Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Pinson? Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. With our help, you'll find the best Alabama equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
From its humble beginning as a 940-acre park atop Double Oak Mountain established by the Alabama State Lands Act of 1927, Oak Mountain State Park has grown to 9,940 acres making it Alabama’s largest state park. With the largest land-area, one of the widest varieties of outdoor activities of any state park, and its proximity to Birmingham, Oak Mountain is a perfect stop while traveling to and from the state’s largest city. Topping it all off is the park’s stunning physical landscape, which alone makes for an unforgettable experience.
Oak Mountain State Park has once again been awarded the coveted "Certificate of Excellence" from Tripadvisor!
Welcome overnight backpackers. Please observe these rules for your safety and to help preserve the natural beauty of Oak Mountain State Park.
Overnight backpackers are entitled to camp at a designated backcountry campsite only. Backpackers are not entitled to use the improved campground facilities.
$6 - $18 / night
$10 - $30 / night
Guide
They put a massive amount of money into updating this place. This is the #1 best state park campground I have ever been at. Some of the non-5star reviews are people before the updates or people that really should just be at a KOA resort.
This place has everything, mtn bike, gravel bike, trail running, road running, road biking, golf, equestrian, sailing and fishing.
It has wifi throughout and almost everywhere in the park has cell reception.
TravelerI grew up near oak mountain and it’s always been a decent campground for the price. After we purchased our first camper this summer we decided to go give it a shot at Oak Mountain before we went further out. We were unaware that they had completely revamped the entire place. The bathhouses were awesome and clean as were the laundry rooms. They had plenty of supplies in the store if you forgot something. We will be returning during the fall. Sites are pretty spacious and well maintained.
GuideHaving visited 3 times now, twice before the renovations and now once after, I can confidently say I love this park! I have previously primitive camped here and now camper at a full hookup RV site. Tent sites range from "water in vicinity," "water at site," and "water and 20 amp power at site." Rv sites are water and electric or full hook up. I think all RV sites are now 50/30/20 but I'm not certain. There is a dump station near the exit of the campground. Sites are mostly level/slight grade but found that not all drain very well when it rains, including our site a17.
The park has so many different activities including -Hiking -Bmx trails -Swimmimg -Archery range And more I can't even remember.
Flip side watersports operates at 2 locations and paid activities include -wake boarding -Aqua Park And rentals of -Kayaks -stand up paddle boards -paddle boats And -Canoes.
There are things to do year round and the weather was great for mid July.
GuideThis state park has it all. A place to swim, numerous hiking trails, playgrounds, etc. The newly remodeled campground is spectacular. The pads are super level (at least in A16. Small tent spots sprinkled in. Saw security and police several times just passing through to check on folks. Love that. We will be back many more times for sure.
Traveler
I’ve been going here since I was a kid and it’s one of my favorite places in the world. You’ll never run out of things to do between the endless hiking trails, the museum of wildlife, and the wildlife rescue center. There’s an archery station within the park and a petting farm. The campground is easily navigated with multiple bathhouses per campground so you’ll always have one nearby.
Scout
The campground is very nice and woodsy. The campsites have water and electric hookups. They have nice paddocks for your horses. The multiple trails are so beautiful . I have been here many times.
Scout
Great people Always willing to help, loves our long term stay here. Mr. Gerald, Mr. Teddy & Mr. Scott are always more than willing to work with you & help in any way. Loves everything about this place. Family friendly, atv park.
TravelerLots to do and amazing trails. Helpful and friendly farmers. Clean washrooms and near campsite. No too far from town.
ScoutAt the regular campground, there’s only 30amp connections. Some have sewer and some not. There is no camp wifi. Swimming is quit a distance from campground.
The campground at the stables are pull through and 50 amp and full hookups.
GuideRv sites were paved, pretty level and well spaced. Bathhouses were pretty rough, dirty in disrepair and dated.
LegendI have camped at the horse campground a few times. Nothing fancy there, they are side by side pull thrus similar to a KOA. And the horse trails are nice. This time I camped at the regular campground in a travel trailer. Site A14. Site was pull thru across from camphosts and bathroom. Site was small but nice - water/elec only and pull thru. Picnic table and fire ring, no grill. Camp hosts (woman) was friendly. Asked for assistance in moving a bench so my son could get his wheelchair along the sidewalk to the men’s bathroom: her husband (assume they are married) never came out despite being asked by his wife a few times and me waiting 20 min. On that note, the bathrooms are old and dingy and not ADA at all. But it would have been nice to get some assistance. Overall, this is a good campground if you have young kids and like a lot of activity around you and don’t need anything ADA. Oh and be aware of poison ivy. It was EVERYWHERE
TravelerBathrooms needed updating. Paid more than it was worth. Our site was nice and could walk down to the lake.
TravelerSo far there’s nothing here I don’t like! From what I’ve been told, this RV destination has seen significant improvements overs the last 2 years and they are still working on things. Right now there’s about 30-40 spots, spaced out well, and lots of trails! There’s a small lake but it’s only for fishing. Can’t paddle board or canoe here. Dirt bikes and Atv’s have lots of trails to ride! They have a dirt track for dirt bikes or even RC cars which we used the other day. Very clean bathrooms with full showers. Brand new docks to fish from! They’re putting in a sports area but isn’t done yet. Overall, this campground is very nice and for day use really fun if you have dirt bikes or an ATV.
ScoutAlthough weather is extremely cool this time of the year the campground is great very clean and quiet awesome experience
ScoutThe customer service was terrible! There was a bit of confusion while checking in and they ended up over charging my card by 40 dollars. Which would have been fine we chose to extend our reservation. However, they don't want to refund my money. I have had to jump through hoops just to gain consideration on the matter. In the beginning I was completely shut down with one excuse after another as to why my transactions from the bank were not accurate. Then I had to print off a official statement from my bank which is not a option. For security reasons they only mail requested statements physically to the address on file aside from the monthly statement issued at the end of each month and its th 8th! So I had to pay another 39 dollars to extend. I used the same card to show the same type of charge previously because we ended up paying cash upon check in. That wasn't enough! Its 2 days after check out and I still don't have my money back. She said the accountant had to review the alleged charge. I was outraged. Not to mention the fact that it wasn't I who made the mistake why was I having to jump through hoops regardless.
ScoutLove this park!
ScoutMinooka is a really fun place. They just added several tv hookups and have an almost new bath house with large showers. The playground is also small but nice. Lots of trails to hit on the dirt bikes or ATVs. We go for day riding trips once a month or so.
ScoutThe park itself is beautiful, but the campground was trashy in my opinion. We were just traveling through but I wouldn’t want to stay for longer than a night. The campground by the interstate exit was a lot nicer when driving by.
The spot we had was extremely hard to park in and the hookups didn’t make sense how they were posted. Pavilion looked dumpy and not well kept.
LegendPROS
Senior discount
Reserved 363 days prior to arriving
Very friendly check in staff H
Huge park…very nicely landscaped and neatly mowed
Quiet
Regularly saw ranger driving through campground
A30 level site and nearly full shade coverage
Moveable wooden and metal picnic table
Metal fire pit with cooking grate
Campfire wood for sale at park office
Don’t miss the TREE TOP NATURE TRAIL!
Good food at The Grille at Oak Mountain State Park inside the Pro Shop at The Oaks Golf Course
All major shopping and eateries just beyond the park boundaries in Pelham, Hoover and Birmingham
CONS
$5 reservation fee for making my own on-line reservation
Street lights throughout campground
Toilet/shower facility heavily used which badly needs updating
Campground trash dumpsters are beyond the campground gate…not walkable
Poor signage upon entering Park. We stopped at the first building on the right, as it was marked RANGER OFFICE with a large, rig-friendly parking area, but it was not a check-in for campers. Then we went through another gate on the main roadway and it wasn’t the campground check-in either. Campground directional signs after we got through that gate. Glad we didn’t arrive in the dark!
Limited and very tight rig parking at campground gate check-in
No notice by park on the south entrance roadwork and roundabout construction...horribly tight to maneuver... recommend North entrance/exit until construction is completed…that’s how we departed.
Never saw a camp host
No WiFi
2 bars Verizon
GuideBeautiful large park. One night. Likes the site arrangements - interspersed with tent sites, parking pads at a different angle next to each other. Enjoyed the Peavine Falls Trail on the way out of the park in the morning. Have to buy a trail map. Damp wood from the camp store. TMobile good signal.
GuideI had booked a tent site at Oak Mountain - site unseen.
The tent sites were across from the RV sites (the RV sites in this area were very close together- there were other RV sites with more distance between). My site had power and water. There were two section on my site. One higher (I assume for tent setup) and one lower, surrounded by a wall of cinder blocks . The power and water hookup was just above the cinder blocks so I assume that area was for table/kitchen set up, or canopy/screenroom. I chose to setup my tent below the wall due to the ground being more level and flat (and a bit more privacy). The site was completely shaded so great for camping in warmer months, and the tent sites were spaced a good distance from each other.
My only drawback was that this was a carry-on site. You couldn’t park directly on the site. It wasn’t too terribly far of a walk, but it was up and down a steep hill. So me being unaware, did not bring appropriate way to carry my heavy gear 1000 feet or more , up and down a hill. Not a problem if you have a strong man with you, but for this 60 year old bird-it was a challenge.
All in all the tent sites are fairly spacious (don’t think you could put an 18 person tent tho) have good space between each site, have power and
water and are shaded.
Drawbacks would be the distance from parking to setup area.
TravelerWe stayed for three days in December 2021 and really enjoyed it. Camp was about 1/3 full and it felt like we had the whole state park for ourselves. Bath houses were adequate and very clean, little long in the tooth. Four washers and three dryers on site all worked great. Staff was super nice and helpful. Highly recommend the site we stayed at, it was in the back of the camp near the lake.
ScoutI was not informed upon check-in that car or van camping is not allowed. The ranger was kind enough to let me stay for the rest of the night but said I was required to buy a tent if I wanted to stay the next night. I politely asked why they had this policy and they couldn't even give me a reason.
ScoutThis is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been. There’s lots to do. Level lots for RVs. Fire pit and picnic tables at site. Will stop back by here.
ScoutQuiet and respectful campers and staff.
ScoutVery clean and restful place! Everyone was friendly and helpful if needed!
ScoutWas very peaceful relaxing experience. Lots to do, if you like riding bikes this is the place. Beautiful place to take a couple days off or a week or so.
Horse camping in Alabama offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it an ideal choice for horse lovers looking to explore the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Pinson, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pinson, AL is Oak Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 92 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Pinson, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Pinson, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
