At Home on the Road
June 2023
BY AMITY MOORE JOYCE
RVers find a range of places in Alabama to pull in overnight, from primitive sites to resort-like accommodations, many of which are located within easy distance of top attractions. The virtues of traveling with a recreational vehicle are many, including bringing the whole family (pets, too!) for less overall vacation cost and being in the driver’s seat. Go where the road takes you, and choose the tenor of your getaway. Primitive or polished? Either way, Alabama has you covered. State parks have long been a standard in RVing. Recently, at least two in Alabama have made improvements to better accommodate RVers.
Joe Wheeler State Park
Joe Wheeler State Park, located near Rogersville, found a silver lining in the aftermath of a 2019 tornado when it reopened with wider and longer pads, upgraded 50-amp connections, and new bathhouses—all within view of Wheeler Lake. Fishing, hiking and mountain biking round out the numerous activities available at this resort-like park.
Monte Sano State Park
Near Huntsville, Monte Sano State Park offers nearly 60 campsites with water and electric hookups, plus another 15 with full hookups. All of them have recently been upgraded to 50 amps. Another perk: each campsite is outfitted with a firepit, so definitely bring some marshmallows.
Wind Creek State Park
Wind Creek State Park, one of the largest state-operated campgrounds in the country, welcomes RVs with 586 campsites, 157 of which face Lake Martin. Another 268 have sewer hookups. Here at this family-friendly destination near Alexander City, ride horses, play putt-putt, swim, zipline and more.
Gulf State Park
Another popular stop, Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, features almost 500 full-hookup campsites with paved pads, picnic tables and pedestal grill tops. The real draws, though, are the beach and access to the Gulf of Mexico. The educational opportunities within the state park are an added bonus. If refined RVing is more your style, stick around Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
Buena Vista Resort
Buena Vista Motor Coach Resort in Orange Beach welcomes only Class A or Super C Motor Coaches that are 32 feet or longer and 15 years old or newer. Inside the gated community, RVers find larger lots landscaped for privacy, some with basic trimming and some with full coach houses. Amenities include Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor pools, full hookups, and a lake stocked with bass and bream.
Heritage Motor Coach Resort & Marina
Just a few miles away, Heritage Motor Coach Resort & Marina presents similar sophistication, but on the shores of Bayou St. John. Walk cobblestone paths between coach houses and the clubhouse, where a wraparound porch offers a bird’s-eye look at Perdido Pass and the resort’s manicured grounds. It’s an ideal spot to relax as the sun sinks on another perfect day of RVing in Alabama.
