Gulf Shores Family Camping Night Set for Nov. 7 at Sims Park Ball Fields

GULF SHORES, Ala. — Families looking for an easy first taste of sleeping outdoors will have a chance to pitch a tent close to home next month, as the city hosts a Gulf Shores family camping night at Sims Park Ball Fields on Nov. 7–8, 2026.

The overnight event is organized by the City of Gulf Shores Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and is designed to give families a night of shared outdoor fun without a long drive or a complicated trip. The evening will include s’mores, a bonfire, games and family activities. Registration is open now through the city’s community programs website, and organizers say space is limited.

Event details at a glance

• What: Family Camping Night
• Where: Sims Park Ball Fields, Gulf Shores
• When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, through 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
• Hosted by: City of Gulf Shores Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department
• Activities: S’mores, a bonfire, games and family activities
• Registration: Online through the city’s community programs website; space is limited

The event begins in the mid-afternoon on Saturday, which gives families time to arrive, check in, set up their tents and settle in while it is still light out. It wraps up at 9 a.m. Sunday, leaving the rest of the weekend free.

Two ways to camp, and what they cost

The city is offering two registration options so that families with and without their own camping gear can take part.

• Rent a tent — $50: Includes a tent and food for up to four people.
• Bring your own tent — $30: Includes food for up to four people.
• Additional participants: Each person beyond four costs $5.

That pricing makes the math fairly simple for most households. A family of four that brings its own tent would pay $30, while the same family renting a tent from the city would pay $50. A family of six would pay $40 with its own tent or $60 with a rented tent, since the two extra campers add $5 each.

The tent rental option may be especially appealing for families who have never camped before and do not want to buy equipment before they know whether camping is something they enjoy. It also removes one of the more intimidating parts of a first camping trip: figuring out how to choose and set up a tent.

What to bring

While food is included with registration, organizers are asking campers to bring several items from home so they are comfortable and prepared for the night:

• Sleeping bags or bedding
• Chairs
• Snacks and drinks
• Bug repellent
• Flashlights

Beyond the city’s list, a few common-sense additions can make a night outdoors more pleasant, particularly for younger children. Many families find it helpful to pack a pillow for each person, a change of clothes, a light jacket or sweatshirt, and a sleeping pad or foam mat to put between sleeping bags and the ground. Extra batteries for flashlights, a small first-aid kit, any necessary medications, and a trash bag for cleanup are also worth considering. Labeling children’s flashlights and water bottles can help avoid mix-ups in a shared campsite area.

Organizers note that grills and pets are not permitted at the event, and families should plan to leave both at home. The city says those rules are in place to keep the event safe and enjoyable for everyone.

With a group bonfire on site and many families sharing the same space, limiting open flames to the supervised fire helps reduce risk, especially around small children. Keeping pets at home also avoids potential problems with animals around food, crowds and other campers who may have allergies or fears.

Tips for a first family campout

For families who have never camped together, an event like this one offers a low-pressure way to try it. Home is only a short drive away if anything goes wrong, and there will be organizers and other families nearby. A few general tips can help the night go smoothly:

• Arrive early enough to set up in daylight. Early November days are short. After daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1, the sun will set in Gulf Shores around 5 p.m. local time, so families will want their tent ready well before dark.
• Dress in layers. November evenings on the Alabama Gulf Coast are often comfortable, but temperatures can drop noticeably after sunset. Layers make it easy to adjust as the night cools.
• Practice at home. Families bringing their own tent may want to set it up once in the backyard or living room ahead of time to make sure all the pieces are there.
• Talk to kids about fire safety. Before the bonfire, remind children to stay a safe distance from the flames and to roast marshmallows only with an adult nearby.
• Check the forecast. Weather can change quickly near the coast, so it is a good idea to look at the forecast in the days before the event and pack rain gear if needed.
• Keep the evening simple. The point is spending time together. Board games, card games, stargazing and storytelling around the fire can be as memorable as any planned activity.

Recreation close to home

The Family Camping Night is one of the community programs offered by the City of Gulf Shores Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, which coordinates recreational activities, special events and cultural programming for residents. Holding a campout on the city’s own ball fields gives families a chance to experience camping without leaving town, and it uses a familiar community space in a new way.

Gulf Shores is best known for its white-sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, and the surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation, including nearby Gulf State Park. Fall is often considered one of the most pleasant times of year to be outdoors on the coast, with lower humidity and milder temperatures than the summer months. An evening around a bonfire is a natural fit for the season.

Events like this one also give neighbors a chance to meet one another. Families who sign up will share the same campsite area for the night, and organized games and a group bonfire tend to bring children and parents together in ways that everyday routines do not.

Quick answers for parents

Is food included? Yes. Both registration options include food for up to four people. Families should still bring their own snacks and drinks, as organizers have asked.

Do we need our own tent? No. Families without a tent can choose the $50 option, which includes a tent. Families with their own tent pay $30.

What if our group is larger than four? Each additional participant beyond four costs $5, under either option.

Can we bring the dog? No. Pets are not permitted at the event.

Can we cook our own dinner? Grills are not allowed. Food is provided as part of registration, and the group bonfire will be the setting for s’mores.

When can we leave? The event officially runs until 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Families should plan to pack up their campsite and gear by then.

Do we need to sign up in advance? Yes. Registration is handled online through the city, and space is limited, so organizers recommend signing up early.

How to register

Registration for Family Camping Night is available online through the City of Gulf Shores community programs website. Families will need to choose between the $50 tent rental option and the $30 bring-your-own-tent option and account for any participants beyond four people at $5 each.

Because space is limited, organizers encourage families to register early to secure a campsite spot. Questions about the event can be directed to the City of Gulf Shores Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department.