For recreational vehicle enthusiasts, RV camping is a form of anti-stress activity. Such an outdoor adventure provides numerous benefits to you. For one, RV camping in Alabama gives you the chance to go off-the-grid to enjoy the wonders of nature temporarily; being exposed to fresh air in various campgrounds in Alabama is beneficial for your physical health. Furthermore, the quiet moments during boondocking can put your mind at ease; thus, giving you peace of mind. This fact shows that camping has positive effects on your mental health. There are many reasons people love RV camping; the reasons mentioned above are just a few of the many.
The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has burdened us with additional safety mechanisms to ensure everyone’s welfare. When going to public places like campgrounds, all of us must observe social distancing protocols. As such, self-contained RV camping happens to be an ideal outdoor activity since you do not need to go to public facilities like shared comfort rooms or laundry facilities. Moreover, such a form of camping pushes for lesser contact with others. Thus, RV camping can be a fun activity despite the pandemic.
Why explore Campgrounds in Alabama?
Photo lifted from Active Weekender, Kevin White
The state of Alabama houses some of the United State’s magnificent natural wonders. If you are the type of beach lover, you will surely enjoy the Gulf Coast Beaches. You shall undoubtedly enjoy the Appalachian mountains’ foothills, Mt. Cheaha, should you be an avid fan of scenic views and mountains. If you prefer hiking into the wilderness, the 24 922 acres in the heart of the Bankhead National Forest, the Sipsey Wilderness, awaits your arrival. As such, Alabama has a lot to offer to its locals and visitors!
Moreover, if you like birdwatching, you can consider going to the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. If you happen to be a Botany enthusiast, visit the Cahaba Lilies along the Tallapoosa River and Hatchet Creek in Alabama. These flowers only bloom in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. I can go endless, citing the reasons why Alabama is worth paying a visit and shall be your RV camping destination. Thus, in this article, we shall help you choose your RV campground that shall function as your home while you enjoy the natural wonders, flora, and fauna of Alabama. We shall provide you with the facts and figures about various RV campgrounds in Alabama.
Finding the RV Campgrounds
Credits to: RVC
This section shall contain the Alabama campgrounds you might consider for your camping activity.
GULF STATE PARK, ALABAMA CAMPGROUNDS
Photo lifted from Alabama State Parks, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
If you like waking up to the waters’ music at the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf State Park Campground is the ideal campground in Alabama for you. Situated at 20115 State Park Road, Gulf Shores, Alabama, the campground offers wide-ranging activities for its visitors. You will undoubtedly find an engaging activity that will suit you here.
In the 1930s, the park’s facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The public recreation area became open to the people of Alabama in 1939. The area boasts a story of resilience; in 2004, the park was devastated by Hurricane Ivan. Sixteen years after the calamity, in September 2020, the Gulf State Park was one of the eleven Alabama State Parks awarded the Traveler’s Choice Award by Tripadvisor.
The Alabama recreational area prides itself on having 3.5 miles of stunning pristine waters with white sand. You may opt to enjoy the beach by swimming or paddling in the waters. You can also enjoy just lying down and witnessing the scenic view. Swimming, kayaking, and canoeing in Lake Shelby are other options available for you. Explore Lake Shelby’s edge, the Gopher Tortoise trail, to have the chance to encounter alligators. Your pets can also enjoy the park’s facilities; bring them for a quick dog pond at Lake Shelby. After indulging yourself in the waters, head to the Gulf Oak Ridge trail, where you can hike under Oak trees draped in Spanish Moss. You may also consider biking along Rosemary Dunes. Your pets can enjoy the park’s facilities; bring them for a quick dog pond at Lake Shelby. As such, many activities await you in Gulf State Park; these include swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, biking, hiking, picnicking, and many more.
The RV and primitive campground offers 496 full-hookup sites with paved pads and 11 primitive sites. The campground has laundry facilities, air-conditioned bathhouses, a swimming pool, horseshoe courts, volleyball courts, tennis/pickleball courts, and access to trails. Moreover, it also has a Nature Center with native flora and fauna displays and a camp store where you can purchase essentials.
Alabama’s Gulf State Park Campground operates year-round. The check-in is 4:00 in the afternoon, and check-out is 11:00 in the morning. The peak months of the park start in March and ends in October. During the peak season, the weekday rate of Standard Sites costs is $55; on weekends, it costs $59. The Live Oak Across from Water, Live Oak on Water Back In, and Gator waterfront sites cost $59 on weekdays and $63 on weekends. The Canal waterfront Pull through costs $72 on weekdays and $77 on weekends. Meanwhile, the primitive sites along Raccoon Road cost $25.65 on weekdays and $28.22 on weekends.
During the off-peak season in Alabama, from November to February, monthly rates are available for campers. Standard Sites cost $916. Meanwhile, the Live Oak Across from Water, Live Oak on Water Back In, and Gator waterfront sites cost $963. The monthly rate for Canal waterfront Pull through is $1159.
You can make the reservations for Gulf State Park Campground here. You may also telephone (251) 948-7275 ext 1 for more details.
| Name: | Gulf State Park Campground |
| Address: | 20115 State Park Road, Gulf Shores, Alabama |
| Daily Rates: | Standard Sites – $55 (Weekday); $59 (weekend) The Live Oak Across from Water – $59 (weekday); $63 (weekend) Live Oak on Water Back In – $59 (weekday); $63 (weekend) Gator waterfront sites – $59 (weekday); $63 (weekend) Canal waterfront Pull through – $72 (weekday); $77 (weekend) Primitive Camping – $25.65 (weekday); $28.22 (weekend) |
| Check-in Time: | 4 PM |
| Check-out Time: | 11 AM |
| Reservations: | click here |
| Contact Number: | (251) 948-7275 ext 1 |
| Map Link: | https://bit.ly/353QW5q |
OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, ALABAMA CAMPGROUNDS
Photo lifted from Alabama State Parks, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
If you are a fan of mountain biking and enjoying the area’s picturesque views through hiking, Oak Mountain State Park is for you. The recreational park is located at 200 Terrace Drive Pelham, Alabama. It offers numerous activities for you to try, from watersports to land-based outdoor activities.
The Oak Mountain State Park was established by the Alabama State Land Act of 1927. It started as a 940-acre park between the Double Oak Mountain and the Little Oak Ridge. Efforts had been made by collaborating with the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration to beautify and enhance the park from 1934 to 1941. Now, it has grown to 9,940 acres. It is now considered Alabama’s largest state park. Tripadvisor has awarded the state park the Certificate of Excellence.
Fishing activities in the three lakes of Oak Mountain State Park is a sought-after activity. The lakes possess an abundance of bream, catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie. Also, the park offers two sandy beaches for swimming enthusiasts. The park has Flipside Acquapark with an inflatable obstacle course over Beaver Lake for those seeking adventure in the waters. Flipside also has a cable wakeboard park. If you love taking IG-worthy waterfalls photos, head to 65-foot tall Peavine Falls. The recreational park also offers land-based outdoor activities such as horseback riding in the Orange Trail, archery at the Community Archery Park, a playground adjacent to Double Oak Lake from Terrace Drive, and birdwatching at Treetop Nature Trail. The Alabama park is primarily renowned for its hiking and mountain biking trails. The International Mountain Biking Association includes the park’s Red Trail list of EPIC rides. As such, going to the Oak Mountain State Park means being able to enjoy kayaking, boating, aqua sports, horseback riding, picnicking, biking, hiking, and many more.
The RV campgrounds boast 57 sites with water, electricity, and sewer. It also has 27 sites with only water and electricity, 60 Primitive Tent Sites with water, and six tent sites with water and electricity. The area’s amenities include a 30 Amp service, a dump station, seven bathhouses, picnic tables, and a laundry facility.
The state park operates year-round. The check-in time is at 2 PM, and the check-out time is 11 AM. For RV camping, a sites’ daily rate with water, electricity, and sewer is $30.23. The daily cost with only water and electricity is $26.88. Furthermore, monthly rates are available for the campers during the off-peak season from November to February. Sites with water, electricity, and sewer cost $500 to 600 per month. Sites with only water and electricity cost $450.
You can make the reservations here. You may call 205-620-2527 Sunday through Thursday weekly from 9 AM to 5 PM for more information.
| Name: | Oak Mountain State Park |
| Address: | 200 Terrace Drive Pelham, Alabama |
| Daily Rates: | A site with water, electricity, & sewer – $30.23 A site with water & electricity – $26.88 |
| Check-in Time: | 2 PM |
| Check-out Time: | 11 AM |
| Reservations: | click here |
| Contact Number: | 205-620-2527 |
| Map Link: | https://bit.ly/388sm5q |
PANDION RIDGE RV RESORT, ALABAMA CAMPGROUND
Photo lifted from Pandion Ridge RV Resort
If you want to enjoy a luxurious RV camping adventure in Alabama, the Pandion Ridge RV Resort is the right place for you. Regarded as a premier master-planned RV resort in Orange Beach, the 30-acre resort offers its visitors refreshing escape and affordable luxury. The resort is located at 22800 Canal Road, Orange Beach, Alabama.
Pandion Ridge RV Resort in Alabama offers WiFi access, restroom and shower facilities, laundry facilities, clubhouse, picnic area, swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, and golf cart rentals. The resort is renowned for being pet-friendly. Also, there are numerous local attractions you can explore in and within the resort’s vicinity. These include the Foley Beach Express, Orange Beach Sportsplex, The Wharf, Gulf State Park, and the Gulf Adventure Center. You may opt to hike or bike through Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, Gulf Oak Ridge Trail, and the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail.
RV Sites in the resort offers full hookups with 30 or 50 amp service. Every site has a concrete patio area with a picnic table, cable, and WiFi access. Moreover, it also offers sewer hookups and water hookups.
The resort operates year-round. The check-in time is around 1 in the afternoon, and the check-out time is noon. The daily rate for Standard Full Hookup, Pine View Full Hookup Pull In, and Boulevard Full Hookup is $75.32. On the other hand, the daily rate for Lakefront Full Hookup Pull-In and Deluxe Full Hookup Pull Through is $80.97.
You can make the reservations here. You may call (888) 886-2477 for additional information.
| Name: | Pandion Ridge RV Resort |
| Address: | 22800 Canal Road, Orange Beach, Alabama |
| Daily Rates: | Standard Full Hookup – $75.32 Pine View Full Hookup Pull In – $75.32 Boulevard Full Hookup – $75.32 Lakefront Full Hookup Pull-In – $80.97 Deluxe Full Hookup Pull Through – $80.97 |
| Check-in Time: | 1 PM |
| Check-out Time: | 12 Noon |
| Reservations: | click here |
| Contact Number: | (888) 886-2477 |
| Map Link: | https://bit.ly/3rRqeXK |
FORT MORGAN RV PARK, ALABAMA CAMPGROUND
Photo lifted from Fort Morgan RV Park
For those whose aim is to relax in a relatively small campground while in Alabama, Fort Morgan RV Park is a must-visit place. The six-acre RV park is situated at Mobile Bay, 10397 2nd St., Gulf Shores, Alabama. It is an excellent place for fishing activity lovers.
Apart from RVing, fishing is the main activity here. Guests are free to fish or crab off the 200-foot pier. You may also find enjoyment in watching animals such as blue herons, seagulls, and porpoises. Nearby attractions include the historic Fort Morgan, the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge with walking trails, and the Gulf Beaches of Alabama.
The Alabama part operates year-round. The serene and peaceful park offers 34 bay front and bay view sites. The campground offers 30 or 50 Amp electricity, water hookup, sewer hookup, laundry facilities, a bathhouse, WiFi and cable access, and a community room. The check-in time runs from 1 in the afternoon until 9 in the evening. Meanwhile, the check-out time is at 11 in the morning.
The daily cost of Shaded Lots is $49. On the other hand, Bay View Lots cost $59 per day. The Bay Front Lots cost $70 per day. These rates do not include taxes.
You can make the reservations for Fort Morgan RV Park can here. You may call 251-540-2416 for additional details.
| Name: | Ford Morgan RV Park |
| Address: | Mobile Bay, 10397 2nd St., Gulf Shores, Alabama |
| Daily Rates*: *excluding taxes | Shaded Lot – $49 Bay View Lot – $59 Bay Front Lot – $70 |
| Check-in Time: | 1-9 PM |
| Check-out Time: | 11 AM |
| Reservations: | click here |
| Contact Number: | 251-540-2416 |
| Map Link: | https://bit.ly/38byUQR |
RICKWOOD CAVERNS, ALABAMA CAMPGROUND
Photo lifted from Alabama State Parks, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
If you are the type of person who likes Alabama caves, then the Rickwood Caverns State Park awaits your arrival. The state park is renowned for its massive cave that possesses 260million years old formations. These formations were created through water and reveal evidence that the cave was carved from an ocean bed. The Rickwood Caverns State Park is situated at 370 Rickwood Park Road Warrior, Alabama.
The name Rickwood came from the combined family names of Eddie Rickles and Sonny Arwood. Eddie Rickles was a Boy Scout troop who came across the caves in the early 1950s. The state park became available to the people of Alabama in 1954. In September 2020, the Rickwood Caverns State Park was one of the eleven Alabama State Parks that received Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award.
The highlight of your trip to the Alabama state park is the guided cave tour. You can also experience an underground winter wonderland through the state park’s Wonderland Under Warrior. Also, you may experience Gem Mining in the campground. If you want to take a resounding splash, dive in the state park’s Olympic-sized swimming pool. The swimming pool’s water comes from the cave’s spring water, also a kiddie pool. If you are physically active, you may want to consider running along the Fitness Loop or hiking across the Fossil Mountain Hiking Trail, where you will see fossils imprinted among rocks, wildflowers, and resurrection ferns. The state park also has picnic areas.
The Alabama park operates year-round. The check-in and check-out time is both at 4 in the afternoon.
There are 13 campsites with electricity and water and five primitive sites for tents. Sites electricity enjoy 30 or 50 Amp service. Moreover, there are dump stations and restroom facilities. The daily rate for RV campsites with electricity and water is $30.
You can make reservations here. You may call (205) 647-9692 for more information.
| Name: | Rickwood Caverns State Park |
| Address: | 370 Rickwood Park Road Warrior, Alabama |
| Daily Rate: | Sites with electricity & water – $30 |
| Check-in Time: | 4 PM |
| Check-out Time: | 4 PM |
| Reservations: | click here |
| Contact Number: | (205) 647-9692 |
| Map Link: | shorturl.at/mqAOP |
Inspecting Your RV
Photo lifted from Cars, Trucks, & RV
It is vital to ensure that your RV is in good condition before heading to various campgrounds in Alabama. As such, you have to scrutinize the various parts of your RV to know whether or not certain portions need cleaning, repair, or replacement. Inspecting your RV means preventing untoward vehicular incidents from happening. As such, it is crucial to check your brake systems, vehicular lights, coolant fluid levels, engine, gauges, power steering, and other essential RV parts.
RV Essentials
RV Generator- traveling with an RV Generator adds peace of mind on your part. It ensures you have a power source should campgrounds encounter power shortages. An RV generator onboard will undoubtedly add comfort and convenience to your camping adventure.
RV Sewer Tote- when your black and grey tanks reach their maximum capacity, an RV Sewer Tote or portable waste tank will take care of your wastewater since some campgrounds do not have a dumping station or are located far from dumping sites.
Conclusion
The state of Alabama has numerous natural wonders. Going there will surely not disappoint you and your expectations; many outdoor activities await your arrival in different campgrounds. As such, it would be great to give your RV camping plan in Alabama a go signal to witness the picturesque sceneries, majestic landscapes, and eye-capturing campgrounds.