Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping in Alabama is the perfect choice. Camping has always been a favorite form of travel for many, but Alabama glamping is a new and unique way to do it. Each glamping site offers quick access to one or more of Alabama's most popular destinations.
Gulf State Park has two miles of beaches, a spacious campground and a brand new Lodge and Conference Center to greet you. Yes, we have gorgeous white sand,surging surf, seagulls and a variety of activities, but there is more than sand and surf to sink your toes into. There is something for everyone inside Gulf State Park Campground. The beach pavilion provides picnic tables as an escape from the beach, the nature center is a great place for the kids to learn, the swimming pool provides refreshment for our guests and the Lake Shelby day use area offers kayaking and canoeing. For a change of pace while visiting check out the fishing and education pier, miles of biking on the Backcountry trail, beautiful flowers in the butterfly garden, and additional education at the learning campus, interpretive center in the near future.
Seek adventure and solitude on the highest point in Alabama at Cheaha State Park. At 2,407 feet above sea level, Cheaha State Park, located on top of Cheaha Mountain, offers breathtaking views and adventurous recreational activities and is great for camping near Birmingham. This 2,799-acre mountaintop retreat is known for spectacular sunsets and beautiful waterfalls. The park offers overnight guests and day visitors an array of activities as well as opportunities for rest. Facilities include a restaurant, hotel, cabins, chalets, camping with options that range from improved to primitive, and pavilions. In addition to lodge rooms, cabins, and A-frame chalets, we offer improved camping in the park, semi-primitive camping near the highest point, and primitive camping near Cheaha Lake. There is also primitive camping along mountainside trails, offering campers numerous options for getting close to nature. Groups may want to consider reserving Cheaha's historic CCC Bald Rock Lodge, which has 12 bedrooms/baths with a beautiful grand hall, for retreats, family reunions, meetings and more!
From its humble beginning as a 940-acre park atop Double Oak Mountain established by the Alabama State Lands Act of 1927, Oak Mountain State Park has grown to 9,940 acres making it Alabama’s largest state park. With the largest land-area, one of the widest varieties of outdoor activities of any state park, and its proximity to Birmingham, Oak Mountain is a perfect stop while traveling to and from the state’s largest city. Topping it all off is the park’s stunning physical landscape, which alone makes for an unforgettable experience.
Oak Mountain State Park has once again been awarded the coveted "Certificate of Excellence" from Tripadvisor!
Camping near Birmingham, South of Alexander City on Alabama Highway 128 you’ll find one of the largest state-owned campgrounds in the United States, Wind Creek State Park. However, that distinction is not the only thing that makes Wind Creek special. Wind Creek State Park is the public's access to Lake Martin. Wind Creek’s 1,445 scenic acres hug the shoreline of beautiful Lake Martin making the park an angler’s paradise. Crappie, bluegill and striped bass are just a few of the species the lake has to offer. Several fishing tournaments are scheduled at the park each year. If you're in the mood to test your nerves of steel, journey to the "Chimney Rock" area of Lake Martin. This is one of the hidden gems of the lake. After you test your nerves of steel, take a relaxing visit to Wind Creek State Park's North Picnic Area and enjoy some swimming and fishing on beautiful Lake Martin. After a full day at Wind Creek State Park and Lake Martin, take advantage of the park's only dairy creem, Creem @ The Creek for great food and beverages. The park’s 586 campsites are spread over 320 acres and offer ample opportunities to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Campsites include 102-30 amp waterfront campsites, 18-30 amp sewer waterfront campsites, 211-30 amp sewer campsites, 216-30 amp base campsites. For guests who prefer to stay in a camping cabin, the park has seven camping cabins to choose from, camping cabin 2 is handicap accessible. Each air conditioned cabin has a kitchenette and a private bathroom. Guests will need to bring their own bed linens, towels, cooking and eating utensils. The 39 premium campsite amenities include; water, sewer, 50/30/20 amp electrical, water front access, and TV service. Three of the newly renovated sites are handicap accessible. Bathhouse and playground facilities are conveniently located throughout the park. Separate from the above campsites we have an area restricted to equestrian camping. These 20 campsites are first come first serve and all have 30 amp electrical and water service.
Lake Guntersville State Park offers Town Creek Primitive Campground which provides primitive campsites (boondock camping allowed 7 night maximum) on the water, bathhouses, boat rentals, ethanol-free gas (accessible by water), and the Town Creek Fishing Center.
Gunter Hill Campground offers a peaceful scene of trees and nature on the backwaters of the Alabama River. The fishing is excellent, providing challenges for the master angler as well as the occasional cane pole fisherman. Boating, hunting and hiking are popular activities.
The area's waterways offer excellent fishing for crappie, bass and catfish. A boat ramp is provided for easy river access. The Lowndes Wildlife Management area, located nearby, covers 12,500 acres and offers prime hunting for whitetail deer, wild turkeys and hogs, and a variety of small game and waterfowl. The campground provides a basketball court and playground, offering additional recreation opportunities for visitors.
The campground is situated on Catoma Creek in a forest of hickory and pine. The region offers a mild climate for year-round camping.
$26 / night
The Clear Creek Recreation Area has become one of Alabama's most popular recreation areas and has many repeat visitors. The Bankhead National Forests largest recreation area, Clear Creek is in Winston County about 13 miles north of Jasper, ALlabama and was constructed on the shore of Lewis Smith Lake giving direct recreational access to the lake via the day use boat launch, to boating, water skiing, personal watercraft use, as well as fishing for largemouth bass, striped bass, and crappie. With many modern conveniences, it offers facilities for individual and group camping, picnicking, swimming, boat launching, hiking, and biking. Check-out time for Clear Creek is no later than 12:00pm the day of departure. Check-in time is no earlier than 2:00pm. This 2 hour window allows our staff adequate time to clean and maintain each site. The campground itself has four paved loops with paved parking spurs, and offers 102 RV campsites, including 32 double sites; 11 of these are pull-through sites. Each campsite has water and electrical hookups, a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern posts. All campsites have 50-amp and 30-amp electrical service. There is a trailer dump station located within the recreation area. Each of the four loops has a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers. All sites are level and spacious; Single campsites accommodate up to six people and two vehicles; double sites up to twelve people and four vehicles. No garbage dumpsters are in the campground; users are required to pack out trash and deposit it in the dumpsters by the dump station. An entrance station with an electronic gate is available to control access to the campground. Two group camping areas, available by reservation only, accommodate up to 25 tent campers each and share a bathhouse with flushing toilets and showers. The day use portion of the recreation area focuses on the swimming beach, served by a bathhouse with flushing toilets and showers. Next to the beach is a 50-person group picnic pavilion, with a flush toilet. On the other side of the beach lies a picnic area with 53 family units, all connected by newly paved paths. On the point, adjacent to the lake, are two more 50-person picnic pavilions, served by a nearby flush toilet. A 1.5-mile paved bicycle trail connects the campground to the day use area. Also, there is the 2.5-mile recently paved Raven Cliffs hiking trail in the day use area. Use of the picnic pavilions is by reservation only; users also pay the day use fee as they park in the facility. A year-round boat launch is available with an SST vault toilet and boat/trailer parking. Welcome to the Clear Creek Recreation Area... Use the Recreation.gov Mobile App. Visitors on-the-go can use the Recreation.gov mobile app to reserve and pay for upcoming stays, reducing the need for on-site transactions and cash handling. Download the Recreation.gov app through the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Functionality of the iPhone app available here... Functionality of the Android app available here...
The campground has a basketball and volleyball court, and horseshoe pit. Interpretive programs are hosted during the summer. Day-use visitors and campers have access to a boat ramp and swim beach. The lake provides excellent fishing for Kentucky Spotted Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass. There are two trails in the area; the 2.5-mile Raven Interpretive Trail and a 1.5-mile bicycle trail.
The 180,000+ acre Bankhead National Forest is in northwestern Alabama, and its prominent feature is the Sipsey Wilderness . Known as "The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls," the Sipsey is at the juncture of three separate geologic areas: the Appalachian Plateau, the Cumberland Plateau and the Coastal Plain. The vegetation from these three unique environments blend into a remarkable diversity of species, with overlapping ranges creating many unusual plant associations. The Sipsey is a 12,726 acre area of swift streams, waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, undisturbed gorges, majestic hardwood forests, wildflowers, birds, animals and is home to Alabama's largest tree, a tulip poplar with a 21-foot circumference at its base. Lewis-Smith Lake (or Smith Lake) is located in the counties of Cullman, Walker and Winston. The 300-foot high dam, completed in 1961 by Alabama Power Company, impounds the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River to form the lake. Smith Lake has a surface area of 21,200 acres, 500 miles of shoreline, a watershed area of 944 square miles, a retention time of 435 days, and a maximum depth of 264 feet. What's Happening in Your Alabama National Forest Video
Four nearby attractions within Bankhead National Forest are: The Little Natural Bridge is the longest rock arch east of the Rockies. It was formed 200 million years ago when the sea washed the sandstone away leaving iron ore veins holding the bridge. In this area thrive 27 varieties of Ferns and a number of Canadian Hemlocks traced to the Ice Age. Satellite Map of Natural Bridge Park The 19th-century Pine Torch Church is one of the oldest churches in Alabama and one of only four surviving log churches. The church is located in the Bankhead Forest in Lawrence County at the intersection of Country Roads 70 and 73 Several online sources say it was built in the 1890s but a sign at the site claims in was built in the 1840s. According to legend, Pine Torch got its name from the pine knots that were set ablaze to light the building after dark. It is made of hand-hewn logs. The original floor, made of hand-hewn poplar planks, was stolen piece-by-piece and was replaced in 1940, according to a historic marker at the site. The original roof was made of hand-split wooden shingles. It was later replaced with tin. Behind the church is a cemetery whose grounds are covered with sand to make maintenance easier. A newer and larger wooden church was built at the back of the property. It is still in use. Satellite Map of the Pine Torch Church The Houston Civil War Jail - Houston, Alabama served as the first county seat for Winston County. The area known today as Winston County was originally established in 1850 as Hancock County, named after John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence. In 1858 the county was renamed Winston after the first native-born governor of Alabama, John Anthony Winston. Old Houston, located a few miles away from present day Houston, was the first county seat. Citizens voted to move the county seat to present day Houston in the late 1850's and a log jail was constructed at that time. The jail burned during the Civil War and was rebuilt in 1868. The Houston jail was built of hand-hewn logs filled with nails to prevent prisoners from "sawing their way to freedom". The jail held prisoners and provided a site for court. In 1884 the county seat was moved from Houston to present day Double Springs. Houston Historical Society Discover the Incredible Variety of Habitats and Birds in the Bankhead National Forest. Birding on the Bankhead
$30 / night
Guide
They put a massive amount of money into updating this place. This is the #1 best state park campground I have ever been at. Some of the non-5star reviews are people before the updates or people that really should just be at a KOA resort.
This place has everything, mtn bike, gravel bike, trail running, road running, road biking, golf, equestrian, sailing and fishing.
It has wifi throughout and almost everywhere in the park has cell reception.
Scout
Large campground. Not near the beach. Seems to be decently maintained. Bathrooms were updated and clean. Campground not near the park restaurants . Would be a long walk to get to them. Decent hookups. Beware of the ants!!!!!! The whole campground is infested with stinging ants. There are ant piles all over the campsites. I was stung really bad after accidentally getting near an ant hill. They are really bad!!!! Almost had to go to the ER.
Traveler
Nice campground with large, level, full hookup sites. Site 15 is easy back in and large.
Traveler
Love Gunter Hill! ❤️. Wide open and spacious lots here have us spoiled. Clean bathhouse and laundry plus on site boat ramp to the river make it one of our favorite places. Walking trails are great too!
Scout
This is a great place to enjoy the beach, fur pets, and outdoors!
TravelerI grew up near oak mountain and it’s always been a decent campground for the price. After we purchased our first camper this summer we decided to go give it a shot at Oak Mountain before we went further out. We were unaware that they had completely revamped the entire place. The bathhouses were awesome and clean as were the laundry rooms. They had plenty of supplies in the store if you forgot something. We will be returning during the fall. Sites are pretty spacious and well maintained.
Ranger
We were camping close by and did a drive thru just to see what it looked like. Smaller campgrounds with sites close together. It looks like it’d be a good option if looking for a spot in the area.
Scout
Chief Ladiga Trail mountains
Traveler
So so so worth going, I didn’t leave to go anywhere, the hikes was awesome to see. The camp site I stayed was beautiful woke got to see the sun set. I rode my motorcycle there so for anyone who ride there motorcycle just be aware there some uneven site for your motorcycle to park. Unless you’re tall and you don’t have problem handling your bike. I’m 5,0 so it was learning curve me to see if I could handle my motorcycle up hill and down hill for campsites
Traveler
Somewhat crowded, but it was a holiday weekend. Very clean bathrooms and campground. Employees were extremely friendly, inviting, and knowledgeable!
ScoutA gorgeous serene park with great staff, spacious spots, beautiful views and tons of hiking!
Guide
First impressions pulling in I was thinking it was going to be awesome but while setting up we noticed thrash all over. The wife picked up a full bag of garbage while I was setting up. It was around 7pm we noticed that this camping area is a special spot for tweakers and some sketchy people. They did keep to themselves which worked out. I’d say this location isn’t that bad if you’re a believer in the 2nd and watching out constantly. The camper next to us decided to run the loudest generator from 8pm on. Going to the restroom early am noticed a guy up and watching from a distance. Also someone in the stall having a weird intense conversation with himself and was in there for over a hour. Park does have the possibility of being a great campground with some improvements and someone keeping out the tweakers.
GuideHaving visited 3 times now, twice before the renovations and now once after, I can confidently say I love this park! I have previously primitive camped here and now camper at a full hookup RV site. Tent sites range from "water in vicinity," "water at site," and "water and 20 amp power at site." Rv sites are water and electric or full hook up. I think all RV sites are now 50/30/20 but I'm not certain. There is a dump station near the exit of the campground. Sites are mostly level/slight grade but found that not all drain very well when it rains, including our site a17.
The park has so many different activities including -Hiking -Bmx trails -Swimmimg -Archery range And more I can't even remember.
Flip side watersports operates at 2 locations and paid activities include -wake boarding -Aqua Park And rentals of -Kayaks -stand up paddle boards -paddle boats And -Canoes.
There are things to do year round and the weather was great for mid July.
Scout
Deep ditches around my site made it very, very difficult to park my van - terrified that one of my wheels would fall off the edge. Don’t think I will be back.
RangerIf it didn’t have the Gulf weather and bugs and or for that matter, the campers, this would be a five star campground. I sit here writing this review at the pool. I opened my book to read and the lady next to me brought out her Bluetooth speaker to blast music. Last night, a family chowed down on a can of pringles in the pool. Trash everywhere at the fishing docks. My husband went to put our wash in the dryer last night and dryers were filled with abandoned clothing. People have bicycles with horns.
We did make the mistake of coming here during one of the busiest weeks of July, but that doesn’t mean that every campsite should be littered with crazy amounts of gear, despite it being so obviously oppressively hot and muggy that much of it seems unusable. I want to reiterate: the weather is vile but I still can’t imagine bringing fans to plug in OUTSIDE of my camper. The campers next to us have a large trailer, camper bus, a large truck and a golf cart. In one spot. That doesn’t include the bikes, the chairs, the tents, etc.
The actual campsites and facilities are nice. Individual campsites are spacious and level and come with a grill and picnic table. Some site locations are much better situated than others (I would never want to camp along Campground Road - it’s insanely busy with cars and bicycles). It’s great to have a large pool w backside, clean and fairly large laundry facilities, a camp store and an exceptional network of bike trails. There is also a very awesome nature center, several playgrounds, pickleball courts, a boat ramp, and free bicycle rentals! There is ten bathhouses and while only three bathroom and shower stalls each seemed insufficient to me there wasn’t anyone in the bathhouses any time I utilized them. They were super clean and in reasonable proximity to all of the sites in the loop.
The campground, which is massive (500 plus sites) consists of several loops, and is smack dab in the middle of the State Park. Campers get free parking at several beaches in the Park, which we utilized (beach was pretty quiet in the morning). I thought that was a great perk. We didn’t get to bike much between the heat and rain but the trail system looks amazing and there were plenty of staged opportunities for both free and paid bike rentals.
The campground is located right smack dab in between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, which is ideal if you want to go play some miniature golf or grab a bite to eat.
I think coming off season is probably the best bet - we honestly didn’t even feel like we were in nature when we came and it was so darn humid I didn’t really want to nature anyway! I think the campground would benefit from allowing less vehicles at each spot - from my vantage point, I’m literally staring out at nine trucks for maybe three campers.
LegendAmazing cg! Site Catoma 33. Back in site water behind. But cliff is too intense to go down. Gorgeous site, huge, shady, and across from restrooms. Boat ramp. Rode bikes around, but not many places to go besides cg. Friendly hosts and great place!
RangerWow, this is such a pretty campground! Our site is absolutely huge! I absolutely love all of the trees!! Unfortunately, it’s still 97° out. 🤣 We are in the shade for most of the day. With a fan, it wasn’t too bad sitting outside in the shade. I am so excited to see the lightning bugs. We don’t have them in my part of FL.
We have one bathhouse near our site (across from site 34), which appears to be older. I do love that the water is regulated and will only be on for a short amount of time. The lights have a motion sensor, which is a great idea. Unfortunately as I was getting dressed, the light turned off and wouldn’t turn back on. I had to open the door and flail around to get it to turn back on. Sorry for anyone who may have witnessed that. lol I was covered up, I promise. The water did not drain where the changing area is. The water just puddled there. We ran across the bathhouse by site 71 and that one is way better. It has AC too, which was nice in this heat. Yes, we use the showers at campgrounds. This also has washers and dryers, but both washers are broken. 😞 Our RV shower is really small and I like to actually move my arms around while showering. Please don’t criticize us for our decision.
Our unfortunate event: while sitting outside, something smell really rancid. Unfortunately, people before us lost their dog. We walked down to look at the water and that’s when we discovered the body. 🥺 I called the front office and they were able to confirm that it was the lost dog. We were unable to sit outside most of the time because of the decay smell drifting up to our site. We hoped the ranger would have come here to pick up the body for the people, but they never showed up. Not the camp hosts responsibility at all and I’m not blaming them. I hope the owners were able to get some closure, but I can’t imagine how they feel.
LegendThis cg is amazing! We were in Catoma Loop. Huge sites, water in back, 50 amp, FHU. Restroom good condition and directly across from us. Very well maintained and friendly hosts. Very quiet. Plenty of walking, and biking. Has a boat launch. Definitely stay here again.
Guide
Came with a group of friends from town to relax and disconnect. Services are great some cabins and tents having ACs, but primitive camping allowed as well. Great showers and bathhouse with filtered drinking water option that I used daily. Several hiking trails, but also roads to allow those who prefer to ride. They do offer ice, drink and snack delivery service with QR codes in each area. Definitely a place that I plan to revisit, but would refer friends to come as well for a weekend getaway.
GuideThis state park has it all. A place to swim, numerous hiking trails, playgrounds, etc. The newly remodeled campground is spectacular. The pads are super level (at least in A16. Small tent spots sprinkled in. Saw security and police several times just passing through to check on folks. Love that. We will be back many more times for sure.
GuideWe stayed at spot 448. It was a pull through spot with a good amount of morning and late afternoon shade. Site was somewhat level, maybe about.75” lean on one side. Bathrooms were relatively close, but there was a lack of stalls for how many campsites there are. There is a lack of places to throw trash and the dumpsters are all the way back at the front of the park, it’s quite a drive. Not a lot of street lights throughout the campground made things nice and quiet at night. It was very nice that almost every spot had full hookups. The site had decent Verizon cell service, around 10-20 mbps. The Tmobile service was around the same. Service seemed to be better the closer to the main road you were in the park. The biking trails were amazing, very wide, with a good amount of shade. Lots of activities to do around the park besides the beach. You can walk or bike to the beach, although it's around 2 miles depending on where your spot is. Your parking pass for the campground also provides free parking at various beaches around the park. It’s only about a 15 minute drive to either gulf shores or orange beach for even more things to do. Overall the campground was clean, relatively quiet, right next to the beach, with a ton of activities. Negatives would be how expensive it is, lack of bathroom stalls, and since the park is so massive, it takes a while to get everywhere.
TravelerClean restrooms and nice clean showers,nice big pool,beach nearby
LegendVisited Lake Guntersville State Park, for the day. After taking our granddaughter to Screaming Eagle Zip-line Adventures, located at the gorgeous Lodge, we visited the Campground…and it’s amazing! At the office, we were helped by Rocky, who was friendly and knowledgeable! We received CG info and a map, as well as rates. We are already planning our next trip to visit! The general store was stocked with necessities, as well as souvenirs. Of course we had to get some ice cream! There are several types of sites, monthly, cabins and tent camping. There are boat slips (local rentals) and a Pavilion on the water, basketball and tennis courts, playground, shady dog park, splash pad, and clean bathhouses. Firewood and ice can be purchased at the store. There are also many trails to hike and bike . It is easy to see that this SP is well maintained! The SP Lodge is worth visiting, which has a nice restaurant. LGSP has a golf course, and the quaint town is close by and has shopping and several restaurants.
Traveler
Very clean, well kept park. Good space between sites. The only downside I could find was I10 is close enough to be heard. 5 minutes away from battleship park. Plan for a whole day there if you really want to see everything they have to offer. Only an hours drive to the Naval Air Station at Pensacola. Highly recommend the museum there as well as Blue Angels practice viewing.
ScoutCheck~in was a breeze, nice people in the office. Site was easy to back in and very clean.
Legend
FHU, paved and level sights, clean and updated bathhouse and clean pool, playground, dogpark, koi pond, horseshoes, cute general store with necessities and souvenirs, propane refill and firewood! Has a quaint pond, with a bridge, and displays colorful lights at night. The Owner, Lori, showed us to our spot, and made sure we had everything we needed and gave us info on local shops and parks. Lots of shopping and restaurants nearby. We have been to this KOA 3 times now, and can’t wait to go back!
Legend
Arrived at guard gate and was welcomed by friendly staff. Quiet campground with waterfront site 8. Plenty of space between sites. FHU, level gravel, waterfront site with picnic table, fire ring, and grill. Felt safe, and across the street from bathrooms/laundry. Dated but clean. Woman’s bathroom with showers & bathroom stalls. 2 washers & dryers, as well as a folding table. No dog park, but plenty of nature, paved roads for walking, as well as easy to find, marked trails. 10 minutes to town, with restaurants and a few stores to pick up groceries & necessities. Playground is on the other side of the trails, as well as the boat ramp. Lots of wildlife. Would stay here again!
