Need overnight stay in northern Alabama

[kyteacher]

So the fam and I are headed down to Destin for fall break next week. We are getting a late start on Friday because I have to work. We are thinking we are going to make it to northern alabama/Birmingham area.

Does anyone know of any walmarts, etc... that allow campers to stay over night for free? I just called the camping world in Birmingham and they said they don't let campers stay overnight. Anyone have any other places you've over-nighted for free?

Thanks!

[CharlesinGA]

Gasden, AL, exit 181 there is a campground called Cover RV Resort and Campground. From the north, take the exit (cloverleaf) and take a right at the bottom of the ramp, go under the interstate and then make a left into Old Pump Station Rd. Go past the Campers Unlimited and you are there. I have never stayed there, but bought a cheap used trade in trailer from CU and the park looked nice.

There is also a Cracker Barrel located at exit 181 directly across from the traffic light at the bottom of the ramp, and it has RV spaces on the RH side (as viewed from the road) Turn in, drive across the front of the store as far as you can go and turn left. About 5 spaces. Or go to the street behind it and use the rear entrance.

Also at Gasden, take exit 183 and from the north, take a left at the bottom of the ramp (diamond interchange) and go 3.3 miles and make a reverse left at N 12th St which turns into Woodcliff Rd, which turns into Noccalula Rd. Go 1.8 miles to Noccalula Falls Campground (city operated) just past the park of the same name, on the left. Very nice and worth a look around.

Charles

[rockhillmanor]

ken56 wrote:

RetiredBob wrote:
We've spent the night at AL rest areas a number of times. Mostly, the Welcome center or the one about 30 miles north of B'ham. Never had anyone question us. Only problem is lots of trucks with engines running.

Careful of stepping in those wet spots in the truck parking area.

Truckers seem to think they can just empty their piss tanks/bottles right there.

Had one guy do it almost right next to my passenger door. I complained to the attendants inside about all the pee spots out there where we had to park.

omg do you have that right!

My first trip down to florida I couldn't understand what all the sticky stuff was all over the RV/semi parking lots. Until someone told me it is urine from the truckers.

I found this at ALL the rest areas. Truckers too danmn lazy to take that bottle into the rest area and they just dump it outside their door on the parking lot. How sick is that.

Not to mention a bio hazard. You don't know what diseases they might have and soem serious diseases ARE transmitted thru fluids.

I just cringe when I see kids getting out of their RV barefoot on those parking lots AND people walking their dogs over it and then that dog gets back into their RV with it on their paws. 😞

[ken56]

RetiredBob wrote:
We've spent the night at AL rest areas a number of times. Mostly, the Welcome center or the one about 30 miles north of B'ham. Never had anyone question us. Only problem is lots of trucks with engines running.

Careful of stepping in those wet spots in the truck parking area. Truckers seem to think they can just empty their piss tanks/bottles right there. Had one guy do it almost right next to my passenger door. I complained to the attendants inside about all the pee spots out there where we had to park.

[RetiredBob]

We've spent the night at AL rest areas a number of times. Mostly, the Welcome center or the one about 30 miles north of B'ham. Never had anyone question us. Only problem is lots of trucks with engines running.

[Merrykalia]

We left Cincy on a Friday evening and had PLANNED to stay in Gadsden, Alabama at River Country Campground and meet our friends there. The gates close at 9 pm (10 pm eastern) and we were not going to arrive until about 10 pm central time. We stayed at the Walmart in Chattanooga and met our friends on Saturday morning. They said that River Country was a great place and they liked it. Either of those may work for you.


Also, Camping World in Chattanooga has a campground. You might want to check on that, also.

[fdwt994]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I use Cracker Barrels all the time. Eat dinner (patronize them) and breakfast and go on your way. Never been an issue.

x2. I've stayed at both and are perfect for overnights. Easy on / easy off, cheap, clean, and safe.

[bob_nestor]

If you're a member of Boondockers Welcome there are two host offering spots very close to Birmingham for a free overnight stay.

[SidecarFlip]

I use Cracker Barrels all the time. Eat dinner (patronize them) and breakfast and go on your way. Never been an issue.

[TheLuvShack]

Northgate or Texas T. Pull throughs and you don't need to unhook. About $30 a night full hookup.

[kyteacher]

magnusfide wrote:

kyteacher wrote:
So the fam and I are headed down to Destin for fall break next week. We are getting a late start on Friday because I have to work. We are thinking we are going to make it to northern alabama/Birmingham area.

Does anyone know of any walmarts, etc... that allow campers to stay over night for free? I just called the camping world in Birmingham and they said they don't let campers stay overnight. Anyone have any other places you've over-nighted for free?

Thanks!

I hope you called ahead to see if your campground is still there after last week's hurricane.

We have checked. They never lost power. Kinda wild that parts were hit so bad and just 45 min away not much damage.

We have never done this before overnight, so I appreciate any cautions or where to avoid. We usually stop and pay at a cheap campground, and we may still do this, but being that we won't be stopping until after dark and will leave first thing in the morning to get to the beach if we can just stop and not unhook our TT that would be helpful.

[magnusfide]

kyteacher wrote:
So the fam and I are headed down to Destin for fall break next week. We are getting a late start on Friday because I have to work. We are thinking we are going to make it to northern alabama/Birmingham area.

Does anyone know of any walmarts, etc... that allow campers to stay over night for free? I just called the camping world in Birmingham and they said they don't let campers stay overnight. Anyone have any other places you've over-nighted for free?

Thanks!

I hope you called ahead to see if your campground is still there after last week's hurricane.

[Executive45]

There's and Elks lodge in Birmingham that allows overnights. We are Elks so we've stayed there. If you're not a member you might call and ask. It's just a large fenced in area but it was quiet and safe....Dennis

[rockhillmanor]

LibertyMan wrote:
The closer you get to North B'ham the more I would

stay away

from parking lot shopping centers near I-65. Trust me, I Police in the area.,,,

X10!

When I'm running down 65 I always stop at a place called Northgate RV Travel Park. They have 4 pull thru's up front by the office for those just staying the night and out back is a full CG. the owner is real nice.

They are LITERALLY at the end of an exit ramp so real easy off and on.

Northgate RV Travel Park
http://northgatervtravelpark.com/
Open Year Around. Come and visit us at Northgate RV Travel Park! I-65 at the end of exit ramp #354 . We are located in North Alabama …

[LibertyMan]

The closer you get to North B'ham the more I would stay away from parking lot shopping centers near I-65. Trust me, I Police in the area. If your looking for free, you can push about an hour south of B'ham near Prattville where you will find a Bass Pro Shops. If your willing to pay, there are several options in and around the B'ham area that are easy to get to and back on the road again.