Camping sites near Valley Head, Alabama sit at elevations ranging from 650 to 1,800 feet within the foothills of Lookout Mountain, contributing to cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Fall camping in this region typically features nighttime temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than daytime highs. Many campgrounds operate within 20 miles of Valley Head, with both wooded sites near Mentone and open sites with mountain views closer to Fort Payne.
What to do
Hiking near Little River Canyon: Little River RV Park & Campground provides access to nearby canyon trails. "This site is well taken care of and provides reservations. They are also extremely close to the Little River Canyon park which makes it worth it. The canyon is gorgeous and provides for some amazing views especially if you drive the entire scenic road and stop at all the lookouts," notes one camper.
Waterfall exploration: DeSoto Falls sits less than a mile from Tranquility Campground. "You can easily get to Desoto falls by foot (.85 mile) with spectacular views. Also this park is just minutes from downtown Mentone and super close to Desoto State Park," states a review.
Kayaking on Cedar Creek: Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center offers rentals and guided trips. "This place is so quiet and peaceful. We fully enjoyed be able to relax by the creek and watch the water flow by. If you are looking for a quiet, reflective park this is the place," shares one visitor.
What campers like
Mountain climate: 1776 RV And Campground in Mentone features cooler temperatures due to elevation. "Nice quiet small campground just outside downtown Mentone. Friendly helpful camp host, clean bathhouse, full hook ups and great wifi access so husband could work from camper. Lots of hiking trails within a short drive," reports one camper.
Proximity to outdoor activities: Mentone's location provides easy access to multiple recreation areas. "I love this campground. It's located right off the main highway, and has pull-through spots with full hookups. But the best part is the screaming fast internet! We work from home and the internet was so fast, people were amazed when I told them I was at a campground," notes one remote worker staying at 1776 RV.
Well-maintained wooded sites: Little River RV Park & Campground offers shaded camping spots. "This is my go to campground in fort Payne Alabama. The owners are super nice!! There is a pond with cute ducks!! You can buy a bundle of fire wood for $5. It is less than a mile from little river canyon national park!" shares an enthusiastic camper.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Sites throughout the region have variable levelness and accessibility. "Most sites have a slight to moderate slope to them. Lots of shade. Close to DeSoto State Park that has lots of hiking and site-seeing. Good alternative when DeSoto campground has no availability," explains one visitor to Little River RV Park.
Cell service limitations: Wills Creek RV Park has better connectivity than most. "Quiet RV park close to Ft Payne and surrounding parks such as Desoto state Park. Close to Little River Canyon waterfall among others. Internet using Verizon (nomad) for work is only ok. My husband was able to work on conference calls etc but had one dropped call," notes a remote worker.
Seasonal timing considerations: Fall brings peak tourism with its associated crowds. "We were there for the start of the fall colors changing and the views were awesome!" reports one camper, while another mentions "Foliage was still pretty, but would have been better end of October" when describing their visit to Tranquility Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Lake access for fishing: Tranquility Campground offers catch-and-release fishing. "There is a 6 acre lake for fishing but it's catch & release. And no swimming or kayaks allowed. There was a bath house with toilets and showers not too far from the tent camping sites," explains one visitor.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. "The playground was fun for my kiddos although it really wasn't age appropriate for our 3 year old twins very well," notes one family camping at Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center.
Spacious sites for family activities: Look for campgrounds with room for games and gathering. "We parked our 22ft travel trailer at site 30 which was bounded to the north and east by the tent camping area. While the RV sites aren't very private, there is plenty of space to escape your neighbor," reports a family at Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement considerations: RV sites near Valley Head, Alabama sometimes have unusual hookup arrangements. "We were placed in the new addition of the park, where the sites were very tight and the utility hookups where in a strange position (the neighbors' utilities actually were under our awning when extended)," notes one RVer at Wills Creek RV Park.
Internet reliability for remote work: Reliable connectivity exists despite spotty cell service. "Bob and his family recently purchased the park and are working hard to make it better. If you plan on using your cell up here...don't very poor signal but WI FI works great all over the park. It is small yes but so peaceful," reports an RVer at 1776 RV And Campground.
Site surface conditions: Many RV parks feature gravel pads with variable levelness. "One night stop and it's a great place. Water, electric and sewer which is a huge plus. Sites are level and easy to access," notes one RVer at Hawkins Pointe RV Park, while others mentioned gravel sites requiring leveling blocks at several local campgrounds.
