Trip number eight saw yet another stay-over. This time, we found ourselves at Mobile County's River Delta Marina and Campground. Situated in Southern Alabama, this publicly-owned park served as a haven for us for three nights as we planned our next move for the winter.
Grounds: The park is located a few miles off Exit 22 of Interstate 65. Those who are using paper maps from a leading national brand should take warning, as this exit may not show even on the most recent maps, but it is there. The signage on the road only speaks of a marina and welcome center which can lead to slight confusion, but it is the same place. The city of Saraland is nearby for re-supply and restaurant opportunities.
Sites: There are 60 RV sites with full hook-ups, assorted between back-in and pull-through, along with a few cabins. There is a 30-day limit for stays. When reserving, credit and debit cards are not accepted, and there is a refundable cash-only deposit related to the state of the site. Many of the campsites are right next to the busy highway, which can be heard throughout the night. No map of the sites was available, but was easy enough to figure out. Each site is primarily grass, but there is small-to-medium gravel for the rig parking. Alcohol is strictly forbidden, but they permit it kept exclusively within your camper, as it is understood that some full-time RVers will carry it with them. An ant colony greeted us at the water spigot when going to hook, and the spigot is low to the ground, meaning a water filter needs to be placed rig-side.
Staff: The staff, although with an uncomfortable physical presentation inside the office, was generally friendly. Maintenance was helpful and kept the park in great condition, There was a security guard at the gate to handle check-ins and entrants when no one was at the office. Workers are government hired.
Amenities: If you enjoy boating, you're going to enjoy staying here. At the entrance to the park are prominent boat launches for both campers and day users to be able to spend time fishing or just relaxing on the river. Even if you don't have a watercraft, or being on the river isn't your thing, take a walk along the quarter-mile spur, a raised, platformed nature trail to view the delta, along with a houseboat presumably for fish cleaning, and maybe a few alligators. A small pond with fountain exists near the campsites, where you can see snapping turtles, and some patrons also enjoy fishing. Laundry facilities are found within the bathhouse at a reasonable price, and there is a pool and swing set to complete the set of things to do at the park.
Atmosphere: With the way our previous trip abruptly ended, we really needed a place to relax. This was certainly an easy-going place. Although very much a public park, it seemed like the quintessential southern home in the countryside. Although the rule signage was bordering excessive, which one would come to expect in a government owned site, it was a nice place to take a break near the start or the end of what could be a long journey to or from the Gulf of Mexico.
Overall, River Delta Marina and Campground receives an 8 out of a possible 10 rating. Despite all the site issues we had, along with what seemed like an attack of the ants, the saving grace for this park is the price. For what you get, what you pay is unbeatable. Even if only half the amenities were there, it would still give midwestern campgrounds a run for their money, and it's only an hour from a popular seashore. This is a good spot for a paid dock or even a short-term stay, but we would probably only stay again for as long as we did or shorter, hopefully with a different site.
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