Camping near Orrville, Alabama includes options ranging from lakeside settings to military-only facilities. The Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake serve as primary water features in this region, with many campgrounds offering direct water access. The region's varied terrain supports both primitive camping and full-service RV parks with most facilities remaining operational throughout all four seasons.
What to do
Water activities at Wheeler Lake: Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday offers rental equipment for various water sports. A camper noted, "They have a rope course, water activities/rentals, cabins, rv/camper/tent sites waterside, and more. We fished feet from our camper off of the bank."
Trail exploration: Monte Sano State Park Campground features extensive hiking and mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels. One visitor reported, "The hiking is moderate to extreme up and down some interesting rock formations. The mountain bikers and bikers seem to enjoy themselves too, flying down the closed roadway or the steep roadways and challenging themselves on the rocky terrain."
Golfing opportunities: Joe Wheeler State Park Campground provides golf facilities alongside other recreational activities. A reviewer stated, "Great anytime of year. Fishing, golf, restaurant and many other activities. Campground recently updated."
Water park access: Point Mallard City Campground is adjacent to a water park. According to one camper, "The fact that this campground stays packed should be an indication of what a great place it is! Very friendly staff, clean bath houses and next to a fun water park."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Visitors appreciate direct lake access at many campgrounds. At Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday, one camper mentioned, "We stayed in spot 12. Beautiful lakefront location! Electric/water hookup only. Workers were wonderful and place all together is clean and well maintained."
Natural privacy: Many campgrounds offer wooded sites that provide separation between campers. A Monte Sano State Park visitor noted, "Sites are spaced well, wooded, and many have direct access to the trails."
Clean facilities: T's Outback RV Park receives praise for its maintenance standards. One review states, "Gravel road but cement pavements on site. Site is very clean and landscape is well maintained."
Convenient location: Several campgrounds provide a balance between natural settings and urban proximity. A Point Mallard camper observed, "Located in Decatur, AL, you are close to grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and more!"
What you should know
Cell service and connectivity: While some campgrounds offer WiFi, reliability varies significantly. At Point Mallard City Campground, a recent visitor noted, "No wifi per office with no known date of repair. Relatively quiet, lots of vehicle traffic and golf carts."
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds feature closely positioned sites. A reviewer at Point Mallard described it as "This place is tight. Not in the Urban Dictionary meaning of tight, but in the actual meaning of tight. It's hard to tell if there are more trees or RVs on the property."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. At Northgate RV Travel Park, a camper reported, "This CG filled up the Saturday to Sunday we overnighted and we were assigned one of the few water and electric only sites."
Gate access protocols: Some facilities have security measures in place. At Redstone Arsenal RV Park, a visitor advised, "Use Gate 8 near the commissary and BX versus 9. Gate 8 gives you an easier drive to the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Several best places to camp near Orrville, Alabama feature swimming opportunities. Joe Wheeler State Park offers a day-use beach area, with one visitor noting, "The day use lake beach is wonderful. There were several places to launch a kayak, and the views on the river are hard to beat in the area."
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds include dedicated play areas. A Monte Sano State Park visitor mentioned, "There are cool little wooden play obstacles for the kids in the campground and a huge playground 1/2 mile away inside the park."
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds offer biking trails suitable for various skill levels. At Point Mallard, a camper reported, "There is a six mile walking/biking trail along the Tennesse river. The golf course is at the campground entrance."
Seasonal events: Holiday periods often feature special activities. According to a Point Mallard review, "There are special events for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry points. At Jay Landings Marina & RV Park, a visitor cautioned, "Like other reviewers stated, there's a deep ditch on either side of the driveway when you pull in, so keep an eye on how your rig tracks."
Leveling requirements: Site grading varies between facilities. Regarding Northgate RV Travel Park, one RVer noted, "The pad was plenty long enough for our 40' fifth wheel and F450 plus fairly level."
Utilities placement: The location of hookups can affect parking position. At Jay Landings Marina & RV Park, a reviewer commented, "The utilities are in the middle of the pad and you can maneuver to suit your needs. Water pressure was good at 50 psi and we got 4 bars on Verizon."
Long-term options: Some parks cater to extended stays. At T's Outback RV Park, a visitor reported, "Down here working for a few months and wanted a clean quiet safe place. This place is all the above. The owners are very nice and helpful. $450 a month including utilities."
