Explore Dothan, Alabama

Dothan is a city in the far southeastern part of Alabama very close to the borders of both Florida and Georgia. With a population of just over 70,000, Dothan is the eighth-largest city in Alabama and was named after the Biblical city where Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. The city rests on a high ridge very close to where the Oostanaula and Coosawattee rivers meet. 

Dothan is known as "The Peanut Capital of the World," and it is said that around 25% of the peanuts produced in America are produced in and around Dothan. It has also been the site of the National Peanut Festival since 1938. 

Though Dothan is not a large city, there are plenty of attractions and things to do there. The Dothan Sports Complexes across the city are known as some of the best in the nation. There is James Oates Park, Westgate Athletic Complex, and Westgate Soccer Complex all within the same area of Dothan. There are also museums to learn about Dothan's history, including the role it played in the Civil War. Dothan was founded on Indian mounds, and that history is preserved today as well.

When you visit Dothan, you are in proximity to state parks, national forests, historical monuments, and much more. To the south, Dothan is just a two-hour drive from Panama City Beach and Destin, Florida. There are a lot of restaurants, fun things for kids to do, and plenty of RV parks as well. 

Campgrounds Near Dothan, Alabama

The Ozark/Fort Rucker KOA is a little over 25 miles away from Dothan and sits near the Chattahoochee River. The site features large, flat, pull-through RV campsites to make it easy even for the biggest campers. Fort Rucker has a pool, playground, koi pond, waterfall, and more. This campsite sits in the middle of beautiful, rustic scenery while also giving you some of the comforts of home.

Anchors Aweigh RV Resort is near Foley, Alabama, which is about a three-hour drive from Dothan and just seven miles from Gulf Shores, Alabama and some of the most beautiful beaches in America. The biggest draw to the Anchors Aweigh Resort Park is the beach, but there are also other reasons to visit. It is close to numerous national and state parks, has great shopping and outlets, and is near some of the best restaurants in Alabama. A must-visit in Foley, Alabama is a restaurant called "Lambert's," known as the "Home of the Throwed Rolls."

About 200 miles away from Dothan is another great place to camp called Autumn Lake RV Park. Autumn Lake offers a heated pool, large pull-through spaces, an exercise room, a dog play area, laundry facilities, and tent camping. Located near Calvert, Alabama, there are plenty of sites to see and some good restaurants nearby as well.

National Parks Near Dothan, Alabama

While there are no national parks in Alabama, there are some in neighboring states like Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. One of the most popular national parks in the nation is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just about a six-hour drive from Dothan. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is best known for its mountain scenery, beautiful waterfalls, wildlife sightings, and hiking. Within the park, you will find places like Clingmans Dome, the Chimney Tops, Cades Cove, and more as you travel along mountain streams and huge pines. With resort towns like Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Cherokee right around the corner, there is always a lot to do and great shopping and restaurants as well.

Everglades National Park in Florida is about an eight-hour drive from Dothan and is another of the most famous national parks in the nation. The Everglades is the best place to see a live Florida alligator and take a ride in one of the airboats that the swampy area is known for. The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and as such is home to rare species of wildlife as well as plants and flowers that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world.

Congaree National Park is a little over 400 miles from Dothan and is home to some of the tallest trees on the East Coast. Congaree is located just outside of Columbia, SC, which is also the capital of the state. The park was named after a group of Native Americans who used to live there, and the terrain includes forest, the Congaree River, and a swampy floodplain. It is a great place to hike, camp, fish, and much more. Congaree has two campgrounds, but both are exclusive to tent camping. There are many RV sites close by.

State Parks Near Dothan, Alabama

While not located in Alabama, Florida Caverns State Park is one of the closest to Dothan and is one of the most unique state park experiences you will find. The caves are beautiful, and you can find see stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and more within the caverns. Less than an hour's drive from Dothan, it is a must-visit if you are in the area.

Blue Springs State Park is about the same distance from Dothan as the Florida Caverns, just in the opposite direction. It is best known for its clear, blue, underground spring that pumps 3,600 gallons of water per hour into two separate concrete pools. The springs make this park a popular summer destination, but because of its hiking, fishing, recreational activities, and biking trails, Blue Springs is a great place to visit year around.

Oak Mountain State Park is a little over three hours northwest of Dothan and just south of Birmingham, Alabama. Oak Mountain is the largest state park in Alabama at more than 9,000 acres and includes more than 50 miles of scenic hiking trails. Mountain biking and hiking are the two most popular activities at Oak Mountain, but the BMX course, boating opportunities, golf course, waterfalls, and more make Oak Mountain a great place to visit no matter your interests.

National Sites Near Dothan, Alabama

Less than a two-hour drive from Dothan is the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, and the Jimmy Carter Historic Site is home to artifacts and stories of how Jimmy Carter went from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to the 39th president of the United States. There are campgrounds, hiking trails, monuments, museums, and more around this historical site.

The Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site is just a two-hour drive north of Dothan and is the preservation site of the famous institute of learning started by Lewis Adams and first led by Booker T. Washington. There are hiking trails, sightseeing opportunities, and artifacts relating to the Tuskegee Institute.

The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is very near the Tuskegee Institute, and it was the site of the "Tuskegee Experiment." The program trained 10,000 African American men and women to join the armed forces. This site honors the brave men and women who were a part of that "experiment" and went on to serve their country with success and pride.

National Forests Near Dothan, Alabama

Apalachicola National Forest is about a two-hour drive south of Dothan in Florida's Panhandle. There are caverns and sinkholes to explore as well as the Apalachicola Savannahs Scenic Byway, which features beautiful sub-tropical terrain. The Apalachicola River is a great place for fishing and recreation and is home to the highest diversity of freshwater fish in the state. The park consists of more than 600,000 acres with plenty of room for camping either in a tent or an RV.

Tuskegee National Forest is a two-hour drive north of Dothan and is the smallest state park in the United States. What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for in things to do and close-by sites and monuments. You can go target shooting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and hiking; don't miss out on the famous Bartram National Recreation Trail. Tuskegee National Forest is a great place to stay or visit if you are looking to explore the historic civil rights sites and monuments that can be found in Alabama. 

In just under three hours, you can drive from Dothan to Talladega National Forest which is located at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. The park covers almost 400,000 acres in northern Alabama and is made up of three distinct parts or districts, none of which are connected together. Talladega National Forest is close to the famous Talladega Speedway as well as great dining and shopping options. Among other activities, Talladega is known for its fishing, hiking, biking, and nature watching.