Family-friendly beach camping near Orange Beach

Camp near Orange Beach for ocean relaxation, trail system exploration, and unique wildlife.

97% (81 reviews)

United States
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Alabama
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Orange Beach

97% (81 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Orange Beach

2 top beach campgrounds near Orange Beach

100%

(276)

The Wandering Path

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents21 acres · Milton, FL

Located 20 minutes north of downtown Milton, FL, The Wandering Path is a serene escape, offering a unique blend of untouched natural beauty and comfortable accommodations. With 2000 feet of waterfront along the picturesque Coldwater Creek, this nature retreat is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life, set within a sprawling 20-acre landscape. Accommodations at The Wandering Path are designed for those seeking a peaceful retreat. Four glamping tents, equipped with real full-size beds, portable AC for summer, heaters for winter, and essential amenities, ensure a comfortable stay amidst nature. Each tent is adorned with solar string lights, and outdoor essentials like a picnic table, fire pit ring, small charcoal grill, and trash can are provided. For those who prefer a more raw connection with nature, four primitive campsites are available, each equipped with solar string lights, a fire pit ring, and a trash can. A hike-in site with a picnic table is also an option for adventurers. Guests have access to a centrally located bathhouse with two full bathrooms, ensuring comfort and convenience. There is now an outdoor kitchen for all guests to use. There is no cookware, silverware or dishes. There is a counter-top oven, toaster, 2 stove top burners, 1 flat top griddle, sink and keurig coffee maker. There are reusable k-cups for you to put your own coffee in, or your own k-cups. The property boasts 2000 feet of trails alongside the creek, perfect for hiking and exploring the natural surroundings. Kayak rentals are available for guests with appropriate vehicles, and fishing enthusiasts are welcome to cast their lines into the spring-fed creek. At The Wandering Path, nights come alive under a starlit sky, unblemished by city lights, making every evening perfect for a campfire. It’s more than just a stay; it’s an experience of tranquility, a chance to recharge amidst nature’s embrace. We look forward to becoming your go-to spot when you’re in need of recharging. We are less than 1 hour from Pensacola and Navarre beaches, 15-20 minutes to local grocery stores and restaurants. At this time, no pets or children under 12 are allowed in yurts. ***All pets do require prior approval to maintain the safety of other guests.

97%

(152)

CampFire at the Riverbend

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents38 acres · Robertsdale, AL

38 plus acres with 1200ft pristine riverfront. Remote but accessible. Chose your site. Blaze a trail to the river, private beaches, tubing and swimming. 20 acres wooded and open field for a more remote experienced. Camp off your tailgate. You still have river access. RVs are welcome nice level easy access spots but no hook ups. Plenty of room for extra vehicles and trailers. Bring your horses!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Family-friendly beach camping near Orange Beach guide

Overview

Sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise water in Orange Beach, Alabama, invite Gulf Coast campers to fish for trout, watch dolphins, and hike backcountry trails. Local accommodations from RV parks to seaside cottage rentals right in Orange Beach are available all along the coast, as well. Set sights on Gulf State Park, home to one of the best recreational trails in the country. From there, travel to Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge to view songbirds and nesting sea turtles in some of the most complex habitats in the region. Then spend the night at Big Lagoon State Park and partake in its singular sea kayaking and birding opportunities.

Where to go

Gulf State Park

Encompassing 6,150 acres of land, Gulf State Park is an ideal beach experience for any camper. Two miles of sandy beaches make way for swimming, sunbathing, and picnics. Move inland to Lake Shelby, a 900-acre freshwater lake, for boating, water skiing, canoeing, and kayaking. One of the true gems of the park is Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a trail system comprising over 28 miles of paved paths for both hiking and cycling. The park’s campground has 496 campsites for tents and RVs with full hookups, modern bathhouses, back-in and pull-through sites, as well as 11 primitive campsites and three glamping campsites.

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is one of the last remaining areas of undisturbed coastal barrier habitat in the state. The refuge’s diverse landscape includes 7,000 acres of beach dunes, scrub forest, swamps, and marshes. It’s home to over 370 species of migratory songbirds, and the park’s beaches are important nesting sites for loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Staff and volunteers offer regular dune hikes, bird walks, and night prowls. Camping is not allowed within the refuge to maintain habitats, but campers can stay in nearby private RV parks and cottage rentals.

Big Lagoon State Park

A short drive west across the Alabama-Florida border is Big Lagoon State Park. Enjoy the beach along Florida’s Big Lagoon before kayaking along Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, a 1,515-mile sea kayaking path that goes around the entire state of Florida. Or, hike or bike the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a network of sites that showcases wildlife native to Florida. The park’s 75 designated campsites are equipped with 30/50 electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, along with nearby dump stations and full-service restrooms.

When to go

Summer tends to be the busiest time of year in Ocean Beach as crowds rush to enjoy the sand, surf, and nearby state parks. July is the hottest month with an average high of 89°F. Campers looking for smaller crowds can visit in fall. Although winter is considered the offseason, low precipitation and temperate weather makes Orange Beach a solid, year-round destination.