North bank of the Black Warrior
The Kentuck Festival of the Arts is held each October in Northport, across the Black Warrior River from Tuscaloosa. South Eastern Campers is based in Thorsby and repairs RVs and campers where they are parked.
General information. Every situation is different, so call us about yours.
The Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority page for Van de Graaff Arboretum and Historic Bridge Park says its RV sites have water hookups but no electricity or dump station. In that setup the house batteries, LP supply and tank levels carry the stay. Test the batteries and check the LP before you go, and ask the park for its current rules.[4]
Many RV refrigerators depend on being close to level, and a slope can hurt cooling. Heat around the back of the unit makes it harder still, especially with poor ventilation. Check that the vents are clear and the camper is level, and give the unit time to chill before loading it. If it still struggles, a technician can test the cooling unit, burner or heating element.
Start with the air conditioner's return filter and the intake grille, then look at vent screens and the seals around windows and doors where pollen can pack in. A clogged filter makes the unit work harder. Rinse or replace the filter as its maker directs. If airflow stays weak afterward, call 205-955-3054 and describe it.
Look at the battery, tire pressure and tire sidewalls, and check for rodent signs in compartments and near wiring. If the refrigerator was left off, air it out. Test the water system for leaks slowly, and check the LP fittings and detectors. We can go through a camper at your storage lot, and you can call 205-955-3054 to talk through a visit.
The Encyclopedia of Alabama says the first settlers reached the Northport area in 1813 and that the town took its name from its place on the north bank, becoming Northport in 1832. It was incorporated in 1871. Northport is about 72 road miles from our base in Thorsby and about 2 road miles from Tuscaloosa.[2,1]
The Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority lists ten RV sites at Van de Graaff Arboretum and Historic Bridge Park in Northport, each with a water hookup. Its page says RVs must be self-contained, with no electricity or dump station. That makes battery, LP and tank condition matter more than usual, so check with the park for current details.[4]
In spring, many owners see pollen collect on filters, vents and screens, so cleaning them before the first hot spell is a good habit. A refrigerator that struggles on a hot afternoon, or one parked off level, is worth checking before a trip rather than during it.
Northport sits on the north bank of the Black Warrior River across from Tuscaloosa, and the name North Port came from that position.[2]
Settlement began in 1813, and by 1816 the area was called Kentuck or Canetuck.[2]
The Kentuck Festival of the Arts is held each October, and Wikipedia says it draws up to 20,000 visitors.[2,3]
Northport Community Center Park holds the Northport Heritage Museum, in a 1907 house, and the 1830 Umbria Schoolhouse, which was moved there in 2006.[2]
Van de Graaff Arboretum and Historic Bridge Park lists ten RV sites with water hookups and no electricity or dump station.[4]
Lake Lurleen State Park describes itself as nine miles northwest of Tuscaloosa and Northport and lists a 250-acre lake.[5]
Road miles between town centers, measured by OpenStreetMap routing[1]. Towns with a page are linked.
Should the camper be checked before your next trip? Call 205-955-3054, and we will talk through a visit to the driveway, campsite or storage lot where it waits.
Local details on this page come from these public sources, checked in November 2026.
