Exploring Alabama: Top RV Parks and Campgrounds
Locals know it as the Heart of Dixie, and Lynard Skynard proclaimed it their sweet home: the state of Alabama. Geographically diverse, Alabama features the rolling foothills of the Smoky Mountains in the North, open plains in the center, and the Gulf of Mexico in the South. While Alabama might not be at the top of your RV bucket list, it certainly should be.
This makes Alabama an excellent destination for RV enthusiasts. Here are our top five picks for Alabama RV parks, campgrounds, and resorts.
5 of the Best RV Parks in Alabama
Corinth Recreation Area: Double Springs
If you’re seeking the spectacular beauty of Northwest Alabama, consider spending a few nights at the Corinth Recreation Area. This peaceful site, nestled within the William Bankhead National Forest and adjacent to Lake Lewis Smith, offers full hookups alongside spacious parking pads. Each pad is equipped with a grill and picnic table, along with clean showers and restrooms.
Moreover, take a stroll through the Sipsey Wilderness, known as the Land of a Thousand Waterfalls. Sipsey boasts beautiful streams, waterfalls, ancient forests, and striking limestone bluffs. Nearby, Lake Lewis Smith features 500 miles of shoreline, offering excellent opportunities for freshwater fishing, boating, and various water sports.
Cheaha State Park: Talladega National Forest
We selected Cheaha State Park for its solitude and proximity to the exhilarating NASCAR circuit. Situated in the heart of the captivating Talladega National Forest, you can bring along all your comforts in well-appointed sites or opt for a more rugged experience in one of Cheaha’s primitive areas. Each site includes a fire ring, grill, and picnic table.
Arriving at Cheaha during the week allows you ample time for hiking, biking, fishing, and relaxation. Twice a year, on Sundays, you can drive the 25 miles to Talladega Superspeedway to tailgate and watch NASCAR’s elite speed past, reaching over 200 miles per hour.
Oak Mountain State Park: Birmingham
Oak Mountain State Park serves as an excellent base for exploring Birmingham, a charming southern city. Relax by the lake, play golf, try your hand at fishing, or traverse the extensive mountain biking and hiking trails available.
Additionally, a journey to downtown Birmingham, known as The Magic City, reveals critically acclaimed restaurants such as Highlands Bar & Grill and the Hot & Hot Fish Club. Take in a film at the historic Alabama Theater or visit Sloss Furnaces to witness the industrial legacy of the Pittsburgh of the South.
Mountain Lakes RV Park: Guntersville
Mountain Lakes RV Park epitomizes a fisherman’s paradise, located right on the expansive 68,000-acre Guntersville Lake. This lake consistently ranks as one of the best destinations for largemouth bass fishing in the United States; in fact, the BASSmaster’s Classic Championship was hosted there in 2014. The park itself provides electric, water, and sewer hookups, along with complimentary Wi-Fi.
If fishing isn’t your activity of choice, Mountain Lakes offers both indoor and outdoor pools, boat rentals, a game room, and clubhouse facilities. The park’s proximity to excellent hiking trails and scenic vistas at Lake Guntersville State Park further enhances its appeal. Additionally, it hosts the annual Mountain Lakes Music Festival in early November, featuring a lineup of fantastic bluegrass, folk, and jam bands.
Sugar Sands RV Resort: Gulf Shores
Sugar Sands RV Resort derives its name from the pristine sandy beaches of Alabama’s Gulf shore, which are just a short distance away. This resort goes beyond just a great location; it offers expansive 60 by 22-foot concrete parking pads complete with utilities such as water, sewer, and 30- and 50-amp hookups. Wi-Fi and cable services are also available.
With a 5,000 square foot clubhouse, resort-style pool, laundry, and shower facilities, this resort is the perfect home base for a few days or months in a lush coastal setting. Outside the resort, you are surrounded by Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast, featuring plenty of dining, golfing, shopping, fishing, and family-friendly activities. Hence, it’s no surprise that this resort received high ratings from the Good Sam Club for its facilities, cleanliness, and overall appeal.