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Best Tent Camping near Semmes, AL

435 Reviews

Tent camping options near Semmes, Alabama are concentrated in neighboring counties, with primitive sites available within a 40-mile radius. Airey Lake Recreation Area in Mississippi offers four designated tent campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, while Shepard State Park Campground provides both RV and tent-specific sites with varying levels of amenities.

The camping terrain throughout the region consists primarily of wooded areas with limited facilities. Airey Lake Recreation Area features a single-stall bathroom and water pump but no showers, making it suitable for self-sufficient campers. Most tent sites are first-come, first-served with no formal check-in process. Shepard State Park offers more amenities with electric hookups, showers, toilets, and trash service. The park also maintains fire rings at designated sites and sells firewood bundles for $8 at the camp store. Both locations permit pets but have varying rules regarding fires and alcohol.

Tent campers at Airey Lake appreciate the peaceful setting around the lake, which becomes more crowded on weekends. The area connects to the Tuxachanie trail, making it suitable for hikers seeking overnight spots during multi-day treks. Sites are spaced throughout the area, providing reasonable privacy between camping groups. Shepard State Park offers wooded campsites with adequate spacing for privacy, plus access to hiking trails, an archery range, and a boat launch. The primitive camping areas are situated near trailheads, providing convenient access for outdoor activities. According to one visitor, "It was quiet and the RV site area is mostly full. Two small loops with enough space between sites you are not too crowded."

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Best Tent Sites Near Semmes, Alabama (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Semmes, AL

3 Photos of 7 Semmes Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Semmes, AL

435 Reviews of 7 Semmes Campgrounds

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2017

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Educational Trails

    The park is set up on a historic site where they have several trails set up talking about civil war battles that occurred there. They have two separate areas for camping where one is for RVs and tents and the other is the more basic tent only sites. I visited the tent only area which had many many sites and most had a nice amount of space with a good bit of privacy. I was there in June though and it gets really hot during the day and night and also very buggy. If you were here in the fall or winter it could be a great place to camp though. The bathrooms were nice but nothing special. There is a single bathroom for all of the tent sites so if you are far you could have a pretty long walk. The sites are pretty cool to see so if you are a civil war buff it might be worth checking out. The camping is expensive though at $20 a night for the tent sites and $30 for an RV site. People were friendly though and it was one of the nicest places in the area.

  • Karen L.
    May. 17, 2018

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Very large park, hiking, camping, battlegrounds

    Blakely State Park is a very large State Park, with different choices for camping. There are larger primitive tent sites, smaller tent sites with power/water hookups, RV sites, two primitive cabins and 2 newer cabins which are very nice. There's TONS of hiking, a battleground for history buffs, a playground, a boatdock, lots of hiking, horseback riding etc.

    I stayed in one of the two Squirrels Nest, which are primitive cabins. Basically open air cabins. 2 walls, a roof and 2 walls of screens. There are two wooden platforms for beds. A twin and a queen, and barstools to sit inside and look out into the woods, over the hill in which they are nestled. There's a sink (but no water) and a cabinet, and outside a large deck with bench seating. Below is a fire pit and picnic table. There is a shared porta potty outside of the two cabins. These cabins are a bit of a drive out in the woods, so make sure your vehicle is up to it. It's very peaceful out there. My cabin was inhabited by mice at night, so I kept my food in airtight plastic paint bucket containers & my belongings covered by garbage bags on one of the platforms and had my air mattress inside a pop-up mosquito tent, so the mice did not bother me. I was after all in their house. I sprinkled peppermint oil around my gear & my bed platform to keep the mice away. Next time I will have my food in a large cooler so that the wildlife is not attracted.

    There are hiking trails by these sites, as well as, steps down the hill, leading off into another trail.

    i would stay there again. Great place to get away.

  • Lisa S.
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Harper - Blakeley State Park

    Beautiful Well Maintained Huge Park

    April 4, 2021 Camper Van Site: Harper #7 Primitive $20 Over 2,000 acres crisscrossed with trails. Interesting replication of the ghost town of Blakeley which disappeared around 1830, but before then it rivaled Mobile in population and economy. Harper loop, where I camped, is at least a mile into the woods and has no hook ups. The sites have picnic tables and fire rings and offer decent privacy. Bath house is 7 minute walk. My shower was cold. Dumpsters near bath house. Staff house nearby. Staff very pleasant and helpful. Wish I could stay more than two nights.

    RV park closer to entrance.

  • M
    May. 16, 2018

    Gulf State Park Campground

    Great Spot for Family Fun

    You could stay at this park for your whole trip and not have to leave. There is an awesome pool and splash pad, basketball courts, and boat launch on the property, plus a laundromat and impressive camp store. The restroom facilities are relatively nice and are always air conditioned during the warmer months. The only complaint I have of this park is that there are only 11 tent camping sites. They claim any site can be used for tent camping, but no one in a tent wants to set up on a concrete pad, especially when it is hot! The tent sites they do have are primitive without water or electrical hook ups - it would be nice to have some sites with hook ups. The sites they do have for tents are very shady and clean. They do back up to a swampy canal, but I have never seen any alligators although I am sure they are in there somewhere.

    I would definitely recommend this park for families.

  • Lynn G.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Civil war history and beautiful scenery

    When you think Alabama this is the kind of beauty you imagine. The water, huge oak and cypress trees, Spanish moss, boardwalks are all lovely to explore. The Civil War history is interesting and the rangers are well-versed in history (I think they have reenactments sometimes). Great hiking trails (all easy, not too long) that are horse friendly (BYOH). There’s a nature center and lots of different ecosystems.

    Yay: Campgrounds are shaded in fairly dense forests for good privacy. They have simple campsites to full RV campsites, all have a fire ring and similar atmosphere. There are a few different campgrounds, one is tent only. They also have relatively new camping shelters that get you out of the bugs.

    Nay: Close to Mobile so can be crowded. A little expensive for camping. Some areas have just a pit toilet and some have full flush.

    Surprise: amazing cruises along the Delta with lots of wildlife viewing and history!! They have sunset cruises, seafood cruises, and seasonal themed cruises. Definitely the highlight of visiting this whole area. Loved the boardwalk.

  • Chirleen E.
    May. 13, 2020

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    We love Blakely!

    Great tent campground. Most sites have some privacy but a few are close to neighboring sites. Its a short walk to the bathhouse and tons of hiking trails are nearby. Rates are reasonable, picnic tables, and fire rings at the sites. Our favorite nearby camlground!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2018

    Gulf State Park Campground

    Tent Camper Beware

    I will preface this review with this: if you're an RV camper who enjoys all the amenities then you may very well love this campground. I will also say that the staff were very accommodating when we expressed our concerns and we were able to move to my parent's RV site and pitch our tent there for our four night stay. That being said, I am going to continue my review as it pertains to my experience as a tent camper.

    I've stayed here before and the tent sites, of which there are only 12 (the entire campground has over 500 RV sites, so it's big) have really been neglected. When we arrived to our site it was littered with trash, the lantern post had been run over and was on the ground, there were more fire ants than grains of sand and the small marshy canal that ran through the back of the site was only about 10 feet from the picnic table and frequented by large alligators sunning themselves in the campsite. There was no way, especially with two dogs, that we were going to stay in this site. The campground personnel had us move to another tent site which was just as bad as the first one. We wound up pitching our tent in my parent's RV site where the grounds were actually maintained and landscaped.

    You can rent bikes here, there's also a pool and a cool little nature center. Lot's of amenities available to guests and many of the RV folks are here for weeks upon weeks. It's a short bike ride to the beach and there are many miles of bike/walking paths throughout the park (it's quite large in terms of real estate).

    There is a "dog park" but use at your own risk. My cousin lives a short drive from this spot and passed by frequently, often seeing large alligators sunning themselves on the "dog park" beach. They live in the "pond" that is fenced in as part of the dog area. There have been a few incidents and interactions with dogs and gators.

    The RV sites are quite nice, large concrete pads and picnic tables. Stand up grills and lantern/trash poles (not run over and on the ground). Be aware of the raccoons and other critters that like pilfering through the garbage at night. Some of the sites are on canals which are home to large alligators and they do sun themselves in the sites from time to time. Unlike the heavily wooded tent sites, you can see the reptiles in the RV sites due to the impeccable landscaping in that part of the campground.

    BONUS: We were there during the super moon and it was spectacular!

  • K
    Jan. 23, 2021

    Harper - Blakeley State Park

    Spacious and Historic

    Harper Campground is designed for tent camping, $20 for unimproved and $30 for improved (electricity and water). If you have a $20 site, you have to bum water from one of the $30 sites. The restroom is nice and clean, showers are hot, and dumpsters are close to restrooms, but is a bit of a walk since the campground is so spacious. I rode my bike to use the bathroom. Enough brush to discreetly pop a squat if that’s your style. A small RV or camper van can easily fit in most of the sites. They’re quite spacious and only a couple (17 and 19) had mud pits. Every site is quite flat and clear and has good hammock trees. Sites 20 and up are not very private since the day use people can see right into your camp but otherwise they’re quite private since the shrubs are thick. Lots of cover meant less dew-covered gear in the morning. Each site had a nice wooden picnic table and fire pit. They sell small bundles of wet firewood for $6 a pop online and at the gatehouse so I recommend buying the regular sized dry bundles at the local supermarket a couple minutes down the road. Wildlife was good for birds, and we had an armadillo visit us all 4 nights! The history of the place is also really cool and we did not get any creepy vibes.

  • Alicia L.
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Turkey Fork Rec Area

    Quiet, Clean and Spacious

    We ventured to this campground not knowing what to expect. It did not disappoint! The sites were spaced further apart than many of the other campgrounds we've been. It was quite and peaceful. There were only a few other folks camping at the same time as us but we spoke to a Park Ranger who mentioned it does fill up sometimes on peak weekends. We camp in a pop-up so we rely on the bath houses - these were clean and the showers were hot! Each site had a picnic table and fire ring which also seconds as a grill. I didn't scout out every site but ours was in excellent condition.  They don't "over-manicure" the space between the lake and campsites so it feels more natural and tucked into nature than other places we've been (which we prefer). Better for the environment.  Each RV site had a decent sized parking pad, water hook up, electric hook up; no greywater drain so make sure you take a basin. The sewer dump/trash are located just as you exit the campground like most places. There's also a primitive section where you park in a lot and walk to your site (those were $7/night). We were there during the 2020 Covid debacle so payment was made to the honor box. I assume it's always like that but that may not be true when there isn't a pandemic.  There are two different swimming areas and a boat dock just across the lake from the camp. Highly recommend!

Guide to Semmes

Tent campsites near Semmes, Alabama require planning, as most options lie outside city limits. The surrounding coastal plain features pine forests with sandy soil that drains quickly after rain. Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round with summer temperatures consistently above 90°F and high humidity from June through September.

What to do

Hiking access: The Airey Lake Recreation Area connects directly to the Tuxachanie trail system, making it ideal for overnight stops during longer treks. "On the east side of the pond the Tuxachanie trail passes thru. So if hiking it, this can be a nice place for your overnight stay if doing a multi day hike," notes one regular visitor.

Fishing opportunities: Bring fishing gear when camping at area lakes. "There is a lake which gives a beautiful reflection of the night sky," reports a camper at Airey Lake. Most primitive sites are positioned within walking distance of shorelines with multiple access points.

Archery practice: Shepard State Park Campground maintains an archery range open to registered campers. "There is an archery range, and boat launch," mentions one visitor. The range typically operates during daylight hours and requires personal equipment.

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: Weekday camping offers the most solitude. "It was quiet and peaceful with lots of space in between each group," reports a visitor about Airey Lake. Another notes, "Gets really crowded during weekends but if you get there early, you can find a secluded spot."

Spacious campsites: Escatawpa Hollow Campground and similar facilities offer well-spaced sites. At Shepard State Park, campers appreciate that "sites are spacious, have fire rings and decent picnic tables. There are several pull-through sites, but most are back-in."

Night sky viewing: The distance from urban centers creates good stargazing conditions. "Love to go do nighttime photography here as it is away from towns and the skies are pretty dark," explains one Airey Lake camper who visits specifically for astrophotography opportunities.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Prepare for minimal amenities at primitive sites. At Airey Lake, "there is a toilet and sink, but I would bring your own toilet paper, handsoap/sanitizer, etc." Another camper confirms this is "definitely a bring your own TP bathroom."

No formal check-in: Many area campgrounds operate on an honor system. "Campground is first-come, first-serve... There is no campground host or check-in service," reports a visitor at Bluff Creek Campgrounds.

Cell service varies: Mobile coverage can be spotty throughout the region. At Shepard State Park, one camper reports, "AT&T is 1 bar, Verizon is 2-3 bars," which affects planning for those needing connectivity.

Tips for camping with families

Look for primitive sites near trailheads: Some locations offer convenient access points for shorter hikes with children. At Shepard State Park, "The primitive campsite was very nice. Even though the park was a bit crowded we still had privacy. My toddler had a very easy time walking around which was a huge plus!"

Dog-friendly options: Many campgrounds welcome pets with varying restrictions. "The dog park was perfect for our two large dog, very clean," notes a Shepard State Park visitor, though specific pet rules may differ at each location.

Playground access: Some sites include play areas for children. Shepard State Park features "several trails, lots of trees and underbrush, a playground," making it suitable for families needing to keep younger campers entertained.

Tips from RVers

Site quality verification: RV campers recommend checking site conditions before setting up. At Lakeview RV City Park, site preparation varies seasonally. Meanwhile, at Shepard State Park, "the roads are gravel, sites are level, electric is strong and reliable."

Bathroom facilities: Recent renovations have improved some campground restrooms. "The bathhouse was being renovated so there was only one unisex bathroom but it was very clean and nicely updated," reports a teardrop camper at Shepard State Park, while another mentions, "They have completely updated. Nice clean bathrooms and sights."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Semmes, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Semmes, AL is Escatawpa Hollow Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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