Local leaders gathered Friday to celebrate major upgrades at Meaher State Park, including expansion of the campground, the addition of four new tiny cabins and construction of a new park office.
Local government and tourism officials joined State Parks staffers for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to officially open and dedicate the new amenities.
“We’ve made it no secret that our goal is to provide a first-class experience for all of our visitors at our State Parks, especially when it comes to overnight accommodations,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “We know the upgrades at Meaher State Park help accomplish that goal. The additional campground spaces, as well as the beautiful tiny cabins, mean that more people than ever can visit and enjoy this park.”
The campground expansion features the addition of 45 luxury RV campsites with full power, water and sewer hook-ups, as well as a new bathhouse with 11 family-style restrooms.
In addition, the park added four new tiny cabins, all with water views, and a new park headquarters with staff offices and an interpretive center were constructed. Motorists passing by on U.S. 90/98, known locally as Battleship Parkway or the Causeway, will likely notice a new entrance gate and exterior fence.
Meaher State Park attracts thousands of visitors annually and often serves as the gateway to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and metro Mobile. Thanks to park’s proximity to Gulf Coast beaches, Interstate 10 and the Eastern Shore, it has become a popular day-trip destination for local residents and an attractive home base for RV campers visiting the area.
“The upgrades here at Meaher State Park are amazing,” said state Sen. Chris Elliott. “There are so many activities that draw people to the park, from fishing to birdwatching to kayaking to just relaxing and enjoying nature. It’s truly gratifying to see these fantastic upgrades and to know it means more people will enjoy this beautiful park.”
Online campground reservations are open at Alapark.com through the “Plan Your Alabama State Parks Adventure Online” portal, and guests are reminded to make reservations in advance to secure preferred dates.
The Meaher State Park campground and bathhouse upgrades were funded through the RESTORE Act. The campground store upgrades were funded in part by the $80 million bond issue approved by voters in 2022 to benefit State Parks, as well as $1.1 million from the state’s GOMESA grant program that is funded through off-shore oil and gas leasing activities.
State Parks also recently announced the addition of five new cottages and campground upgrades at Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City and cut the ribbon for a new playground at Chewacla State Park in Auburn, both thanks to bond funding.
A number of significant projects are under way at other State Parks and expected to be finished in 2026, including construction of a new lodge at Cheaha State Park, the total renovation of Lake Lurleen State Park, and campground expansion at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, which was named one of the nation’s best RV parks in the country earlier this year.
“It’s truly an exciting time in our State Parks, because we have so many incredible projects under construction or finishing,” State Parks Director Matthew Capps said. “The completion of this project at Meaher State Park should re-invigorate this park, and these upgrades definitely make the park better than it’s ever been.”
About Alabama’s State Parks System
The Alabama State Parks is a division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and maintains 21 state parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains and provide opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurants and golfing areas. These parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations. Learn more at alapark.com.
Courtesy of Outdoor Alabama.
