Recommended Boondocking Sites
(Last updated 11/7/2021, sites submitted by others and have not been verified personally. Please check and be careful!)
Bush Creek Park (Waterloo) – Managed by Lauderdale County Government
50-acre park located on Lauderdale County Road 14 near Waterloo along the Tennessee River. The park features a boat launch, picnic pavilions and individual picnic tables. The campground has no fee and offers limited-stay, primitive camping with no electrical hook-ups. There are public restroom facilities with cold showers and a waste disposal station. There is a maximum 30-day stay allowed.
Victoryland Casino (Shorter) – Not the most epic view, but if you just need to get some work done or some sleep, it’s awesome!!! And guess what? There is a dump station right across the street at the Love’s truck stop. Check out this casino!! It’s actually really nice! Great cell service!
Silver Creek (Gosport)– Avoid during hunting season. Primitive campground, campsites have a picnic table and fire pit. Ran by US Army Corps of Engineers. ( 31.666222812119003, -87.57086147014438)
National Parks
(Last Updated 11/5/2021 – for more current info please click here
No camping offered in any of the National Parks in Alabama.
National Forests
(Last updated 11/12/2001)
- Allred Hunting Camp (Moulton)
No amenities. Avoid during hunting season. - Brushy Lake Recreation Area (Grayson)
Offers a 33-acre lake, 13 campsites ($5) that accommodate very small recreational vehicles and tents, on a first come, first serve basis. Water and flushing toilet available March-November only. Open all year. - Clear Creek Recreation Area (Jasper) – Largest Recreation area in Bankhead National Forest, constructed on the shore of Lewis Smith Lake. Features boat launch, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, Interpretive programs, star gazing and more. Offers standard tent sites($30) and RV Sites ($52) with electric/water hookups, flush toilets, showers, fire rings, tables, dump station. Reservations recommended!
- Corinth Recreation Area (Double Spring)
State-of-the art campground located on the on the shores of the upper part of Lewis Smith Lake. Features boat lunch, swimming, fishing, hiking, Interpretive Programs and more. Offers tent sites($18) and standard electric sites ($36), showers, fire rings, picnic tables, paved sites, BBQ, and more. Must make reservations! - Houston Recreation Area (Double Spring)
The lake views will ease you into the laid-back southern charm of the lazy Lewis Smith Lake with the calming effect of the sound of dozens of waterfalls trickling in the background. Offers camping sites, showers, toilets, with fire rings, picnic tables, water. - McDougal Camp (Molton)
Hunt camp available for primitive camping, drinking water, vault toilets.
Owl Creek (Grayson) - The Owl Creek Horse Camp (Grayson)
Primitive overnight campsites for trail riders on a first come, first serve basis. The Owl Creek Trail System is approximately 26 miles and suitable for equestrian riding. Offers primitive camping ($5), drinking water and vault toilets. - Wolf Pen Hunters Camp (Grayson)
Open all year. Offers primitive camping, drinking water, and vault toilets.
- Open Pound Recreation Area (Andalusia)
Scenic views, well-maintained facilities, and a diversity of recreational opportunities. Camping is first-come, first-served. Offers Primitive sites ($8) and sites with electric/water hookups ($16), showers and flush toilets.
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- Coleman Lake Recreation Area (Liberty Hill )
Peacefully nestled into the Talladega mountains. Offers campsites water and electrical hookups ($16), bathhouses, on a first come, first serve basis, or it can be reserved for $15. - Payne Lake Recreation Area (Moundville)
Area offers the outdoor enthusiasts solitude, a scenic lake, fishing and swimming beach. Developed campsites ($18) along the shoreline of Payne Lake offer picnic tables, fire ring and trailer or tent pad with two bath houses in the park. - Pendergrass Hunt Camp (Fruithurst)
No amenities, no water, no sanitary facilities.
Pine Glen Recreation Area (Heflin)
Located in the Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area and a favorite among hunters. Features access to the Pinhoti Trail, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing and more. Offers campsites ($3) with cooking grills and vault toilets. First come, first served basis. - Skeeter Branch Hunters Camp (Heflin)
No amenities, no water, no sanitary facilities. - Turnipseed Campground (Lineville)
Enjoy nature at its best especially during the fall when mother nature dazzles you with an array of vibrant colors. Located near the Cheaha Wilderness Area offers hiking. Offers vault toilets but no other amenities. $5 per night. - Warden Station Hunter/Horse Camp (Fruithurst)
Warden Station Horse Camp offers 30 miles of trail through the scenic Talladega National Forest. Its central location is convenient for hunters and horseback riders. Nearby attractions include the Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area and four loop trails for hiking and picnicking. The area is near Coleman Lake Recreation Area. Mountain biking opportunities are available. Offers primitive campsites ($6), picnic tables, drinking water and vault toilets.
- Coleman Lake Recreation Area (Liberty Hill )
Tuskegee National Forest
Primitive camping is allowed anywhere in the Forest except during hunting season when camping is permitted at designated camps only. Designated camps are located at 14 sites in the Tuskegee National Forest, the designated camps are open year round and offer primitive camping with a cleared area but no other amentities. Although most sites do have large level areas, high clearance vehicles are recommended for a few.
All camping in Tuskegee National Forest requires a permit (free) and can be picked up at:
Tuskegee Ranger District Office
125 National Forest Road 949
Tuskegee, AL 36083
(334) 727 2652
pa_alabama@fs.fed.us
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Last updated 11/7/2021. No campgrounds offered by NPS.
Amity (Lanett)
Waterfront facility on the western shore of West Point Lake featuring water sports, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, playground, and more. Offers primitive sites ($20), RV sites with electric/water ($30), showers, dump station, laundry.
Bluff Creek (Fort Mitchell)
On the shores of Walter F. George Lake on the Georgia and Alabama border. Features boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, playground and more. Offers standard electric sites($26), RV sites with electric/water hookups($48), showers, fire pit, BBQ, picnic table, tent pad.
Burchfield Branch Park (Brookwood)
Located near Holt Lake on the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway. Features wildlife viewing, fishing, boating, biking, swimming, playgrounds and more. Offers tent sites ($20) and RV sites with electric/water ($28) and RV sites with electric/water/sewer ($30), showers, grills, fire rings, picnic table, and dump station.
Chilatchee Creek (Alberta)
Located on its namesake at scenic Dannelly Reservoir in Alabama’s Black Prairie Belt. The reservoir sits on the Alabama River and covers roughly 27 square miles, boasting more than 500 miles of shoreline. Features boating, fishing, hunting and hiking. Offers standard sites ($14) and RV sites ($26) with electric hookups, showers, laundry and dump station.
Deerlick Creek (Outside of Tuscaloosa)
Located on Holt Lake on the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway northeast of Tuscaloosa, Alabama with a beautiful forest along the shoreline. Features include fishing, hiking trails, paved bike trails and more. Offers tent sites($20) and RV sites ($28-$30) , showers, picnic tables, water hookups, grills/fire rings and more.
Forkland (Forkland)
Forkland Park is situated on a high point of land in a pine and hardwood mixed forest with plenty of shade. Offering wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking trails and more. Offers campsites with electric and water hookups($20-$$26), showers, playground, BBQ, picnic table, and fire pit.
Foscue Creek (Demopolis)
Foscue Creek Campground is nestled on the forested lake shore of Demopolis Lake, the largest lake on the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway. Demopolis Lake offers 10,000 acres of water to explore. Features wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, water sports, playground and more. RV sites with hookups ($28-$30) Showers,
Gunter Hill (Antioch)
Located on Catoma Creek in a forest of hickory and pine with a mild climate for year-round camping. Offers camping sites with electric hookups. (Sites 1-75 are newly renovated and have concrete pads and sewer), flush toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station and laundry facilities.
Hardridge Creek (Fort Gaines)
Visitors come to relax and play among the natural beauty of the area. The lands surrounding the lake are forested with dense strands of mixed hardwoods. Features include fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, swimming.
Offers camping sites with electric/water/sewer hookups ($26-$52), showers, tent pad, picnic table, fire pits and BBQ.
Isaac Creek (Wainwright)
The campground is situated between Isaac Creek and Claiborne Lake, in a forest of hardwood and pine. The area’s waterways fishing, boating and water sports are a main draw to the lake. The vast expanse of surrounding land allows for bow and shotgun hunting for game like whitetail deer, wild turkey and hog. Offers camping sites with electric hook ups ($26), showers, drinking water, a dump station and laundry facilities.
Jennings Ferry (Akron)
Surrounded by the scenic woodlands of the Tombigbee River. Features include wildlife viewing, fishing, nature trail, and more. Offers campsites with 50-amp electrical and water hookups ($28.00), bathhouse, dump station.
Millers Ferry Campground (Camden)
Millers Ferry Campground, also known as East Bank, is located on scenic Dannelly Reservoir in Alabama’s Black Prairie Belt. The Black Prairie Belt characterized by rich, dark soils and a mosaic of rolling grasslands and dense hardwood and pine forests. Features include fishing, wildlife, swimming and more. Offers camp sites with electric hookups ($26), bathhouse, drinking water, laundry facilities and a dump station.
Pickensville Campground (Pickensville)
Located on Aliceville Lake on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Walk along the wooded waterfront, learn about natural and cultural history of the area at the amphitheater, fishing dock, hunt, wildlife viewing, hiking and more. Offers camping sites with electric/water/sewer hookups ($26-$30), showers, picnic table, BBQ, fire pit, tent pad, and laundry room.
Prairie Creek (Whitehall)
Situated beneath moss-draped oaks on the banks of Woodruff Lake. The lake is part of the scenic Alabama River in the region’s Black Prairie Belt. For sportsmen, the campground offers a wonderful opportunity to relax between fishing and hunting trips. Water sports and hiking are also popular activities. Offers tent sites($22) and RV sites($26) with electric/water/sewer, showers, picnic table, BBQ, fire pit, dump station and laundry facilities.
Service Park (Coffeeville)
Situated along the high banks of Coffeeville Lake, the third largest lake on the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway in Alabama. A mixed pine and hardwood forest lines the lakeshore. The campground is surrounded by dense conifer stands and rolling meadows that feature colorful wildflower displays. Offers tent camping($18) and RV sites with electric/water hookups ($26), showers, picnic table, fire pit, and tent pads.
Six Mile Creek (Sardis)
This peaceful waterfront campground is open from April – Labor Day. The creek offers excellent fishing and whitetail deer and wild turkeys roam the park. Offers camp sites with electric hookups ($26), showers, flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station.
White Oak Creek Campground (Eufaula)
Located on the shores of Walter F. George Lake features include boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing and more. Offers campsites with water/electric hook-ups ($26), showers, picnic table, playground, BBQ, fire pit and tent pads, laundry facilities, and dump station.
Military Bases & Rec Areas
(Military ID Required)
Aviation Training Center – USCG (Mobile) – Unknown
Anniston – USA (Bynum) – May or may not have exchange, no commissary but does have a shoppette. Many websites list info/reviews for
Desoto RV Park but no official info.
Fort Rucker – USA (Dale) – Commissary, Exchange, ITT, Army Aviation Museum, and Lake Tholocco Campground and RV Park (Golden Age Passport accepted= half price.
Lake Martin Recreation Area (Dadville) – RV sites, boat rental and cabins.
Maxwell/Gunter – USAF (Montgomery) – Commissary-Maxwell, Commissary-Gunter, Exchange, ITT and FamCamp
Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville) – Commissary, Exchange, IT&T, Easter Posey Campground plus a new RV Park.
Alabama State Parks
(Last updated 11/9/2021)
Bladon Springs State Park (Bladon Springs) – Managed by Choctaw County
Opened as a private spa in 1838, visitors traveled from all over the country for the “curing” properties of the park’s four mineral wells. In 1846, a large Greek Revival hotel was built. This health resort was once called the “Saratoga of the South” and remained open through the Civil War. The State of Alabama purchased the property in 1934 and converted the location to a state park. Offers limited camping, trails, playground.
Historic Blakeley State Park (Spanish Fork) – Managed by Historic Blakely Authority
3,800 acres along the Tensaw River. It is the largest site on the National Register of Historic Places east of the Mississippi River and preserves acreage that was important in Alabama’s Native American and Civil War history. The Park contains the majority of both the Confederate and Union lines that figured in the Battle of Fort Blakeley, making it one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the nation. It is one of only two “Class A” battlefields in Alabama, as designated by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, meaning the fighting that took place there played a decisive role in the determining the outcome of a major strategic objective of the war. Offers tent camping, rv sites, camping shelters, cabins, hiking, designated bike trail, tours and more. In partnership with 5 Rivers offer economical boat tours leaving the 5 Rivers Bartram Landing docks. Boat tours should be reserved in advance, check website for upcoming tours and more information.
Blue Springs State Park (Clio) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Fed by a crystal-clear underground spring, pumping 3,600 gallons of water per minute, the park’s dual octagonal sandy-bottomed pools are the center of attention in this 103-acre park . Primitive and modern camping, cabins, fishing, birding, pedal boats, playground, swimming, volleyball, trails and more.
Buck’s Pocket State Park (Grove Oak) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Located on Sand Mountain the park occupies 2,000 acres surrounding natural pocket of the Appalachian Mountain chain along South Sauty Creek. Known for the sweeping views of its rugged, untouched landscape provided from the heights of Point Rock. Offers primitive camping, rv sites, fishing, scenic overlook, trails, flora and fauna, birding and more.
Cathedral Caverns State Park (Woodville) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
The cave named because of its cathedral-like appearance. Massive entrance measures 126 feet wide and 25 feet high. Inside the cavern are some of the most beautiful formations Mother Nature has ever created including “Goliath”- one of the largest stalagmites in the world measuring 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference. Cathedral Caverns features many amazing sites: a “caveman” perched atop a flowstone wall, a “frozen” waterfall, a large stalagmite forest and a most improbable stone formation – a stalagmite that is 27 feet tall and 3 inches wide! Offers back country camping, primitive camping, rv sites, cabins, cave tour, gem mining, trails and more.
Cheaha State Park (Delta) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Located on the southernmost tip of the Appalachian mountain chain, Cheaha is the oldest state park in Alabama. Imagine 2,799 acres of quartzite boulders and ancient wind-warped trees at 2,407 feet above sea level, often above the clouds, surrounded by 392,567 acres of the Talladega National Forest including 7,245 acres of wilderness. The highest point in Alabama with breath taking views, surreal sunsets, waterfalls and more. Offers primitive camping, rv sites, cabins, hotel, dog park, driving tour, interpretive center, museums, playgrounds, restaurant, hiking, biking and more.
Chewacla State Park (Auburn) –Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Mountain Biking and Fishing Paradise! Mountain biking trails built by the Central Alabama Mountain Peddlers (CAMP). Visitors are likely to see squirrels, chipmunks, red fox, deer and turkeys; as well as unique rock formations and a variety of native flora and fauna. Offers primitive camping, rv sites, cabins, geocaching, mountain bike trails, multi-use trails and more.
Chickasaw State Park (Gallion) – Managed by Marengo County
520-acre roadside park perfect for family gatherings. Mostly a day use park but does offer 3 Primitive camping sites and 3 modern campsites to the public.
DeSoto State Park (Fort Payne) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Developed in the late 1930s, the hard-working and dedicated men of the CCC made many natural enhancements to the park which is nestled atop beautiful Lookout Mountain in scenic Northeast Alabama and accented by many rushing waterfalls, including DeSoto Falls, and fragrant wildflowers that will simply take your breath away. Offers backpacking campsites, primitive campsites, rv sites, cabins, motel, mountain chalets, fly fishing, geocaching, kayaking, yoga, mountain bike trails, hiking trails, museum and more.
Frank Jackson State Park (Opp) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Fishing is the main attraction at this park. Boat launch ramps and a grassy beach provide water access for boaters, paddlers and swimmers. Offers primitive camping, rv sites, camper cabins, fishing, playground, trails and more.
Gulf State Park (Gulf Shores) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Two miles of white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Offers primitive camping, RV sites, cottages, lodge, activity building, amphitheater, education building, learning campus, hiking, biking trails, birding and more.
Joe Wheeler State Park (Rogersville) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
A 2,550-acre resort park located on the shores of Wheeler Lake featuring waterfront lodge with restaurant, convention facilities, championship 18-hole golf course and clubhouse and a full service marina. Offers campground (???), lodge, cabin, cottages, golf, boat rentals, disc golf, fishing, sandy beach, tours, hiking trails, bike trail and more.
Lake Guntersville State Park (Guntersville) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
6,000 acres of natural woodlands located along the banks of the Tennessee River in Northeast Alabama. Offers tent camping, rv sites, cabins, chalets, lodge and rooms, RRM camper cabins, beach, boat rentals, fishing, golf, horse back riding, zip line, dinning, multi-use trails, store, fishing center and more.
Lake Lurleen State Park (Coker) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
The main attraction at the park is fishing! Features a Nature Center, paddleboats, swimming, hiking and bike trails. Offers primitive camping, RV sites, boat rental, fishing, swimming, nature center, multi-use trails and more. (This park is located 12.2 miles from University of Alabama and sells football packages in advance)
Lakepoint State Park (Eufaula) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
On the banks of the 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula, also known as “The Bass Capital of the World.” Features a full-service restaurant and lounge, marina, hiking trails, swimming complex, tennis courts and playgrounds and improved campsites.
Meaher State Park (Spanish Fort) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
1,327-acre park located in the wetlands of north Mobile Bay, with a boat ramp and fishing pier. A self-guided walk on boardwalk will give you an up-close view of the beautiful Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Offers tent camping, RV camping and cabins.
Monte Sano State Park (Huntsville) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
In Spanish, Monte Sano means “Mountain of Health.” In the late 1800s, visitors from across the United States came for “the season” to experience and enjoy Monte Sano’s fresh air, spectacular views and mineral springs. In the spring native azaleas bloom along hiking and biking trails. Features CCC Museum and Memorial, Japanese Garden, Planetarium and more. Park offers primitive camping, RV sites, cabins, disc golf course, playground and more.
Oak Mountain State Park (Phelham) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Alabama’s largest state park with stunning landscape. Mountain biking and hiking are two of the most popular activities at the park. The Park features a pump track and BMX course, cable skiing, boat rentals, basketball courts, an 18-hole golf course and driving range, beach and swimming area, fishing lakes, demonstration farm, horseback riding facilities, awesome wildlife viewing and much more. The Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, is a 2,500 square foot interactive exhibit space and teaching laboratory. Home to Peavine Falls. Offers primitive camping, RV sites, cabins and more.
Paul M. Grist State Park (Selma) – Managed by Dallas County
The centerpiece of this beautiful 1,080-acre park is a 100-acre lake which offers fishing, paddling, swimming. 15-20 miles of hiking trails. A featured site on the Alabama Black Belt Birding Trail. Park offers tent camping, RV sites, boat rentals, fishing, swimming, hiking trails and more.
Rickwood Caverns State Park (Warrior) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Park features a massive cave that contains 260-million-year-old formations that were created by water and reveal evidence that the cave was carved from an ocean bed. In addition to guided cave tours the park offers, gemstone mining, and hiking the Fossil Mountain Hiking Trail, which got its name from the leaf and seashell imprints visible in some of the rocks. The park features an Olympic-size swimming pool, fed by chilly waters from the cave. There’s also a kiddie pool. Park offers primitive camping, RV sites, swimming, hiking trails, cave tour and more.
Roland Cooper State Park (Camden) – Managed by a private contractor
A featured stop on Alabama’s Black Belt Birding Trail is a birder’s paradise. Various raptors, waterfowl and songbirds are common. Bald eagles and osprey are present most of the year. Offers some of the best fishing in southwest Alabama. Park offers primitive camping, RV sites, boat and kayak rentals, fishing and more.
Tannehill Iron Works Historic State Park (McCalla) – Managed by The Alabama Historic Ironworks Commission
MUST SEE!!! Rich with ironworking history! Historical cabins, buildings, landmarks, and more! Offers primitive camping($20) and RV sites electric/water ($25) and electric/water/sewer($30), 3 bathhouses and dump stations.
Wind Creek State Park (Alexander City) – Managed by Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
1,444 scenic acres hug the shoreline of beautiful Lake Martin making the park an angler’s paradise. If you have access to a boat be sure to journey to the iconic “Chimney Rock”. Wind Creek is also a stop on Alabama’s Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail. All trails offer a variety of waterfowl, raptors and songbirds that are common in the park. Bald eagle and osprey can be seen throughout the year. Offers a variety of RV sites, camping cabins, bathhouse, playground and more.
County & City Parks
(Last Updated 11/16/21)
Alloys Park (Muscle Shoals) – Managed by Colbert County
Located on Wilson Lake offers RV sites with Electricity/Water/Sewage $20, Primitive Camping $12
Briefield Ironworks Historical Park (Brierfield) – Managed by Alabama Historic Ironworks Commission
Park features historic ruins of the Bibb Naval Furnaces (1862-1894) ”Major Confederate ironworks during the Civil War”, pioneer style homes and buildings, hiking and nature trails, country store and more. Offering primitive camping ($16) and RV sites with electric/water ($24), dump station, picnic tables, fire rings. Camping in on a first come first served bases, if arriving after hours please find park ranger to register.
Brookside Greenway Park (Brookside) – Managed by the City of Brookside
Located on the outskirts of Brookside near five mile creek. Improved and primitive sites are available. Restrooms, showers , water, WIFI and laundry facilities.
Chattahoochee State Park (Gordan) – Managed by Houston County
CLOSED DUE TO HURRICANE DAMAGE!
Originally designated as Chattahoochee State Park, this historic park is now maintained by Houston County. Built by the C.C.C this park still retains much of its original rustic charm. Dirt roads built by C.C.C. workers wind through the park, crossing a natural stone dam built during the 1930s to impound the waters of Irwin’s Mill Creek and create a clear, freshwater lake created when the CCC dammed Irwin’s Mill Creek. In the park you will find a goldfish pond, hiking trails and more. Offers tent sites ($7) and RV Sites ($17)
Citronelle Lakeview RV Park (Citronelle) –Managed by the City of Citronelle.
Park located on a small lake with a small beach. Tent camping ($10) and RV camping with electric/water ($22) and electric/water/sewer sites ($24), bathhouse and laundry.
Cowford Campground (Athens) – Managed by Limestone County Commission and the City of Athens.
Located on the Tennessee River in the Round Island Recreational area. Features climate-controlled bathhouse, key coded entry gate, picnic tables, sites are level and graveled. RV only sites with electric/water/sewer $26.
Dauphin Island (Dauphin Island) – Managed by Dauphin Island Park & Beach Board
Across the bay from Mobil, Dauphin Island is truly a place like no other with miles of white sandy beaches and warm waters . Feature bike trails, walking trails, animal life, and more. Numerous nearby attractions. Unlimited tent sites, 151 RV sites. Must make reservations, call (251) 861-2742 for availability, rates, and to make reservations.
DeKalb County Public Fishing Lake (Sylvania) – Operated by Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
Located on DeKalb County Public lake. Offers tent sites and RV sites with electric and water. Amenities include tables, toilets, showers and more.
Ditto Landing Marina (Huntsville) – Managed by Huntsville-Madison County Marina and Port Authority
Located on the picturesque Tennessee River at the southern edge of Huntsville, nestled in lush greenery, and surrounded by serene mountain foothills. Bass, bream and catfish are plentiful in the sparkling waters where sailboats and yachts cruise side by side. Offers 30-amp($19) and 50-amp($22) sites with water and a onsite dump station. No information is given about bathrooms and showers, when googling satellite shows a building in camping area typical to a bathhouse.
Higgins Ferry Park (Clanton) – Managed by Chilton County Parks and Recreation and Minooka Park
Located ten miles east of Clanton on Lake Mitchell which is a part of the Coosa River and a premier fishing location for bass, crappie and catfish. Park offers a public boat launch operated by the state and a swimming area. Offers RV sites with full hookups and a few with just water and electric ($, bathhouse, playground.
Lake Jackson RV Park at Florala (Florala) – Managed by city of Florala
Stretching along the shores of the beautiful 500-acre Lake Jackson, this compact 40-acre park offers swimming, a bike path and walking trail, excellent fishing, a scene picnic area, and a modern lakeside campground.
Marshall County Park #2 aka Sunset Park (Guntersville) – Managed by Marshall County
RV sites with electric and water $21-$26, dump station, bathhouse, playground and more.
McFarland City Park (Florence) – City of Florence Parks and Recreation
Nestled between the Tennessee River and Downtown Florence, is conveniently located to almost everything Florence has to offer. Families will feel right at home in this park. There are playgrounds, lighted walking trails, a floating restaurant, a lighthouse, and a beach area. Campground provides RV and tent camping with electrical and water connections, sewer hookups, waste station, bathhouse, and laundry facilities. As noted in the rules on the bottom of the page, RV or tent and up to two vehicles are allowed per site when space is available, additional vehicles should be parked in the visitor parking area.
Noccalula Falls Park – Managed by City of Gadsden Parks and Recreation Department
Campground sits along Black Creek Gorge and offers awesome views of the Falls, the gorge and the Creek below. Noccalula falls cascades over 90 feet in the Black Creek ravine. Inside the park you will find beautiful rocks and gardens, paved trail system, miniature train, mini golf, petting zoo, pioneer village, wedding chapel, and more. Campground is security gate controlled. Offers tent camping ($$19.42) and RV sites with electric/water( $25.02), swimming pool, laundry, rec room playground, cabin rentals and more.
Omussee Park (Columbia)– Managed by Houston County
Primitive Camping ($7), RV Hookups ($17), showers, boat launch.
Rose Trail (Cherokee) – Managed by Colbert County
Located in the country along the Tennessee River this county park offers hot showers, picnic area with tables and grills, playground, beach, pier and more. Offers RV parking with hookups ($20 to $15), primitive camping ($12) down to Hammock sites ($5).
Sharon Johnston Park (New Market) – Managed by Madison County
Provides an asphalt pad, fire ring, picnic table, and trash receptacle. Rustic sites provide water and electric hookup ($20). Modern sites provide water, 50-amp electric, and septic hookup ($30). The campground contains two bathhouses, laundromat and more.
Sherling Lake Park & Campground (Greenville) – Managed by City of Greenville
Located four miles from I-65 in Greenville, the Camellia City. Park features natural trails, boat rental, fishing, playground and more. Offers RV sites with electric/water ($30), tables, bathhouse, dump station, and laundry.
Smith Lake Park (Cullman County) – Managed by Cullman County Parks and Rec
Offering tent camping ($16) and RV camping sites with electric and water, some with sewer hookups, bathhouse, dump station, canoe/kayak/paddleboard rental/ playground and more.
Spring Villa Park (Opelika) – Managed by City of Opelika Parks and Recreation
Spring Villa was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior on January 3, 1978. 350 acre park with an antebellum house, an outdoor volley-ball court, horseshoe pit, campground, , a campground lodge suitable for gatherings, walking trails, a day camp compound, outdoor band stand, nature trails, open play area, picnic tables and grills among the wooded areas, picnic shelters, and the caretakers home. Free WiFi is available to all park visitors. Campground with electrical/water/sewer hooks, bathhouse ($35)
Sportsman Lake Park (Cullman) – Managed by Cullum County Parks and Rec
Located around a large, shallow body of water teeming with fish and wildlife in downtown Cullman. Park has a small-scale train wrapping around the lake, 18 hole putt-putt golf course, paddle boats, splash pad, trails and more. Park offers camping with water and electric for tents and RVs, bath house, $30.
St. Stephens Historical Park (St. Stephens) – Managed by St. Stephens Historical Commission
(On their site this park claims to be a state park, however the state park website does not list them. I am reluctant to list with state parks, however it does look like a great place to visit and camp.) St. Stephens was the site of a Spanish fort, an American fort, and the Alabama Territorial Capital. The historic site of Old St. Stephens is a valuable cultural resource that enhances and informs our understanding of the lives of the early settlers along the frontier of our new nation in the 1800s. Park grounds include remains of the original town of St. Stephens which experienced its heyday from 1799-1829. Inside the park you will find the St. Stephens Museum, Indian Baths, archaeological digs open to the public (swim beach, kayak rentals, disc golf, nature trails, playground, fishing a 70 acre quarry lake and more. Offers primitive camping ($15), RV sites with electric ($25-$30)
Twin Forks Park (Bear Creek) – Managed by the town of Bear Creek
Located 20 minutes from Dismal Canyon on Bear Creek Reservoir. Campground offers tent sites and RV campsites with electric and water, dump station and more. Campground gets great reviews or bad reviews, great when open but bad reviews when closed, recommend calling ahead to ensure campground is open.
Van de Graaff Arboretum & Historic Bridge Park (Tuscaloosa) – PARA Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority
Located on the opposite side of the Black Warrior River from Tuscaloosa and 7 mins from downtown. 141-acre property has 33 acres of multiple open freshwater ponds created by its former usage as a gravel pit and fed by Mill Creek. Although the park does not touch the Black Warrior River, the creek flows through and eventually feeds into the river. Ten acres of the park are classified as wetlands and support swamp, marsh, and bogs. This unique wetland ecosystem combines aspects of land and water to create a distinctive habitat where certain plant and animal species are protected and can flourish. The most notable historical and architectural feature of the park is a single span of the 1882 King Bowstring Bridge. It is one of four spans that crossed the Black Warrior River from 1882 – 1896. Offers tent and RV camping ($10-$25), water, bathrooms, grill, picnic table, and more.
Unique & Misc. Campgrounds
(Last Updated 11/16/2021)
Dismals (Phil Cambell)
Open March to November
Although Dismals Canyon was designated a “National Natural Landmark” in 1975 by the National Parks Service it is not a State Park or a National Park. It is privately owned and operated by Dismals Canyon LLC. There are admission fees and the National Parks Pass is not honored.
Dismals are bioluminescent creatures we call Dismalites. These “glowworms” require a select habitat to survive and are unique to only a few places on Earth. They are “close cousins” of the rare glowworms found in Australia and New Zealand. Dismals can be found at night on the canyon floor of Dismals Canyon, a privately owned and operated nature preserve. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the sandstone gorge features two waterfalls and six natural bridges. A 1.5 mile hike along the creek will take you through the canyon floor. During the day the canyon offers beautiful scenery and past twilight the canyon lights up with Dismalites. Guided Night Tours allow visitors to see these unique insects. During the day you can take a self-guided tour of the canyon. A few campsites are available on sight but they go quick. MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR TOURS AND CAMPING! NPS pass not honored. TIP – Take redlight flashlight for night tour. Can DIY with cellophane and a rubber band.
Fort Toulouse – Fort Jackson Park (Wetumpka) – Managed by Alabama Historical Commission and Friends of the Fort Foundation
Inside the park you will find an Indian village with Creek Indian houses, Indian mound, Fort Jackson, Fort Toulouse and the Bartram Trail. This Park is a significant archaeological site. The campground overlooks the Coosa River and offers tent sites and RV sites with electric/water hookups, grill, concrete picnic table, centrally located bath house, dump station and more. ($14-$20)
Moundville Archaeological Park (Moundville) – 5 sites- electric, water and sewer hookups. 24 sites – electric and water hookups. 5 primitive sites with no utility hookups. Renovated bathhouse (closes from Dec to March so only RVs allowed these months).
U.S. Space & Rocket Center RV Park (Huntsville) – RV park with full amenities, located .07 miles from center.
Bordering States
Tennessee (North), Georgia (East), Florida (Southeast), Mississippi (West)
Note From Willow
Please be sure to check out my Alabama Do It! page for some great ideas of things to do!
We love hearing from you! If you know of a site that should be added, find an error, have a suggestion or just want to say hello PLEASE use the form below or email me at willow@rnrvan.com
May your Alabama trip be blessed with excellent views, great weather and good vibes!
much love,
Willow