Dauphin Island Campground

The Great Outdoors

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of the most important ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico region. It is an important habitat for many endangered plant and animal species, with oyster reefs and seagrass habitats. The park consists of the coastal bay, saltwater marshes, maritime pine forest, pine savanna, and pitcher plant bogs. Some of the commercial marine species found here include shrimp, blue crab, speckled trout, and redfish. Hiking, bird watching, nature viewing, and photography are popular pastimes in the reserve. You can also explore by boat or kayak and go fishing and hunting.Gulf State Park is almost two hours' drive from the RV campground; on the way, you can catch stunning views of Mobile Bay. Once you arrive, you will love the scenic area and the wonderful beach where you can go swimming, fishing, or just relaxing and picnicking with your travel crew. This natural park has some interesting recreational amenities on offer, like cave tours, cable skiing, zip lines, rock climbing, and mountain biking trails. When visiting the park, you can join activities and events organized year-round, such as weekend nature programs, an annual canyon half-marathon, archery, a plant discovery hike, and more.Pascagoula River State Wildlife Management Area is approximately 90 minutes' drive northwest of the campsites at Dauphin Island Campground. The park covers over 37,000 acres of pristine bottomlands, with the Pascagoula River as the major part of the park. This park is primarily used for fishing and hunting, although here, you can hike, camp, and paddle. Over 300 species of migratory birds come to the park annually. Other animals you can see here include deer, foxes, river otters, beavers, skunks, bobcats, alligators, snakes, and black bears.

Exploring the City

When you camp on Dauphin Island, you can visit many interesting attractions, including a sea lab, which is within walking distance of the campground. This fantastic public aquarium features a 10,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 7,000-gallon stingray touch pool, and the Living Marsh Boardwalk. Here you can see over 100 species on display. The aquarium also offers guided tours and excursions for visitors of all ages.Fort Gaines is also very close to the RV campground. This historic fort was named after Edmund Pendleton Gaines when it was established in 1821. It was a famous location, best known for the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War. In the museum, you can see historical artifacts from the 17th century and the Civil War period. Exhibits also feature the huge anchor from the USS Hartford, Admiral David Farragut's flagship, original battle cannons, pre-Civil War brick buildings, and more.Another attraction on the island is a bird sanctuary, also very close to the campground. The state of Alabama is one of the top birding locations in the southeastern United States. Every year during the spring and fall migrations, over 350 species of birds are recorded on the island. The sanctuary covers around 164 acres of woodlands with several miles of walking trails. The most popular trail is a half-mile nature interpretive trail loop around the freshwater lake, featuring dune systems, a beach, and a swamp. Bring your binoculars and cameras to see all the beautiful birds and animals here.