Unique Accommodations For The Best Alabama Beach Vacations
The crashing waves and sugar-sand beaches across the width of Gulf Shores attract tourists from all over the southeastern United States. Most opt to stay in high-rise hotels overlooking the ocean, competing with hundreds of others for grills, chairs by the pool or a spot on the elevator. For a relaxed low-key stay, they opt for a campground near the beach. Gulf State Park encompasses a large swath of beaches and inland forests around Gulf Shores. The park has nearly 500 campgrounds for tents, RVs, and motor homes, as well as cabins, cottages, and rental sheds. Orange Beach, a very famous beach destination for family lovers, is an eight-mile long stretch of sugary white coastline and is a destination where everyone can find some kind of fun to fill their heart with joy. Go luxury camping in the best beaches in Alabama. Find Unique accommodations for the best Alabama beach vacations here.
Federal Rv Camping Information
- National Park Service NPS information about Alabama RV camping at National Parks and other NPS administered lands.
- US Forest Service Alabama USFS information about National Forests in Alabama. Dispersed RV camping is permitted on lands managed by the USFS.
- US Fish and Wildlife Service FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Alabama. Some wildlife areas permit RV camping. Check refuge regulations about RV camping restrictions.
- US Army Corps of Engineers USACE/COE information about water projects and Alabama RV camping opportunities. RV camping is encouraged with a water recreation backdrop.
Pennsylvania: Ohiopyle State Park
Pennsylvania, with its plethora of public lands, shows its best side at Ohiopyle State Park. The swift Youghiogheny River flows through the center of the park, and park staff offer rapid rides for both beginner and experienced riders. Ohiopyle State Park offers campers 200 campsites at the Kentuck campground, with flush toilets, warm showers, picnic tables, fire rings, and some electric hook-ups.
We had a blast camping here and we went when it was 15 degrees out. So, we were a little hesitant at first but we had a lot of fun. Bring your bikes if you have them. Its a lot of fun to bike around and to bike into the little town. I recommend going when the leaves are changing! The Dyrt camper Brooke J.
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Best Camping Spots In Alabama
Located in the very heart of the American South, Alabama boasts miles of pristine, wooded forestland that plays host to thousands of acres of coveted camping areas. Bordered to the north by Tennessee to the east by Georgia to the west by Mississippi and to the south by Florida and the Gulf of Mexico Alabama is an outdoor paradise that draws tens of thousands of campers each year from throughout the Southindividuals and families looking to soak up all the beauty this wonderful state has to offer.
Nicknamed the Heart of Dixie, Alabama has the second-largest inland waterway in the United States and over 22 million acres of total land area. Of that land area, 67 percent is comprised of forestland, much of which is distributed throughout the states massive network of National Parks. Some of these popular parks, which accommodate both tent and RV camping, include Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, near Alexander City, Alabama Little River Canyon National Preserve Russell Cove National Monument and the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, located in the city of the same name.
Kentucky: Koomer Ridge Campground
Semi-primitive campsites offer access to the Red River Gorge at Koomer Ridge Campground. Sandstone arches and cliffs make up the surrounding gorge, and several Red River Gorge trails start from the campground. The forested sites offer peace and privacy, and campers enjoy basic amenities including potable water and showers.
We have camped several times at the Koomer Ridge Camp ground but it had been at least 10 years since we had and it is almost frozen in time. Great camp ground with simple amenities, water available without having to walk miles and miles. Bathrooms were clean, sites have a nice distance between them so you dont feel like you are on top of your neighbor campers. The Dyrt camper Matt A.
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Michigan: Wilderness State Park
Wilderness State Park hugs 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, making it a premier destination for lakeside camping, boating, fishing, swimming, and more. The park is also very bike-friendly with 16 miles of bike paths. If youre looking to explore the area closely, check out the geocaching trail or metal detecting, both popular activities in Wilderness State Park.
I tent camped here with my parents, and came back often with my own children. Far enough from Mackinaw City for peace and quiet, near enough to visit all the attractions during the day. Tall trees and a beautiful beach. It,s a great vacation destination. One of the best state park campgrounds in a state full of beauties. The Dyrt camper Elaine G.
Monte Sano Huntsville Al
Seated near the border of Tennessee, Monte Sano State Park is a beautiful place to visit for the day or to camp overnight. In the 1800s, guests from all over the U.S. came to visit Monte Sano. Monte Sano means Mountain of Health, so visitors came to take in the fresh air, magnificent sights, and mineral springs.
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Its Blm Land So I Can Camp Anywhere I Want Right
Not exactly. Yes, Alabama Hills recreation area is open to the public for FREE for activities such as camping. But this is definitely not, however, space where you can make up your own rules.
In order to keep this place available for camping and recreation for years to come, people camping in Alabama Hills MUST adhere to the Leave No Trace principles. These guidelines are in place for preserving Alabama Hills camping and other dispersed camping areas.
Keep reading below for successful camping in Alabama Hills, California.
California: Jumbo Rocks Campground
This Joshua Tree National Park campground is surrounded by exactly what the name implies. The jumbo boulders are part of what makes the park so popular with climbers, and they give the campground a unique skyline with piles of rocks and casting shadows and shifting colors in the desert light. Campsites are reservable during the busy winter season, and first-come, first-served during the typically hot summer months. There are 124 sites that are amenable to both tents or RVs, but no hookups are available. Jumbo Rocks is a camper favorite, but check out the other campgrounds at Joshua Tree National Park, too.
The views are stunning and the hikes bring you from one vista to another. Most sites seem pretty secluded to from your neighbor. I like to get two sites next to each other for total privacy. There is nothing better than the night sky at Jumbo Rocks. The Dyrt camper Justin B.
If youve never camped in Joshua Tree, this is a wonderful spot to do it. Its a great place to explore, climb and learn about the desert. The Dyrt camper K B.
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Be A Responsible Pooper When Camping In Alabama Hills
You read that right. Theres a right way and a wrong way to poop when planning an Alabama Hills camping trip!
The ideal situation would be to do your business in the nearby town of Lone Pine before embarking out to find your Alabama Hills campsite.
But emergencies do happen, so its your responsibility to follow Leave No Trace Principles, especially when doing your business in the wilderness. Read this blog post from outdoor advocate Meghan Young about how to use the bathroom in the backcountry!
The 50 Best Campgrounds Across The Us According To Campers
These 50 campgrounds are the very best campgrounds in every state, according to campground reviews on The Dyrt.
When you find a campground you really love, it can feel like a second homeeven if you only visit once a year. The details become familiar, like the babble of the stream you sleep next to or the smell of sagebrush in the morning. When you find the very best campground to return to, again and again, packing and planning are simple and you can relax right into vacation mode.
With over 42,000 campgrounds on The Dyrt to choose from, campers are discovering new places to camp and raving about their favorites.
Are you still looking for your favorite campground? Or maybe just a new spot to check out?
This year, were rounding up the most-loved campgrounds in every state. Perhaps its one you already frequent or one youll want to visit in the future. Either way, this list will definitely make you want to go camping.
Want to win camping gear? Review any campground youve ever visited to earn points and win prizes this month. Learn more here.
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Best Free Camping In Alabama
* Our guide to free camping has even more insider tips!
Who doesnt love camping for free? Although most freecampsites in Alabama are primitive and remote, theyre typically a fantasticway to experience the more rustic side of Alabama camping for those on aserious budget.
Here are 5 of the best places to for free camping inAlabama:
- McDougle HuntCampOne of many free campsites in BankheadNational Forest often utilized by hunters, McDougle Hunt Camp offersprimitive dispersed camping in a secluded, forested setting.
- Bartram Canoe TrailFollowingthe Mobile-Tensaw Delta, the second largest river delta in the United States,the Bartram Canoe Trail is ideal for canoeand kayak camping. Two land-based campsites and four floating platformcampsites, all free, are available for overnight trips along the route.
- Elm BluffElmBluff, one of the best free campsites in Alabama, is one of several campingareas located along the Dannelly Reservoir near the town of Camden.Its a very primitive campground in a beautifully secludedsetting.
- Hollins HunterCampTucked away in the TalladegaNational Forest, Hollins Hunters Camp is one of the best places for dispersedcamping in Alabama. The campground is small and primitive with a rough dirtaccess road but the charming and peaceful setting is well worth the trek. Itspopular with hunters during hunting season.
Th Brooks Barbeque Muscle Shoals
The BBQ here is so good that its been inducted into the Alabama BBQ Hall of Fame. And, whats more, they serve up a delectable variety thatll soothe even the strongest of cravings. Their menu is full of original hickory-smoked pit barbecue ranging from wings and chicken to ribs and turkey. Definitely order a round of their smokey whole wings. Theyre served with a waffle, syrup, and lots of butter.
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Campgrounds In Alabama: Lake Lurleen State Park
For a great back-to-nature camping vacation which offers a wide variety of activities for active families, Lake Lurleen State Park is hard to beat. The park covers around 1,600 acres and offers at least 23 miles of multi-use lake-shore trails for walkers, hikers and bikers. The campground at this park is modern and boasts facilities like an activity building , childrens playgrounds, picnic areas and bath houses. You can park your RV on a spacious lake-side site most have both electric and water hook up. The boat house offers rentals so that everyone can have fun on the lake and there is also a fishing pier for avid anglers.
Lake Lurleen State Park, 13226 Lake Lurleen Rd, Coker, AL 35452, Phone: 205-339-1558
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What Are The Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills Recreation Area is a geologically fascinating region of rocks and hills nestled at the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. This rugged landscape feels far from civilization, however most campsites are conveniently located a few miles west from the city of Lone Pine, CA.
The area offers impressive views of the desert colliding with jagged mountain peaks, which has made this region a popular choice for Hollywood films. Alabama Hills is a destination in and of itself, but it is also a great place to stop for the night if you are traveling the U.S. 395 or heading into the mountains. Get ready to settle into camp among alien boulder formations and gaze at unobstructed views of Mount Whitney.
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Iowa: Ledges State Park
Four thousand years of archeological history can be found at Ledges State Park in Iowa, mixed in with the natural canyons and bluffs that make up this varied landscape. Four miles of hiking trails will guide you to lookout points above it all, where you can view the parks stone bridge and the Des Moines River, running through the west corner of Ledges. Half of the campsites are first-come, first-served, but reservations are recommended for this popular campground.
The views around the park are some of the very best in Iowa. Hiking trails often found you coming face to face with deer who look at you inquisitively. Fun for family as the waters over the roadways are a splash for adults and children alike. Its a hidden gem, just outside Boone Iowa. The Dyrt camper Mike C.
Historic Blakeley State Park
Located on the banks of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, the Historic Blakeley State Park provides visitors with a more rustic camping experience.
The park encompasses more than 2,100 acres of land that was once the site of the town of Blakeley. Established in 1814, the town became a major port city that challenged its cross-bay rival, Mobile. Several outbreaks of yellow fever, however, caused the towns population to decline, and by 1860, the town was virtually abandoned to be reclaimed by nature. The Confederate army established Fort Blakeley here in 1864, and soon after, it became the site of the last major battle of the Civil War.
Today, campers and visitors to the park can hike and bike over 20 miles of trail through wetlands and along the banks of the delta, plus tour the historic battlefield.
The Apalachee Campground offers full hookups for RVs in a quiet wooded location. Tent campers can enjoy eight improved campsites at the recently renovated Bartram Campground. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, water, electricity, and a recently renovated bathhouse. For something more rugged, primitive camping is available at the Harper Campground.
Pro Tip: If youd like to spend a couple of nights at Blakeley but are not into camping, check out the parks new rustic cabins. Each cabin has two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and satellite television.
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Heritage Motorcoach Resort & Marina Orange Beach Al
If you have an RV or motorcoach, youll love the camping opportunities at this waterfront resort. Offering more than the typical hookups, this resort offers all the luxuries of home living, including a neighborhood-like look and feel. Guests marvel at the cobblestone streets, waterfall entrance, and classy coach houses that offer full kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and every other luxury you can imagine. Their private marina gives guests exclusive access to the gulf on its small but pristine beach. Its camping at the beach like youve never experienced before.
Roland Cooper State Park
If you are looking for a well-maintained, peaceful riverside campground to park your RV for a few nights the Roland Cooper State Park could be just what you are looking for. Located on the Alabama River near Camden, the park has 47 paved RV sites with water, electrical and sewer hookup. There are also 14 primitive sites for tent campers. Each of the camp sites has a picnic table and a fire pit. On-site activities include canoeing and kayaking, fishing or setting off to explore the hiking and biking trails. Children can have fun playing volleyball or basketball and the marina offers boat and kayak rentals.
Roland Cooper State Park, 285 Deer Run Dr, Camden, AL 36726, Phone: 334-682-4838
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Louisiana: Fontainebleau State Park
The ruins of a brick sugar mill from 1829 are only one of the many draws to Fontainebleau State Park. The 2,800-acre park features a sandy beach for sunbathing and an old railroad-turned-trail for hiking. Over 400 species of birds make their home here, where three waterways come together, along with a variety of ecosystems. There are a variety of sites for both tents and RVs.
We stayed here a little over two weeks in mid-February 2019. We really enjoyed this park. It does get very busy on the weekend, but the area we were in was still quiet and peaceful. We were in an area that is deemed long-term and some people around us were staying several months. This was our second time staying here and we enjoyed it more this time because we had extra time to explore the park. We saw numerous deer and several wild boars which was fun. The Dyrt camper Meandering Life