Looking for the best RV campgrounds in Alabama? Perhaps a place for your family to go camping that has beach access or a pool? Or maybe with fishing or boating opportunities? Let us help you discover Alabama.
If you're looking for the best RV campgrounds in Alabama for families or with beach access, you are in the right place! Not only will we help you find RV campgrounds with activities for kids and full hookups, but we'll help you locate the best places with fishing and boating opportunities too.
With tons of RV campgrounds around the state of Alabama, you have a lot of options. If you want to find an RV campground near the Gulf of Mexico, they've got that. If you want an RV campground with pools, they've got that too. And if you are looking for something near a ski resort, they even have that! Alabama is a great place for RV camping all year long.
So if beaches, sunsets, hiking, and beautiful views are what you're looking for, consider heading to Alabama! Keep reading to learn more about the state find the best and most affordable RV campgrounds.
Before we investigate all three of Alabama's regions, we want to make sure you have access to the most up-to-date information. Checking out state websites is always helpful when visiting somewhere different. Below we have compiled a list of some helpful resources around the state of Alabama.
Now that we've given you the essential information, let us help you figure out where you want to visit in the Heart of Dixie.
A Little About Alabama
Alabama has had an incredibly beautiful start with a deep history. It has played a major role in the music industry, the Civil Rights Movement, and was home to the first Mardi Gras in America (sorry, New Orleans!).
Alabama's landscape is diverse too. There are 60 miles of shorelines along the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama and this is an incredibly important aspect of their way of life. However, that isn't all. Alabama has a significant amount of lakes and even has some of the southern Appalachian mountains within its borders.
The Heart of Dixie is home to four national forests—about 668,000 acres worth of forests. Inside these forests, you can enjoy miles of hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and more. Plus, they have great fishing, camping, boating, birding, and sight-seeing.
The difficult part with RVing in Alabama is its size—52,419 square miles. Because this state is so large, we are going to tackle it by dividing the state into 3 different regions. In each section, we will explain some highlights to the region, and list some of the best RV Campgrounds in the area.
North Alabama
Central Alabama
Southern Alabama
RVing in Northern Alabama
When you first think of Alabama, you probably think of Lynyrd Skynyrd's iconic song—Sweet Home Alabama. It is an American classic, but what you might not know is just how much music history has come from this region of the country. Songs like "When a Man Loves a Woman," "Mustang Sally," and "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones were recorded here. Once upon a time, this region in Alabama was a powerhouse in the music industry.
Another thing you might not realize is how much this region impacted the "Race to Space" and its integral part in helping humans land on the moon. Huntsville, Alabama is known as "Rocket City" because it is home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
And this is the region of the state that is home to the southern Appalachian mountains too and offers vistas over 2,000 feet above sea level. In northern Alabama, you can even go skiing at the state's only ski resort.
Northern Alabama Highlights
If you are considering Alabama, you might want to spend some time meandering through this beautiful section of the state and see everything it has to offer. Let's look at some highlights as you start planning your next—and probably not last—RV camping trip to northern Alabama.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC), located in Huntsville, Alabama, is worth a visit for people of all ages. Here you can participate in a shuttle simulator, practice your rocket flying in a flight simulator, put on some gear for a virtual reality experience, or even do underwater astronaut training.
In 1970 Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort began making snow for Southerners who like to ski. Since then, they have done their best to continuously make snow each winter offering a unique experience for the region.
The Shoals is an area in northwestern Alabama with several attractions close to one another. In Tuscumbia, you can visit the birthplace of Helen Keller. In Muscle Shoals, you can visit the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio where artists like Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones have recorded. In Florence, you can enjoy life on the Tennessee River and experience what yesteryear was like. All of that along with beautiful rock formations, water activities, and beautiful scenery is a reason people are flocking here.
Desoto State Park is located near Fort Payne, Alabama in the northeast corner of the state. It is home to some of the region's most beautiful spots and an incredible waterfall—Desoto Falls. In this Alabama State Park, you'll have plenty of activities to keep you busy including camping, boating, fly fishing, hiking, and more.
Cathedral Caverns State Park is located in Woodville, AL—about halfway between Fort Payne and Huntsville. This park was opened to the public in 2000 as a state park. It is well known for its 126 feet wide by 25 feet high opening—perhaps the largest commercial cave in the world. Inside, visitors will experience unique rock formations and even a frozen waterfall—weather pending.
The Dismal Canyon is a National Natural Landmark located in northwest Alabama. What makes this such a unique experience is the biodiversity of the site. This site contains old-growth trees and incredible plant life, all at the bottom of a dramatic canyon. The overall site is about 85 acres and is a favorite for nature lovers.
Top 5 Towns and Cities to Visit in Northern Alabama
Huntsville a.k.a. "Rocket City"
Scottsboro
"The Shoals" or "Quad City": Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield
Central Alabama is home to the state's largest city—Birmingham. With the largest population, you'll experience plenty of restaurants, shops, and more. Birmingham has a zoo, museums, a Science Center, and a vibrant theater scene. Just outside the city limits of Birmingham, there is a 1,500-acre park—Red Mountain Park—that has a dog park, walking and hiking trails, zip lines, and mountain bike trails.
This region of Alabama has plenty of nature to brag about too. In this region, you'll find Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Oak Mountain State Park, Bankhead National Forest, Talladega National Forest, and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve.
And you can't talk about central Alabama without mentioning sports. With Tuscaloosa—home of the Alabama Crimson Tide—and Talladega—home of The Talladega Superspeedway—the sports enthusiasts will surely enjoy their time in Alabama's central region.
Central Alabama Highlights
In this region, you'll find plenty of great RV campgrounds in and around these area attractions.
If you are a fan of Nascar, this iconic track might pique your interest. Offering a close-up behind-the-scenes tour of one of Nascar's most famous tracks is a great way to grow your love of this sport. Or perhaps, you could plan your trip around a weekend of racing—they have onsite camping.
Cheaha Mountain, most often referenced as Mount Cheaha, is the highest point in Alabama. Cheaha, meaning high place, stands at over 2,400 feet above sea level and is the crown Jewel of the Alabama State Park's system. This nearly 2,800-acre park sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is surrounded by Talladega National Forest.
Two of central Alabama's favorite lakes are about an hour's drive from one another. Lake Wedowee is a manmade lake that came into being when the Harris Dam was finished in 1983. Since then, this has become a favorite place for fishing, swimming, boating, and picnicking for the local region.
Chambers County State Lake—typically called Chambers County Lake—is a freshwater fishing hot spot. With Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and Channel Catfish being the most popular. The lake is 183 acres in size, which offers plenty of room for you to have a small slice of the lake to yourself.
You can't think about the city of Birmingham, Alabama without thinking about the Civil Rights Movement. With so much anger, hostility, and resentment that took place here, it is one of the premier places to walk through this terrible history and see what happened. There are several memorials scattered around Birmingham that bring attention to these momentous occasions. If you make a trip to, or near Birmingham, you need to spend some time reflecting on one of America's most sobering moments in history.
Before you go on your tour of the city, you might want to visit the Civil Rights Institute. This will help enlighten you and set the tone for what you might experience on your tour of the city. Here you'll learn stories of the area, including places like Selma, Montgomery, Mobile, etc. And you'll hear stories and testimonies. It is definitely worth a visit and unpacking history a bit more.
Home to the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide. This stadium is one of the largest college football venues in the country and has been standing since 1929. For $25 a person, you can purchase a complete tour of the stadium and see what it is like to walk out onto one of college football's most recognized fields.
Top 5 Towns and Cities to Visit in Central Alabama
Southern Alabama is a historical area of the country—and a lot of people might not realize it. It is this part of Alabama that inspired the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and is the backdrop to the launching of the Civil Rights Movement.
Along with its historical impact, you find plenty of beauty here too. From beautiful white sand beaches along the 60 miles of Alabama coast on the Gulf of Mexico to challenging, well-manicured golf courses. This is an area of the country with a real beach scene that hardly gets talked about.
Southern Alabama Highlights
In addition to beauty and history, you can experience some big city amenities with large cities like Montgomery—Alabama's State Capital—and Mobile on the coast. In these cities, you'll experience great restaurants, sports, and large festivals like Mardi Gras. In fact, the first Mardi Gras in the United States was celebrated in Mobile. Let's jump into some of the highlights.
To continue down the Civil Rights Movement Tour, you'll want to visit these two important cities. These will help you shape your understanding of the time, the movement, and the spaces that played an important role.
First, you'll want to check out Montgomery. This city played a big role in hosting movements and became a backdrop—along with other areas in this state—to the Civil Rights Movement. Take a look at the Rosa Parks Library & Museum, visit the Freedom Rides Museum, and Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church Museum—where over 5,000 people gathered after Rosa Parks' arrest. Also, there are a lot of guided tours in the area for those who would prefer that.
The second city you'll want to visit is Selma—which is only an hour west of Montgomery. You can't mention the Civil Rights Movement without talking about this pivotal city. Selma held three different marches that directly led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 being put into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Here you'll want to make sure you visit Brown Chapel AME Church, Edmund Pettus Bridge, the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, and the Selma Interpretive Center. There are so many places in this region of Alabama that played a role in the freedoms that are experienced today.
Dothan, Alabama is a major producer of peanuts—and is considered by many to be the Peanut Capital. If you make the trip to Dothan, you'll be rewarded with more than just peanuts though. The area is home to the Wiregrass Museum of Art, the world's smallest block, a fun art scene, and plenty of other area attractions.
This State Park is a great place for RVers and tent campers. It offers spacious sites, hiking, and biking, and has a wonderful lodge. But let's be real, the reason you'll want to visit is because of the two miles of beaches.
In addition, there is a great Nature Center and it offers educational programs on a daily basis—which makes it great for families and naturalists. If you get bored here, it is your own fault.
Auburn, Alabama is a beautiful town that plays host to Auburn University. There are plenty of great restaurants, breweries, and shops that line its historic downtown streets. But the area around the city offers a lot too. There are parks like Chewacla State Park and Tuskegee National Forest within 20 minutes of downtown.
Fort Morgan is a National Historic Landmark that was created to help protect the important Port City of Montgomery from a British invasion in 1813. It is located in Alabama's Gulf Highlands area—about 20 miles west of Gulf Shores. It was a fort that was taken by the British troops, but returned in a later treaty. It is a unique experience to walk on, in, and through this historic site.
Did you know Alabama had an island? Well, it does. Dauphin Island sits just across from Fort Morgan—in fact, you can take a ferry over. This island is a slow-moving town and gives you an authentic taste of Gulf Coast living. It is quiet, unique, and focuses on life by the ocean. It has a great food scene that is focused on seafood, spending time in nature—one of the best beaches in Alabama is here—and creates an appetite for life slowed down.
Use The Campground Partners Program to Find the Best Campgrounds and RV Parks in any of Alabama's Unique Regions
The best way to find the top RV campgrounds in Alabama is to know what kind of experience you want. Do you want the palm trees and white sand beaches, to experience freshwater or saltwater fishing, to hike in the mountains, or take a tour of American history?
Once you know what you're looking for, head to the Harvest Hosts map! In addition to unique RV camping locations, Harvest Hosts gives its members access to discounts at 1,100+ private RV campgrounds and RV parks throughout the country, which are visible on the map after you check the "Campground Partners" button.
When to Go Camping in Alabama
Because Alabama is such a long state—with varying elevation—it can be a bit tricky to pick the best season for you. But knowing the kind of experience you're wanting, your heat tolerance, cold tolerance, and more will help you make that decision.
As a whole, the state of Alabama has average highs that range from 52 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 92 degrees Fahrenheit in July. That makes this state a very tolerable and enjoyable state year-round.
The best times of year—from a weather perspective—are definitely in the fall and spring. With the spring bringing new blooms, beautiful plants, and warmer temperatures, you'll really enjoy this season before the heat and humidity take over in the late summer. Fall in the north is great for those views of changing leaves and the beginning of the rain. If you are wanting to see their waterfalls, you might want to consider winter.
One season you'll need to keep yourself super alert to the weather is during hurricane season, which is anytime between mid-August through October. Another thing to consider is that your summer months often include daily heavy rain. But don't worry because the sun comes right back out.
What to Pack When RVing in Alabama
Because Alabama is such a large state, there are different things you might need, depending on where you go, and what time of year you go.
UV protective clothing, sunscreen, and eyewear are a must
Bug repellent
Swimsuits and sandals
Hiking boots
Fans for sitting outside since it can be humid all day and night
Sandcastle gear—there are great kits out there to help you build extravagant castles
Fishing gear
Tips & Tricks for RVing in All of Alabama
If you've decided it is time to visit Alabama in your RV, then here are some things to consider:
Don't wait to book your site. Alabama is a popular destination, and it's quite competitive for the best RV bookings.
Watch out for alligators in the southern part of the state. Your small dogs, cats, and even children might look like a bite-sized snack to these reptiles.
Don't underestimate the bugs—the mosquitos can be intense.
Book Your Next Alabama RV Trip
With pine forests in the north, white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, the mountains in the north, and everything in between… Alabama is one of the most unexpectedly unique states! Join Harvest Hosts to unlock discounts at RV campgrounds in Alabama, and other unique RV camping options!
Harvest Hosts is a unique RV camping membership that offers self-contained RVers unlimited overnight stays at 9,600+ unique locations across North America with no camping fees. Stay at farms, wineries, breweries, museums, golf courses, attractions, and other one-of-a-kind destinations while enjoying memorable travel experiences and the peace of mind that comes with knowing a safe place to stay is always nearby.
