Gulf Shores is a bustling city located on the Gulf Coast in Alabama with white sand beaches, fantastic hiking trails, and RV camping opportunities. This affordable beach area attracts thousands of visitors every year. The Gulf State Park is the main attraction with many beach locations, trails, and a pier.
Table of Contents
- How to Get to Gulf Shores
- When to Visit Gulf Shores
- RV Parks In Gulf Shores
- Gulf Shores and Nearby Activities
- Bottom Line
How to Get to Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores, Alabama, is located on the state’s southernmost tip, directly on the Gulf of Mexico. This gulf coast city is accessible via SR-182 and Highway 59, also known as the Foley Beach Express. You can reach Gulf Shores in about a little over an hour from Mobile, Alabama, and an hour from Pensacola, Florida.
When to Visit Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores is open and great to visit year-round. June through August is the wettest month but is popular for visitors. If you choose to visit during this time, make sure to book very far in advance and prepare for higher prices. Late spring and early fall are great times to visit Gulf Shores as the water is still warm and prices are lower! June to September is hurricane season, so make sure to check the weather before you travel.
RV Parks In Gulf Shores
Gulf State Park Campground
This excellent state park campground features close to 500 full-hookup RV sites and 11 primitive sites, though tent camping is welcome at all sites. The RV park features many amenities, including 11 bathhouses, laundry facilities, a camp store, a swimming pool, and more. Also, don’t miss out on the Gulf State Park Pier, while very popular for fishing, is also a great tourist attraction.
Gulf State Park Campground also features a nature center with native flora and fauna displays with weekly activities. Rates vary based on location and peak vs. non-peak rate. Nightly rates range from $55 to $77 for RV sites and $25-28 for tent camping. Visitors love the park and leave fantastic campground reviews.
Gulf Breeze RV Resort
Located on its own lake, Gulf Breeze RV Resort has over 250 RV sites with full hook-ups, Wi-Fi, sewer, showers, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, rental cabins, and cable TV. While you stay here, you can fish on the private lake, hang out in the game room, or take the bus to the casino. This RV resort is also dog friendly and kids will enjoy the paddle boat activities. RV sites go for $45/day, and tent camping sites go for $30/day
Sugar Sands RV Resort
Enjoy the modern amenities at Sugar Sands RV Resort, including an entire bathhouse with separate restrooms and showers for men and women. A large 5,000-square-foot “Rec House” with full kitchens, TVs, and fireplaces. The space also includes a pool, fitness center, and many planned activities. There are 82 RV sites with full hookups, and five tiny homes are also available for rent. Rates range depending on what month your choose to book, but the nightly rate for RV sites ranges from $50-$75/night, with discounts for weekly and monthly stays at this RV park.
Sun Outdoors Orange Beach / Pandion Ridge RV Resort
Pandion Ridge RV Resort was recently rebranded as Sun Outdoors Orange Beach. This luxury RV resort has over 30 acres in Orange Beach, located next to Gulf Shores in Alabama. Sun Outdoors Orange Beach features a fully-equipped business center, two swimming pools, great nature trails, and planned activities throughout the year. In addition, the location is close to nearby beaches and makes for the perfect campground location. Campgrounds start at $63 a night.
Fort Morgan RV Park
Fort Morgan RV Park is located on Mobile Bay in this peaceful RV resort. If you’re looking for quiet and peaceful surroundings, this RV park is for you. There are 34 RV sites spread out over 6 acres which offers plenty of space for privacy. The amenities include a bathhouse, community room, and free laundry facilities. Unfortunately, there is no tent camping allowed here due to utility worries.
Island Retreat RV Park
Only 3 miles from the gulf shore, Island Retreat RV Park features a great mix of park amenities and large RV sites, making for a great camping experience. This dog-friendly campground offers bike grail access, high-speed Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and 24-hour laundry. The facility provides both back-in and pull-through sites, and nightly rates range from $62-75 a night.
Gulf Shores and Nearby Activities
Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach State Park is located in Florida, about halfway between Panama City Beach and Destin. It’s about three hours from Gulf Shores, Alabama. Grayton Beach makes for a great day trip as it is one of Florida’s most popular beach locations and parks. Here you’ll find giant dunes, wildlife, and the beautiful Western Lake, a coastal dune lake.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
This recreation activity is only a two-hour drive from Gulf Shores, Alabama. Here you can enjoy the federally protected seashore of Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. There are many areas to enjoy here, whether you want to hike, kayak, or check out the many forts. Fort Pickens Campground is an excellent option for RV camping on the national seashore and is considered one of the busiest campsites run by the National Park Service.
Lake Shelby
Located in the heart of Gulf Shores is Lake Shelby. This beautiful, freshwater lake is 900 acres and boasts many recreational activities such as swimming, boating, waterskiing, and fishing. Fun fact – Lake Shelby is the closest freshwater lake near saltwater on the Gulf Shore.
Bottom Line
You can’t go wrong with choosing Gulf Shores as your next RV travel destination. No matter what time of year you’re traveling here, you’ll be happy to be on the white sand beaches of the gulf coast. Whether you are looking for a peaceful RV resort or one full of activities, it’s time to pack up your bags and get ready for your next vacation at Gulf Shores, Alabama.
For other great waterfront RV campsite locations, visit RV Camping Waterfront.
Featured image from https://ourgulfshoresvacation.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tony is an avid camper and RV traveler. He fell in love with camping on his first RV trip with his wife over 25 years ago. Tony loves sharing lessons learned and tips about RV maintenance and safe traveling.
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