There are so many things to see, do, and try in the Magic City that camping in or nearby all the excitement makes perfect sense. Not to mention that it makes exploring the city all the more fun! However, camping in Birmingham, Alabama warrants browsing through many campgrounds to find the best fit for you and your travel group.
Don’t worry, everyone from solo backpackers, large families, and groups of friends to couples looking for romance, has been considered while putting this list of campgrounds together. You’re bound to find something that works for you!
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Campgrounds in Birmingham Alabama
When looking for the best campground site for you, consider the size of the grounds, size of the sites (especially for RV camping), services provided, amenities offered, and affordability for your budget. Generally, full hookup services including water, sewage, and electrical are preferred over partial or primitive services.
If you’re planning to roll up in your RV it’s best to prioritize convenience by looking for pull-through sites with level land and plenty of space between other sites.
While choosing your ideal campground, imagine spending a day there with your group. Are you a nature-loving bunch or the kind that wants all the on-site luxuries? There’s something for everyone, just have to look!
Oak Mountain State Park Campground
Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park, is home to one of the best campgrounds in not only Birmingham, but the entire state.
It’s no wonder why either. The park features 155 sites with both primitive and RV (which include some pull-through) options, beautiful views, an abundance of exciting activities, and ample space between campsites.
Take the whole family for a fun time out in nature and make memories while hiking, mountain biking, swimming in the lake, fishing, picnicking, and horseback riding.
There are also amenities like a pump track and BMX course, boat rentals, basketball courts, playground, wildlife area, and an 18-hole golf course to help you make the best of your time there!
All campsites, apart from the primitive tent sites, include water and electricity, 57 of which also include sewer. There are seven bath houses at the Oak Mountain State Park Campground and one coin operated laundry facility.
To make your arrival as convenient as your stay, enter via the front gate. It’s always open and is a better choice considering that reaching the back gate includes navigating some rough terrain and making some difficult turns.
- Oak Mountain State Park Campground
- Cost: $$
- Location: 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham, Alabama 3512
- Amenities
- Pull-through sites: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Tent camping: Yes
- Electric: 30/20/15 Amp
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
Birmingham South RV Park
Birmingham South RV Park features 100 full hookup RV sites with 30 or 50 Amp electrical service as well as plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. Don’t have an RV? No worries, they also have glamping cabins with ALL the things.
Whether you’re a solo traveler just passing through or a family looking for a getaway, comfort and fun are two things you can definitely expect!
Spend your time relaxing or accessing the park amenities which include a heated swimming pool, a game room, as well as foosball and ping-pong tables.
If outdoor time sounds more up your alley, play basketball or get the kids excited to use the playground.
The park’s on-site laundry services, camping supply store, and excellent Pelham location make Birmingham South RV Park an easy choice. When it comes to campgrounds in and around Birmingham Alabama, it doesn’t get more carefree than this!
- Birmingham South RV Park
- Cost: $$$
- Location: 222 Co Road 33, Pelham, Alabama 35124
- Amenities
- Pull-through sites: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Tent camping: No (only glamping cabins)
- Electric: 50/30 Amp
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
Blue Creek Campground
In the camping world, Blue Creek Campground just might be what you would consider Alabama’s best-kept secret. Owned by a family looking to make something special from a small piece of land, the campground features just 18 sites. These include mostly tent sites but there are a couple RV sites as well.
What sets it apart is its quirky decor and nostalgia-inducing outdoor arrangements. Imagine something between an antique store and a wonderland. The owner’s curio collection displayed both inside and outside the general store invokes the feeling of entering a world that somehow feels oddly familiar.
For fun you will find a tire swing, a sparkling little stream to swim and fish in, a boat ramp, bike trails, and a playground for the littles.
It’s the kind of place you take the kids to show them what life looked like pre-cell phones (oh, the horror 😉). Fun, outdoorsy, and a tiny bit kitschy – in the best way possible!
- Blue Creek Campground
- Cost: $$
- Location: 7000 Prosper Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama 35023
- Amenities
- Pull-through sites: No
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Tent camping: Yes
- Electric: 30 Amp
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
Cherokee Campground and RV Park
Cherokee Campground and RV Park prides itself on its simple and peaceful “hometown” atmosphere. Among its 98 sites, it offers space to both extended-stay and short-term guests, making sure all feel welcome and at home.
Nestled in the woods with a gorgeous private lake as the focal point, it’s the escape from the city that we all yearn for!
Facilities the campground offers include a bath house, coin operated laundry services, restrooms and showers. There is also a room that houses exercise equipment and children’s toys for guest use.
For recreation, while away time by fishing from the lake’s bank or playing checkers or foosball. However, note that swimming is not permitted.
Located 15 and 20 minutes away respectively, nearby attractions include the Cahaba River and Moss Rock Preserve.
If you’ve got kids in tow, consider surprising them with a visit to Alabama Adventure Amusement Park in Bessemer which is also only 20 minutes away.
- Cherokee Campground and RV Park
- Cost: $$
- Location: 2800 County Road 93, Helena, Alabama 35080
- Amenities
- Pull-through sites: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Tent camping: No
- Electric: 50/30/20 Amp
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
Campgrounds at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
Photo credit: JNix | Shutterstock.com
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park is known for its beautiful views, Iron & Steel Museum, historical iron works, and all the fun activities it offers. Camping here is especially perfect for travelers who appreciate the great outdoors.
Whether you’re traveling solo, with your family or with your sweetheart, the campgrounds at this state park in Birmingham, Alabama will meet all your expectations.
Featuring both full hookups and primitive servicing, this campground has 100 sites for tent camping and close to 200 for RVs.
Among its fishing, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, and visiting the playground and Miniature Railway, the place has everything you could possibly want. You just can’t go wrong staying here!
- Campgrounds at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Cost: $
- Location: 12632 Confederate Parkway, McCalla, Alabama 35111
- Amenities
- Pull-through sites: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Tent camping: Yes
- Electric: 50/30/20 Amp
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
Campgrounds Within Driving Distance of Birmingham Alabama
These campgrounds fall a little ways outside the Birmingham Metropolitan Area but are definitely worth checking out. Plus, they all are within a 40-mile driving radius so making the trip out shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.
Campgrounds at Rickwood Caverns State Park
Camp right outside the cave at Rickwood Caverns State Park and get discounted admission and access to the pool!
Choose between the 13 full hook-up sites it offers or go for one of the five primitive sites that accommodate tent campers only.
Rickwood Caverns’ Wonderland Under Warrior
If winter is your thing, try to time your trip for Christmas to catch the dazzling lights!
- Campgrounds at Rickwood Caverns State Park
- Cost: $
- Location: 370 Rickwood Park Road, Warrior, Alabama 35180
- Amenities
- Pull-through sites: No
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Tent camping: Yes
- Electric: 30/20/15 Amp
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
Burchfield Branch Park
Located in Tuscaloosa County, just 40 miles southwest of Birmingham, sits the most charming little campground!
Boating, swimming, picnicking, and sightseeing are some of the activities to partake in while staying at one of the property’s 36 sites.
Burchfield Branch Park is best visited during the autumn months to see the beautiful fall foliage.
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Cost: $
- Location: 15036 Bankhead Road, Adger, Alabama 35006
- Amenities
- Pull-through sites: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Tent camping: Yes
- Electric: 30/20/15 Amp
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
General Lee Marina & Campground
A hidden gem on beautiful Logan Martin Lake, the vintage General Lee Marina & Campground is perfect for some family time with the kids. Shaded lakeside sites at affordable prices – what’s more to want?
Swim, fish, kayak, and relax all you can here because it’s the perfect serene getaway!
- General Lee Marina Campground
- Cost: $
- Location: 1367 River Road, Cropwell, Alabama 35054
- Amenities
- Pull-through sites: No
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Tent camping: Yes
- Electric: 30/20/15 Amp
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
Things To Take With You Camping
Forgetting the essentials is not an option when it comes to camping. Neither is using the same old things when newer, more unique products become available each year!
This is a list of things you won’t want to leave behind on your camping adventures:
- Rope: Use this rope as a makeshift clothesline, to create shelter, or to tow people and vehicles out of tight spots.
- Flashlight or Lantern: This lantern is collapsible making it compact and easy to carry.
- Compass: You never know when you will need to get your bearings. Stay prepared with this top-of-the-line Cammenga Military Tritium Lensatic Compass like a pro, or this stylish 4-in-1 Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet. Your pick!
- Portable Toilet: This one’s a lifesaver if you do a lot of primitive camping. The toilet is portable and easy to maneuver with a water capacity of up to 50 flushes!
- Pocket Knife: A multipurpose knife is a must when camping far from all your worldly comforts. Opening a can? Cutting a rope? Trying to build something that involves screws? This knife is your best friend.
I hope this list has helped in the planning of your next camping destination. The campgrounds in Birmingham, Alabama are very worth the trip. So, gather your friends and family and take to the great outdoors!
Have you been to any of these camp spots yet? Did any of the ones on this list catch you by surprise? Which one are you most excited to visit? Let me know!
What an eye-opener! I never associated Alabama with camping! And there are so many campgrounds within such a relatively small area near Birmingham. If I could visit only one, it would be the one in the cavern! Absolutely amazing!
Hi Michael-Yes, SO many places to camp around Birmingham and across Alabama in general, honestly. The cave is SUPER cool! You should definitely visit sometime. Alabama is pretty cool because it has caverns, caves, canyons, beaches, and mountains! Thanks for reading! 🙂
That Christmas lighting in the cave is a bit over the top for my taste, but I can imagine people enjoying all the bling. I’m more a fan of “au naturel”, and it seems there are plenty of great areas to explore nature around Birmingham. Did you give fishing a try yourself? Any good catch?
Hi Ivan-Haha, yeah for Christmas it is definitely isn’t au natural! Fair enough, but yes as you stated there are many natural places around Birmingham to explore. I have been fishing before, yes, but it isn’t really my thing so it’s been a hot minute! LOL! Thanks for reading! 🙂