Best Dog-Friendly Camping in Alabama

With over 20 state parks, more inland waterways than any other state, and multiple Appalachian peaks, more and more outdoor lovers are turning to Alabama for adventure. While football is still king in this southern state, tourists enjoy the serenity of Alabama's white sand beaches and the thrill found within its carved canyons. So lace up the boots or grab a paddle – it is time to find camping in Alabama!

Alabama's shores have always been a hot spot for southern beach bums, but with the growing popularity of events like Hangout Festival, Gulf Shores is quickly becoming a bucket list destination for many. Fortunately, coastal camping is a reality in the Heart of Dixie.

Beach camping can be one of the most challenging experiences of your life, and simultaneously, the most peaceful. Find camping in Alabama along the sandy coastline of Gulf Shores and wake up to the sound of crashing waves. Warm waters and comfortable year-round temperatures make Gulf Shores a desirable stop for locals and visitors alike.

Looking to escape the crowds? Head north to camp primitively or grab a cabin close to Dismals Canyon. Not only will you find waterfalls and natural bridges at Dismals Canyon, but you can also find "dismalites," a rare fly that emits blue-green light in its larval form. Many explorers tour the canyon at night to catch a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of this natural light show.

Water lovers might prefer exploring the state by winding through all 631 miles of The Alabama Scenic River Trail instead. As the longest water trail in any single state in the country, this waterway takes paddlers from northeastern Alabama into the Gulf, passing through the heart of the state in the process. With The Dyrt, you can be sure to find the best camping in Alabama along the way.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites in Alabama (444)

    1. Gulf State Park Campground

    102 Reviews
    Orange Beach, AL
    Website
    +1 (251) 948-7275

    "This was our first visit to Gulf Shores State Park in Alabama.  The check in was as slow as molasses even though they had lots of staff, mostly standing. "

    "Gulf Shores Alabama Gulf State Park Current camping spot on the canal. Ours is a nice pull thru with electric and water. Almost 500 sites here from tent to big rig friendly."

    2. Oak Mountain State Park Campground

    95 Reviews
    Hoover, AL
    Website
    +1 (205) 620-2520

    "It's the largest state park in Alabama."

    "We are close to the farm/petting zoo. Also the horses are next to the campground. Very quiet and reasonably priced."

    3. Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park

    90 Reviews
    Oxford, AL
    Website
    +1 (256) 488-5115

    "This park is located on the highest point in Alabama."

    "This area is on an inclined road, just something to keep in mind when walking it up and down to pool area, campstore or bathrooms. Bigfoot trail start at the last campsite."

    4. Monte Sano State Park Campground

    76 Reviews
    Brownsboro, AL
    Website
    +1 (256) 534-6589

    $14 - $30 / night

    "We heard from other campers that if you go to Huntsville, Alabama that you have to stop at Monte Sano State Park."

    "I first visited Monte Sano SP about a year ago, and it’s been one of my absolute favorite places in Alabama since."

    5. DeSoto State Park Campground

    74 Reviews
    Alpine, AL
    Website
    +1 (256) 845-5075

    $38 / night

    "If you have a large group you want to take camping in Alabama I highly recommend this site. There is great hiking nearby and the sites are large enough for a lot of people."

    "This part of Alabama is absolutely stunning, at close to 1700 feet in elevation, this area provides some of the most elevation in the state with absolutely stunning natural beauty."

    6. Wind Creek State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Alexander City, AL
    Website
    +1 (256) 329-0845

    "The lots are pretty close , but it's a very nice family and pet friendly park . Lake views from just about every lot ."

    "Kids can run the area and you can see them almost everywhere they go

    Quiet and peaceful

    Pet friendly and LOTS of activities."

    7. Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Guntersville, AL
    Website
    +1 (256) 571-5455

    "Visited 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!"

    "Store has a few things in it, including some Lake stickers/shirts/etc with Lake Guntersville on them. There is a little library box by the store with books people have put in after reading."

    8. Gunter Hill

    35 Reviews
    Prattville, AL
    Website
    +1 (334) 269-1053

    $26 - $32 / night

    "Good price and pet friendly!"

    "Pet friendly. Very friendly staff. Fishing, hiking and lots to do in nature."

    9. Chewacla State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Auburn, AL
    Website
    +1 (334) 887-5621

    "Trails aren’t very difficult, pet friendly."

    "Pets are welcome and the staff is very friendly."

    10. Cherokee Rock Village

    33 Reviews
    Leesburg, AL
    Website
    +1 (256) 523-3799

    $0 - $35 / night

    "We attended North Alabama trails and recreation’s Rock and Rig event here. The park is beautiful with amazing views."

    "the locals) since 2011, starting back when it was still largely undeveloped and free…totally worth paying for these days - they’ve made it such a great place: showers, bathrooms, dumpsters, plenty of walk-in"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 444 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews in Alabama

2316 Reviews of 444 Alabama Campgrounds


  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Time Away RV Resort

    Very nice campground

    This is a really nice RV park that provides close access to the racetrack. It is wonderfully taken care of and has recently been renovated. They have a playground and several covered areas for picnics and group gatherings. A key bonus to this site is the pool which is very necessary when camping in Alabama in the summer. Overall, I would definitely suggest checking this campground out as an option if you are headed to a race and coming for the weekend.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2016

    DeSoto State Park Campground

    Great Group Sites

    If you have a large group you want to take camping in Alabama I highly recommend this site. There is great hiking nearby and the sites are large enough for a lot of people. Make sure to take a hike to the beautiful waterfall and you can even check out the nearby hiking and caves. The caves are a weird experience but if you haven't gone before it's worth checking out.

  • Ethan K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2017

    McDill Point Backcountry — Cheaha State Park

    Amazing site and great views!

    This is the nicest of all the campsites at Cheaha by far! While it definitely is a bit of a trek to get to, I promise you it is worth it! The views from this campsite are truly incredible, especially if you are lucky enough to have a clear sky for sunrise/sunset. The site is pretty primitive and doesn’t have any hookups but it is fairly large and has plenty of space to cook. There are some premade rock fire pits that are perfect for an evening cook out. There is ample space to set up several tents and hammocks and it is perfect for a large group. Be sure to check out the crashed plane on the way up which you find just off the trail about a quarter mile before the site. This site is a must see if you ever are camping in Alabama!

  • Anthony I.
    May. 5, 2022

    DeSoto State Park Campground

    Truly perfect

    Due to some poor planning on my part, we had a free night in-between Tennessee and Georgia, we found this place here on the Dyrt, and it was absolutely spectacular. This part of Alabama is absolutely stunning, at close to 1700 feet in elevation, this area provides some of the most elevation in the state with absolutely stunning natural beauty. From the nearby waterfalls, which are a short drive from the campground to Little River Canyon national river, also a short drive, this area has so much to offer. The campground itself is perfectly maintained, beautiful, spacious, and wooded sites with functioning hookups, clean restrooms, and beautiful natural surroundings. Initially, we stayed here just to tag the base and say we’ve camped in Alabama, but after spending the night, we will absolutely go back to this facility!

  • Travyl Couple !.
    Dec. 13, 2019

    Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park

    Great Hiking and Great views

    This park is located on the highest point in Alabama. It has a great camp store with most basic groceries, hotel, cabins/chalets, group lodge, restaurant with gorgeous views, pool, 6 acre lake ALONG with great hiking trails. There is also a dog park and in general this is a very pet friendly 🐶state park. (Bring the groceries you need- closest grocery store is a 20-30 min drive)and know that the restaurant is decent but it may have varying hours during off seasons.) . 🚍⛺️campground- there are two campgrounds with full hookups. The Upper campground at the top is the mountain near all the major trailheads, restaurant, camp store and pool. The Lower Campground at the bottom of the mountain is near the small lake with swimming area and walking trail around the lake. We stayed at the Upper and in February we had the whole campground to ourselves most of our 2 week stay. All the sites are updated and have water, 30/50 amp electric, sewer, picnic table and fire ring or grill. Bathrooms at upper level can be an uphill or downhill walk. *💲this state park has a $4.75 reservation fee and a 3.75% daily “resort fee” on your base campsite rate. Both of those are not deal breakers but good to know. (Especially since the pool is only open for a limited time)

    🏡 there are chalets and cabins. I felt the cabins had the better views than the chalet and more private but these are smaller and more rustic. When you are making reservations for a cabin or chalet be sure to check the occupancy rate for the cabin you choose- some are limited to 2 people and look👀 at the amenities of each cabin/chalet- some are quite rustic but descriptions are given. Good news is that they do have pet friendly cabins.

    🏕there are semi/primitive and backcountry style sites. ✏️Note that the semi primitive camp sites (the ones on Tower Road) don’t have a shower house for you to use- there is a bathroom available. If you plan to hike a lot and don’t want to drive your car- try to get sites on the upper part of park. (My personal pet peeve is driving daily to a trailhead when I am camping)

    📌There is also a hotel with motel like rooms (near the pool and restaurant) and you can even rent an entire lodge for groups that was very attractive from the outside (this was located at top of mountain near the overlook trail-not really walking distance to pool and restaurant)

    🥾hiking - 10.5 miles of hiking in the boundaries of the park with connectors to the Pinhoti. The hiking trails had spectacular views on both sides of the mountain. Hiking poles were helpful! While the .3 mile wooden boardwalk to Bald Rock is stroller and mobility challenged friendly, most of the other hikes were moderate to strenuous for the average person. For example- There is a one mile trail straight down the mountain to the lake and lower campground. That said, we loved the hiking here. Next time we plan to bring our larger back packs and do an overnight on a section of the Pinhoti. Did I mention how awesome the views were hiking?

    🚵 mountain biking- there are 5 trails that are multi use... and hikers must yield to bikers on these. While we were here there was a mountain biking race. 🚴‍♀️road biking- the roads in the park had some incline...but I was glad to have my bike to roam the upper part park where we camped. (We don’t bring a tow vehicle) My husband biked outside of the park and you can decide for yourself if you would have fun road biking here after you drive UP the mountain roads to the Visitor Center. *It is 3 miles from the visitor center/park entrance to the lower campground/lake area via non park roads. 🛶- we didn’t paddle here, it was not near our campground and it is only a 6 acre lake/pond. There is a swimming/wading.

    Happy Camping! Pamela and Keith

  • d
    Dec. 1, 2021

    The Backyard RV Resort

    Home away from home

    We are baaaack! We came back on Friday, the 26th and decided to stay a week. Shannon and his wife, Stacey have the gift of hospitality. We feel safe here with the hidden location and security cameras. Our dogs enjoyed the dog park and walks through the woods and around the lake. I enjoyed the watching the cows and dog herding the goats through the clearing. There is also a playground for kids.

  • Cathy A.
    Mar. 3, 2024

    Point Mallard City Campground

    Only a small area is for short term , no wifi

    No wifi per office with no known date of repair. Relatively quiet, lots of vehicle traffic and golf carts. Office staff is very helpful and friendly. Majority of park is longterm. Dog friendly, no dog park at location. Close to shopping but far enough away for quiet.

  • Jaimee D.
    Nov. 22, 2020

    Gulf Shores-Pensacola West KOA

    Enjoyed Our Stay

    We stayed for the weekend. First thoughts were that it felt a bit cramped. We had an issue with the electrical that we couldn’t figure out, but one of the campground workers was very nice and tried to help us figure out the issue. We loved walking to the waterfront. My son enjoyed the basketball court. My kids loved the pool. It was quiet at night. The dog park consists of two fenced in areas which was nice because my dog gets bored quickly of the same area, so I alternated between the two. Overall it was a decent stay. The basic pull throughs do not have a fire pit, which sucked because it was chilly at night. The store was nice, as well. There is an entrance and an exit on opposite ends of the park - the exit is a bit tight and my husband was nervous to pull the camper that way. We noticed several people going out the entrance because it’s easier, just a heads up.

  • Karen S.
    Dec. 27, 2023

    Gulf State Park Campground

    Spacious sites, amenities and close to ocean, but no dogs

    This was our first visit to Gulf Shores State Park in Alabama.  The check in was as slow as molasses even though they had lots of staff, mostly standing.  Waited in line for 45 minutes with one person ahead of us taking her sweet time to book a future campsite.  Our site was nice, spacious with privacy.  We were worried about the alligators and snakes so kept pups on a short leash.

    The beach was beautiful, with sandy white shores and lots of shells.  However, if you have dogs, it's a no-go so they have to stay back at the camp.  They do have a lovely dog park, right on the lake where dogs can run and swim, but the 'do not feed alligators' was a concern.  Locals said they had never seen one in 15 years... so not sure and not sure I want my dog to be the exception.

    We enjoyed the friendly, southern hospitality of the town and would definitely return.  I would investigate other dog friendly places in the area.


Guide to Alabama

Discovering pet-friendly camping spots in Alabama offers a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry companions. Many campgrounds in the state welcome pets, providing amenities and activities that cater to both you and your four-legged friends.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Alabama

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and amenities

Pet owners like the welcoming atmosphere and cleanliness