The best beach camping in Alabama

Alabama’s coastline might be short—a 60-mile slice of Gulf Coast sandwiched between Mississippi and Florida—but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in scenery. When temperatures heat up (expect average highs of 90°F in summer), Alabama campers head to the south shore, where white-sand beaches, barrier islands, and gentle surf provide the perfect turf for swimming, water sports, and dolphin-watching cruises. Beachfront campgrounds and RV resorts dot the shores of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama’s flagship beaches, while Gulf State Park has everything from simple tent sites to full hookup RV sites and luxurious cottages on the shores of Lake Shelby. Further west, the tranquil beaches and bird-filled marshes of Dauphin Island are the best bet for escaping the crowds, especially through winter. Speaking of which, there’s no better spot for winter camping than the Gulf Coast, with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below the mid-50s.