Bear with me, here, folks. (I know, bold choice to start out with a pun… but there’s too many campy puns not to!) It can certainly be fun to pile up the car and make a road trip to some far off mountains or waterfall, but the state of Alabama—not to mention Birmingham–has tons of incredible camping adventures just waiting for you around the corner! 

So as the average temperature slowwwwly lowers, get ready to spend a night around a campfire telling silly or spooky stories and making s’mores. Look up at the night sky and do some stargazing. (There are several great free stargazing apps available for both iOS and Android, including Sky Tonight, Star Walk 2 Free, SkyView Lite, Sky Map, and Stellarium Mobile.) Take a hike, literally.

It’s time to plan a quick little overnight adventure and pop the tent for a little camp out with the fam. Get ready for some core memory-making, friends, ’cause this is what camping is all about! 

Let's Go Camping!

ALABAMA CAMPING LOCATIONS:

Alabama boasts sooo many incredible state parks, but not all of them offer camping (although most do). Here’s a list of your options (you can find more information on alapark.com):

HOW TO BE A HAPPY CAMPER

Okay, so I’m not going to promise you every trick in the book, but I can highlight one essential tip to becoming a happy camper: Your priorities should determine your camp site. Not one for primitive camping? Hey, there’s no shame in the game of using a modern campsite with bathrooms nearby or glamping—there’s lots of cozy cabins out there. But there’s nothing worse than needing to… shall we say “use the facilities” after your drive, only to pull up to a primitive-only campground. 

Check out the Alabama State Parks overview document once you’ve decided what the non-negotiables are for your family. It breaks down all of the state parks according to region and amenities offered at each site. (Even gift shops, play areas, and dog-friendly cabins are listed categories, along with if they have hiking trails!)

PACKING LIST:

You can be a happy camper… only if you’re a smart camper and pack, in short, the house. Yes, anything you might possibly need, all stuffed in approximately 37 bags you can barely fit in your trunk. But don’t be afraid of over-packing and follow the Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared”—I firmly believe it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared, especially if your camping spot is in the middle of nowhere.

– Tent, sleeping bags, and pillows

– An air mattress is a great base for tents

– First aid kit

– Flashlights/lantern

– Fans

– Extra batteries

– Clothes, swim suits, sturdy shoes, and some flip flips too

– Extra clothes and clothes for varying weather (imagine a toddler falling in icky mud and demanding new shorts, and you don’t have them… be. prepared.)

– Wet wipes

– Grocery store bags (great to use as trash bags)

– Food! Hot dogs, buns, condiments, chips, dips, s’mores gear, etc.

– Cooler filled with lots of drinks! Remember to stay hydrated.

– Bug spray

– Sun block

– Toiletries

– Fold out chairs/Camping chairs

– Binoculars

– Random junk you may need like scissors, a hammer or mallet, rope, zip ties, duct tape

WHAT TO DO 

As an adult, it is easy to sit back, relax and just… be. But when you’re little, that sounds BORING! Camping with kids means staying active. Every camp site is unique, and some even offer fun nature programming like guided hikes or even family focused activities like games and crafts. Some ideas on what to do with kids while camping include:

– Fishing

– Hiking

– Swimming

– Creeking

– Boating/kayaking

– Scavenger hunts

– Playing I-spy

– Board games and card games (pack accordingly)

– Reading

– Storytelling

– Geocaching

– Playing Pokemon Go!

– Crafting (bead bracelets, rock painting)

– Building a campfire

– Stargazing (download a constellation app!)

Birmingham Parent Magazine hopes you have a wonderful time camping with your crew, whether you go at the tail end of summer or once fall hits! Have fun, be safe, and make those memories.