Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Theodore, AL
Formal gardens and a 1930s home on the Fowl River, famous for spring azaleas and a large autumn chrysanthemum display.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a garden and house museum near Theodore, about 20 miles (roughly 32 kilometers) south of Mobile, Alabama. The grounds cover around 65 acres (about 26 hectares) on the Fowl River and are known for their azaleas and camellias.
The Coca-Cola bottler Walter Bellingrath bought a rustic fishing camp on the Fowl River in 1917, and his wife Bessie began planting azaleas and camellias there. The Mobile architect George B. Rogers designed the gardens and the house; the gardens opened to visitors in 1932. The 15-room house in the English Renaissance style, built in 1935, was opened for tours in 1956. Porcelain birds by Edward Boehm are displayed in the former guest house. The property has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982.
Visitors can also take sightseeing cruises on the Fowl River aboard the riverboat Southern Belle, and in December the "Magic Christmas in Lights" show uses more than three million bulbs. Please check bloom times, opening hours and cruise schedules in advance.
- Nearest town
- Theodore, AL
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 30.4370, -88.1350
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Dauphin Island CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Bellingrath Gardens and Home · 151 pitchesTentsCaravansWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Meaher State Park CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Bellingrath Gardens and Home · 71 pitchesElectricity
- Carson - Horse Trailer CampingCampsite24 mi from Bellingrath Gardens and HomeCaravans
- Apalachee - RV CampingCampsite25 mi from Bellingrath Gardens and HomeCaravans
- Tensaw - Group CampingCampsite25 mi from Bellingrath Gardens and HomeTents
- Bartram - Improved Tent CampingCampsite25 mi from Bellingrath Gardens and HomeTents
All campsites in Alabama · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Bellingrath Gardens and Home?
Bellingrath Gardens and Home is in Theodore, AL, at GPS 30.4370, -88.1350. It is about 13 mi from Dauphin Island.
Can you camp near Bellingrath Gardens and Home?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Dockside RV Resort, about 8 mi away; within 25 mi there are 43 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Bellingrath Gardens and Home?
Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Mobile Bay and Alabama’s Gulf Shores.
What is there to see near Bellingrath Gardens and Home?
Places worth a stop nearby: Fort Gaines (14 mi), Fairhope Municipal Pier (15 mi), Fort Morgan State Historic Site (16 mi) and USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park (18 mi).
When is the best time to visit Bellingrath Gardens and Home?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)