Blakeley State Park offers equestrian camping options near Spanish Fort, Alabama with facilities adapted for travelers with horses. The park accommodates horse owners with trailer parking and trail access directly from the camping areas. The 2,000-acre property features 26 miles of trails spanning historic Civil War sites, wetlands, and native Alabama forest systems with terrain generally suitable for riders of all experience levels.
What to do
Historic immersion experiences: Visit the preserved Civil War battlefields where riders can see fortifications from horseback. "You will walk through historic civil war sites, trails that were once the streets of the town of Blakeley. A beautiful hike on boardwalks along the Blakeley River then through a swamp on deep into woods amongst ancient oaks," notes Julie D. from Blakeley State Park Campground.
Water activities: Access boat tours or bring your own watercraft to explore the Delta ecosystem adjacent to equestrian trails. "Boat tours not running when we were there. There is a boat launch if you want to bring your own," reports MomSolo at Blakeley State Park.
Guided learning tours: Take advantage of the interpretive programs that explain the historical significance of the area. Kevin L. mentions at Blakeley State Park: "2000 acres. Walking auto cell phone tours of civil war. Boat tours. Big pull through rv spots and a tent campground. Awesome."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Enjoy the privacy and room available at equestrian-friendly campgrounds. "HUGE sites, very secluded. If I look really hard through the woods I can see a neighbor," shares Laurie A. from Apalachee RV Campground.
Diverse trail systems: Access multiple types of terrain within a single property. "Kayaking trails all around in the park and local. Close by to big city life but camping in the wild yonder," notes Christie M. at Apalachee RV Campground.
Complete hookup options: Utilize full-service sites that accommodate both horses and humans. "Super friendly staff and the spots, wowza, they are huge and all pull through. Bring your bikes, lots of roads to explore with little traffic. Oh, and all sites also have sewer!" exclaims DALLEEN at Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Plan for insect activity in summer months and potential rain closures of certain trails. "Bugs are not nearly as bad as I expected. Lots of wildlife including deer that come very close," reports John W. at Apalachee RV Campground.
Bathhouse availability: Note that facilities may be shared with day-use visitors. "Bathhouse has restrooms on one side and showers on the other. The bathhouse serves as the public restroom for day use as well which made it very crowded at times," explains MomSolo at Blakeley State Park.
Leveling requirements: Be prepared to adjust your trailer or RV on some sites. "Some of the sites are so unlevel. But the historical tour of the park is amazing. So much information about the civil war," advises Michael at Peaceful Camping in the Woods.
Tips for camping with families
Junior Ranger programs: Collect activity packets for children at check-in. "We were super happy at the food truck that was there so we didn't have to go off site for lunch. (Probably just a weekend thing?) Loved seeing the horses on the trails and the easy bikes for our 5 and 7 year old," shares Nicole G. at Blakeley State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Watch for deer and various bird species throughout the property. "Parked in a clearing with 2 5th wheel renters on it...walked back into the woods along a trail and chose one of several camp clearings. Level ground, dry, lots of deer," notes Christopher M. at Peaceful Camping in the Woods.
Multi-activity options: Plan for water activities alongside equestrian experiences. "They rent tubes to float the creek or canoes to paddle the ponds in the park. Ponds have fish to catch, don't even need an Alabama fishing license to fish," explains Mark S. at Big Pine.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Choose sites based on your specific rig requirements. "We stayed at spot RV Spot 2. It was a pull through spot and easy to get into. The spot was somewhat flat but we had to maneuver to get even and then still needed leveling blocks," advises Aaron D. at Hidden Lake Resort.
Cell service considerations: Maintain connectivity despite the rural setting. "It was very quiet at night with barely any lights. The cell service was pretty good since it close to town," notes Aaron D. about Blakeley State Park.
Weather preparation: Plan for seasonal temperature variations that might affect your stay. "We were there for Mother's Day weekend, which was cooler than normal with lows in the 50s. Friday night it rained and was quiet," shares MomSolo at Blakeley State Park.
