Mont Sano SP - Huntsville, AL

MONT SANO STATE PARK

RUN BY: State of Alabama

LOCATION: Huntsville, AL

UTILITIES: Water and Electricity (30-50A)

COST:

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4

NOTES: Not many cities have a rugged, scenic state park in the middle of the city. Not many cities have a mountain in the middle of town. But Huntsville has both, and Mont Sano State Park is on the top of that mountain. It is an awesome park with many miles of trails and breath-taking vistas. Until I went west I ran a 25K (15.5 mile) trail race at Mont Sano called the Mckay Hollow Madness. It was more of a survival race.  It wasn't who got back first ... it was who got back. Only about 70% of us made the entire course. Right at the top of this mountain, in this lovely park, and in the middle of the wild terrain that made Mckay Hollow a great race is a campground.  The Space Center is a few miles away and it isn't far from Interstates. If you're in northern Alabama, you really need to stop here. 

Environment:  Heavily wooded. 

Amenities: Bath-house.  Play grounds, trails and other activities abound.  There is a dump station. 

Proximity to Shopping:  You are in the middle of a city. A few miles in either direction from the campground brings you to shopping. 

Phone Service:  Verizon was disappointing considering you're right in the middle of a city. 

Location:   If you're coming from I-565 or downtown Huntsville (west side of the mountain) take US431 east. Watch for the turn at the top of the mountain and follow the signs. Instructions if you are coming from the east are just about the same. Head west on 431 and watch for the signs when you get to the top. It is a large intersection. 

Camping Population:  There is a stay limit and I would guess that the costs are a bit too high for transients. 

Sites: Nice size and well maintained. We had no problem with leveling.  All the sites have lovely tree cover. 

(I apologize. I evidently didn't take pictures while we were here. These are public domain stock pictures and don't do Mont Sano justice.)

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service