The best camping near Oak Mountain State Park

Conveniently located near Birmingham, Oak Mountain State Park offers nearly 10,000 acres of scenic rolling hills, pine-covered ridges, and lush woodland valleys. It’s a good thing there’s a wide range of tent, RV, backcountry, equestrian, and cabin camping spots, as you’ll need a few days with all the activities that are available. In addition, more than 50 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, there is a golf course and driving range, demonstration farm, wildlife center, interpretive center, BMX track, and archery range. If water is more your thing, there’s the stunning Peavine Falls, a cable watersports park, and several lakes where you can go swimming, paddling, boating, and fishing.

• Best for convenience: Oak Mountain Campground offers 84 RV and 66 tent sites with a mix of partial and full hookups and primitive sites, and access to 7 bathhouses near Beaver Lake.
• Best for comfort: Located near Lake Tranquility, 10 fully furnished cabins (including one accessible cabin and two dog-friendly cabins) let you stay in style.
• Best for horse lovers: The Equestrian Campground offers 12 sites with full hookups, fire rings, picnic tables, and a dump station for horse waste.

1. Book online or call the park (Sundays through Thursdays) to reserve a campsite ahead of time, particularly for busy periods. Holiday weekends must be reserved 3 months in advance. Weekends and major holidays during peak season require a 2- or 3-night minimum stay. 
2. Plan ahead and call the park up to a year in advance to book a 2- or 3-night minimum cabin stay.
3. Head to the park as early as you can to grab any spots that are still free. Or opt for a backcountry camping site, which are all first-come first-served. Just be sure to register and pay your fees at least one hour before sunset, and be aware that backcountry sites are not available during inclement weather.

Peak season at Oak Mountain State Park runs from March to October. Beach concessions and canoe, kayak, and boat rentals are only available over the summer. The park and campgrounds are open year round, so consider visiting in the winter when the crowds will be minimal, and take advantage of monthly off-season rates. Just be sure to dress warm as temperatures can dip close to freezing.

• The camp store sells snacks, firewood, and limited camping and camper supplies. Pick up other supplies at Birmingham or Pelham.
• You must be 18 and older to reserve a campsite, and 16 and older to rent boats, which must also have someone 16 and older onboard.
• Fires are not permitted at backcountry camping sites at any time. 
• Wifi is available at the Golf Pro Shop.
• A fishing license is required to fish, and a hunting or wildlife management license is required to shoot at the archery range.