Tent Camping
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Visitors flock to the area for white-sand beaches, exciting water sports, fresh seafood and breathtaking sunsets. And there’s no better place to be at one with nature than camping among the more than 6,100 acres that make up Gulf State Park.
Tent Camping in Gulf State Park
Tent Camping
Tent Camping
The park's campground features sites overlooking Middle Lake, tucked among the trees and along the open field. The campground also offers 11 air-conditioned bathhouses, a camp store, laundry facilities, a swimming pool with a splash pad, tennis/pickleball courts, horseshoes, volleyball, lots of family-friendly activities, and easy access to the Nature Center.
Pitching a tent at these sites includes access to water and electric hook-ups (as well as a sewer for those in RVs and campers), plus a picnic table and pedestal grill. For those wanting something a little more natural, check out the park’s primitive sites that come with campfire rings, grill tops, and picnic tables. Affording visitors a little more privacy, these sites are hidden among the trees along a creek. Campers at these sites do have access to the bathhouses, playgrounds, and laundry facilities.
Primitive Camping in Gulf State Park
Primitive Camping in Gulf State Park
However, if you want a truly rustic beach camping vacation, check out the Outpost Campsites along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Located 1.5 miles from the Cotton Bayou Trailhead, these four sites each feature four cots in pitched tents on a wooden platform and come with firewood. There’s even a canvas-covered “porch” for each tent where guests can relax out of the sun.
Amenities at these sites are limited to a communal sink for washing dishes, a port-a-potty, and a fire ring with a grill top surrounded by log benches. Campers will need to pack in everything else they need, and they’ll need to pack out all refuse. Stripped down to the most basic camping experience, these sites are ideal for enjoying a true back-to-nature experience along Alabama's Beaches.
Karon Warren
For nearly 15 years, Karon Warren has covered travel and lifestyle topics for print and online markets. She loves exploring the world around us and sharing her insights with others. You can follow along with Karon on Twitter at @KaronWarren and learn more about her work at www.karonwarren.com.
Camp By the
Camping in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is a great affordable way to experience our beaches and wildlife. When you visit and camp in the area, you’ll have numerous amenities available to you on top of the numerous attractions from our beaches to shopping to dining. If you’re craving southern hospitality and a good time, you’re guaranteed to find it when camping in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.
