming pool. Campers frequently highlight the park's connectivity to natural areas. According to one visitor, "They have biking trails throughout the park - and boardwalks to go over to the beach! If you aren't camping you can pay to just bike!" Many campsites offer water views, whether along canals, bays, or lakes within the park system. Several reviews mention the spaciousness of sites at Gulf State Park compared to other coastal campgrounds. Orange Beach campgrounds provide excellent access to Gulf Coast beaches, allowing campers to enjoy coastal activities like swimming, fishing, and sunset walks right from their campsites. For those seeking quieter experiences, Big Lagoon State Park across the Florida state line offers a more secluded camping environment while still providing beach access. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region's campgrounds, allowing for remote work while camping.
Best Campgrounds near Orange Beach (149)
1. Gulf State Park Campground
"Kids love the splash pad Bigs sites Food trucks Site store Boat ramps Nice pool Access to the beach And between gulf shores and orange beach. Conveniently located to everything"
"They have biking trails throughout the park - and boardwalks to go over to the beach! If you aren’t camping you can pay to just bike!"
2. Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore
"Best step above primitive camping while allowing for close to nature setting. Short walk to water, good coastal fishing, Ft Pickens historical site to visit, etc. Not long drive to town."
"But other than that the showers / bathrooms are close by & clean, you can take a short walk to watch the sunrise & sunset .."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability3. Big Lagoon State Park Campground
"Bathhouses clean and close to most campsites. Plenty of walking trails. Love the Bird tower and kayak launch. Sandbar near launch to hangout when paddling."
"Nice secluded campground with easy access to the beach and surrounding forms of entertainment. Awesome area to walk, hike, and ride bikes. Nice clean bathrooms/shower houses (3)."
from $20 / night
Check Availability4. Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA
"We loved walking to the waterfront. My son enjoyed the basketball court. My kids loved the pool. It was quiet at night."
"Guy next to us threatened to beat his dog with a pipe at like 2am. A truck, big diesel started at 5 and ran for 30 minutes. People walking all hours of the night. Dogs barking continuously."
5. Island Retreat RV Park
"Great central location to the beach (bike ride or drive). Bike and walking path. It’s off the main tourist area so it’s nice and quiet."
"A nice base camp to explore Gulf Shores that is located near one of the boat launches, the bike path, restaurants, and beaches."
from $64 - $79 / night
Check Availability6. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort - Alabama Gulf Coast
"It is located in Elberta Al. The sites are gravel and dirt but they are level and very spacious. Great for RVs and large rigs."
"Enjoy taking the grandkids to Jellystone campground in Elberta, Alabama. "
7. Sun Outdoors Orange Beach
"This was our first visit to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area and Pandion did not disappoint during our stay. Sites are huge."
"Close to beach(not on the beach). Close to restaurants and shopping. Lake is well stocked with big bass. Adjoins bike trails of Gulf State Park."
8. Blue Angel Park
"There is a walking trail and a flat place to ride a bike. Hope to return soon."
"We did some paddle-boarding and walked trails. There is so much more we want to do, like play volleyball, mini golf, go kayaking, and ride bikes. It was quiet at quiet time, no problems."
from $7 - $75 / night
Check Availability9. Perdido Key RV Resort
"This RV park is tucked under the overpass and situated across from a golf course and next to a neighborhood."
"The park is very dog friendly they provide poop bags for clean up it has a little beach next to the marina just a little bit of road noise from the bridge that crosses onto Perdido Key."
10. Luxury RV Resort
"Walking distance to the beach, dining, shopping AND connected by a path through the woods to Gulf Shores State Park."
"Although pricey this campground is worth it because it’s kept immaculate with beautiful trees surrounding it and is so close to the beach."
from $84 - $110 / night
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Drive Time
- 39 min from Pensacola, FL
- 48 min from Daphne, AL
- 1 hr from Mobile, AL
- 1 hr 18 min from Crestview, FL
Recent Camping Photos near Orange Beach, AL
127 Photos of 149 Orange Beach Campgrounds
Lori W.
Outpost Campsites — Gulf State Park
Jessica D.
Gulf State Park Campground
Philip M.
Alabama Coast Campground
Jaimee D.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort - Alabama Gulf Coast
Christian D.
Big Lagoon State Park Campground
Timmy C.
Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA
Emma G.
Beakertopia
Laura M.
Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore
J B.
Zen Rustic Tiny Cabin - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Kevin W.
Pensacola RV Park
Owen G.
The Retreat RV & Campground On Styx River
Recent Reviews near Orange Beach, AL
812 Reviews of 149 Orange Beach Campgrounds
- LLaura H.
GuideBig Lagoon State Park Campground
Worth a visit
Big Lagoon State Park is a hidden gem on the Gulf Coast! Located just minutes from Perdido Beach, it’s the perfect place to escape the crowds and enjoy nature. The walking trails are well-maintained and offer beautiful scenery, making them ideal for a peaceful stroll, birdwatching, or simply soaking in the natural beauty of the area.
The park is clean, quiet, and full of wildlife, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk, a picnic spot, or a place to connect with nature, Big Lagoon State Park is definitely worth a visit.
Jenny
RangerSanta Rosa RV Resort
Beautiful camping on the water
We enjoy our stay at Santa Rosa RV Park. There are several rows of camping spots to choose from including waterfront, middle rows and a row right next to the road.
We stayed in site 67 this year (middle row). The grounds have a variety of foliage including magnolia, palm trees and other plants and flowers. Which provides for privacy from your neighbors as well as shade. The waterfront spots don’t have as much shade as the rest but they still do have several palm trees, etc.
This year instead of renting kayaks and paddle boards, they were complimentary - this was a nice perk! They also had a floating pad in the Santa Rosa Sound (bay) for the kids to play on.
Also, they added onto the grounds by the pool and installed a large (all shaded) and a small deck with a gas grill on each deck. We grilled several times and enjoyed lunch by the water - we loved this new area with the grills!!
They have two bags games and a large connect four game and lots of shade.
Fitness room (open 8am to 9pm) had a full set of dumbbells. A treadmill, elliptical and recumbent bicycle.
Plenty of washers and dryers in the laundry room (open 8am to 9pm). Take note: I noticed the dryers dry in very high heat even when low heat is selected so I used lowest heat and stopped our clothes after ~30 min instead of letting them dry the full hour.
During our 13 night stay, they had donuts and coffee twice. That was nice. They also had a food truck a couple of nights which was fun.
It’s always fun to walk out on the pier and look for sting rays and jumping fish. We saw dolphins in the Santa Rosa Sound (bay) and we heard a worker saw a manatee pass under the pier. Fishing from the pier is free and the office sells poles for a reasonable price. Little boy said he caught lots of fish with shrimp.
We enjoy the large fenced in dog park so we can let our pups off the leash. Also they have a nice dog beach that gets pretty large when the tide is out in the evening. I counted at least five dog bag/trash stations all around in the park. There’s no reason for any dog poop to not be picked up but unfortunately there’s always someone who doesn’t pick up after their dog.
The park is well kept and the employees are nice.
- JJessica B.
ScoutFort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore
Great campground
Great campground, quick walk to the quiet beach, good bathrooms and laundry facilities
- SSarah L.Traveler
Gulf State Park Campground
Well maintained and close to the beach
We have stayed at Gulf State Park several times. This is a busy campground with full amenities. It has level paved sites. There are some primitive sites with a little more privacy for tent camping. Its a bit expensive but has full hookups, a pool, laundromat, boat launch, nature center and tons of walking trails. Several sites are near the lakes and creeks. This is NOT on the beach but your pass gets you free parking at the Gulf State Park beach and the Pier which are both minutes from the campground.
- SShelton M.Traveler
Splash RV Resort & Waterpark
Beautiful resort with amazing amenities, just a few areas for improvement!
We recently stayed at Splash RV Resort at site 83 and had a great experience overall. Our site was excellent, featuring a decent little yard, and it was almost perfectly level—only about a half-inch off from left to right across the width of our camper. There was also plenty of room to park our F-450 right in front. The resort's location is perfect for day trips to the nearby beaches, and the roads inside the park are great with very easy access from the highway. (Note: There isn't much shopping nearby besides a Dollar General, so come prepared!) The facilities here are absolutely amazing. The bathhouses and laundry rooms are honestly resort-quality. We also ordered the cinnamon rolls a day in advance, and they were incredible. The resort app works flawlessly—we used it to request a propane refill, a fire pit, and firewood, and the service was incredibly fast every time. Almost all of the employees were super awesome and friendly. The only negative interaction we had was with the older lady working at the camp store. She constantly hounded us multiple times about not wearing our wristbands. Given that the resort has a gate code, gated security, and guest lists, the aggressive monitoring felt like overkill—especially since I personally cannot sleep with things on my wrists. To make this place a true 10/10, I have a few suggestions for management: 1 The Pizza: While the other poolside food was surprisingly good, the pizza was a letdown. It was a typical frozen, "waterpark-style" reheated pizza that cost $20. For that price point, the resort should definitely choose a higher-quality option. 2 Pool Sun Shades: Currently, the sun shades are over the shallow section of the adults-only pool. These really should be moved over the children’s section (at least on one side). Kids are much more sensitive to the sun and it’s always a struggle to get them out of the water to reapply sunscreen. 3 The Fitness Center: It was pretty pathetic and could definitely use a functional trainer or better equipment to match the quality of the rest of the resort. Overall, it’s a beautiful place to stay with top-tier amenities, and we would definitely come back!
- DDallas K.Traveler
Navarre Beach Camping Resort
Awesome spot!!
Wonderful quiet spot, great for tent camping, a lot of shade!
- TThomas T.Scout
Sunburst RV Resort Inc.
Work stay
I stayed at this campground because of a project that I was working. It is a nice little campground. It has two swimming pools, tennis courts, clean restrooms and a friendly staff.
- Victor B.Traveler
Lake Stone Campground
Quiet surprise
This was a second outing for our new camper. I like to mention the surrounding area as resources like grocery stores hardware stores and such can sometimes be important. With that said there were grocery stores and hardware stores nearby in case supplies are necessities are required. Park itself was a small loop with both inside sides and lakeside sites all of which were clean and accessible. The camp hosts were supportive and very nice while the showers and bathroom were clean and serviceable. About the only noisy part about the park were the geese where they were in the middle of breeding season still a very enjoyable place. The lake side park offers a small fishing pier and shoreline fishing and kayaking. Some of the sites had picnic tables that needed minor servicing but still usable. Water and electricity on site and both paved and unpaved sites available. I think we will definitely go back!
Guide to Orange Beach
Camping spots near Orange Beach, Alabama offer access to both Gulf beaches and inland waterways across Florida and Alabama state lines. The area's diverse habitats include coastal wetlands, maritime forests, and dune systems supporting wildlife like osprey and alligators. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide more comfortable camping conditions in the 70-80°F range.
What to do
**Wildlife spotting: Be attentive around wetlands for unexpected animal encounters. At Gulf State Park Campground, campers might spot alligators. "Went hiking along the trails and found 3 baby gators hanging out!" notes Paul G. The park's extensive trail system connects to diverse ecosystems.
**Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated fishing areas. Fort Pickens Campground provides shoreline access with mixed results. "The shallow waters in the bay are great for surf fishing and kayaking and there are many access points," reports one visitor. Many campers bring their own equipment, though some areas sell bait and tackle.
**Historical exploration: Fort Pickens offers military history alongside beach camping. "We walked about 30 minutes to the old fort. There is a book store in the old fort," mentions Deborah C. The preserved fortifications date to the 1800s and include ranger-led tours during certain seasons.
What campers like
**Waterfront sites: Some parks offer premium waterfront locations. At Blue Angel Park, waterfront tent sites provide excellent views. "We camped in hammocks and used the tent platform for our canopy to cover our food and gear. The view was beautiful to wake up to in the morning," says Kathy. These sites often cost $5-10 more than standard sites.
**Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained bathhouses. The Island Retreat RV Park receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "Amazingly clean restrooms with nice showers and full hook-ups. The front office even had ice cream parties and scavenger hunts for kiddos!" reports Eric S. Most parks clean facilities daily.
**Connectivity: Parks in this region generally offer reliable WiFi and cell service. "The WiFi was okay they publish that it doesn't work for streaming but it worked fairly well for our TV," notes Wendee W. at Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA. Signal strength varies throughout campgrounds, with better reception typically near camp stores or offices.
What you should know
**Storm considerations: Hurricane season impacts can extend beyond direct hits. After Hurricane Sally, one camper at Big Lagoon State Park noted, "Covid and Hurricane Sally messed up our plans but we were so thankful our reservation wasn't cancelled." Parks may close with little notice for storm preparation.
**Site restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific equipment requirements. "We have a pop up and was able to complete their easy online reservation without knowing we actually didn't make the cut ('only full RV style, less than 15 years old, etc')," explains Coartney Z. about Luxury RV Resort. Always read campground policies before booking.
**Insects: Bug activity increases dramatically during warmer months. "There were noticeably more bugs -- specifically termites and what we think were deer flies in May. It was pretty bad and they would swarm at certain times of the day," warns Meghan S. about Big Lagoon State Park. Bring insect repellent with DEET for maximum effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tent camping allowed on Orange Beach, AL?
Is tent camping allowed on Orange Beach, AL?
Tent camping is not allowed directly on Orange Beach's public beaches, but there are tent camping options nearby. Gulf State Park Campground offers tent camping sites with convenient beach access via boardwalks, along with amenities like biking trails, a pool, and laundry facilities. The Outpost Campsites — Gulf State Park provides a more primitive tent camping experience, with sites accessible via a 1.1-mile walk on the Cotton Bayou Trail. These locations give tent campers easy access to Orange Beach while providing proper camping facilities.
What campgrounds are available in Orange Beach, Alabama?
What campgrounds are available in Orange Beach, Alabama?
Orange Beach offers several excellent campground options. Sun Outdoors Orange Beach features spacious RV sites with ample parking and modern amenities. Bay Breeze RV on the Bay is a small 25-site campground located right on the bay with clean facilities and friendly staff, close to great restaurants. Other nearby options include Blue Heron Escape RV Resort in Foley (about 6 miles from Orange Beach) and Alabama Coast Campground, which offers full hookup pull-through sites in a natural environment with spacious layouts.
What camping is available near Orange Beach, AL?
What camping is available near Orange Beach, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Orange Beach, AL offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Orange Beach, AL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Orange Beach, AL?
Which is the most popular campground near Orange Beach, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Orange Beach, AL is Gulf State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 109 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Orange Beach, AL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Orange Beach, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Orange Beach, AL.
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