Oak Mountain State Park covers 9,940 acres and sits at an elevation of 1,260 feet with rolling Appalachian foothills terrain northwest of Trussville. Smith Lake, about 45 minutes from Trussville, offers 500 miles of shoreline and water temperatures that reach 85°F in summer months. Alabama's local camping options feature several recently renovated facilities with upgraded bathhouses and expanded site amenities.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Oak Mountain State Park has extensive trail systems ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty levels. A recent visitor noted, "This is the #1 best state park campground I have ever been at... This place has everything, mtn bike, gravel bike, trail running, road running, road biking, golf, equestrian, sailing and fishing."
Swimming at Clear Creek: The Clear Creek Recreation Area features a white sand swimming area perfect for cooling off during hot Alabama summers. "White sand around swimming area. Pavilion is rentable for gatherings. Very nice place," reports one camper.
Backpacking options: For those seeking more solitude, backcountry camping at Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park offers access to multiple trail systems. "I have hiked the back country here and lots of good sites with adequate water make it a good backpacking adventure for beginners," states one reviewer.
Wildlife viewing: Oak Mountain includes a wildlife rehabilitation center with rescued birds of prey. A visitor mentioned, "Very neat trail with rescued owls, turkeys and red hawks, and more."
What campers like
Recently renovated facilities: Oak Mountain State Park's upgrades have significantly improved the camping experience. "They put a massive amount of money into updating this place... It has wifi throughout and almost everywhere in the park has cell reception," shares one camper.
Spacious camping areas: Clear Creek Recreation Area offers well-spaced sites with good privacy. "Large spacious sites, quite, and clean. You can find a site to satisfy almost anyone. Lots of sites on the water. If you prefer seclusion, try the upper grounds," reports a frequent visitor.
Variety of accommodation types: The Ridge Outdoor Resort offers different camping options beyond standard tent sites. "Very cheap, clean and friendly! Most of the camp is for dirt bike riding but the park was almost empty at the end of the night," notes a college student who visited.
Waterfront camping: Sites directly on Smith Lake at Clear Creek Recreation Area provide immediate water access. A camper explains, "The perimeter lake lots in the Hoot Owl Loop all had steps or path access from the site to the shore. This would be especially nice in the summer."
What you should know
Seasonal bathroom closures: Some campgrounds operate with limited facilities during certain times. A Clear Creek visitor mentioned, "They are only keeping open one bathroom at a time, so you have to pick and choose your site when you don't have a built-in bathroom."
Reservation requirements: For glamping in Trussville area parks, book well in advance. One Oak Mountain visitor advised, "Reserved 363 days prior to arriving."
Varied cell coverage: Connectivity varies widely between parks. While Oak Mountain offers wifi throughout, at Bohamia and other more remote locations, service may be limited.
Weather considerations: Alabama summers can be extremely hot and humid, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August. Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable camping conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Oak Mountain State Park features nature programs and a petting zoo. A visitor shared, "Great camping area for RV's or tents. Big lakes for fishing, swimming or canoeing."
Kid-friendly activities: River Rocks Landing offers multiple swimming options that children particularly enjoy. "They have 3 pools and a splash pad! I would say this is my to go to place!" reports a regular visitor.
Safety measures: At River Rocks Landing, security is prioritized. "The gate is locked after 8pm, but you can get a key for a deposit of $10, which you get back when you leave. This means it is pretty secure at night," explains one camper.
Spacing between sites: For families needing more room, consider the larger sites at Clear Creek. A visitor noted, "The sites were beautifully wooded and spacing between each site was adequate, but you can definitely see from one site to the next."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Luxury glamping near Trussville at Oak Mountain State Park Campground provides full hookups in recently renovated areas. "Remodeled spaces with adequate space for a newbie to back her travel trailer in with no problems. 'What an Ego booster!'"
Pull-through access: For easier setup, several campgrounds offer convenient pull-through sites. A visitor to Rolling Hills RV Park reported, "We had a pull through spot so we didn't have to disconnect our tow dolly. Gravel site was fairly level despite being in a hilly area."
Dump station availability: Most established campgrounds near Trussville offer sanitary dump stations, but availability varies by season. Check if your specific glamping accommodation includes direct sewer hookups or requires using a community dump station.
Water pressure considerations: Water systems can vary in quality. At Cheaha State Park, a camper noted, "It takes four or five presses on the water activator in the shower before the warm water starts flowing, but there is plenty of water pressure."
