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Alabama State Parks
Posted on 2/9/26 at 1:58 pm
Posted on 2/9/26 at 1:58 pm
The only ones I have been to overnight are Oak Mountain, Rickwood Caverns, Desoto, and Gulf State Park. Me and some other dads were talking about getting a camping trip in at each park that has campsites. For boys age 7-13 or so, which ones that you've been to have more than just camping. An example, Oak Mountain is massive, has a BMX track, fishing, archery, playgrounds, a golf course, kayak/canoe rentals etc.
We were thinking of taking the boys somewhere nearby this weekend since we've got a holiday weekend and also Friday off from school Cheaha, Lake Lurleen, and Wind Creek are fairly close to where we are in Birmingham, so those are high on the list for trips this year. Campsites near or on the water are a plus, but not a dealbreaker. We'd also like to not be bunched in with a bunch of RVs and Campers. Something more primitive would be great where we can set up in the woods, build a fire, maybe do some fishing, and maybe some mountain bike trails for older boys and short hikes for the younger ones.
We were thinking of taking the boys somewhere nearby this weekend since we've got a holiday weekend and also Friday off from school Cheaha, Lake Lurleen, and Wind Creek are fairly close to where we are in Birmingham, so those are high on the list for trips this year. Campsites near or on the water are a plus, but not a dealbreaker. We'd also like to not be bunched in with a bunch of RVs and Campers. Something more primitive would be great where we can set up in the woods, build a fire, maybe do some fishing, and maybe some mountain bike trails for older boys and short hikes for the younger ones.
8
Posted on 2/9/26 at 3:09 pm to TU Rob
You should also look into places like Wildlife management areas, national forest, national wetlands, etc. if you are looking for camping spots especially to get away from people.
Posted on 2/9/26 at 4:08 pm to TU Rob
Check out McFarland Park in Florence.
On the TN river.
lots of stuff there:
McFarland
On the TN river.
lots of stuff there:
quote:
Diverse Recreational Facilities
McFarland Park boasts a range of recreational opportunities, making it a versatile destination for visitors of all interest:
Sixty Campsites, including amenities
Soccer Field
Disc Golf Course
Picnic Shelters with fireplaces
Playgrounds
Boat Ramps
Fishing Piers
Individual Picnic Tables
Baseball Fields
Paved and Lighted Jogging Trail Surrounding the Harbor
On-site Restaurant and Marine Store
Boat Slips
Walking Pathways
McFarland
Posted on 2/9/26 at 5:37 pm to TU Rob
Lake Lurleen meets a lot of your points - it is on the water and has great hiking and biking trails. It is not really "primitive", but is large enough that you can usually find some privacy. However, they are just finishing a year-long renovation and are reopening sometime this spring, but are not open yet.
Brushy Creek is in Bankhead National Forest and is primitive camping. There are numerous hiking trails and rivers/streams nearby and is a great area to explore.
Brushy Creek is in Bankhead National Forest and is primitive camping. There are numerous hiking trails and rivers/streams nearby and is a great area to explore.
Posted on 2/9/26 at 5:58 pm to TU Rob
Lake Point in Eufaula can be pretty nice. You also have the Barbour County Management Area nearby as well.
Posted on 2/10/26 at 5:38 am to TU Rob
Alabama has fantastic state parks....I am pretty certain they were the first to build actual resorts (motels that they call resorts but still pretty damn nice) iin state parks...if not first they were early in doing so....they have really good state parks in Alabama....
Posted on 2/10/26 at 9:07 am to baldona
quote:
You should also look into places like Wildlife management areas, national forest, national wetlands, etc. if you are looking for camping spots especially to get away from people.
Yeah, we've hit some rural/primitive places too, but someone came up with the idea of all of our State parks. Thinking 2-3 a year and we could hit them all.
Posted on 2/10/26 at 10:32 am to TU Rob
Lake Guntersville is one of our favorites. They have both RV and Primitive sites. Right on the lake with a beach area. Plenty of trails nearby.
Posted on 2/11/26 at 10:42 am to TU Rob
How did you like desoto? I’m going to be up there in a couple of weekends with my kids age 6 and 11. Anything we definitely need to do?
Posted on 2/11/26 at 4:02 pm to secondandshort
quote:
How did you like desoto? I’m going to be up there in a couple of weekends with my kids age 6 and 11. Anything we definitely need to do?
We went last year at Spring break. We opted not to do the primitive campsites, so we were in there with all the RVs and Campers. It was a fun trip, and only the second or third time we camped. The main reason we went there was for the Zipline course through the trees. My youngest was 6 at the time, almost 7, and my older son was 11. My youngest is usually pretty fearless, but he absolutely freaked out once we climbed the stairs up for the zipline course. I thought it would be my older one, and it honestly shocked me. We backed down, and they gave us a voucher good for 5 years, so we'll go back when he's a little older. The same company also runs the ziplines in Alexander City, so we might try that one instead since it is a little closer to Birmingham.
They loved the camping and playing in the woods. We just set up our tent on the gravel pad. Just checked my emails, and we had spot number 73. It was around a curve in the road, and there were some old railroad ties for steps down to a lower level where we had the firepit, and tons of woods for them to play in. There's also a pretty decent playground, hiking trails, and a few other things nearby. They also have TV service and sold Coax cables at the country store where you check in. Had I known that, I would have thrown an old TV in the car to watch some March Madness. It is really a good setup for car camping or RVs, and we didn't even go to the primitive areas.
Posted on 2/11/26 at 4:51 pm to TU Rob
Check out Monte Sano SP in Huntsville there is the Conrad Swanson Observatory there, as well as the US Space and Rocket Center nearby
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