Off Topic----Gulf State Park Campground question

[sweet maxine]

I can't find my map of the campground, and I've noticed the reservation system allows the choice of loops.

Which loop or loops are better than others there?

 

[bama_ed]

I can't find my map of the campground, and I've noticed the reservation system allows the choice of loops.

Which loop or loops are better than others there?

My FAVORITE campground other than the Fort.

Here is the link to the campground map (PDF). http://www.alapark.com/parks/images/gulf/Events/Campground-Map.pdf

The best campsites IMHO are #4-10 across the street from the lake for spring-summer-fall. Wonderful view, rare shade, close to the bathhouse. #18-38 yellow on Live Oak Dr also have shade and are across the road from the lake. I've also stayed on Sumac, Quail, Bear, and Rabbit Roads. Raccoon Road (the main drag) gets lots of traffic so don't like it.

I was there earlier this month to drop off my new Aliner for my parents to use for a week (and went back to get it). Place was pretty full. The pool was rocking.

From November to February, I stay off the lake because the wind can be very strong and cold. Like a wind tunnel if you are in the right place. That's when I like Bear, Quail, or Rabbit. Any place with a view of the water in spring-summer-fall is nice. Since we are in a popup we ask for a site close to a comfort station (DW LOVES the comfort stations there).

Been camping there for nearly 40 years. Hurricanes have taken their toll but I love the relaxed beach vibe down there on the Redneck Riviera. Or LA (Lower Alabama) to the sophisticates.

Are you going this summer Maxine? or maybe in the fall? It's really wonderful in mid-late October. Absolutely great.

Bama Ed

 

[Napria]

Hey Ed, since you're giving advice and not far from it, have you ever been to Lake Guntersville State Park? If so, what's your opinion? Thanks!

 

[bama_ed]

Hey Ed, since you're giving advice and not far from it, have you ever been to Lake Guntersville State Park? If so, what's your opinion? Thanks!

Napria, happy to tell about our Alabama State Parks. Some of them are really beautiful.

LGSP was hit by terrible tornadoes in 2011 or 2010 (don't remember when exactly). Many places along Lake Guntersville especially along the water's edge got hammered hard. LGSP is a big state park (lots of land) with a golf course, lodge, cabins, and campground. The CG is down by the water and had every tree nearly wiped off the face of the earth. It's been rebuilt but it's pretty wide open and not a lot of shade. I've not been back since the tornadoes. The rest of the park is still pretty wooded.

The Lake has an outstanding rep for bass fishing and BASS tournaments and in the winter bald eagles nest along the river and the state park has winter birding weekends to try to see them in action (always wanted to do that). There is also another state park, Cathedral Caverns, about 30 minutes away that has really a fabulous cave tour with a paved smooth walkway well into the cave. It's a big, deep cave and well worth the trip and tour. It's a newer state park (less than 20 years old maybe?) and only allows primitive camping.

If you're looking up that way in Alabama I would also recommend Desoto State Park up on Lookout Mountain above Fort Payne, AL. A little 2 lane highway runs through the middle of it with a nice campground on one side and the lodge/cabins/river on the other. The Little River Canyon Wilderness Area is adjacent and the river has two waterfalls in the area and lots of hiking and biking trails. It is THE place to go for fall foliage viewing and always fills up then on weekends (it's nice in the summer months too). I've been to it and through it on day visits but never stayed overnight but was very impressed. It gets pretty good reviews too.

Here are the links:

Guntersville

Cathedral Caverns

Desoto

Enjoy.

and BTW here is Gulf: Gulf

Bama Ed

 

[Flametamr]

We camp at Gulf State Park when we go camping local. We love it with all the new amenities. Our favorite is Gator Road the 200 sites. If you get lucky you can get close to all the action. I agree with BamaEd. The lake side sites look nice but the wind can be terrible. My first time there in my old Pup I thought it was going to collapse from the winds. Make sure you book as far in advance as you can. The place is very popular now and stays booked in the summer months.Two years ago you could just drive in. Can't do that anymore.

 

[sweet maxine]

Thanks for the help!

We'll be going there the end of next month, just long enough to smell the wonderful gulf breezes and swim in the salt water. Well, and hopefully 'catch a roll', too, while we're there.

We'll be going in the dreaded tent. Still haven't convinced dh about a camper, but since we'll be renting at the Fort in a few weeks, maybe he will change his mind.

Who knows???? In the meantime, I'll be .

 

[sweet maxine]

Okay, so my options are:

* Bear

* Gator Off-Rd Water

* Quail

* Sumac

* Opossum

Also Short Term and Raccoon, but I didn't think they were as nice, according to the posts, right?

Oh my! Desoto looks nice, too! I'd love to participate in the One World Backpacker Series at least once or twice.

 

[bama_ed]

Thanks for the help!

We'll be going there the end of next month, just long enough to smell the wonderful gulf breezes and swim in the salt water. Well, and hopefully 'catch a roll', too, while we're there.

We'll be going in the dreaded tent. Still haven't convinced dh about a camper, but since we'll be renting at the Fort in a few weeks, maybe he will change his mind.

Who knows???? In the meantime, I'll be .

In a tent huh? You're brave in July.

Since you've been before (you were looking for your map) you prolly don't need recommendations of things to do or places to eat. But Flametamr (he's an LA guy) or myself could provide some. You need to take DH to the Flora-Bama (a bar in Florida on the state line). I've been there pre-hurricanes in the off-season when it's pretty dead (no DW either). Never tossed a mullet there though.

I'm planning to go back to Gulf between Christmas and New Years to eat some seafood, watch some college football, walk the beach, and take part in a little 4m run at the Flora-Bama.

Bama Ed

 

[Napria]

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but thank you so much!

Ed, Desoto looks gorgeous! Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have WiFi, which has become a must for us, due to our autistic son. He needs to be able to stream PBS Kids latest Arthur videos to feel comfortable nowadays.

I had almost booked Gulf State Park for last weeks vacation, but went with a Florida Park instead.

My husband is very much into Bass fishing now and heard Lake Guntersville is a great spot. I was thrilled that the State Park meets all our requirements: WiFi, 50 amp, big rig accessible, takes Amex and is on a fresh water lake. It almost seems to good to be true. And it seems to be only a three hour drive from home!

 

[sweet maxine]

In a tent huh? You're brave in July.

It might be just the thing to spur a sudden interest in camper shopping!

 

[bama_ed]

Okay, so my options are:

* Bear

* Gator Off-Rd Water

* Quail

* Sumac

* Opossum

Also Short Term and Raccoon, but I didn't think they were as nice, according to the posts, right?

Oh my! Desoto looks nice, too! I'd love to participate in the One World Backpacker Series at least once or twice.

Take Sumac and try to get a site on the end near the Comfort Station across from #60. Best chance of a breeze from the lake. I like walking Sumac and Live Oak in the afternoons for the lake view. People arrive all day long the checkin time is more of a "guideline" than a rule. Later arrivers have fewer choices. Just sayin.

Bama Ed

PS - don't count on any wifi at Gulf.

 

[tiggerdad]

This is our second favorite place to camp. We have grown to love Possum Road, specifically the western end where the comfort station is close by. It is a quiet stretch with little traffic. You don't get the breeze though, and there is little shade, but you do get some good sunsets.



The fire a few years ago really wiped out a lot of the trees, which is partly why you get good sunsets.



View of bathhouse for those who have not been there



Nice open and level sites, again for those who have not been to see

 

[RVMH]

Stayed at Gulf for the first time early this year. Loved the park, but despite reserving several months in advance we were put in one of the funny pull thrus on Raccoon since we didn't make a specific request. Traffic, as Ed said, was really bad - lots of it and MUCH too fast though the speed limit is quite low. I would go back but only if I could guarantee not to be on the drag strip. Mardi Gras was great - lots of local parades which were fun to watch!

 

[bama_ed]

Stayed at Gulf for the first time early this year. Loved the park, but despite reserving several months in advance we were put in one of the funny pull thrus on Raccoon since we didn't make a specific request. Traffic, as Ed said, was really bad - lots of it and MUCH too fast though the speed limit is quite low. I would go back but only if I could guarantee not to be on the drag strip. Mardi Gras was great - lots of local parades which were fun to watch!

If you were there early in the year, RVMH, you were probably there with the snow birds. From November to late February, Gulf sets most of their sites aside for snow birds at monthly rates and only leaves 50-75 sites available for reservations of up to 7 days. Since March sees a number of Alabama school systems taking a week of spring break usually later in the month, the number of snow bird sites is cut back a little (leaving more sites for us short-term folks) but there are still plenty of folks there. I was really surprised when I found out how few campsites were set aside for short-term folks during the winter months. There are 500 sites in the campground.

We go almost every year in early November for a weekend at Gulf because the little town just before Gulf Shores, has a little 5k/1m race I found one year and I keep going back for it. The Foley Oyster Run is held around Veteran's Day (on a Saturday). Weather is almost always sunny cool and crisp for the race but warms up nicely all day. My first year was 2001. They have a great after-race party (which is why I keep coming back). Kegs of beer, pizza, fresh shucked oysters (courtesy of a sponsor), and some exercise all by 10am. The only thing that prevents me from going some years is the LSU-Bama game is in Tuscaloosa in alternating years which I go to but the years it's not I've taken my dish, tv, and receiver to Gulf, set up outside, and watched the game at the beach.

Best times to go to Gulf weather/crowd wise is the 4-5 weeks mid-April (after spring breakers) to mid-May (avoid the Hangout Festival weekend before Memorial Day weekend and summer crowds) and Labor Day-late October (Shrimp Festival weekend is busy). I can tell how crowded Gulf is when driving in by how many folks are along the main drag (Raccoon) or in the sites close to the DDD (Dozen Dempsty Dumpsters - what a view for those folks) on Bobcat.

Hope you make it back there during one of those good weather/crowd times.

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

The only time I get to Foley, AL is when my wife drags me and the kids around the outlet mall...

Of course there is a Coleman's outlet nearby that is right up our camping alley. Have scored some pretty good deals on coolers, lamps, and other camping supplies.

Another good thing about Gulf State Park is there is a wal mart at the end of of one of the entrances to the park. If you are coming in from the north you will see the sign that tells you to take a left off of hwy 59 onto hwy 180. This saves you dealing with heavy traffic down on the main beach stretch while pulling your camper. When you make this left the wal mart is immediately on your left. It is super convient to get groceries and s void the traffic. Also, there is a Murphy gas station that typically has good fuel prices and allows you to fuel up before hooking back up to your camper to start the long haul home.

If you have kids who like waterparks like mine do, Waterville USA is not far.

Food wise I like Gulf Island Grill, Hazell's, Bahama Bob's, and Flora-Bama if the kids aren't with us. For dessert, I like Scoops on hwy 59.

 

[Napria]

Ok, now I'm interested in going there again. Are there any loops that have decent wifi?

 

[sweet maxine]

I reserved the site on Sumac, with a request for the end near the comfort station. We're going to drive halfway there the evening before, and hopefully get there around 11 am or so on check-in day.

I don't think dh is very excited about camping in the tent, but I told him that it is a character building thing.

 

[tiggerdad]

Ok, now I'm interested in going there again. Are there any loops that have decent wifi?

Like Ed said, don't count on it. Been down 3 times since 2012 and it was hit or miss each time on Possum Road...

...That really didn't sound right did it...?

 

[WDWNerd]

Hi everyone! I've been a lurker on the camping boards for a while now & have finally decided to join in on the fun! I have gotten so much wonderful information from you all, so thank you!

I am actually at home sick today, & decided to go ahead & book Labor Day weekend at Gulf State park, but I can't get their online system to work & the line is busy when I call! So, to pass the time I decided to check out the boards & y'all are talking about it!

We are also going to Lake Guntersville for the shrimp & BBQ festival in July.

Just to introduce myself, I live in AL and LOVE Disney World! My family goes once every year, & we purchased a travel trailer earlier this year & are planning to take it to the Fort (for the first time) in May. I'm so excited, but a little nervous b/c I LOVE the Disney resorts.

 

[bama_ed]

Like Ed said, don't count on it. Been down 3 times since 2012 and it was hit or miss each time on Possum Road...

...That really didn't sound right did it...?

Uh, it seems by far to be a HIT more often than a miss, tiggerdad..

Gulf has struggled implementing a WIFI solution. Most of it isn't (or at least wasn't) their fault. First they are in a rural small town (Gulf Shores only has about 10k residents). Second they are served by Centurylink for the old landline telephone services (GulfTel was originally founded as a privately owned, mom and pop telco by the Snook family locally. CL is just the latest owner). The communications infrastructure in town is not very sophisticated compared to communities served by, say, Verizon or AT&T. Many of the high-rise condos have fiber run to them by competitive carriers that homerun the service from Mobile or Pensacola. Using a brand new IP switch, they offer combined tv/voice/net packages because there's money to be made from condo owners there but the State Govt of AL won't pay big bucks for those services.

Two years ago I learned they had tried to run several DSL lines to the campground to support WIFI and it was overwhelmed by demand (I got some throughput but not much). Usually I could connect but got no throughput. They have antennas up all over the campground. But they either couldn't get enough DSL lines or didn't have the budget for them.

They tried to explore the possibility of the service being carried by microwave technology shot from an antenna on top of a high rise condo tower that is close to the Park on the Orange Beach side. It has line-of-sight into the Park but it was too expensive to consider seriously.

Don't know what they are doing now.

In the middle of the park where the pool and campstore is you will find the Activity Building behind the Nature Center. The Activity Building is a low plain rectangular cinder block building and it was the first place WIFI was available way back in the day (the only place in the park made possible by the snowbirds who use the building alot during their winter migration with us). That may be the only location with it now. Don't know - didn't even try to connect this month while I was briefly there.

The closest sites to this building (the circle with 46-55) might pick up a signal but there is no guarantee. And Gulf only reserves an area for you but you choose your site when you get there. So there might not be any sites that CAN pick up wifi available (if there are any at all). 4g data from the cellular carriers has vastly improved with more tower/antenna coverage but that is not WIFI of course.

I would put the probability of getting any meaningful WIFI at less than 5%. Honestly. Of course, if someone has more current info, please share.

Bama Ed

PS - Welcome Nerd. Online ressie didn't work for me either. Either early or late in the workday was best for a phone call ressie at Gulf.