A Lake Guntersville State Park Camping Trip: Everything to Know!

If you are looking to take an amazing few days out in nature, you’ll love taking a Lake Guntersville State Park camping trip!  Alabama has some incredible state parks, but this might just be the best one out there.   

Whether you plan to stay in a tent, a camper, or one of their camping cabins or safari tents, you can’t go wrong by planning a camping trip here.  And for those of you who would rather book a luxurious getaway, they also offer lakeside cabins, chalets, and even lodge rooms! 

With so many different ways to stay, everyone is welcome at Lake Guntersville State Park!

Important Links

Lake Guntersville State Park website

Campground – Make Reservations Here

Safari Tents – Make Reservations Here

Lodge – Make Reservations Here

Hiking in Lake Guntersville State Park

Bucks Pocket State Park – Nearby Hiking and Camping

Location

Lake Guntersville State Park is located in northeast Alabama and is arguably one of the nicest parks in the entire state!  This 6,000 acre park sits on the banks of the Tennessee River and is the perfect place to getaway for a week or weekend, no matter your budget!

The best part is that Lake Guntersville State Park is fairly close to several major cities.   This campground is just 1.5 hours southwest of Chattanooga, TN, under 3 hours northwest of Atlanta, GA and a mere 1.5 hours northeast of Birmingham, AL.   

Fees

Like all Alabama State Parks, there is an entry fee to enjoy this beautiful place.  The fee is $5 per adult, $2 for kids (11 and under), $2 for Senior Citizens (62+) and free for kids 3 and below.   Unfortunately, this pass is only good at whatever state park you purchase said day pass from.  

If you are camping here, you do not need to buy a day pass to enjoy the state park.  All day use areas are accessible with your camping reservation, you just need to show them your parking tag (provided upon check-in).

Time to Spend Here

A Lake Guntersville State Park camping trip can be for a quick 2-day getaway, or for a full 14-day trip.  There is so much to do here and so many different ways to stay, you truly can’t go wrong no matter how long you plan to stay here.  

If you are looking to just unplug for a little while and maybe do some hiking or fishing, then a weekend or a long weekend will be perfect for you.  

However, if you are more interested in exploring the area, taking advantage of the amenities, and doing all of the activities available within the state park, then you will want to stay for a longer period of time.  Just remember, from April 1st to October 31st, you can only make a reservation for up to 14 days.  If you plan to stay in the off season, you can book for up to 31 days.  

Whether you are camping in a tent, staying in a camping cabin or staying in a luxurious lodge up on the hill, there is something for everyone!

Things to Do Here

Lake Guntersville State Park has an extensive list of things that you can do!  For all the details, check out their website.

But for a brief overview, here is a list of all the “things to do” in Lake Guntersville State Park!

• Hiking
• Biking
• Horseback Riding
• Ziplining Canopy Tour
• Fishing
• Bird Watching
• Boat Rentals
• Geocaching
• Golfing 
• Beaching  

Many of these activities come with a fee, such as the Horseback Riding, Golfing and the Ziplining Tours.  But the great thing about state parks is there are always options that are free, like hiking, biking and fishing.  

So regardless of your budget, there is something for everyone to do while on a Lake Guntersville State Park camping trip!

Hiking Options 

Lake Guntersville State Park Campground is loaded with amenities, but they also offer over 35 miles of hiking trails.  For all the details about the great hiking this park offers, check out this post all about hiking in the park!

If you don’t want to worry about parking, there are several trails that you can pick up right from the campground.  These trails include the Lodge Trail, the Seale’s Trail, and the Old Lickskillet Trail. 

Campground 

Alabama State Parks are known for their excellent campgrounds, and Lake Guntersville State Park is no exception!  With 295 campsites, this is a great place to go camping no matter the size of your rig.  Plus there are excellent amenities and you really can’t beat the view.  

Details

• 295 Improved Campsites
• 35 Primitive Campsites
• Camper Cabins
• 10 Safari Tents
• 20 Chalets
• 112 Lodge Rooms
• Lakeside Cabins
• 7 Bathhouses in the Campground
• 1 Large Dump Station
• 2 Laundry Rooms
• 1 Playground
• High-Speed Wifi (Free)
• Beach
• Dog Park
• Splash Pad (Seasonal)
• Tennis/Basketball/Volleyball Courts

With all of these things in the campground alone, you’ll be able to fill every second of your stay here with activities if that’s how you prefer to vacation.

But let’s dive into each of the ways to stay here!

Primitive Campsites

Let’s start with the cheapest way to book a Lake Guntersville State Park camping trip.  At the back of the campground, furthest away from the entrance, there are dozens of primitive campsites.  These spots all have fire rings and some space to park your car and place your tent.  These spots are truly primitive, but they are also the best way to unplug.  

Some of the sites are mere feet away from the Tennessee River bank, and others are in a field away from the river.  All of these spots have very little shade, but offer great views of the water.  They also are far enough away from the hundreds of electric/FHU sites that you can enjoy some peace and quiet.  

Water/Electric Sites

Next up are the Water and Electric Sites.  These sites are more expensive than the primitive campsites, but a few dollars cheaper than the full hook-up sites.  These spots vary in size and length, so be sure to read the description depending on the size of your camper.  

These sites are both close to the river, or as far away from the river as you would like to be.  You have access to all of the amenities listed above, but are still able to be in the comfort of your camper.  This was the type of campsite we stayed on for our camping trip and we enjoyed having these hook-ups for our camper.  

Full Hook-Up Sites

And the most luxurious way to book a Lake Guntersville State Park camping trip is on one of their full hook-up sites.  These sites all have electric, water and sewer hook-ups so you can enjoy all of your amenities inside your camper.  

A few of the full hook-up sites are paved (E1, E3, E4, E5, E6, E9, E10, E11, E12, E13, E15, E16, and E18) but the rest are on gravel.  Regardless of which site you book, this is a great way to bring your home with you as you explore the beauty of Lake Guntersville.  

Now that we have all of the camping out of the way, this leads us to the glamping ways to stay within Lake Guntersville State Park.  

Safari Tents

Within the confines of the campground are 2 glamping options for those of you who want some luxuries!

The first of these 2 glamping options are the Safari Tents.  These adorable tents are perfect for a memorable getaway without giving up your AC or heat.  Each Safari Tent includes linens, a Keurig coffee maker, a mini fridge, rugs, lamps, and other home decor. Each tent has electrical outlets to charge your devices, a ceiling fan, residential A/C and/or a heating Unit.  And outside, your Glampsite includes a fire ring, 2 hammocks, a charcoal grill with a cooking grate, 2 camp chairs, string lights, and a picnic table.

There are 3 styles of Safari Tents, the Standard Tent (Sleeps 4), the Double Tent (Sleeps 4) and the Deluxe Tent (Sleeps 6).  Each tent increases with price, so be sure to consider your budget with these options.

Camper Cabins

The next glamping method is the Camper Cabins.  These camper cabins are also inside of the campground, so you will get the feel of a Lake Guntersville State Park camping trip without actually having to camp.

There are 10 camper cabins in the state park and each one includes two bedrooms and one bathroom (You do have to bring your own linens and bath towels).  In each cabin is a full-size kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, a stove/oven & microwave (fully furnished with dish ware, pots, & pans).  There is a dining room with a table and four chairs, a living room with couch, built-in electric fireplace & TV and of course, air conditioning and heat.

Cabins

Now, let’s head up the hill, to what is no longer considered camping.  The Cabins at Lake Guntersville State Park are quite luxurious and sit just off the banks of the Guntersville Reservoir. They are perfect for a quiet getaway without having to leave the comforts of home.  

Each cabin is furnished, has a living room with cable TV, a kitchen with dishes and cookware (basic sets), two bathrooms, and one king bedroom and one room with 2 double beds.  Outside, the cabins offer a sitting area on their back porch, a grill in the backyard, and a small fire ring for a classic cabin getaway.  

Chalets

Next up are the Chalets, a second non-camping way to stay at Lake Guntersville.  These chalets were made for relaxing and enjoying the peacefulness on top of Taylor Mountain.  Each Chalet has 2 bedrooms and can accommodate between 1 – 6 people.

In these standard 2 Bedroom/1 Bathroom Chalets you’ll get a living room, cable TV, kitchens with cookware and utensils, Gas-powered fireplace and an outdoor grill.  One bedroom has a king bed and the other room has two double beds, perfect for a family trip or a couples trip!  

If you’re looking for a touch of luxury on top of the already beautiful standard chalet, there are Executive and Luxury options.    

Lodge Rooms

Your final way to stay in Lake Guntersville State Park is another non-camping option.  The Lodge has 112 rooms that range from large, lake-facing, King suites to the standard, park-facing, single queen rooms.  This of course means that the price varies quite a bit!  

However, if you are looking for an amazing view of Lake Guntersville and the Tennessee River, this is an amazing getaway location!  The rooms are spacious and clean and you’ll also get access to all the amenities, like the pool and the sauna.  

Price Comparison

**DISCLAIMER: These were the prices as of October 2024.  Prices are subject to change on holidays.  Prices do not include taxes and fees.**

Primitive Campsites

• Price Per Night (M – F): $19
• Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $21
• Price Per Weekend: $42
• Price Per Week: $137

Water and Electric Sites

• Price Per Night (M – F): $31
• Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $34
• Price Per Weekend: $68
• Price Per Week: $223

Full Hook-Up Sites

• Price Per Night (M – F): $35
• Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $37
• Price Per Weekend: $74
• Price Per Week: $249

Camper Cabins

• Price Per Night (M – F): $156
• Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $164
• Price Per Weekend: $328
• Price Per Week: $1108

Standard Safari Tent

• Price Per Night (M – F): $135
• Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $140
• Price Per Weekend: $280
• Price Per Week: $905

2 Bedroom Cabin

• Avg. Price Per Night : $219
• Price Per Week: $1533

2 Bedroom Chalet

• Avg. Price Per Night: $168
• Price Per Week: $1176

Lodge Room (Many Options!)

• Average Price Per Night: $131.70 to $205.33 
• Price Per Week: $921.90 to $1437.31

Again, these prices can change, but each section is just to give you an idea of what it will cost.  Don’t forget to include the taxes and fees!

Our Camping Experience

My husband and I camped here for over 3 weeks at the end of October through mid-November.  We stayed on a gravel water/electric site in our 25 foot travel trailer.  

I will start by saying up front that this was possibly the nicest campground we had ever stayed at.  The campsites were well-spaced and the pads to park our camper were a good size for most rigs.  

The bathhouses were the cleanest we had ever experienced, with plenty of hot water and good water pressure in the showers.  The laundry rooms were well-kept and very affordable.  Not to mention all of the hiking trails and the high-speed FREE wifi that came with the stay.  

The day that we checked in, an older gentleman was also checking in and asked us if we had been here before.  We hadn’t.  Right then and there he declared it to be the best state park in all of Alabama.  And after 3 weeks camping here, we can confirm that he was correct! 

Conclusion

With seemingly endless amenities and several ways to stay, you can’t go wrong by planning a Lake Guntersville State Park camping trip.  From the great locations of the primitive campsites, to the full hook-up sites, to the glamping options and even a lodge to stay at, there are plenty of ways to stay here on any budget.  

With an incredible campground, excellent hiking trails, and nearly a dozen amenities in the park, you can’t go wrong with staying here!

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to averagewildexperience@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to help you plan!

-Happy Camping!