Oak Mountain State Park (Alabama) is set to unveil its newly renovated campgrounds later this month, marking the first major overhaul of the facilities in several decades. The park, a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts, has undergone significant upgrades to enhance the camping experience for its visitors.
The renovations include the introduction of new ADA accessible tent and RV sites, ensuring that the park’s natural beauty is accessible to all guests. Alongside these additions, the park now features updated bathhouses, providing modern comforts to campers.
A new dog park has also been added to the park’s amenities, catering to pet owners who wish to bring their furry friends along for the adventure. This addition is part of a broader effort to make the park more inclusive and welcoming to a wider range of visitors.
An activity room and a playground are among the new facilities aimed at enhancing the family-friendly appeal of the park. These areas are designed to offer recreational opportunities for children and families, making it an ideal spot for family outings.
The park has also upgraded its RV sites to include 50 AMP service. This upgrade is intended to accommodate modern RVs and provide a more comfortable stay for vehicle-based campers.
David Johnson, a park administrator who has been part of the Oak Mountain State Park team since 2000, shared his enthusiasm for the upgrades.
Johnson, who began his career as a park ranger, recalled the days when he patrolled the aging campgrounds.
“I remember patrolling through this campground and thinking, wow, it’s a great campground, but it could use some touch ups, some renovating,” Johnson told WVTM. “And so here we are, 24 years later and we’re getting that done, so it’s been exciting to see that happen.”
The funding for these extensive renovations was secured through a general obligation bond voted in 2022. The bond provided Alabama’s State Parks with $80 million, a substantial investment aimed at revitalizing park facilities across the state.
Johnson noted that the renovation efforts were largely driven by visitor input over the years. The park’s management team has taken care to listen to the needs and desires of their guests, implementing changes that reflect those preferences. “They wanted new bathrooms here, you know, wider RV sites, some of them are made a little bit longer to accommodate the bigger RVs, so we listen to their wants and needs and we’ve delivered,” Johnson explained.
The reopening of the campgrounds is timed to coincide with the two-year anniversary of the bond’s approval, a symbolic nod to the project’s planning and execution timeline. Many of the sites have already been booked for the opening weekend on May 24, highlighting the anticipation and excitement among the park’s patrons.
Despite the high demand, some camping spots remain available for the opening weekend. Park officials encourage interested visitors to book their spots soon to experience the upgraded facilities firsthand. Oak Mountain State Park continues to strive for improvements that enhance the visitor experience, ensuring that it remains a top destination for outdoor recreation in Alabama.
Featured image by Oak Mountain State Park via alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park
