Owens Cross Roads offers a blend of North Alabama camping opportunities within a 45-minute drive of Huntsville. The area combines mountainous terrain with river access, sitting at approximately 650 feet of elevation with temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Camping options span from primitive sites to luxury accommodations that provide electric hookups and modern amenities.
What to do
Mountain biking and hiking trails: Monte Sano State Park offers technical trails for outdoor enthusiasts just minutes from Huntsville. "These are not your easy day hike trails, though it is possible to take it easy. The problem being when you look at the map and read the names you can't help but go check out the trails! Good, technical hiking, bring your sticks and bug stuff," notes a visitor to Monte Sano State Park Campground.
Fishing access: The area waterways provide excellent fishing opportunities year-round. One camper at Honeycomb Campground shared their experience: "It was our first time here and it was really nice. Very clean and they were clearly doing extra cleaning due to covid. The grounds are well kept. The water and location are beautiful."
Water recreation: Swimming, kayaking, and boating are popular activities, with some campgrounds offering equipment rentals. "The camp store was well supplied. We plan on staying and would highly recommend. Nice playground for the kids as well," reports a visitor to TGL Adventures.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks feature opportunities for animal spotting and nature observation. A camper at Monte Sano mentioned, "Wildlife are fun to watch, hiking and biking trails, play areas for kids. Definitely recommend."
What campers like
River and lake access: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences in the Owens Cross Roads area. A visitor to Fairview Campground reported, "Great campground on the water and spacious sites. Water access at your campsite to swim or kayak. Nice bathhouse, clean facilities. Will definitely be back!"
Proximity to town amenities: Many campgrounds combine natural settings with nearby conveniences. "Monte Sano State Park is conveniently situated right next to Huntsville, AL. So you can feel as if you're out in the middle of nowhere and town is 10 minutes down the road," shares a reviewer.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and amenities receive consistent praise. A camper at Point Mallard City Campground noted, "Nice clean campground. Walking distance to water park. Sites are very nice, although a little close to each other."
Varied camping options: The area provides everything from basic tent sites to luxury glamping in Owens Cross Roads vicinity. "Sites are spaced well, wooded, and many have direct access to the trails. The trails! So many! We saw 4 waterfalls, including one inside a cave," shares a Monte Sano visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping conditions significantly throughout the year. "Very beautiful campground and lots of places to hike. The only drawback for me was no fishing but we still had a great time hiking and looking around!" notes a Monte Sano visitor.
Campsite spacing varies: Some campgrounds feature more closely positioned sites than others. A visitor to Sharon Johnston Park reported, "Staff was friendly and the campgrounds were nice and clean. The camp lots were too close for my liking. Too much noise and I couldn't find firewood anywhere."
Limited shade at some locations: Past storm damage has affected tree cover at certain campgrounds. "A few years ago a tornado took out a lot of the big pines so it's a bit hot with very little shade. But it's still the best place to camp around Guntersville!" explains a Lake Guntersville State Park visitor.
Reservation recommendations: Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront options. "Book in advance, water sites are hard to come by in the summer!" advises a Honeycomb Campground camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "This is a wonderful place to stay. The camp host and office personnel are very friendly. The campground is busy, but quiet," shares a Point Mallard visitor.
Swimming options: Water recreation provides cooling relief during hot months. "In the summer the pool is open which is great for the hot days. There's also a track, a baseball field, and soccer fields so I've seen many athletic events held there," explains a Sharon Johnston Park camper.
Educational opportunities: Several parks include nature programs or historical features. "It really is wide open spaces. In the summer the pool is open which is great for the hot days. When we go, our kids run free -- there are 200 acres of open space and a lake so they have a great time -- and there is a Pioneer Village they can explore," notes a Sharon Johnston Park visitor.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds offer additional security measures. "The gate is locked after 8pm, but you can get a key for a deposit of $10, which you get back when you leave. This means it is pretty secure at night," explains a River Rocks Landing visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on hookup needs and size compatibility. "The spaces were a little bit tight & close but they were angled nicely. We had to maneuver the trailer around the trees but not complaining about the shade," reports a Point Mallard camper.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have terrain challenges for larger rigs. "Most spots are easy access, some sites maybe tight for bigger Rigs. Some sites have Full Hook-up, 50 amp. This campground is family friendly," advises a Fairview Campground visitor.
Utility placement: Hookup locations can vary significantly between sites. "Our site was spacious and right on the lake. The beach was very nice and the staff was beyond helpful," shares a Honeycomb camper about their luxury camping experience near Owens Cross Roads.
Weather preparedness: Seasonal storms can affect camping conditions. "Gravel roads and pads (thankfully, as everything around was standing in water from the recent downpour). The facility is dated, but clean and an easy on and off on the way through," notes a Wills Creek RV Park visitor.
