Forum Discussion

dpgllg's avatar
dpgllg
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017

Need Information on Alabama Coast Campgrounds

Hello,

I posted last week asking for input on planning our next long RV trip in June. Thanks to all that gave input!

We have decided on a plan but I need campground information on Alabama Coast campgrounds.

We will leave home which is 20 miles or so south of Pittsburgh and travel to Memphis to see Graceland. My wife is a big Elvis fan. I figure on no more than 2 days to see everything there. Then we want to head south to the coast and spend a week at a nice campground somewhere along the Alabama coast Gulf Shores Orange Beach etc. Then we will be traveling back home.

My needs for a campground are:

Pet friendly (I travel with three cocker spaniels)
Swimming pool
Room for a 32 foot 5th wheel
A park that is more on the quiet side
At least close to the beach / restaurants

Nice to have:
Hot tub
Enclosed Dog Park
Beachfront

I have tried looking at campgrounds on RV Park Reviews but I do not know the area and several so far only allow Motorhomes, or two dog limit, or RV must not be over 10 years old. Mine is a 2004.

I'm looking for people that have stayed in the campground and can speak directly about their stay.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

Dave
  • mikestock's avatar
    mikestock
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2017
    GSP would be my first choice, with pool, short walk to the beach (from some sites), but there are a few other nice places.

    Doc's, on Fort Morgan Road, is nice. They have a pool and access to a great bike route.

    Island Retreat is near Doc's and basically has the same amenities.

    Luxury RV Resort is located on highway 59 and is centrally located with lots of restaurants, shopping and a fairly large, kiddy recreation park next door. About 1/2 mile to public beach. Driven through but never personally stayed here.
  • shinglers3's avatar
    shinglers3
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2017
    We stayed at Gulf Shores State Park and wish we lived closer so we could go back. Being from PA I was a little nervous about staying in gator country, but figured it had such great reviews we'd be fine. So we got a site on the water and I was lucky enough to watch a gator swim by while drinking my morning coffee. The state park beach also became one of our favorite beaches and is only a short drive from the campground. The campground is quiet and also has a very nice pool. So many great memories there!
  • Flapper's avatar
    Flapper
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2017
    Gulf Shores SP is the perfect spot for you. Big campsites, miles of walking/biking trails for you and the dogs. Has it's own dedicated (no developement!) huge section of beach. Interior lakes for boating and fishing. Large fenced dog park on one of the lakes, so they can swim. Huge swimming pool. Nature center. And yet, it is a couple-of-minutes drive from the heart of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach shopping, restaurants, etc.
  • Merrykalia's avatar
    Merrykalia
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2017
    We are planning another trip to Gulf Shores and will be staying at GSP. We have stayed there at least 5 times and although the place is big (almost 500 sites), it has always been quiet. After dark, there is little/no noise unless you are on one of the main entrance roads.

    We have stayed at a few other parks in the area, but if you are close to Gulf Shores, NONE of them are on the ocean. You have to walk/ride/bike to get there. Restaurants and shopping are within about 5 minutes.
  • ljr's avatar
    ljr
    Nomad
    Jan 20, 2017
    Well if you'll take a lake and creek with tubing and zip lining instead of a pool and the ocean. Plus a 20 or 30 minute drive to restaurants. Try Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve just off of I65 near Atmore, AL run by the Poarch Band of the Creek Indian Nation.
  • Tripalot's avatar
    Tripalot
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2017
    Alabama Jim wrote:
    Gulf Beach State park is nice and Anchors Aweigh in Foley is great, but in the sun.


    I heard recently that Gulf Shores S.P. had undergone some renovations and was not as nice as it used to be. Prices also went up substantially. We have not been there for 4 years but we really enjoyed our last stay.

    Although the campsites are not directly on the water, the beach is close by and an easy drive or good walk or bike ride. The whole area is nice - if you get to the Panhandle be sure to visit the Naval Museum at Pensacola- it is free and definitely worth the time. It is the home of the Blue Angels who can be seen practising on certain days. Take a guided tour - the volunteers make it so much more interesting than just reading all the description cards.
  • Alabama_Jim's avatar
    Alabama_Jim
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2017
    Gulf Beach State park is nice and Anchors Aweigh in Foley is great, but in the sun.

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