Alabama is home to three major amusement parks and water parks:
- Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure in Bessemer, Alabama
- Tropic Falls at OWA in Foley, Alabama
- Waterville USA in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Amusement parks are an unforgettable family-friendly adventure, and traveling in an RV gives you the best combination of comfort and convenience while you stay up close and personal to the action. Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Alabama’s top amusement parks, as well as offering some tips for traveling there in an RV. (And, of course, when you hit the road in an RVshare vehicle, you’ll have the largest variety of RV types and sizes in the nation, not to mention insurance coverage and roadside assistance the entire way.)
Alabama Amusement Parks: At a Glance
While we’re about to dive into the details below, here are some quick facts about Alabama’s top amusement parks at a glance.
| Park | Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure | Tropic Falls at OWA | Waterville USA |
| Location | Bessemer, AL (just outside of Birmingham) | Foley, AL (just north of Gulf Shores) | Gulf Shores, AL |
| Ticket Cost | $40.99 plus tax daily; $99.99 season pass; kids 2 and under free | $69.99 general admission; rotating packages and deals available | $38.95 daily admission; $150 individual season pass; $495 family of four season pass |
| Attractions | Classic amusement park rides, water features, a laser attraction, free soft drinks | 75-foot waterslides, a 30,000-foot wave pool, Rollin’ Thunder roller coaster | Lazy river, water slides, go-karts, bowling |
| Onsite RV Parking? | No | Yes | No |
Why RV to an Alabama Amusement Park?
It’s true: Amusement parks are just plain fun, no matter how you travel to them.
But it’s also true that RVing to an amusement park unlocks an extra layer of flexibility and agency that catapults your vacation to the next level — especially if you’re traveling with kids.
When you RV to your favorite Alabama amusement park, you’ll enjoy:
- Plenty of storage space for all your kids’ gear
- A private, quiet place to sleep (no shared hotel hallways)
- Your very own kitchen to save money on meals and eat healthy on the road
- The ability to travel at your own pace rather than being beholden to airline timeframes
Many amusement parks have well-appointed nearby campgrounds, or even on-site campgrounds for the ultimate convenience. We’ve got you covered with all the details you need below to plan your adventure getaway in Alabama.
1. Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure (Bessemer)
A two-for-one, Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure is both a traditional theme park and a water park, and you get access to both sides for one low entry price. (They also offer affordable season passes if you know you’ll be coming back for more.) Whether you’re planning to whirl down waterslides or take on classic rides like the Yo-Yo or Teacups, this park truly has something to put a smile on every face, regardless of the age of your kids (or even if you’re going just grownups!).
Stand-Out Features
Along with classic favorite rides and water features, Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure features:
- Free unlimited Pepsi soft drinks for all guests
- Private shaded cabana rentals
- A lazy river with free inner tube use included
- The Vault, a unique, adrenaline-raising laser attraction
Nearby RV Campgrounds
Located just outside of Birmingham, there are several RV parks near Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure worth checking out, including:
2. Tropic Falls at OWA (Foley)
Tropic Falls at OWA Parks & Resort is one of our very favorite Alabama amusement parks, in part because it has a beautiful RV campground right on-site. But its amusement park, Tropic Falls, is a standout by any measure, combining a classic theme park with the largest indoor water park in the region (with some outdoor features as well). If you’re lucky, you’ll see Tuki the Toucan wandering around the grounds to squawk a quick hello!
Stand-Out Features
Hosting everything from an arcade to a wave pool and a thriving Downtown section with shopping (i.e. an adult amusement park), Tropic Falls at OWA also boasts:
- 75-foot waterslides beneath a convertible glass roof
- A 30,000-foot wave pool
- World-class thrill rides like the Rollin’ Thunder roller coaster
- On-site camping options
Nearby RV Campgrounds
As mentioned, one of our very favorite things about this amusement park is its ultimate convenience for RVers: Tropic Hideaway RV Resort is just steps from the fun (and only seven minutes from the coast if you need a beach reprieve, as well). Still, if you want to expand your options, there are other campgrounds in and around the greater Mobile area, including:
- Alabama Coast Campground
- Pirates Cove RrrrV Resort (an especially fun theme for the kids)
- Blue Heron Escape RV Resort
3. Waterville USA (Gulf Shores)
Last but certainly not least, Gulf Shores’ Waterville USA is so much more than a classic water park. Visitors can also enjoy virtual golf, an endless wave attraction where you can practice your hang-ten, go-kart racing and even an escape room. It’s bound to be an adventuresome day!
Stand-Out Features
Some of Waterville USA’s best features include:
- An arcade bowling experience for indoor fun if it’s raining
- A variety of delicious dining options ranging from hot dogs and funnel cake to grilled chicken and wings
- A souvenir mug that gets you free refills every time you visit the park
- Private rental cabanas serviced by a waiter
Nearby RV Campgrounds
Tucked just south of downtown Gulf Shores (and close to the water), it would be easy to string together a visit to both Waterville USA and Tropic Falls at OWA. Along with the campgrounds listed above, you could also consider:
- Gulf Breeze RV Resort
- Luxury RV Resort (which puts you steps from the beach)
- Fort Morgan RV Park (for a quieter stay a little bit away from the heart of the action)
Tips for a Picture-Perfect Alabama Amusement Park RV Trip
Traveling to an Alabama amusement park in an RV is a pretty straightforward way to have an amazing time, especially with your whole family aboard. Still, there are some tips and tricks that can help you maximize your experience even more.
- Book early. Popular amusement parks like these can sell out tickets during peak travel months, not to mention the nearby RV parks that can fill up — as soon as you’re sure you want to go, go ahead and book the trip!
- Consider the type of RV you want to rent. Maybe it’s a luxurious, Class A motorcoach, but maybe you’d prefer to enjoy the beautiful southern weather in a pop-up camper (at least if you’re traveling in the milder winter months). RVshare has ‘em all.
- Take advantage of the opportunity to cook “at home.” While having a few amusement park meals and snacks is part of the experience, making your main meals at home can both save you money and keep you healthier on the road.
- Consider delivery and set-up. If you’re not making a longer road trip of it, why not have your RVshare vehicle set up and ready to go as soon as you arrive? That way, all you have to worry about is the fun part — literally just having fun!
Any of these Alabama amusement parks would make an incredible family vacation, especially in an RVshare vehicle you’ve chosen specifically for the adventure. Find your perfect getaway vehicle on the nation’s largest peer-to-peer network today!
Alabama Amusement Parks: Frequently Asked Questions
Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure is the biggest amusement park in Alabama at the time of writing, spanning a whopping 89 acres. However, Tropic Falls at OWA has the largest indoor water park in the Gulf region, with about 100,000 feet of features under its convertible glass roof.
Any of Alabama’s top amusement parks make excellent destinations for families traveling with young children, including Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure, Tropic Falls at OWA, and Waterville USA.
While summer might be the most popular time to travel (especially with kids), if you can swing a trip to an Alabama amusement park in spring or fall, you’ll be in luck. The shoulder seasons here mean lower temperatures and less crowds, which is a win-win for traveling families.
Yes! Each of Alabama’s top amusement parks is located within an easy drive of RV-friendly campgrounds that offer full hookups and onsite amenities. In fact, Tropic Falls at OWA has a resort-style RV park right onsite, making for a perfect motorhome or travel trailer camping destination.
Looking for even more to do in Alabama? Check out these must-sees:
