A Monte Sano State Park Camping Trip: Everything to Know!

A Monte Sano State Park camping trip will take you a mere 15 minutes away from Huntsville, making it the perfect day trip or weekend getaway spot out of the city. With over 2000 acres of peaceful woods, this is the perfect place to breathe in that fresh mountain air.

The beautiful area that is now Monte Sano State Park goes back to the 1870’s when a Grand Lodge was opened for people to enjoy the fresh mountain air. By the 1930’s the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) started building cabins and improving the area.

And guess what? These cabins are still standing (and reservable) today! In this Alabama state park you can choose to camp, rent a cabin, or even stay in a Safari Tent.

Important Links

Monte Sano State Park website

Hiking in Monte Sano State Park

Monte Sano State Park Camping – Book Camping Here

Trail Map – PDF

Campground Map – PDF

Location

Monte Sano State Park, as we know, is a mere 15 minutes from Huntsville, AL. This northern state park is also conveniently located near other major cities, making it the perfect getaway location.

If you are looking to get some fresh air, you’ll love taking a Monte Sano State Park camping trip. With just a 2 hour drive from Chattanooga, TN, about a 4 hour drive from Atlanta, GA or a 1.5 hour drive from Birmingham, AL, Monte Sano is a great place to getaway without having to use any PTO.

Time to Spend Here

Speaking of PTO, you might be wondering just how much time to spend here.

The park isn’t small, about 2000 acres, and while there’s plenty to do here, a weekend trip is probably all you’ll need for a Monte Sano State Park camping trip. Whether you book a campsite or a cabin, these settings are both peacefully wooded and the perfect place to unwind.

But if you are more of an action packed sort of traveler, a weekend would also be just enough to hike/bike the best trails in the park or even go rock climbing. With all of the trails starting near the one road in the park, the campground or cabin area is a great home base to enjoy this park.

Hiking and Biking Options

If you’re looking to hike or bike, there are 22 miles of trails in Monte Sano State Park. Each trail is mostly shaded and will lead you through the peaceful woods of northern Alabama. There are easy, moderate and hard trails in this park, providing options for any level of hiker.

One important note, nearly all of the hiking trails are also biking trails. Make sure you are aware of the bikers that may be moving much quicker than you and always be aware of your surroundings!

Most of these trails nearly overlap, or run parallel to each other, so you won’t necessarily feel like hiking all of the trails here. For all of the details about hiking here, check out this post about Hiking in Monte Sano State Park.

Campground Overview

A Full Hook-Up site in Monte Sano State Park

A Monte Sano State Park camping trip can look very different for different people depending on their budget. But regardless of what accommodations you book, you are guaranteed to have a peaceful stay in a great Alabama state park.

For those who prefer tent camping, or are looking for a cheap getaway, there is the primitive camping area where there are no hook-ups. If you prefer to have electric/water hook-ups or even full hook-ups while camping in your camper, then there is the improved campground section.

Furthermore, if glamping is more your thing, then you can easily book a CCC stone cabin or even book a safari tent for a more unique stay. But now that you have an overview, lets dive into the details!

Details

87 Campsites
21 Full Hook-Up Sites
23 Primitive Campsites
11 CCC Cabins
3 Wood Frame Cabins
5 Safari Tents
Dump Station
2 Bathhouses (with showers)
Laundry Room (coin)
Security Gate (code provided upon check-in)

Primitive Sites

Let’s start with the cheapest way to book a Monte Sano State Park camping trip. The primitive campsites are exactly what you would think of when you think of camping. There’s a place to park your car, there’s a place to pitch your tent, and there’s the usual fire ring/picnic table.

These spots are in their own loop, at the back of the campground. Each site is well spread out and covered in trees, giving you that “camping in the wilderness” sort of feel.

Water/Electric Sites

Next up are the Water/Electric sites. These sites are a great compromise because there is water and electric for you/your camper, but you aren’t paying the higher price of a full hook-up site.

The water/electric sites also come with a fire ring and picnic table. They are level sites that are made of gravel. Be sure to check the website details before booking so you don’t book a site too small for your rig.

Also, there are double campsites here! Sites 49A&B, 51A&B, 53A&B and 57A&B are large enough to park 2 campers on. This way you can split the cost with your friends, while also guaranteeing you are close to your group.

Two Water/Electric Sites at Monte Sano State Park

Full Hook-Up Sites

Next up are the Full Hook-Up Sites (no tents allowed). These sites are a mix of concrete pads or leveled gravel like the water/electric sites. This is the priciest way to take a Monte Sano State Park camping trip, but if you want to be able to use the shower in your rig, then it’s definitely worth it.

These sites are all towards the front of the campground and there are a few double sites (78A&B and 79A&B) as well as a few pull-through sites.

Glamping

Welcome to the glamping section of Monte Sano State Park. This is where we dive into the ways to stay that don’t involve sleeping on the ground or owning a camper. Monte Sano offers 5 safari tents and 14 cabins for those people, so let’s dive in!

Safari Tents

Let’s start with the more unique way to take a Monte Sano State Park camping trip that doesn’t involve sleeping on the ground! The Safari Tents come in 3 levels of comfort, the Standard Double Tent, Standard King Tent and a Deluxe Tent.

These tents vary slightly in price, but they all include a Keurig Coffee maker, mini-fridge, lamps, electrical outlets to charge your devices, a diffuser, and your own heating/AC units.

Outside your Safari Tent you will find 2 hammocks, string lights, 2 camp chairs, a wood fire ring with a cooking grate, and a picnic table.

CCC Cabins

And your final way to stay at Monte Sano State Park is by booking a piece of history! These CCC cabins were built in the 1930’s and they sit right at the edge of the ridge, so you will have views right outside your screened in porch!

These cabins are studio-apartment style with 600 sq. ft. with one full bed, one twin bed, a couch, a dining table, and full bathroom. In the kitchen you’ll have a microwave, a fridge, toaster, oven, coffee maker, cooking utensils, assorted dinnerware and eating utensils for 4 people. Linens and towels ARE provided in each cabin.

And of course you have your amenities of cable TV, AC/Heat, a screened in porch, and the outdoor fire pit for that camping experience.

Price Comparison

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

Primitive Campsites

Price Per Night (M – F): $18
Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $20
Price Per Weekend: $40
Price Per Week: $130

Water and Electric Sites

Price Per Night (M – F): $40
Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $43
Price Per Weekend: $86
Price Per Week: $286

Full Hook-Up Sites

Price Per Night (M – F): $45
Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $48
Price Per Weekend: $96
Price Per Week: $321

Standard Double Safari Tent (King and Deluxe Tents are more)

Price Per Night (M – F): $116
Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $149
Price Per Weekend: $298
Price Per Week: $978

CCC Cabins

Price Per Night (M – F): $129
Price Per Night (Sat & Sun): $136
Price Per Weekend: $272
Price Per Week: $917

Again, these prices can vary and are not 100% accurate for everyone’s camping trip. But, these estimated prices will give you an idea of what it will cost to book a Monte Sano State Park camping trip for the perfect weekend away!

Conclusion

A Monte Sano State Park camping trip might be just what you and your family need right now. Getting that fresh mountain air can be a challenge sometimes, but with such close proximity to some major southern cities, like Huntsville, AL or Chattanooga, TN, you’ll be able to maximize your time enjoying the great outdoors if you live close.

The fresh air, the different ways to stay, and the great hiking and biking trails are all reasons to book a Monte Sano State Park camping trip today!

As always, feel free to reach out to averagewildexperience@gmail.com if you have any questions about this great Alabama state park.

-Happy Camping!