Within 30 miles of Troy, Alabama, camping options range from full-service RV sites to state parks with hiking trails and fishing ponds. The area sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level in the gently rolling terrain of Alabama's Coastal Plain. Temperatures average 60-65°F during spring and fall camping seasons, creating milder conditions than summer's intense heat and humidity.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Frank Jackson State Park Campground, campers have access to a 1,000-acre lake stocked with multiple fish species. "Spent a wonderful few days here with the wife and kids (which are canine, btw). Well kept grounds, superb staff and a lot to do in the great outdoors. Several campsites on the lakefront with great views," notes Sean S.
Trail exploration: Hiking and nature observation are popular at local parks. One visitor at Blue Springs State Park Campground mentioned, "The springs are very pretty and great for a natural spring. We did not swim but were very impressed with the cleanliness of the water."
Horseback riding: At Heart of Dixie Trail Ride, visitors can enjoy extensive horse trails. Nicole H. shares, "This place has a lot of amenities pool, fishing, horse and atv trails that are great for beginner horseriders. Bathhouses are pretty nice cabins are great and affordable. Stalls or paddocks for your horses fresh water."
What campers like
Lake views: Waterfront sites rank among campers' favorites at local parks. One camper at Frank Jackson State Park noted, "We love this campground. It has level sites, full hookups, cable television, internet and most sites have a view of the water."
Spacious sites: Larger camping spots provide privacy. At Gunter Hill, campers appreciate the room to spread out. "The sites are nicely spaced out so even if there had been a lot of people there, it wouldn't have felt too crowded. Large old trees with beautiful Spanish moss provide plenty of shade in the sites," reports Sarah C.
Natural springs: The cold springs at Blue Springs State Park draw visitors seeking relief from Alabama heat. A visitor observed, "The main attraction in this state park is the spring fed pool. There is a lot of nice grassy areas plus a playground but everyone was in the water."
What you should know
Site specifications: Many campgrounds provide concrete pads but varying levels of levelness. At Deer Run RV Park, one camper reported, "We stayed at site 60, which featured full hookups (FHUs) and a level cement pad with well-positioned utilities. Water pressure was high, so we used a reducer."
Weather considerations: Early spring and late fall offer the best camping weather in the Troy area. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90°F+ with high humidity. "We camped here recently as a large family group. While our camping space could barely be called that, the park was quite nice. It was clean and well maintained," noted John W. about Blue Springs in July.
Insect preparations: Bring insect repellent, especially during warmer months. As one camper at Frank Jackson State Park observed, "Nice park. There is still some tree down from storms. And there were tons of ant. We even pretreated around the site and at any part of the camper that touched the ground and we still got ants."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Ozark-Fort Rucker KOA, located about 30 miles from Troy, "My kids and I absolutely loved it here. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We did tent 'glamping' so we had electric, water and wifi nearby but still enjoyed our time away from concrete buildings."
Swimming options: Natural water features provide summer cooling opportunities. "The springs are very pretty and great for a natural spring...the springs themselves were awesome (if you can stand the verrry cold water)," explains one visitor to Blue Springs State Park.
Camp store access: Some campgrounds provide on-site stores with essential items. A camper at Ozark-Fort Rucker KOA noted, "Sweet on and off 231 all paved pull through sites. Catch and release pond, camp store, propane, showers, laundry, close to restaurants. Everyone is escorted to their site by the wonderful owner and her staff."
Tips from RVers
Satellite reception: Tree coverage affects satellite service at some campgrounds. At Deer Run RV Park, visitors have noted, "The older section of the CG is shaded with mature trees, while the newer area has fewer, making it ideal for satellite users."
Full hookup availability: Many of the best places to camp near Troy, Alabama offer complete utility connections. One Frank Jackson State Park visitor shared, "This was one of the better parks on this trip. Most sites are on the water and with great views of the lake. We chose #2 which was great. Site 1 was a good ways away, behind us so to speak, and to our door side was a good expanse of trees & brush."
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity can impact camping experience. At Deer Run RV Park, a camper warned, "The only thing that dropped a star was the sounds from the highway was absolutely overwhelming. It was so loud we had a hard night sleeping. Would not recommend the stay if you're not staying in something to block out sound."