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Best Tent Camping near Wilmer, AL

338 Reviews

The coastal plains surrounding Wilmer, Alabama offer several tent camping options within a short drive, including Escatawpa Hollow Campground located directly in Wilmer and several primitive tent sites in nearby Mississippi. Airey Lake Recreation Area, approximately 40 miles northeast in Mississippi's De Soto National Forest, provides tent-only camping with designated sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables. Shepard State Park Campground in Gautier, Mississippi, about 30 miles south of Wilmer, offers both primitive tent camping areas and developed sites with electrical hookups. Janice Landing, situated along Black Creek in Brooklyn, Mississippi, provides basic tent camping with five total sites primarily serving as a landing point for paddlers.

Most tent campsites in the region feature level, natural surfaces with minimal site preparation. Escatawpa Hollow Campground provides basic amenities including picnic tables and water hookups, while maintaining a natural setting suitable for tent camping. At Airey Lake, campers should bring their own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as the single toilet facility offers minimal supplies. Sites at Shepard State Park include fire rings and picnic tables, with most being back-in rather than pull-through. Primitive tent camping areas at Shepard State Park are strategically located near trailheads, making them convenient for hikers. Seasonal considerations include potential hurricane damage closures, as noted at Airey Lake in past seasons.

Tent campers frequently choose Airey Lake for its seclusion and natural setting. According to reviews, "campsites are spaced out throughout the campground, with plenty of room at each one," making it ideal for those seeking privacy. The area around the lake accommodates informal camping beyond the four designated sites, though weekends can become crowded. One visitor noted that Shepard State Park's primitive campsites offer privacy even when the park is busy. At Janice Landing, campers recommend choosing sites on the back side of the loop during warm weather weekends, as the boat launch area can get busy with traffic. Cell coverage varies significantly across these locations, with Shepard State Park reporting 1-3 bars depending on carrier, while Janice Landing has no cell coverage.

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Best Tent Sites Near Wilmer, Alabama (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Wilmer, AL

3 Photos of 8 Wilmer Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Wilmer, AL

338 Reviews of 8 Wilmer Campgrounds

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2017

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Educational Trails

    The park is set up on a historic site where they have several trails set up talking about civil war battles that occurred there. They have two separate areas for camping where one is for RVs and tents and the other is the more basic tent only sites. I visited the tent only area which had many many sites and most had a nice amount of space with a good bit of privacy. I was there in June though and it gets really hot during the day and night and also very buggy. If you were here in the fall or winter it could be a great place to camp though. The bathrooms were nice but nothing special. There is a single bathroom for all of the tent sites so if you are far you could have a pretty long walk. The sites are pretty cool to see so if you are a civil war buff it might be worth checking out. The camping is expensive though at $20 a night for the tent sites and $30 for an RV site. People were friendly though and it was one of the nicest places in the area.

  • Karen L.
    May. 17, 2018

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Very large park, hiking, camping, battlegrounds

    Blakely State Park is a very large State Park, with different choices for camping. There are larger primitive tent sites, smaller tent sites with power/water hookups, RV sites, two primitive cabins and 2 newer cabins which are very nice. There's TONS of hiking, a battleground for history buffs, a playground, a boatdock, lots of hiking, horseback riding etc.

    I stayed in one of the two Squirrels Nest, which are primitive cabins. Basically open air cabins. 2 walls, a roof and 2 walls of screens. There are two wooden platforms for beds. A twin and a queen, and barstools to sit inside and look out into the woods, over the hill in which they are nestled. There's a sink (but no water) and a cabinet, and outside a large deck with bench seating. Below is a fire pit and picnic table. There is a shared porta potty outside of the two cabins. These cabins are a bit of a drive out in the woods, so make sure your vehicle is up to it. It's very peaceful out there. My cabin was inhabited by mice at night, so I kept my food in airtight plastic paint bucket containers & my belongings covered by garbage bags on one of the platforms and had my air mattress inside a pop-up mosquito tent, so the mice did not bother me. I was after all in their house. I sprinkled peppermint oil around my gear & my bed platform to keep the mice away. Next time I will have my food in a large cooler so that the wildlife is not attracted.

    There are hiking trails by these sites, as well as, steps down the hill, leading off into another trail.

    i would stay there again. Great place to get away.

  • Lisa S.
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Harper - Blakeley State Park

    Beautiful Well Maintained Huge Park

    April 4, 2021 Camper Van Site: Harper #7 Primitive $20 Over 2,000 acres crisscrossed with trails. Interesting replication of the ghost town of Blakeley which disappeared around 1830, but before then it rivaled Mobile in population and economy. Harper loop, where I camped, is at least a mile into the woods and has no hook ups. The sites have picnic tables and fire rings and offer decent privacy. Bath house is 7 minute walk. My shower was cold. Dumpsters near bath house. Staff house nearby. Staff very pleasant and helpful. Wish I could stay more than two nights.

    RV park closer to entrance.

  • Lynn G.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    Civil war history and beautiful scenery

    When you think Alabama this is the kind of beauty you imagine. The water, huge oak and cypress trees, Spanish moss, boardwalks are all lovely to explore. The Civil War history is interesting and the rangers are well-versed in history (I think they have reenactments sometimes). Great hiking trails (all easy, not too long) that are horse friendly (BYOH). There’s a nature center and lots of different ecosystems.

    Yay: Campgrounds are shaded in fairly dense forests for good privacy. They have simple campsites to full RV campsites, all have a fire ring and similar atmosphere. There are a few different campgrounds, one is tent only. They also have relatively new camping shelters that get you out of the bugs.

    Nay: Close to Mobile so can be crowded. A little expensive for camping. Some areas have just a pit toilet and some have full flush.

    Surprise: amazing cruises along the Delta with lots of wildlife viewing and history!! They have sunset cruises, seafood cruises, and seasonal themed cruises. Definitely the highlight of visiting this whole area. Loved the boardwalk.

  • Chirleen E.
    May. 13, 2020

    Blakeley State Park Campground

    We love Blakely!

    Great tent campground. Most sites have some privacy but a few are close to neighboring sites. Its a short walk to the bathhouse and tons of hiking trails are nearby. Rates are reasonable, picnic tables, and fire rings at the sites. Our favorite nearby camlground!

  • K
    Jan. 23, 2021

    Harper - Blakeley State Park

    Spacious and Historic

    Harper Campground is designed for tent camping, $20 for unimproved and $30 for improved (electricity and water). If you have a $20 site, you have to bum water from one of the $30 sites. The restroom is nice and clean, showers are hot, and dumpsters are close to restrooms, but is a bit of a walk since the campground is so spacious. I rode my bike to use the bathroom. Enough brush to discreetly pop a squat if that’s your style. A small RV or camper van can easily fit in most of the sites. They’re quite spacious and only a couple (17 and 19) had mud pits. Every site is quite flat and clear and has good hammock trees. Sites 20 and up are not very private since the day use people can see right into your camp but otherwise they’re quite private since the shrubs are thick. Lots of cover meant less dew-covered gear in the morning. Each site had a nice wooden picnic table and fire pit. They sell small bundles of wet firewood for $6 a pop online and at the gatehouse so I recommend buying the regular sized dry bundles at the local supermarket a couple minutes down the road. Wildlife was good for birds, and we had an armadillo visit us all 4 nights! The history of the place is also really cool and we did not get any creepy vibes.

  • Alicia L.
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Turkey Fork Rec Area

    Quiet, Clean and Spacious

    We ventured to this campground not knowing what to expect. It did not disappoint! The sites were spaced further apart than many of the other campgrounds we've been. It was quite and peaceful. There were only a few other folks camping at the same time as us but we spoke to a Park Ranger who mentioned it does fill up sometimes on peak weekends. We camp in a pop-up so we rely on the bath houses - these were clean and the showers were hot! Each site had a picnic table and fire ring which also seconds as a grill. I didn't scout out every site but ours was in excellent condition.  They don't "over-manicure" the space between the lake and campsites so it feels more natural and tucked into nature than other places we've been (which we prefer). Better for the environment.  Each RV site had a decent sized parking pad, water hook up, electric hook up; no greywater drain so make sure you take a basin. The sewer dump/trash are located just as you exit the campground like most places. There's also a primitive section where you park in a lot and walk to your site (those were $7/night). We were there during the 2020 Covid debacle so payment was made to the honor box. I assume it's always like that but that may not be true when there isn't a pandemic.  There are two different swimming areas and a boat dock just across the lake from the camp. Highly recommend!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2018

    Davis Bayou Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Quaint and Beautiful

    It was great to visit this hidden gem again and I was pleasantly surprised at what great shape it was in following Hurricane Irma and other tropical storms last year. We visited in late November/early December so the bugs weren't too bad at all. We did experience an incredible line of thunderstorms but managed to get some exploring in before the weather moved in.

    There are only a few sites here and they are quite small, perfect for small RVs, tents or sleeping in your car. Large oaks and other vegetation provide ample shade for the cooler fall months. Our two four legged fellas enjoyed the flat open grass/dirt area around the campsite and were able to be on their leads without wandering too far in to the thick brush on the edge of the site.

    There's a small picnic table that can be moved quite easily as well as well maintained fire rings at each site. There is fresh water available and electric hookups at each site. The bathrooms are clean, as are the showers. The ranger at the entrance station was friendly and chatty. From the campground you can walk along the road (back toward the Visitor's Center) a ways and the duck into the woods or jump on the boardwalk. Keep your eyes peeled, there are some impressive alligators hanging around.

  • K
    Sep. 22, 2018

    Airey Lake Recreation Area

    I love Airey Lake!

    I have been here many times. This campground is a stop halfway through the Tuxachanie trail. It is a quaint park with 4 designated campsites with tables and fire rings. However, it is very common to see tents all around the lake and other spots including secluded spots that are permissible. The campground is free of charge with no showers and a water pump by the one stall bathroom.

Guide to Wilmer

Tent campsites near Wilmer, Alabama offer primitive camping experiences in a region characterized by coastal plains, pine forests, and blackwater creeks. The area sits within the Gulf Coastal Plain at elevations typically under 200 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures commonly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can occasionally drop below freezing.

What to do

Canoe or kayak Black Creek: The waterways around Janice Landing serve as popular launch points for paddling trips. "Black creek float trip" notes camper Brad O., highlighting the primary recreational purpose of this camping area.

Play disc golf: For active campers, the course at Shepard State Park Campground offers an engaging activity option. One visitor explains, "My wife and I played disc golf there. It was also a decent course," making it suitable for casual players rather than competitive enthusiasts.

Explore hiking trails: The trail network surrounding the campsites at Airey Lake Recreation Area connects to longer routes including the Tuxachanie trail. A regular visitor notes, "This campground is a stop halfway through the Tuxachanie trail," making it ideal for backpackers on multi-day treks.

What campers like

Affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable fees at campgrounds in the region. A visitor to Shepard State Park commented, "Can't beat the price at $18 a night, reservations available on their website," making it accessible for extended stays.

Night sky viewing: The distance from urban light pollution creates opportunities for stargazing. An Airey Lake visitor shares, "Love to go do nighttime photography here as it is away from towns and the skies are pretty dark," noting the lake adds reflection elements to night photos.

Wide site spacing: Many campers value the privacy offered at Lakeview RV City Park and similar locations. At Shepard State Park, "Campsites are not on top of each other," according to one reviewer, with similar sentiments about most tent sites in the region.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most tent campsites in the Wilmer area provide minimal amenities. At Airey Lake, a camper warns, "The bathroom was a single toilet and sink. While relatively clean, this is definitely a bring your own TP bathroom."

Variable water quality: Water sources at primitive sites may not be reliable for drinking. A camper at Janice Landing reported, "Water on site but not sure I would drink it as there was a lot of sediment. Make sure you have what you need as services are limited."

Reservation systems vary: While some campgrounds accept reservations, others operate strictly first-come, first-served. A visitor to Airey Lake noted, "Campground is first-come, first-serve, but when we went there were plenty of spaces available. It was quiet and peaceful with lots of space in between each group."

Hurricane closures: Seasonal weather events impact campground availability. One frustrated camper reported, "It's closed, most are. This one says due to hurricane damage and public safety. They can't get around to fixing it but sure can show up to tell you to leave."

Tips for camping with families

Consider playgrounds: Family-friendly facilities make camping with children more enjoyable. At Shepard State Park Campground, visitors note there are "several trails, lots of trees and underbrush, a playground."

Child-friendly trail options: Parents find some trails particularly suitable for young hikers. One family mentioned, "My toddler had a very easy time walking around which was a huge plus! The marsh trails were perfect for viewing wildlife."

Pet accommodation: Many families camp with pets, and designated areas help manage this aspect. A reviewer noted, "The dog park was perfect for our two large dogs, very clean," making Shepard State Park suitable for camping with canine companions.

Tips from RVers

Electrical reliability: Power supply stability varies between campgrounds. One RVer at Shepard State Park Campground reported, "Electric is strong and reliable," which matters particularly during extreme temperature periods.

Site leveling requirements: Ground preparation varies between locations, affecting setup time and equipment needs. A reviewer noted, "Sites are level," at Shepard State Park, reducing the need for additional leveling blocks or equipment.

Bath facilities quality: Bathroom cleanliness and functionality is particularly important for tent campers and small RVs without onboard facilities. Recent renovations were highlighted by a visitor who shared, "They have completely updated. Nice clean bathrooms and sights."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wilmer, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wilmer, AL is Escatawpa Hollow Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Wilmer, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Wilmer, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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