RV Rental Alabama

RV Rental Alabama: Motorhome, Camper, and Trailer Rentals AL

Alabama may not be the first state that comes to mind when you're planning a road trip, but it has a rich history that is steeped in culture and music, which makes it worth visiting. Alabama also has some scenic mountains, white sand beaches, and other popular attractions that you may not know about when you’re planning your getaway.

There are a variety of things to do: tour antebellum homes, photograph waterfalls, or go whitewater rafting. The state has a number of museums and is a great place for foodies who like Southern cuisine and seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. Alabama also has several parks and resort towns.

Even better, RV rentals in Alabama are affordable and accessible to couples, families, and solo travelers who are looking to explore the deep south.

Popular RV Destinations in Alabama

Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park features two miles of white sand beaches, and even if you're not a big fan of sunbathing or swimming, there's still a lot to do. The area is great for hiking, biking, and paddling. The park has a nature center, beach pavilion, and swimming pools.

You can also kayak and canoe at Lake Shelby or fish off the pier. The park has a butterfly garden and is also a fun geocaching location. And if you're truly adventurous, you can go parasailing and see the beautiful shore views from the sky.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Every time you visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, there's something different to see. It regularly hosts traveling exhibits that frequently change, such as A Space-Age Journey Through Pop Culture. The center also has a Mars Climbing Wall, a NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge course, and a motion-based flight simulation.

Visitors are able to tour two International Space Station modules and take part in live science interactive presentations. Other can't-miss attractions include astronomy shows and live entertainment in the facility's planetarium as well as a bus tour of Redstone Arsenal, the Army Materiel Command headquarters and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

If you love motorcycles, it's worth the cost of a motor home rental in Alabama just to see this museum. It features over 1,600 bikes spanning 100 years of production. Over 200 different manufacturers are included in the collection, including favorites such as Harley-Davidson, Honda, and Indian. The facility was recognized by the Guinness World Records as being the world’s largest motorcycle collection in 2014.

But it's more than just bikes.The museum also features incredible cars, including the most extensive Lotus collection on earth. Rare race cars are also on display, such as the 1964 Ferrari F-158 that John Surtees drove when he won the1964 Formula 1 Driver’s World Championship. 

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

Four sessions musicians founded Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1969. It's one of the state's top attractions, and for good reason. Some of the world's greatest artists made recordings there, including the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Cocker, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens, and Cher.

The town itself is pretty quiet and is bordered by the Tennessee River. But the studio, which was recently restored and is still a working studio, is open daily for tours. You may even spot a famous face or two when you're there.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Golf nuts love the RTJ Golf Trail, which is based on the designs of the famous golf course architect. The trail consists of 468 holes at 11 different championship-caliber golf courses located throughout the state, including Montgomery, Huntsville, Mobile, Birmingham, and Greenville.

One of the best things about the RTJ Golf Trail is that the courses are not only great quality, but they're also affordable. The trail is featured in Chris Santella's book, Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die, so if fairways are your church, then this is one activity in Alabama you don't want to miss.

Events and Entertainment in Alabama

Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Believe it or not, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) is one of the world's largest Shakespeare festivals and is held at the Carolyn Blount Theatre in Montgomery. ASF stages as many as nine productions each year but doesn't focus exclusively on the English playwright's works.

ASF also puts on classical and modern performances and includes plays with Southern themes. ASF also focuses on young performers and audiences and hosts SchoolFest, a student matinee program. The festival draws over 300,000 visitors annually from the United States and other countries. 

Mardi Gras

New Orleans isn't the only Southern city that hosts Mardi Gras celebrations. In fact, the oldest annual Carnival celebration in America takes place in Mobile every February. It has been going on since 1703 and features marching bands, parades, masked balls, and huge crowds of party goers.

The event began as a French Catholic tradition but celebrates a wide range of cultures, including Spanish, British, African, Creole, and American customs. The biggest draw is the parades where masked members of exclusive societies toss trinkets, known as throws, to the crowds. Throws can include beaded necklaces, candy, small toys, and whistles.

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic

The Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic is the mid-South's oldest hot-air balloon race. Every May, visitors travel to see dozens of colorful hot air balloons in Decatur, which has been designated the "Ballooning Capital of Alabama." In addition to tethered balloon rides, one of the pinnacles of the event is the Balloon Glow at night.

There is also plenty of entertainment, food, and fireworks as well as tractor pulls, parades, and other demonstrations. The event is one of the state's top tourism attractions. Oh, and did we mention that it's free? Just make sure to plan ahead and get there early if you want a free tethered ride.

National Shrimp Festival

Over 250,000 people attend the National Shrimp Festival on the Gulf Shores every year. The event has been taking place for over four decades and celebrates, what else, shrimp! The festival is free and occurs in October. Organizers initially started the festival to attract tourists in the area following Labor Day.

In addition to shrimp (prepared practically any way you can imagine), the festival includes a sand sculpture competition, music and entertainment, arts and crafts, and a 10k/5k run. Over 300 vendors participate, so there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

Campgrounds and Parks in Alabama

Montgomery South RV Park & Cabins

This RV park is only a few miles from Montgomery and is a great place to relax. There are 45 full hookup sites, including pull-through sites and 23 sites for big rigs over 100 feet. The park provides Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, private bathrooms and showers, a self-service RV wash, RV storage, and a clubhouse.

Nearby attractions include the Rosa Parks Museum, Alabama State Capitol, Blount Cultural Park, the Hank Williams Museum, Civil Rights Memorial, Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. The minor league baseball team, the Montgomery Biscuits, are also based in the city.

Shady Acres Campground, Mobile

Shady Acres Campground is located off the Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile and provides easy access to fishing, boating, the Gulf Coast casinos, the USS Alabama battleship, and the Bellingrath Gardens. Popular annual events in Mobile include Bayfest, the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, and the Azalea Trail Run.

The park has a boat ramp and 92 shady and open full hookup sites, including room for slideouts. There are also laundry facilities, a library book exchange, bathrooms and showers, Wi-Fi, a dump station, and an RV wash for your motorhome rental. The campground also welcomes large rigs.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center Campground

If the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is on your to-do list, then the nearby U.S. Space & Rocket Center Campground is a great place to stay. The campground doesn't have tons of amenities, but its location is ideal. It features 27 full hookup sites, Wi-Fi, restrooms and showers, an RV wash, and laundry facilities.

Other nearby activities include boating, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, and hiking. The RV park itself is very quiet, and trees and shade surround every spot. The staff is friendly, the facilities are clean and neat, and the park is easy to access.

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Alabama

If you need to store your RV or travel trailer, Green Springs Mini Storage in Birmingham is a great option. The facility is 100-percent secure and features 24-hour surveillance. Also, the manager lives on site, so you know your property is protected.  Other storage facilities in Alabama include:

• Alabama RV & Storage, Montgomery
• RV Storage, Bessemer
• U-Own-It Boat & RV Storage, Orange Beach
• Pelham RV & Boat Storage, Pelham
• West Mobile Boat & RV Storage, Mobile
• Cotton Creek Boat & RV Storage, Gulf Shores

In Alabama, many dump stations are located in or around state and federal parks. Some colleges and universities also provide them, which helps when you're tailgating. There are several dump stations in Montgomery, Huntsville, Birmingham, and Gulf Shores. There are also dump stations at several RV parks, and they’re often free for registered guests.

• Capital City R.V. Park, Montgomery
• The Woods RV Park and Campground, Montgomery
• Fort Toulouse – Jackson Park Campground, Wetumpka
• Flying J Travel Plaza, Tyson

FAQs:

1. What are RV Rentals?

If you can't afford to buy an RV or only want to use one for a short period of time, you can rent one for a reasonable cost.

2. How Much are RV Rentals?

Typically small trailers and camper vans cost between $75 and $150 per night. Larger RVs are between $100 and $250 per night. You can save money if you rent them for longer periods of time, and they can cost as little as $60 per night.

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Alabama?

You have to be at least 25 years old for RV rentals in Alabama.

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes. Just like you need insurance to drive a car, you need one for an RV in case you're involved in an accident.

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

Check with the rental company. Some require it, while others don't.

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Alabama?

Each RV rental company has its own policies. Many are pet-friendly but require a deposit or extra fee.