State Park

Monte Sano State Park

Madison County, AlabamaAbout 2,477 acresEstablished 1938
Status
Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Entrance fee
$20 per vehicle
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Not stated — check with park
Camping
23 campsitesAlso cabins, lodge or inn rooms, glamping or camper cabins
Official site
alapark.com(256) 534-3757

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

Covering about 2,477 acres, Monte Sano State Park lies in Madison County, about 10 miles east of Huntsville.

Things to do include golf, historic sites, disc golf, biking, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 20 miles, according to the park. Overnight options include 23 campsites across 4 camping areas, with RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, and primitive or hike-in sites. There are also cabins, lodge rooms, and camper cabins or similar shelters for rent.

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
ParkDaily8 a.m. – 5 p.m.—
Daily8 a.m. – sunset—
Official wording

Office Hours 7 days a week 8am-5:00pm Park Hours 8am-sunset (trails close 30 minutes before sunset)

Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).

Fees and passes

ItemAmount
Ages 4-11,$2 · child
Ages 12-61,$5
Ages 62+,$2 · senior
Veterans and Active-Duty MilitaryFree
Kids 3 and under areFree · child
$20 max for standard passenger vehicles$20 · vehicle
Individual,$100
Family,$150
Ages 62+,$50 · senior
Official wording

Gate Entrance Fees • Ages 4-11, $2.00 • Ages 12-61, $5.00 • Ages 62+, $2.00 • Veterans and Active-Duty Military: Free with ID; does not extend to dependents. • Kids 3 and under are free • $20 max for standard passenger vehicles Annual Park Passes are available at the Park Office. • Individual, $100.00 • Family, $150.00 • Ages 62+, $50.00 Use the ADCNR Interactive Map to learn more about the Alabama State Parks.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
Alabama State Parks reservations (reserve.alapark.com)

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Camping

Campground or site typeSitesHookups / featuresPrice
Camping
Monte Sano State Park offers 23 primitive campsites, 69 sites with water and electricity, and 21 full-hookup sites. The campground is equipped with two bathhouses, each with a coin-operated laundry facility, and two dump stations. Campers have 24-hour access to facilities. All primitive and improved campsites include a fire pit. Please note that all fires must be contained inside the fire pit at all times. Plan Your Stay Here.
23Monte Sano State Park offers 23 primitive campsites, 69 sites with water and electricity, and 21 full-hookup sites.Showers—
Premium Sites
• Full-Hook-Up sites (Water, Electric, & Sewer) and Bluff-view sites • 14-day maximum stay length March 1st - November 1st • 14% lodging tax and 4% resort fee apply daily • One-time reservation fee of $5.25 added to first night's stay • 30/50 amp electric service • Available to reserve for campers and RVs • Site-specific reservations • Gravel Pad • A & B, "buddy" sites, can be rented individually; they are designed for friends or family camping together, but can also be rented to separate parties. We have "buddy" sites along the bluff with water and electric hookups only, as well as ot
—• Full-Hook-Up sites (Water, Electric, & Sewer) and Bluff-view sites • 14-day maximum stay length March 1st - November 1st • 14% lodging tax and 4% resort fee apply daily • One-time reservation fee of $5.—
Water & Electric Sites
• 14% lodging tax and 4% resort fee apply daily to the rate listed above • 14-day maximum stay length March 1 - November 1 • One-time reservation fee of $5.25 added to first night's stay • 30/50 amp electric service • Free access to dump stations • Available to reserve for campers, RVs, and tents • Site-specific reservations • Gravel Pad
——
PRIMITIVE CAMPING
• Tent-only camping, no camper vans or rugged campers are allowed in the primitive campsite • 5-day maximum stay length allowed in primitive year-round • 14% lodging tax and 4% resort fee apply daily • One-time reservation fee of $5.25 added to first night's stay • The rate is set to accommodate two adults and one tent • $2.00 for each additional adult • $5.00 charge for each additional tent • Campers must immediately occupy the site after registration
——
Camping details from the park

Camping

Monte Sano State Park offers 23 primitive campsites, 69 sites with water and electricity, and 21 full-hookup sites. The campground is equipped with two bathhouses, each with a coin-operated laundry facility, and two dump stations. Campers have 24-hour access to facilities. All primitive and improved campsites include a fire pit. Please note that all fires must be contained inside the fire pit at all times. Plan Your Stay Here.

Premium Sites

  • Full-Hook-Up sites (Water, Electric, & Sewer) and Bluff-view sites
  • 14-day maximum stay length March 1st - November 1st
  • 14% lodging tax and 4% resort fee apply daily
  • One-time reservation fee of $5.25 added to first night's stay
  • 30/50 amp electric service
  • Available to reserve for campers and RVs
  • Site-specific reservations
  • Gravel Pad
  • A & B, "buddy" sites, can be rented individually; they are designed for friends or family camping together, but can also be rented to separate parties. We have "buddy" sites along the bluff with water and electric hookups only, as well as others with full hookups.

Water & Electric Sites

  • 14% lodging tax and 4% resort fee apply daily to the rate listed above
  • 14-day maximum stay length March 1 - November 1
  • 30/50 amp electric service
  • Free access to dump stations
  • Available to reserve for campers, RVs, and tents
  • Site-specific reservations
  • Gravel Pad

PRIMITIVE CAMPING

  • Tent-only camping, no camper vans or rugged campers are allowed in the primitive campsite
  • 5-day maximum stay length allowed in primitive year-round
  • 14% lodging tax and 4% resort fee apply daily
  • The rate is set to accommodate two adults and one tent
  • $2.00 for each additional adult
  • $5.00 charge for each additional tent
  • Campers must immediately occupy the site after registration

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY

  • A two-night minimum is required for camping reservations on weekends (Friday & Saturday).
  • A three-night minimum stay is required for camping reservations on all major holidays.
  • Cancellations must be made at least three (3) days before arrival to receive a refund. No refunds will be issued within three (3) days of arrival. The $5.00 RESERVATION FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Click here to download the campground map
  • Firewood is available for purchase at the Campground Store year-round from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from the campground host from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The price is $8.00 per bundle, which includes tax.
  • Showers are available for $2.00, and dumping is available for $5.00 for non-camping guests.
  • Large groups, such as scout troops and youth groups, may call ahead to reserve primitive campsites at (256) 534-3757.
  • If you experience any issues with the new system, we would appreciate your feedback. Please contact the park directly for urgent issues related to a reservation.
  • Only two (2) cars are allowed per site. This is strictly enforced for all campsites.
  • The campground pavilion is available to reserve free of charge for groups staying in our campground.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

  • DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR GPS IF YOU ARE BRINGING A RIG TO OUR PARK
  • DO NOT TAKE BANKHEAD PARKWAY
  • Your GPS will try to provide you with the shortest route; however, it may not be accessible when pulling a camper or a large RV.

From I-65 take I-565 towards Huntsville

  • From I-565, take exit 17B to Governors Drive.
  • Follow Governors Drive up the mountain to Monte Sano Blvd.
  • Turn left onto Monte Sano Blvd. There is a red light at the intersection of Governors Drive and Monte Sano Blvd.
  • Continue 2.5 miles and then turn right onto Nolen Ave.
  • Follow Nolen Ave. one mile until you arrive at the Park Entrance Gate.

From Hwy 72 W

  • Continue straight on 565 W toward Decatur for about 1.5 miles.
  • Take exit 19B onto 231/431, stay left to Memorial Parkway.
  • Stay left to South Memorial Parkway.
  • Take the right-hand exit to Governors Drive.
  • Turn left onto Governors Drive.

Please refer to our Campground Map for the layout of the sites.

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Cabins and lodging

  • Cabins
  • Glamping Safari Tents

Fourteen rustic cabins, 11 of which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) around the 1930s, are situated on the side of Monte Sano, offering a perfect vantage point for taking in the amazing sunrises. The park also features 89 improved campsites, a primitive campground, and glamping safari tents. PLEASE DO NOT USE GPS DIRECTIONS OR USE BANKHEAD HIGHWAY IF YOU'RE PULLING A CAMPER OR RV. For the best directions, click here.

Things to do

Historic sites and toursGolfDisc golfHikingBikingCamping

Trails

Hiking & Biking Trails

PreviousNext

From early morning to dusk, one can easily escape to the park and enjoy 22 miles of scenic hiking/biking trails. With varying degrees of ease and difficulty, hikers and bikers are sure to find just the right trail.

Click here to download the Trail Map

Amenities

Facilities

  • Picnic shelters
  • Playground
  • Nature center or museum

Camping

  • Tent camping
  • RV camping
  • Electric hookups
  • Water hookups
  • Sewer hookups
  • Primitive or backcountry camping

Lodging

  • Cabins
  • Lodge or inn rooms
  • Glamping or camper cabins

Recreation

  • Golf course
  • Disc golf

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Getting there

Address
5105 Nolen Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801
AL
Nearest town
Huntsville — about 10 mi east (straight line)
Coordinates
34.7445, -86.5176
Phone
(256) 534-3757

Google Maps directionsApple Maps

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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