Alabama State Guide
So. I might have come to Alabama with a bias. And it wasn’t a good one. Despite the fact that my beloved travel companion Odie is from I just wasn’t prepared for what I’d find. From legendary beaches near quaint small towns to other worldly waterfalls and hiking – Alabama has it all!
Quick Stats:
Time in State: 21 Days
MTB destinations visited: RideBHM
Favorite camping Spot: HH Bill-e’s
Favorite Highlight:| Shangi-La Hike (Bankshead N.F.)
Alabama Blog Posts.
Sadly, I did not chronicle my time in Alabama nearly sufficiently. I actually went to the State twice. But the first time was within a month or so of owning my Van. At the time, writing a blog wasn’t even on my Radar. The Second time was for a purpose: to go to RideBHM. I’m going to try to come back and write a blog post about my time in the state, because its just too spectacular not to do so.
🚵♂️ RideBHM: How This Alabama Bike Park Surprised a Wanna-Be Hero
I took a 200-mile detour just to hit the upstart RideBHM bike park outside Birmingham, AL, and it did not disappoint. This spot delivers excellent flow, perfectly aligned jumps, and a genuinely welcoming community, making it ideal for the beginner/intermediate mountain biker who wants to build confidence without requiring surgery. It’s a stellar $29 day of riding.
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RideBHM
RideBHM is a small bike park – only shuttle served 1 or 2 days a week – depending on season. And while not big on amenities, its big on personality. You can camp in the parking lot. During the week its on the Honor System, and the manager was also the trail crew when I was ther. What’s not to love?
Some Thoughts and Highlghts:
While everyone and their brother has hgeard of Gulf Shores, I’m going to give you some recommendations of things I would do around Alabama. Things its not famous for – but should be.
- Visit Fairhope, Alabama. This quaint small town is just adorable in every sense of the word. Spend a day. You will not regret it.
- Bankshead National Forest. Outside of my home state, the “Banksy” as its locally called is off the charts pretty. Epic waterfalls. Everywhere. And no crowds! Pro-tip: Where bug spray – the ticks are numerous and vicious.
- The National Museum for Peace and Justice. Okay I don’t know who funds this Center. But it will move you to tears. Repeatedly. The tech and interactivity of the exhibits make history come alive and the art and sculpture garden is not to be missed.
- Cheaha State Park. Next to Talladega National Forest, you can’t go wrong as you can hike/bike and play in both.
- Visit some Caverns. Who new that Alabama is like a mecca epicenter type thing for Caverns? I sure didn’t. I toured Rickwood Caverns State Park and it was pretty cool. This stories, the tour All of it. And apparently, it pales in comparison to its big brother Cathedral Caverns State Park.
- Gulf Shores State Park. Let’s just be honest. Its impossible to make a list of what’s amazing about Alabama and not include Gulf Shores State Park. Its huge. There may be 1000 RV campsites. You can ebike all around it or ride a real bike. Go to the beach, go for a hike. Check on some Bald Eagles. Go to Town and get amazing Gulf Wild Seafood. Seriously. It rocks!
A Few Favorite Photos
About Me/What I Bring.
I didn’t start this life to blog. I’m a retired lawyer and CEO. The result. I take a more analytical, data-driven approach to travel and RV life than most creators in this space.
Instead of focusing on hype or highlight reels, I focus on:
- how things actually work,
- what they really cost,
- what breaks or goes wrong;
- and what I would do differently next time.
Before You Go…
If you found this guide helpful, here are a few ways to keep exploring, plan your next stop, or support the work I’m doing here.
Learn More About Me!
Like everyone else on the Planet – my Journey has been unique. It was never a straight line – and where I ended up is not where I thought I’d be. Learn more about my and how I ended up living Full Time in an RV
Destinations & Itinerary
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RV Life Information Page.
I never thought I’d be full time in a Van/RV traveling this great country. This was supposed to be a 1-2 year thing… Along the way I learned so much And I share that wisdom with you. I made that mistake so you don’t have to!
SPONSORS PRODUCTS USED In Alabama:
Arvie
Arvie is a campground search and booking tool that helps find availability in high-demand parks and automatically monitors cancellations. It takes a lot of the stress out of planning and makes it much easier to get into places that normally book out months in advance. Click here to visit the Arvie Website and start your first sold out Scan!
Good Day Optics!
Good Day Optics makes high-quality riding and outdoor eyewear that I personally use on the trail. They’re comfortable, durable, and designed for active use rather than just casual wear. I love my Good Day Optics – because I can tell they were designed by people who actually do the sport they were designed for! With the best return policy in the biz, you can try them risk free! If you decide to try them, you can use my link to receive 20% off your order.
Passport America.
Passport America offers discounted nightly rates at participating campgrounds and can be a great supplement to other memberships, especially when traveling between longer stays or passing through new areas. It’s one of those tools that doesn’t replace other options — but pairs really well with them. It’s cheap and has some unique and interesting Campgrounds. I’ve used it several times and always been satisfied!