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4.9
31 votes

Monte Sano State Park

5105 Nolen Ave SE, Huntsville, Alabama 35801-1029 USA

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Closed Now
Opens Fri 8a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“See the Mountain of Health”

Monte Sano, Spanish for “Mountain of Health,” rises more than 1,600 feet above sea level. The mountain has attracted visitors since the mid 1820’s with the establishment of the town of Viduta, a derivative of the Spanish word “Vida,” meaning life.  Viduta was home to a sanatorium and a hotel resort, Hotel Monte Sano, which opened its doors in 1887 and closed in the early 1900s due to a declining economy. the park has 89 improved campsites and a primitive campground. the country store is fully stocked for anything campers may have forgotten. the monte Sano lodge, originally built in 1938 by the CCC, was rebuilt in 2002 after burning in 1948. today the lodge is beautifully furnished and a sought-after venue for meetings, conventions, weddings, receptions, reunions and holiday gatherings. this year the park

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Reviews of Monte Sano State Park

26 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.3 Access
4.6 Location
4.8 Cleanliness
4.5 Site Quality
4.8 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G

Confirmed by 9 users | Last reported on January 01, 2024

AT&T 4G/5G

Confirmed by 9 users | Last reported on April 24, 2024

T-Mobile 4G/5G

Confirmed by 6 users | Last reported on September 05, 2021

Reviews

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Reviewed by
Campendium

April 12, 2015
Rated

Date of stay: August 2014

Destination: Huntsville, Alabama. Reason: US Space & Rocket Center. Place to hang: Monte Sano State Park.

1000 feet above Huntsville, at the top of Monte Sano Mountain, at the end of a residential street, is this actually quite nice state park. Yes, 1000 feet up. I didn’t really notice the climb on my way up, but sure did on the way down!

Located just outside of Huntsville, Monte Sano SP offers a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet is a great staging area to explore.

Apparently the park is big with mountain bikers as it offers quite a few mountain bike friendly trails. So I unfolded my mountain bike and pretended I knew what I was doing. If you don’t bike, then you can certainly hike and enjoy the mountain top views. There are plenty of trails to do so with, so boredom won’t be an issue.

Cost of a normal site is $19 a night, but I chose one of only two pull through sites, so I paid $25 a night. I had a very private campsite at the top of the loop with only the primitive tent sites beyond. Most of the other RV sites offer good privacy, though some are two sites with one entrance, which would be ideal if you were hanging with a friend.

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Nightly Rate: $25.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: -

RV Length: 24 ft

RV Type: Travel Trailer

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

October 24, 2017
Rated

Here to visit family so it wasn't our first choice, but it is very wooded, lots of space between most sites. Bluff view is not much of a view, but it is there. 30 amp service only (not 50 as listed on other sites). Our lights flickered quite a bit the first 2 days. If you have a big rig, there are 2 ways to get up the mountain. Use Monte Santo Blvd. to Nolen Ave, NOT Bankhead parkway. Quiet.

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Nightly Rate: -

Days Stayed: 6

Site Number: 26

RV Length: 40 ft

4 Access
3 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

T-Mobile 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

April 11, 2018
Rated

Campground was nice. Bathhouses clean (we even had to shelter in one during a storm). Staff was friendly though we didn't need much from them. The only downside, was cell signal. It was minimal on Verizon. Mostly 1 bar of 4G, sometimes 1G. Wifi works in the parking lot of the camp office, but not in the campground. Adding wifi access points to the bathhouses would be a huge benefit for camping here.

The first site we were booked in was 18 but it was on a tight curve and directly across from a large rig with 2 large vehicles that spilled out of their site into the road. So we were unable to get into 18. It really should only be for tents in my opinion. We were graciously offered site 21 and it was fine. Next time would try to find a spot on the ridge for the view.

Full review of our trip and neat places nearby available at http://uhaulcamperfun.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-trip-out-of-this-world.html

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Nightly Rate: $26.00

Days Stayed: 4

Site Number: 21

RV Length: 13 ft

4 Access
4 Location
4 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

June 15, 2018
Rated

Every site is shaded with mature trees so it’s nice for summertime in the south. Also because of the elevation (overlooking Huntsville), it’s usually a couple of degrees cooler than the city below. The only minor downside is that the sites are not paved, so if it’s rainy the ground is not great for sitting outside. Also the fire pits/grills are very low to the ground - not great for grilling.

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Nightly Rate: $35.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 62

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

Reviewed by
leedanna

  • 91 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
October 28, 2018
Rated

When I called Saturday morning to check on availability for that evening, I was told only primitive sites were available which would have been ok for a one night stay but upon arrival, we were told you had to pitch a tent for the primitive sites (we don’t have a tent and sleep in our van). However, a number of improved sites had opened up so we were in luck. All sites are gravel and appear to be fairly level and ours was likely the most level we’ve been in for awhile. Lots of trees provide reasonable privacy and separation between sites. Picnic table and fire ring at each site. Many families with young children (fun to watch them ride their bikes around the loop). Bathhouse was clean and I appreciated the HOT water! Coin laundry. The North Alabama Japanese garden is a nice short walk and there are a variety of hiking trails (I would recommend the Stone Cut Trail for a moderately challenging hike).

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leedanna would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $35.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 64

RV Type: Van

3 Access
4 Location
4 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
4 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

November 11, 2018
Rated

Monte Sano State Park was great. We were in town to visit family and picked the park based on location and ended up surprised by its beauty.

The sites were large, had gravel pads and felt fairly private for a State Park campground.

The local weatherman mentioned the top of the mountain does get foggy often, we found it beautiful during our stay but it made the drive up the mountain challenging one evening.

AT&T: Download 33.9mbps / Upload 4.81mbps

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Nightly Rate: $35.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 55

RV Length: 19 ft

RV Type: Travel Trailer

4 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
August 18, 2019
Rated

Brought our new Airstream here for break-in camp. Temperature dropped 9 degrees as we climbed the hill (elev ca 1650'). Check-in was seamless, although you want to be sure to arrive before 5PM. Otherwise I believe you would have to find camp host. He was at the office when we arrived, and friendly and helpful. Sites were gravel, fairly level, and mostly clean (this was the week after schools restarted, so they might have been busy the previous weekend. Most were well shaded. 30 amp and water at all RV sites, some sites had sewer and outlets accepting a 50 amp plug, but the host told me no site could handle more than a 30 amp load. Water seemed pretty minerally, so use your filter. One dump station with two holes, although the first one you come to apparently will overflow. Small store in the office with some supplies. Washer and dryer in each bath house. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained.

Best thing about Monte Sano was the system of trails. Moderate to pretty tough, apparently, but well marked and tended. Great place for hikers or mountain bikers and trail runners. Shelters placed along some of the trails. Deer and birds abound, and one fat copperhead sunning himself on a ledge.

Huntsville is a bustling town, with Publix, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, and some well regarded non-chain stores. Major hospital fairly near the park. All the other usual retail suspects. A couple of RV dealerships nearby for service (Rocket RV in Decatur is topnotch). I pulled up a topographical map and found my own way into the park, but it is a steep grade the way Google wants you to go, so beware, and do your homework.

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roadtripper8331401 would stay here again

Nightly Rate: -

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 29

4 Access
4 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

August 09, 2020
Rated

Outstanding campground with a lot of wildlife, trails for both hiking and mountain biking, and good places for stargazing. Campground staff very friendly, the campground is well-maintained, and the sites are are a good distance apart

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Nightly Rate: $36.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 12

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Reviewed by
vmark1

  • 41 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
November 18, 2020
Rated

GPS WARNING!!! If you’ve never been to park. It’s on top of a mountain. Hence you must get up there. We were suspicious of the route the GPS was taking, so we called park. They told us to take the following. Find Governors Pkway, 231 to 431. You need to take the route that passes near Huntsville Hospital. Other routes take you through neighborhoods, if you have a larger rig. It may not be possible to make the climb and turns. Once you arrive, sites are large, level. There’s beautiful views overlooking the city. Many trails. We couldn’t get to them due to other obligations, but if we returned we would explore them. Very nice time.

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vmark1 would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $30.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 6

RV Length: 37 ft

RV Type: Class A

4 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

T-Mobile 4G

Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

November 24, 2020
Rated

First of all be sure you come in from Governors Dr or you won’t make it in a larger rig. We have a 30 ft fifth wheel and thanks to research and post we came in from Governors Dr otherwise had we followed google maps it would have been a bad situation. Roads in camp ground are wide and easy to navigate with any size rig.

Now about the camp ground. Check in was smooth and the staff are very friendly. We had site 26 which is water and power only. I think all sites are 30 amp, ours was. They do have a handful of sites with sewer. There is plenty of room between sites making it very cozy.

Some sites are short so be sure if you come in a larger rig (over 30’ not counting tow vehicle) you verify you can fit both.

Bathroom were VERY clean and warm. Several bath buildings on site making the walk short if you need to use them. Showers were normal with most state parks and also very clean.

Cell service is spotty, but we brought our ATT internet hub and booster and streamed movies.

With this park being less than two hours from our home we will absolutely be coming back for long weekends.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $35.00

Days Stayed: 4

Site Number: 26

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Monte Sano State Park

5105 Nolen Ave SE
Huntsville, Alabama
35801-1029 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

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  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check
    Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
State park or forest
Back In RV Sites Count
30
Last Nightly Rate
45.0
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
40 ft
Lowest Nightly Rate
24.0
Max Length
65 ft
Max Stay
14
Pull Through RV Sites Count
4
Sites Count
89
Standard Tent Sites Count
18
  • Unavailable
    Paved Sites
  • Unavailable
    Fifty Amp
  • Check
    Full Hookup
  • Check
    Rec Facilities
  • Check
    Pull Through
  • Check
    Tent Sites
  • Check
    Dump Station
  • Check
    Big Rigs
  • Unavailable
    Open Seasonally
  • Unavailable
    Age Restricted
  • Check
    Back In RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Boondock
  • Check
    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
  • Unavailable
    Firewood
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
  • Unavailable
    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
  • Unavailable
    Permit Required
  • Check
    Potable Water
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Check
    Public Water
  • Check
    Pull Through RV Sites
  • Check
    Reservations
  • Check
    Sewer Hookup
  • Check
    Showers
  • Check
    Sites
  • Check
    Standard Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Vehicle Wash Permitted
  • Check
    Water Hookup
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