Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground sits about 30 minutes southwest of Birmingham in wooded terrain at roughly 500 feet elevation. The park spans over 1,500 acres with creek-fed camping areas that remain accessible during all seasons. Most campgrounds near Piper have year-round access with varying levels of amenities, from primitive sites to full-service RV hookups.
What to do
Creek exploration: 15-20 minute drive from Piper at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground, where a stream runs behind many sites. "We stayed in site 122 in Campground 1, right on the creek. The sites are all gravel with picnic tables (a little worn—we brought our own table setup)," notes camper Randi P., adding that "the creek is peaceful and adds great ambiance, but there's no designated access area for wading or swimming."
Historical sites: Under 10 miles from several camping locations. Tannehill preserves 19th-century ironworks remains. One visitor explains, "The best part of Tannehill is everything there is to do. We brought bikes and explored miles of trails, all clearly marked by difficulty level. The park is also full of historical buildings like an old mill, furnace, blacksmith shop, and restored cabins."
Biking trails: Various difficulties available at Oak Mountain State Park Campground, located approximately 20 miles northeast of Piper. "This place has everything, mtn bike, gravel bike, trail running, road running, road biking, golf, equestrian, sailing and fishing," reports camper Soren B. Trail systems range from beginner loops to technical mountain biking paths.
What campers like
Monthly flea markets: First weekend monthly at Tannehill. "We're craft vendors at Tannehill Trade Days March-November and we've started camping out there every month. My grandkids absolutely love it. They ride their bikes, play in the creek, and eat great ice cream from the creamery!" writes Paige M.
Lakefront camping: Multiple waterfront sites at Deerlick Creek, about 40 minutes west of Piper. "Love the large sites that are nicely separated from neighboring sites and overlook the water," says Steve V., who adds the campground has "friendly staff and clean bathhouse." Sites feature more privacy than many other campgrounds in the region.
Swimming opportunities: Seasonal access at several parks. Oak Mountain State Park provides lake swimming from late spring through early fall. Visitor Scott C. notes, "Great camping area for RV's or tents. Big lakes for fishing, swimming or canoeing." The park's beach area offers additional recreation space during summer months when temperatures regularly reach 90°F.
What you should know
Off-peak advantages: September-October offer milder temperatures. "We arrived late on a Thursday night and appreciated that the ranger is on-site 24/7, since the campground doesn't take reservations. The process is easy—you just pull in, find a site, and register/pay the next morning," explains one Tannehill camper about their experience.
Campground section differences: Varying hookup options across park sections. At Tannehill, "Campgrounds 1 and 2 offer full hook-ups, with many outer sites backing up to a scenic creek. Campground 3 has water and electric only," according to camper Randi P.
Cell coverage: Variable reception depending on carrier and campground. At Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park, about 15 minutes south of Piper, service can be limited. Tannehill offers better connectivity as noted by one camper: "T-Mobile service was decent—we were able to use our hotspot to stream TV at night. There's no public Wi-Fi, but we didn't miss it."
Campsite privacy: Significant differences between parks. "Two night stay on site 39. Love the large sites that are nicely separated from neighboring sites and overlook the water," reports one Deerlick Creek visitor, contrasting with closer quarters at some RV-focused parks.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple options at Chilton County Minooka Park, 30 minutes south of Piper. "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," reports Chris B., highlighting activities beyond standard camping.
Kid-friendly water features: Shallow creek areas at Tannehill create safe play spaces. "Lots of kids were playing in the water right near their sites," observes one camper. The shallow creek depth makes supervision easier for parents.
Educational opportunities: Self-guided tours at historical parks provide learning experiences. Adam R. from Tannehill notes, "Several activities such as the Museum, Frontier Farm and Minature ridable train will keep you engaged but the best is the trail system."
Multiple recreation options: One-stop family destination at Oak Mountain. "While they only have 18 sites, this is a great layover spot off of 65. Costs $37 a night, and includes free game play at the casino. Paved sites with 50Amp FHU," reports a visitor to one of the best places to camp near Piper, Alabama.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Easy navigation at Birmingham South RV Park with designed sites. "We had a 50amp pull through site. It was very level and we didn't even unhook from the truck! We stayed one night, easy to find, close to the interstate, clean," reports Beth H. The site layout accommodates larger rigs without complicated maneuvering.
Hookup variations: Full services not available at all sites. At Tannehill, camper Nicole K. notes, "We paid $25 that included electric hookup, bath house with showers, water on site, and a dump station. I believe you can pay another $5 for sewage on site."
Late arrival procedures: After-hours check-in policies differ between parks. Birmingham South RV Park offers a streamlined process: "They have a very easy after hours method for checking yourself in. The park is neat, quiet and clean," according to one visitor.
