Best Tent Camping in Alabama

Recent Tent Reviews in Alabama

1898 Reviews of 80 Alabama Campgrounds

• 

  Kim T.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 29, 2022

  Wind Creek State Park Campground

  Beauty on the Lake

  Tent camping with family during Hurricane evacuation. Beautiful park, numerous bath houses, laundry, camp store, playgrounds, mini golf, and so much more. Secluded campground with RV and tent sites right on Lake Martin.

• 

  Sterling H.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 23, 2021

  Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park

  Camping with amenities

  Cheaha was such a pleasant surprise. More like a resort, this park had tent camping, RV camping, a pool, a lake, cabins, a playground, and a restaurant with a view. We had a little trouble with the upper tent sites not being level because we have a roof top tent, but we were able to switch our site to one that was more level without much hassle. The views were just amazing, and it was lovely to have access to a pool.

• M

  Meghan S.

  Scout

  

  May. 16, 2018

  Gulf State Park Campground

  Great Spot for Family Fun

  You could stay at this park for your whole trip and not have to leave. There is an awesome pool and splash pad, basketball courts, and boat launch on the property, plus a laundromat and impressive camp store. The restroom facilities are relatively nice and are always air conditioned during the warmer months. The only complaint I have of this park is that there are only 11 tent camping sites. They claim any site can be used for tent camping, but no one in a tent wants to set up on a concrete pad, especially when it is hot! The tent sites they do have are primitive without water or electrical hook ups - it would be nice to have some sites with hook ups. The sites they do have for tents are very shady and clean. They do back up to a swampy canal, but I have never seen any alligators although I am sure they are in there somewhere.

  I would definitely recommend this park for families.

• 

  Deborah C.

  Ranger

  

  Feb. 23, 2019

  Gulf State Park Campground

  Like a small city

  This park is like a small city, there are over 500 sites, only 11 tent sites. My husband and I tent camped at gulf state park in February, 2019 and it was very nice, they have so many amenities here you don’t ever have to leave. If you were looking for solitude time, this is not the site for you. The bathrooms were nicer than some hotels I have stayed in. There is a store on site, tennis/pickle ball courts, swimming pool, activities center, horseshoe pit, nature center and over 25 miles of very nice hiking trails, oh yea, and less than a 20 minute walk to one of the best white sand beaches in the USA. Also playgrounds for kids. There is a laundromat and they have a church service and other scheduled activities.

• 

  Sarah C.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 1, 2017

  Lake Martin Recreation Area

  Stayed here with family

  This is another one of the U.S. Military Campgrounds (similar to the Maxwell/Gunter AFB one in Montgomery) and similarly, it caters primarily to RVs. There are a few tent sites available but they aren't very nice or well maintained. The whole campground is a bit run down and in need of attention and updating.

  There is a boat launch and beach area. However, I wouldn't recommend spending much time in the beach area due to the large amount of garbage and pet waste. Oddly, dogs are allowed within the park but only if you are camping in a camper or RV. Dogs are not allowed in the tent camping area which I find odd.

  We stayed here while visiting family in the area and I wouldn't stay here again. There isn't much to do unless you have a boat so you would be better off finding a different place to spend your time.

• 

  Lee D.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 9, 2022

  Kymulga Gristmill Park

  An ok campground but not always open/staffed

  I had read about the mill and covered bridge, and we had planned to visit after leaving Cheaha State Park but we didn’t know there was also a campground. I looked for someone to talk with but did not see anyone out and about at 10 am on a Sunday (even though the park was open and many of the sites were occupied). The park itself is open Wednesday – Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm (although the website says 10 am). The admission price for the park listed on the website was $3 but had increased to $5 per person (payment is on the honor system if not staffed). I called later to find out if the camping rates had also increased and yes, they had. There is a choice of primitive tent camping ($15), tent sites with lights ($15), or camper pads ($30); the camper pads are FHU. The sites all appeared to be level and many of them (primarily the tent sites) are on or close to the river. 

  The restrooms were dimly lit and not the best but doable. 

  Canoe rentals are available (assuming only on days when the park is open) for half days: $5/hour, $15/half day, or $25 for a full day. The entrance sign also advertises disc golf.

  Note that there are railroad tracks running through the park, but no trains went by when we visited so not sure how active they are (given our track record with trains and campgrounds, likely one would go thundering through at 3 am!) 

  Even though we visited when the park was supposedly open, I could not find anyone to talk to so this review is based on my observations and a follow-up phone call.

• 

  Asher K.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 1, 2022

  Monte Sano State Park Campground

  Great for RV and tent camping

  We got a chance to spend 2 nights up at Monte Sano this fall and had a wonderful trip with some chilly nights. The park is one of the best state-managed campgrounds I have been to and is an amazing place for either tent camping or RV camping. On this visit, they were undergoing serious renovations of one of the RV loops that is closest to the tent area so we ended up having even more privacy and quiet than usual. Although there are no bathroom facilities in the tent area they are a short drive or a couple of minutes walk away and are very nice and well kept. The tent sites are all well established and pretty spaced out. Since we stayed from Saturday to Monday we had the place to ourselves on Sunday night. We also arrived after dark on Saturday but they had a great system in place for getting the gate code and info about the site. We spent the whole day on Sunday hiking the long loop around the park. Since the trails connect to the land trust adjacent to the park you can never run out of areas to explore. I highly recommend visiting Monte Sano for your next camping adventure.

• 

  Rick B.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 7, 2019

  Gulf State Park Campground

  Great Family Campground

  This place is very cool.  I love the raised boardwalk style bike paths all over the place.  Our kids rode their bikes all over the place here.  You can also take a path to the beach or the pier.  Just a nice place.  We camped in a tent here...   but we were literally the only tent here that week.  Everyone was in an RV.  We have since purchased a pop up camper so we will return and fit in better lol...

• 

  Lori H.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 12, 2019

  Oak Mountain State Park Campground

  Huge park, lots to do!

  Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park. Located just outside of Birmingham, it’s easy to escape to nature without being too far off the beaten path. This park is HUGE! There’s so many things to do here, we plan to return when we have more time to explore!

  We saw several hiking trails, a horseback riding area, a golf course, a lake with a beach and swimming area, plus kayak and boats, we also saw some kind of skiing tow rope area! It was really cool, I’d never seen one of those! I read the park is known for mountain biking also, and I noticed a few road bikes in the bike lane driving in.

  We originally booked a tent site without electric, but it was blazing hot, so we decided to move to a site with electric so we could have fans in our rooftop tent and ended up in site A06. The site was shaded and there was no one in that area so we had great privacy. Our site backed up to the woods, so it was nice.

  The tent (no electric) sites are the best in my opinion. Most are back in the woods and shaded. I don’t believe you can reserve a specific tent site, as they assign you one when you arrive, but there were so many great tent sites, i don’t think it would be a problem unless it was a super busy weekend. Most of the tent sites are walk in also, so if you have a rooftop tent, or car camping, these won’t work.

  A loop seemed to have larger, wooded, sites with more privacy. B loop was wide open. The tent sites were great in both loops though.

  The restrooms were ancient. They could use some updates, but they were clean and functional, and there were multiple facilities throughout the campground.

  There’s a camp store at the check in area, they have the essentials, and they do have ice. The ladies working in there were really nice and helpful too.

  Oak Mountain is a great spot to camp, just go when there’s not a heat wave in Alabama, and you have time to explore the park!

• N

  Nicole J.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 18, 2019

  Oak Mountain State Park Campground

  Clean and lots to do

  Camped in a tent in a power & water hook up site. Our site wasn't the greatest. It didn't have any trees and one very bright street light, however, it was close to the bath house and pavilion. We were with a SOTF group, so I could hang my hammock on a friend's trees. We hiked around the large lake. It's a beautiful park! The staff was very friendly, helpful and had a great sense of humor! There are lots of trails, several lakes, horse stables, golf course, and a wildlife rescue center that does tours. Oh and a beach and paddle boats to rent. Would camp there in a heartbeat!

• 

  Ron S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 13, 2018

  Deerlick Creek

  Our Favorite Campground

  This is probably our all time favorite campground! Managed by Corp of Engineers, always beautiful and well kept. Great, friendly staff. Greta place to camp in the fall for Alabama football games, only about 15-16 miles from campus, yet very secluded. Really a great place to camp, whether with RV or tent camping!

• 

  Sippi’s S.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 25, 2019

  Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park

  I‘ve seen Sasquatch

  Been tent camping here since 1997 and it continues to get better every visit!

• K

  Kevin C.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 30, 2022

  Southport Campground

  No tent camping

  They advertise as tent camping however that is not true until the end of May

• C

  Cindy C.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 4, 2022

  Meaher State Park Campground

  Wonderful Small Campground

  We’ve stayed here several times. Nice flat sites in the pines and next to the Bay. Bathhouses are nice. Only problem is they are push button showers so it takes a couple pushes to get it hot. Shelter houses, boat ramp, tent sites, and a few cabins. Only 5 miles west to the USS Alabama Memorial Park. Well worth a visit!!

• L

  Leesha J.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 7, 2016

  Chewacla State Park Campground

  War Eagle

  We tent camped during football season. They have clean facilities. Several trails. We will go back.

• 

  Johnnie J.

  Guide

  

  May. 30, 2019

  Oak Mountain State Park Campground

  Beautiful Park - Plenty to do!

  *It's been a while since my last visit, but since I camp there every year, several times each summer, I figured I'd go ahead and do a quick review anyway.

  Every summer for the past few years I've traveled to Oak mountain, typically going several times each summer (July and August) to run the Southeastern trail series. Although there are numerous back country camp sites, I've always stayed at the campground due to its convenient location, and always stay at the same campsite (B6) each visit. The campground is divided into two sections (A & B) and each campsite has parking right at the site itself.

  Although the first few tent sites on the B-side are located right off the road, they're set back far enough that they feel pretty secluded with plenty of trees to give a slight sense of privacy. These first few sites have no electrical hookup or water, but are located a short walking distance from the front bathhouse (bathroom and shower). The bathhouse directly across from my site is rarely busy, and the single shower is clean with plenty of hot water.

  Each site has a cinderblock retaining wall, a picnic table, and a steel fire ring with a flip-top cooking grate. If you're tent camping, the pad is dirt with a layer of pea-gravel, so a sleeping pad is a must. Firewood is easy to find in the surrounding woods if there hasn't been a lot of people thru the area. Otherwise, wood is available at the store at the entrance to the campground. The campground is easily accessible from the parks back gate entrance, which is only a short driving distance to pretty much anything you could need (restaurants, gas, groceries, etc).  There's even a small beach area at the back of the campground exclusive to campground guests. The staff is always friendly and reserving a campsite online is easy.

  One of the great things about Oak Mountain State Park is that there's plenty to do aside from the camping; hiking, mountain biking, horse stables, a BMX track, an archery range, canoeing, paddle boats/ paddle boarding, several lakeside beaches with playgrounds, a wakeboarding course, a wildlife rehabilitation center, and a treetop nature boardwalk which features several enclosures where you can view birds of prey up close. Also, if you're into trail running or mountain biking, there are several race series held at the park each year.

  All in all, I love this park and already have my reservations made again for this summer!

• 

  Asher K.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 1, 2022

  Gulf State Park Campground

  Best beach

  Beautiful park along the gulf coast and one of the few beach options in Alabama. They have really nice RV and tent camping that has easy access to the gulf as well as tons of walking and biking trails. The campground also has an incredible nature center with so many amazing animals. If you are feeling up for a little adventure you can stay at the backcountry campground accessible via bikes or walking.

• 

  Bill M.

  Traveler

  

  May. 12, 2021

  Gulf State Park Campground

  Best time

  Tent camping was very peaceful and great location to everything. Such a great few days we had here

• D

  Dale B.

  Scout

  

  May. 29, 2019

  Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

  Camp lakeside... dock your boat in the marina...beautiful grounds and lodge

  Tent site... full hookups... plenty of space

• j

  john B.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 8, 2021

  Magnolia Springs RV Hideaway

  Inaccurate info

  You cannot tent camp here anymore. Very unhelpful staff. When I informed them this application info wasn't updated, they didn't care.

• 

  Bill M.

  Traveler

  

  May. 21, 2021

  Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park

  Great place

  Had a great time we primitive tent camped toilets where very clean non drinking pump close by. Will be back soon

• 

  Latika Y.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 30, 2021

  Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park

  Beautiful and quiet in the winter

  The highest point in Alabama, this park has some stunning views, especially from the Pulpit Rock trail (an easy—except for the first steep decline—and relatively short hike from the road). We stayed in the hotel, which was fine for the cost (but did lose electricity for several hours). The campground was quiet in mid-December, but the sites on the outer ring looked pleasant. Would definitely love to come tent camping here again in the fall or spring.

• 

  shane M.

  Scout

  

  Dec. 27, 2022

  Noccalula Falls Park & Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

  nice but cramped

  we stayed in a tent site in dec '22'' , the sites are very close together and the tent  site we were on hardly had enough space for our 3 person backpacking tent . there are fire pits, grills, and tables available on each site as well as water  . we appreciated the security gate and extremely clean and heated bathhouses with showers . the park has a nice playground and a pool we were unable to try during the winter months .  the campground is very close to town and as so expect alot of noise from traffic

• 

  Mike D.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 14, 2024

  1776 RV And Campground

  A hidden gem hosted by a true patriot!

  Bob has a wonderfully serene campground for both RV’s and tent camping. I invite everybody looking for a quiet place on Mentone to visit 1776 RV.

• 

  Lauren S.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 14, 2022

  Smith Lake Park

  Love the vibes

  Super chill and fun. Electric at tent sites for no extra cost. Lake, bathrooms, etc.

• 

  Kevin L.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 29, 2024

  Blakeley State Park Campground

  Miles of trails and history

  2000 acres Walking auto cell phone tours of civil war Boat tours Big pull through rv spots and a tent campground. Awesome

• 

  Karen L.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 4, 2022

  Oak Mountain State Park Campground

  Carry in tent sites

  I had booked a tent site at Oak Mountain - site unseen. The tent sites were across from the RV sites (the RV sites in this area were very close together- there were other RV sites with more distance between). My site had power and water. There were two section on my site. One higher (I assume for tent setup) and one lower, surrounded by a wall of cinder blocks . The power and water hookup was just above the cinder blocks so I assume that area was for table/kitchen set up, or canopy/screenroom. I chose to setup my tent below the wall due to the ground being more level and flat (and a bit more privacy). The site was completely shaded so great for camping in warmer months, and the tent sites were spaced a good distance from each other.
  My only drawback was that this was a carry-on site. You couldn’t park directly on the site. It wasn’t too terribly far of a walk, but it was up and down a steep hill. So me being unaware, did not bring appropriate way to carry my heavy gear 1000 feet or more , up and down a hill. Not a problem if you have a strong man with you, but for this 60 year old bird-it was a challenge. All in all the tent sites are fairly spacious (don’t think you could put an 18 person tent tho) have good space between each site, have power and water and are shaded.
  Drawbacks would be the distance from parking to setup area.