My family and I have been going on camping trips in a travel trailer since 2021. Last summer, we made the mistake of booking a campground without reading the reviews first. We immediately regretted this decision from the moment we backed the camper into our spot. We had a gut feeling that where we were was not a safe place to stay. We listened to our intuition, pulled out of the campground, and found a much nicer (and safer) place to stay down the road. As we were traveling to the other campground, I read some Google reviews and realized the campground we were leaving was not even suitable for Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation!
There is so much to learn when it comes to camping, but if you simply start with the reviews, you are already headed in the right direction. Here are some campgrounds across Alabama that I can say with certainty your family will enjoy! My family has personally stayed in each of these campgrounds and I can attest to their quality, value, and ability to make many memories!
Oak Mountain State Park
This is not a secret to any of us here in Birmingham, but it must be mentioned because it is a great campground and state park! The campground was completely renovated in 2024 and while I have not been since the update, I’ve seen pictures and heard from others that the updates are fantastic!
Some Amenities:
- Full-hookup sites available
- Two renovated bathhouses
- Picnic table, tent pad, grill, lantern hook, and fire rings at each site
- Large playground
- Dog Park
Lake Guntersville State Park
Lake Guntersville is my favorite state park campground. We go every October for a long weekend. We’ve stayed in several sites, but the best ones are the sites closest to the lake because there is plenty of room to run around and play. The sunsets are stunning and the view from the lodge at the top of the mountain is beautiful! You can fish, swim at the beach area, rent kayaks or paddle boards, or spend the whole day doing a bunch of nothing outside. Take note, the pool at the lodge is only for guests of the lodge!
Some amenities:
- Many full-hookup sites available
- 7 bathhouses with laundry facilities
- Playground and splash pad
- Basketball and tennis courts
- Zipline tour
- Pontoon boat rentals
DeSoto State Park
The campground at DeSoto State Park puts you in the middle of everything nature has to offer–waterfalls, hiking, mountain biking, flyfishing, geocaching, etc. DeSoto is central to so many great places, like Ruby Falls in Chattanooga or Wildflower Cafe in Mentone! But, if you prefer to stay in the state park, you will find plenty to explore!
Some amenities
- 94 full-hookup sites
- Two bathhouses
- Picnic tables and grills at each site
- Buddy sites available
Joe Wheeler State Park
Joe Wheeler State Park is located in Rogersville, AL, about halfway between Athens and Florence. The campground at Joe Wheeler State has recently seen renovations, thanks to severe weather that moved through the campground a few years ago. You can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and golf here.
Some Amenities
- 116 campsites
- Sandy beach area
- Wide, flat spots
- Picnic table and fire ring at each site
Unhitched Wheeler Lake RV Park
Unhitched Wheeler Lake is located near Decatur. This campground is under new ownership since we’ve stayed here, but the website promises to provide the same experience as before. This campground sits on Wheeler Lake and provides water activities, boat rentals, beach volleyball, gemstone mining, trails, and seasonal activities.
Some amenities:
- Full-hookup sites
- Dog park
- Playgrounds
- Restroom facilities (probably with showers but the website is unclear)
Strattanooga
This is not a campground, but a private lot on Weiss Lake in Leesburg with a large, flat gravel pad and full-hookup for your camper. Strattanooga is perfect for a long-weekend during the hot months. This campsite is booked through Hipcamp, which is similar to VRBO or AirBnB, but for privately owned campsites instead of homes.
Some amenities
- 1/2 acre forested, waterfront lot
- private, spacious dock with water 10-15 feet deep
- Pull-thru access
- Public boat ramp 5 minutes away
Frank’s Point of View
I saved the best for last. Frank’s Point of View is located in Ashland and it is a hidden gem in our state! This is a small campground with spectacular views. The sites are set on a hill and you can see for miles down a grassy hill. If you are really wanting to unwind and relax, this is the place to do it. My husband and I went here a few years ago and I’ve talked about it ever since. I haven’t felt that rested in a long time!
Some amenities:
- Incredible views at each site
- All sites are full-hookup
- Picnic table, fire ring, and sun canopy at each site (bring a hammock!)
- Walking trails
- Stargazing
Note: There is no restroom or bathhouse on site, so tent camping would be tricky, although it can be done because there were tent campers when we stayed here!
Honorable Mentions
I have not stayed at these campgrounds, but I’ve heard great things!
Tips For The Novices
What if you aren’t a camping family? We weren’t either in 2020, so we rented a camper to try it out before we committed. Even if you aren’t looking to buy a camper, camping is a great way to switch up your typical family vacation. You can rent many different travel trailers and RVs from websites like Outdoorsy or RVShare. Many owners will even deliver the camper to your site and set up everything for you. (Side note: you can rent an RV at Fort Wilderness in Disney World and save money while still being on property!). If you want the amenities of traditional lodging, many campgrounds offer cabins so you can still “camp” but have the full comfort of a home. Many times, these cabins are cheaper than a hotel!
Camping is not for every family, but I think it’s worth trying at least once. You might just fall in love with it. Camping certainly has its inconveniences, but even the bad moments become good memories on a camping trip!
