“Location, location, location.” While that’s the mantra for investing in real estate, it’s also a guiding force when you’re choosing a place to camp. There’s no doubt that a trip outdoors is even better when you score the campsite with the sweeping mountain view, the perfect spot on the lake, the prime position near the beach, or even the site that sits near the restroom or other creature comforts.
1. Meaher State Park
Small in size but not in popularity, the campground at Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort is coveted for its location—right smack dab in the middle of Mobile Bay, less than 10 miles from Mobile and right at the gateway to the second largest delta in the country, the Mobile-Tensaw.
2. Cheaha State Park
Cheaha State Park has one of Alabama’s highly desirable campgrounds because it makes the perfect basecamp for exploring the miles and miles of trails, thundering waterfalls, and awe-inspiring overlooks of the Talladega Mountains.
3. Joe Wheeler State Park
Beautiful, tranquil, serene. These are just a few of the words used to describe the campground at Joe Wheeler State Park. Located on the banks of Wheeler Lake between Florence and Huntsville, this resort-style state park and campground features 116 improved and 30 primitive campsites with plenty of shade and more-than-adequate spacing for a restful night’s sleep.
4. Gulf State Park
No matter what season you plan a trip to visit Alabama Gulf Coast you had better make your reservations far in advance if you want a campsite at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores. The park is the home of arguably the most popular campground in the state. Even with 496 improved campsites it’s difficult to reserve a spot. The reason? The Gulf beaches, of course.
5. Wind Creek State Park
Wind Creek along the shores of Lake Martin is touted as the largest state-operated campground in the United States with 586 improved campsites. Of those, 156 are waterfront. Of course, the lake is the big draw here for fishing and swimming, and most of those 500+ sites are reserved well in advance. The campground itself has beautiful, clean and modern bath houses scattered throughout, as well as two laundries.
