Embrace the Magic: How to Enjoy the Christmas Holidays While Camping
The Christmas holidays are a time of joy, togetherness, and tradition. While many people associate this special season with cozy firesides and twinkling lights, there’s
updated for 2023
Here are the top 8 campgrounds in the State of Alabama for family camping in 2023. Whether you are looking for a place to bring your RV, a private tent site with running water, a primitive campground for your whole group, or a Yurt or Cabin – these campgrounds have it all! Camping with the family doesn’t have to be stressful or boring for the kids! There are many campgrounds in the state of Alabama that have all sorts of activities aimed to keep the whole family enjoying their vacation and experiencing quality family time together.
As parents ourselves, we know what’s important for a successful family camping trip.
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CLEAN BATHROOMS – so important for tent campers who rely on clean, well-maintained bathrooms and showers! Even if you have a bathroom with your RV, its essential to have nice bathrooms when you are out and about exploring the parks.
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KIDS’ AREAS & ACTIVITIES. While it isn’t essential to have organized activities for children, they are nice to have as an option. In addition – playgrounds and kid-friendly hiking trails are a must.
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CAMPSITE PRIVACY. No one wants to drive a couple hours from home with all their camping gear to just be crammed into a campsite practically on top of their neighbors! We know we aren’t exactly back-packing into the wilderness, but bonus points for those campsites who have a measure of privacy so you can at least pretend you are miles away from society.
With these criteria in mind, here is our suggested list of best campgrounds for families – SORTED GEOGRAPHICALLY NORTH TO SOUTH.
- Cathedral Caverns State Park – Woodville, AL
- Lake Guntersville State Park – Guntersfille, AL
- Dismals Canyon – Phil Campbell, AL
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park – McCalla, AL
- Lakepoint Resort State Park – Eufaula, AL
- Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve – Atmore, AL
- Wales West RV Park – Silverhill, AL
- Gulf State Park – Gulf Shores, AL
Location:
637 Cave Road
Woodville, AL 35769
Phone: 256-728-8193
Photo by Billy Pope
Location:
1155 Lodge Dr.
Guntersville, AL 35976
Phone: 256-571-5455
Lake Guntersville State Park is located along the banks of the Tennessee River in northeast Alabama. There is something for everyone here including: 6,000 acres of natural woodlands, an 18-hole championship golf course, beach complex, outdoor nature center, fish, 36 miles of hiking and biking trails, and the Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventure Zipline course (separate fee applies).
Besides the outdoor recreation opportunities, Lake Guntersville State Park has become well known for its robust conservation efforts for Alabama’s nesting bald eagle population. On select weekend throughout the year the park hosts Eagle Awareness programs for Eagle aficionados of all ages. Check out the park website for the next Eagle Awareness weekend to coordinate your camping trip with!
| Facilities | Wifi Beach Tennis Court Laundry (self-serve) Golf Course Pets Allowed Conference Facilities Drinking Water Sanitary Dump Bath House/Showers Market/Camp Store Playground Trails Fishing Kayaking, Boating Bird watching |
RV/Tent/Trailer Sites
| Campsites: | 295 |
| Site features: | Water, electric, picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Some RV sites also have sewer. |
Camper Cabins
| Camper Cabins: | 10 |
| Site features | 2 bedroom/1 bathroom (with full-size tub) Living room, couch, fireplace & TV No bedding or towels provided |
Location:
901 Hwy 8
Phil Campbell, AL 35581
Phone: 205-993-4559
Kids (and adults) find Dismals Canyon an awe-inspiring camping location because of the unusual little insects called Dismalites. Dismals Canyon is one of only a few places where these insects can be found. When the flies are in their larval forms, they emit a bright blue-green light to attract food and mates. They cover the canyon walls creating an eerie, glowing wonder that you won’t see anywhere else!
photo by Dystopos
Location:
12632 Confederate Parkway
McCalla, AL 35111
Phone: 205-477-5711
Photo by David Muenker
Location:
104 Lakepoint Drive
Eufaula, AL 36027
Phone: 334-687-6710
Are you a family that enjoys good fishing? Lakepoint Resort State Park is located on the banks of 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula, also known as “The Bass Capital of the World.” There are fishing tournaments hosted year-round where you can watch the pros do their thing, or grab a pole and get out there yourselves!
Besides fishing, there is a playground, picnic areas, and a swimming pool complex. If you are looking for a fun family activity that everyone can participate in, try geocaching! It’s the modern day treasure hunt! Just sign up for a free geocaching account online and decide on which treasure you want to search for. They’ll give you the GPS coordinates and off you go. Once you find the “loot”, report your find online. It’s fun, trust us!
| Facilities | Bathhouses Sanitary station Camper storage Tennis courts Community Building (for reservation) Playground |
RV/Tent/Trailer Sites
| Campsites: | 192 |
| Site features: | Deer Court: pull-through sites with water, electric and sewage Barbour and Clark Loop: sites include water and electric Also- bathhouses in each camping area |
Fisherman Cabins
| Cabins: | 29 Total Cabins:15 are 2-bedroom, 14 are 4-bedroom (in duplex arrangement) |
| Site features | 2-bedroom: King bed, 2 twin beds, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, fireplace, carpeting, central heat/air. For max 4 persons.4-bedroom: 2 king beds, 4 twin beds, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, carpeting, central heat/air.
All cabins have linens, cooking/eating utensils, charcoal grill, picnic table, and outside plug-ins for charging boat batteries. |
Lakeside Cottages:
| Cottages: | 8 (2 one-bedroom, 2 two-bedroom, 2 four bedroom duplexes) |
| Site features | Each cottage has a living room with hardwood floors, slate tile kitchen, bathrooms, carpeted bedrooms and porches with table/chairs. |
24 Big Creek Road
Atmore, AL 36502
Phone: 251-446-3423
Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserves is an outdoor oasis perfect for families with kids of all ages. With lakes and forests, this is a restful location for families looking to spend quality time together. There are many family activities like tubing down the Big Escambia Creek (seasonally), kayaking & canoeing (year-round), bike rentals, hiking trails, horse trails, beach, swimming area, and a fresh water lake stocked with blue gill, catfish, and shell cracker fish (no licenses needed). Besides RV and traditional tent camping, magnolia Branch Wildlife ResErves offers horse camping where you can bring your own horse for riding and house them in the stable at night.
| Facilities/Activities | Tubing (1 May – Labor Day) Kayak, canoe Hiking trails Bike rentals 3 bathhouses laundry room 4 group picnic pavilions Fishing Horse riding trails Playground Boat landing Volleyball court, horseshoe pit Beach and swimming area |
RV Sites
| Campsites: | 80 (47 w/full hookup; 20 w/H2O & Electric; 13 large pull-through |
| Site features: | Dump station 50/30/20 AMP service available daily, weekly, monthly rates |
Tent Sites
| Campsites: | 15 |
| Site features: | Primitive campsites – no electricity or water large groups welcome |
13670 Smiley Street
Silverhill, AL 36576
Phone: 888-569-5337
A camping trip to Wales West RV Park is sure to become one of your family’s favorite vacations! It’s a destination spot filled with fun and activities that will keep all the kids entertained and having a blast! There is a giant slide into the lake swimming area, sandy beach for sand castles, community center, heated indoor swimming pool, water splash pad area, and two trains (light-rail) that give rides all throughout the resort! Friday nights (December – March) Bluegrass and Gospel music is live in the community center.
| Facilities | Community building Supply store Great room Library Laundry Heated indoor swimming pool Family bath Exercise room Sun deck Nature trail Playgrounds RV Storage (10’ x 10’ lockers) |
Premium RV Sites:
| Campsites: | 37 |
| Site features: | Full hook-up w/ 50 AMP electric, water, sewer, WIFI, cable. Sites include landscaping, patio, picnic table and extra parking. |
Meadow Crest RV Sites:
| Campsites: | 39 |
| Site features: | Grass sites (suitable for back in), water, sewer, 50 AMP electric, WIFI |
Photo by Billy Pope
22050 Campground Road
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Phone: 251-948-7275
