M
Mickey K.
Traveler
TravelerMonte Sano State Park Campground
Mante Sano
A state campground with electric water and sewer. Very peaceful very quiet. Great trails.
Best Campgrounds near Union Grove, AL
Campgrounds near Union Grove, Alabama range from developed sites with amenities to primitive tent camping areas. Monte Sano State Park Campground, located on a forested hilltop near Huntsville, provides a mix of RV sites with electric and water hookups alongside primitive tent sites. Sharon Johnston Park in New Market features water and electric hookups with multiple rows of campsites suitable for RVs and tents. Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground in Woodville offers additional camping options with both tent and RV sites available year-round. The region includes several smaller private campgrounds like TGL Adventures, which provides glamping options and riverfront access.
Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect comfort and accessibility. "Everyone here is very helpful and friendly at the check-in, camp store, and security. There is a roving security guard most of the night. Great steady power and water," noted one visitor about Monte Sano State Park. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during weekends and summer months. The terrain varies significantly, with some parks situated on plateaus offering scenic overlooks while others provide creek or river access. Cell service is generally reliable near larger campgrounds like Monte Sano, though coverage may be spotty in more remote areas. Bathhouse and shower facilities are common amenities at state parks and larger private campgrounds, though cleanliness and maintenance can vary.
Campers frequently highlight the abundant hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities near Union Grove area campgrounds. Monte Sano State Park features numerous hiking trails accessible directly from the campground, with one reviewer noting, "We had a great time at Monte Sano and loved that you can hike straight from your campground." The park's proximity to Huntsville makes it popular for weekend getaways while still providing natural surroundings. Several reviews mention the shade provided by mature forest canopies at campgrounds like Monte Sano, which offers relief during hot summer months. Waterfront camping experiences vary by location, with some sites like TGL Adventures offering direct river access where "the river was physically only 10 steps from our tents." Family-friendly amenities including playgrounds, swimming pools, and open spaces are available at several campgrounds, particularly Sharon Johnston Park.
Best Camping Sites Near Union Grove, Alabama (116)
1. Monte Sano State Park Campground
77 ReviewsBrownsboro, AL13 milesWebsite+1 (256) 534-6589$14 - $30 / night
"This site backs up to a draw and each evening just before dust we could watch the deer walk up through. The bathhouse is centrally located, newer, and cleaned daily."
"This land trust and state park offers a fun little get away in northern Alabama, just outside the city of Huntsville."
2. Sharon Johnston Park
3 ReviewsUnion Grove, AL3 milesWebsite+1 (256) 379-2868"The park is about 200 acres and the RV sites are located through gate one. There are three rows of sites and the best ones in my opinion are the ones located against the treeline/creek. "
4. TGL Adventures
2 ReviewsBrownsboro, AL13 miles+1 (256) 693-3693$25 - $250 / night
"We ended up fishing til daylight because the river was physically only 10 steps from our tents. The campsite had just enough light to be able to see go get to the restroom and showers."
5. Tims Ford State Park Main Campground — Tims Ford State Park
16 ReviewsBelvidere, TN24 milesWebsite+1 (888) 867-2757"The best thing about this spot is the lake access for swimming. We stayed at site 37 and the walking trail down to the lake was right next to our site."
"There are paved paths for miles right there off the campsites. There are other trails as well not paved with but more tugged/traditional trails with bridges and cottonmouths lol be careful."
6. Fairview Campground — Tims Ford State Park
22 ReviewsWinchester, TN26 milesWebsite+1 (931) 968-3536"Gravel drives & pads with water & electric at sites. Our site #28 had an exceptional view out the kitchen window & from the pinic table of the lake. Newer shower house centrally located."
"We stayed in lot 59 which while not lakefront, it’s situated in a triangular spot right at the entrance with plenty of space for full setup. Picnic table and campfire grill also on site."
7. Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite
11 ReviewsEstillfork, AL22 milesWebsite+1 (931) 968-6215"The Clark Cemetery campsite is a moderate sized campsite along the Walls of Jericho trail and is located just yards from the Clark Cemetery and the Turkey Creek Bridge."
"Close by the creek and close to the Walls. Super peaceful and super beautiful"
8. Redstone Arsenal RV Park & Campground
6 ReviewsHuntsville, AL19 milesWebsite+1 (256) 876-4868"We exited off on 14A to gate 9 where we went through the gate and then did a u-turn to take us back down past the golf course to the CG. We had no problem doing the u-turn with our 40' fifth wheel."
"You must have access to military base to use. They have Laundry. Showers and bath. Full hook up. No trees for shade. Very hot. Needs mowed and more cleaning."
9. Red Coach Resort
3 ReviewsHarvest, AL16 milesWebsite+1 (256) 937-6142$17 - $50 / night
"A beautiful large creek runs through it, with miles of walking paths, a horse barn, and spaces to play and relax."
"This park is tucked away in a private neighborhood on about 80 acres. There are a lot of RV sites as well as primitive camping in the back."
Recent Camping Photos near Union Grove, AL
207 Photos of 116 Union Grove Campgrounds
Jason P.
TGL Adventures
Steve V.
Monte Sano State Park Campground
Lee B.
Red Coach Resort
Lindsey H.
Caney Hollow Creek Retreat
Asher K.
Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite
Asher K.
Walls of Jericho - Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite
Buddy G.
Evans Loop Backcountry Site — Tims Ford State Park
Alicia F.
Tims Ford State Park Main Campground — Tims Ford State Park
Gloria G.
Easter Posey MWR Military - Redstone Arsenal
Brandy C.
Fairview Campground — Tims Ford State Park
Britton E.
Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground
Jeremy H.
Ray of Hope Guest Ranch and Horse Motel
Recent Reviews near Union Grove, AL
599 Reviews of 116 Union Grove Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
LegendStarStream Campground
Decent Overnighter
This review was written as a short-stay versus destination campground. Our RV Life navigation and Waze took us off I-65 and about a mile to the campground, though both GPS units announced the destination as being on the right when the new campground entrance was actually on the left. Prior to arrival, we received an email directing us to go straight to back-in site B-1 with full hookups. With only 10 utility sites currently in service, maneuvering was easy, and the wide roadway along with the generous site opening made it simple to swing our 40-foot fifth wheel and F450 into position. The gravel pad was fairly level, as were the other sites, and utilities were centered and functioned well with water pressure around 60 psi. Sites were comfortably spaced, and our site included a nice paver patio with a picnic table. A convenient touch was trash pickup directly from the patio area. One of the owners, Joan, stopped by to make sure everything was satisfactory and mentioned additional parking areas at the front and back of the campground if needed, though we were able to park crosswise on our site without issue. There was currently no Wi-Fi, but the open layout with no obstructions made satellite connectivity easy. We had 3 bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. The owners live in one of the cabins a few hundred yards from the campground, where a few dry camping sites are also located. There was no bathhouse or laundry facility at the time of our stay, though the owners indicated those amenities are planned. A nearby shooting range was active on the Sunday we visited, creating some daytime noise. Overall, we enjoyed the stay and would return.
Seth M.TravelerFoster Falls Campground
Nice pads, great layout, outstanding shower house!
Given that our visit was out of season, campground options in the area were limited, so we decided to stick to state parks. The night before, we were in Southern Illinois and only saw one other camper in the entire park, so we expected very few other campers in this park as well, but there were a surprising number of campers around us. However, there were few enough to have five or six spaces between us and our neighbors.
The pads are gravel, well maintained, and perfectly flat. Our site had an awesome layout with plenty of room for parking, a large pad, and a fire ring with a grill in the corner furthest away from the road. A previous camper was nice enough to leave us dry wood, but there is tons of dry wood laying around within the surrounding woods.
The best part of the campground was the shower house. I would assume from the immaculate condition that the building is not that old or went through a recent remodel. The bathroom/shower stalls are family style, with each locking room containing a flushing toilet and an ADA compliant shower with a high and low nozzle, and shower chair. The best part is that the rooms are heated! On the cold morning when we were there, this was a welcome gift for a long overdue shower.
- JJoy K.
GuideShellmound RV Resort & Campground
Quick trip on our way through
We went through the area on our tour of the southeastern and southern coast. Due to technical issues we arrived well after dark. The owners were available and gave us choices on sites. The bathrooms/shower areas were convenient and clean. We left early the next morning so didn’t get a chance to really check out the campground, but what we saw was nice. Easy to find in a really beautiful area of the country. Wish we could have stayed longer!
Jeff C.GuideTims Ford State Park Main Campground — Tims Ford State Park
Nice campground
Tim's Ford State Park is a nice place to relax and take in the quiet. We stayed in the main campground - other campgrounds in the park were still closed for the season. The sites are all fairly level and have some space between them. Each site has a place to park one's camper or trailer, a picnic table, fire pit, and a pad to place a tent. There are also some great trails for hiking, as well as a bike path. The bathroom/shower facilities were very clean and the one closest to our site had heated private restroom/showers! Great water pressure and nice hot shower. Lots of deer roaming around at night too.
Bill T.
RangerBuck's Pocket State Park Campground
North Alabama Gem
Buck’s Pocket SP was a great little spot for a quick fall getaway camping trip. There were a small number of full hookup sites and we were able to get one. The park and campgrounds are small in size but big in natural beauty! Plenty of hiking trails and the primitive camp sites were very rustic and scenic! This area has a lot to do with other Alabama State Parks close by. If you don’t mind a smaller park, Buck’s Pocket will impress!
Kevin A.LegendThunder Canyon Campground RV Park
Nice Campground Community
I camped here for 2 weeks in October. Nice campground and great folks. Several state parks for hiking close by. Ider is quiet and peaceful.
- OOliver
ScoutRed Coach Resort
Feels like home
I really appreciated the customer service, they really made check-in easy. I enjoyed everything about this place. It is a great value for the price, and I liked the newly developed facilities too.
- Michael C.Scout
Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground
Nice but small
We stayed on 12/23 to 12/24/25 and we had the entire place to ourselves. The campground where the bathhouse is is basically a rectangle with plotted out campsites. Not very private and smaller than I expected (There were a few other spots more private but you couldn't park right next to them. The bathrooms were very nice, clean and heated. The park host was very nice and made sure we had everything we needed.
Guide to Union Grove
Union Grove camping spots sit near the southern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 600-1,500 feet throughout nearby recreation areas. The region experiences distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 90°F and mild winters that occasionally drop below freezing. Fall camping between September and November offers moderate temperatures with colorful foliage while spring brings abundant wildflowers and occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Fossil hunting along creekbeds: At Red Coach Resort, visitors can search for ancient marine fossils in the creek that runs through the property. "We saw trilobites everywhere along the creek. I'm not kidding, some of the oldest creatures to crawl the earth are there for you to find," notes one camper.
Waterfall exploration: The Walls of Jericho offers a challenging hike to dramatic waterfalls and natural amphitheater formations. A visitor explains, "The real view is the waterfall at the back of the canyon that takes a little scrambling to get to." The trail requires moderate fitness, with the return hike being entirely uphill.
Kayaking on local lakes: Several campgrounds near Union Grove provide boat access to Tim's Ford Lake. "Great for kayaking and fishing. Family friendly," reports a visitor. The lake offers 10,700 acres of water surface with numerous coves and inlets to explore. Several campgrounds rent kayaks or canoes directly onsite.
What campers like
Direct water access: Campers appreciate sites with immediate water access. At TGL Adventures, "We ended up fishing til daylight because the river was physically only 10 steps from our tents. There were even steps to take down to the river where we were able to get in and splash around."
Trail connectivity from campsites: Many campers value being able to access trails directly from their camping spots. "We had a great time at Monte Sano and loved that you can hike straight from your campground," notes one reviewer about this Huntsville park. Some sites in the 50-range offer direct trail access plus excellent overlooks.
Dark skies for stargazing: The rural setting around Union Grove provides excellent night sky visibility. "We got to see all the stars at night and the kids loved exploring the creek," mentions a camper. The best stargazing conditions occur during fall and winter when humidity levels drop and skies are clearest.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Union Grove require advance reservations, especially for weekend stays. Fairview Campground at Tim's Ford is "not a huge campground so you may want to reserve early," advises one camper. Holiday weekends often book 3-6 months in advance.
Varying terrain challenges: The topography around Union Grove includes significant elevation changes that affect hiking difficulty and campsite accessibility. "The trail is full of switchbacks. There are tree markers on the trail to mark the turns but at times they are easy to lose," notes a hiker at Walls of Jericho. Many campgrounds require navigation on winding mountain roads.
Creek water levels: Water features vary significantly by season. "In September the water level was low and the waterfalls were not flowing. But there is a spring that runs out of a cave on a cliff to the left of the amphitheater, so water is not an issue," reports a camper at Walls of Jericho. Spring typically offers the most reliable water flow for swimming and creek activities.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and open spaces: Several camping areas feature dedicated play areas for children. At Red Coach Resort, "They have a nice playground and a koi pond with a little deck to sit on," mentions a visitor. The property spans approximately 80 acres with plenty of space for children to explore.
Creek exploration opportunities: Shallow creek areas provide safe natural play spaces. "We really enjoyed all of the trees and being able to take the kids to play in the small creek in the back of the property," notes a family who stayed at Red Coach Resort. Pack water shoes for creek exploration as rocks can be slippery.
Wildlife viewing: Kids enjoy watching local wildlife at camping spots near Union Grove. "Wildlife are fun to watch," mentions a long-term camper at Monte Sano. Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities, with deer, foxes, and numerous bird species commonly sighted.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Many RV sites in the region require leveling adjustments. "We had no problem doing the u-turn with our 40' fifth wheel. We followed the signage to the CG and then into pull-through site 21 with FHUs," reports an RVer at Redstone Arsenal RV Park. Bring leveling blocks for campgrounds with older or less developed sites.
Gate access information: Some campgrounds have specific entry requirements. "We exited off on 14A to gate 9 where we went through the gate and then did a u-turn to take us back down past the golf course to the CG. Use Gate 8 near the commissary and BX versus 9. Gate 8 gives you an easier drive to the campground," advises an RVer at Redstone Arsenal.
Shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between camping areas. "No shade but a very clean campground," notes a visitor to Redstone Arsenal RV Park. For summer camping, seek sites with morning shade when temperatures are most comfortable, especially if your RV lacks adequate cooling capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Union Grove, AL?
What camping is available near Union Grove, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Union Grove, AL offers a wide range of camping options, with 116 campgrounds and RV parks near Union Grove, AL and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Union Grove, AL?
Which is the most popular campground near Union Grove, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Union Grove, AL is Monte Sano State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 77 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Union Grove, AL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Union Grove, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Union Grove, AL.
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