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Established Camping

Coleman Lake Rec Area

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Coleman Lake Rec Area, near Fruithurst, Alabama, is a fantastic spot for those looking to unwind in nature without breaking the bank. With its well-maintained sites and clean facilities, it’s a favorite among campers who appreciate a peaceful environment.

This campground offers a beautiful lake that’s perfect for fishing, swimming, or just soaking in the scenery. Many visitors have enjoyed the trails around the lake, with one camper noting, “The trail around the lake was perfect.” The sites come equipped with water and electric hookups, making it convenient for both tent and RV campers.

The atmosphere here is friendly and laid-back, with plenty of space to spread out. Reviewers have mentioned the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers, which adds to the overall comfort of your stay. As one happy camper put it, “Very family and pet friendly. Restrooms and showers exceptionally clean.”

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle, Coleman Lake Rec Area is a great choice. It’s a place where you can enjoy the outdoors, catch some fish, and relax by the water, all while being surrounded by nature’s beauty.

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Location

Coleman Lake Rec Area is located in Alabama

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

33.78408702 N
85.56203439 W

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Connectivity

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
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    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

14 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 9, 2024

Fun forest find

Great camping option for first come. Glad to get plenty of options for sites. Long drive in. Hosts were great and even deliver firewood to your site. Clean bathrooms, showers, and overall campground. Only had one guest with many kids playing late into night, past quite hours (if any are posted), but we found out it was Fall break and kids were out of school all week. Great hike around the lake and boatramp for trolling motors only.

Site35
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Wendy L., October 9, 2024
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Wendy L., October 9, 2024
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Wendy L., October 9, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 14, 2024

Quiet, friendly, and affordable

We spent one night here on the way down to Florida. It is first come first serve and we had no issue finding a space on a Thursday. The lake and surrounding area are full of birds and wildlife. The sites are well maintained, level, with clean bathrooms. So happy we stumbled on this national forest campground!

No cell service. Poorly marked trail around the lake, still worth checking out! Just follow the lake!

Site4
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Brian and Janet S., May 14, 2024
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Brian and Janet S., May 14, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2024

Lake Life

This is a great camping spot with a beautiful lake. The trail around the lake was perfect. Caught 3 bass in the lake. You can't beat the price.

Siteback in with hookups
Month of VisitApril
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Jason G., April 28, 2024
Reviewed Apr. 11, 2024

Great "Away From It All" Camping

Great campground. Secluded with electrical and water hookups. Make sure you use Highway 78 to enter. Google Maps will send you on a 11.5 mile mountain trail ( Dugger Mountain Road) that is a dirt 2 track over the mountain...an interesting trip with a camper. The campground is very well maintained. The bath house is very clean and up to date. Sites are level and we'll spaced

Site21
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Micheal S., April 11, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2023

Great campsites at a fantastic price

Beautiful campsites near a small lake. Very quiet. Forest Service campground with electric and water. $16 a night or $10 with senior pass. No cell service- a big plus for me!

Site8
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Charles B., August 16, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2023

Well-equipped campground by a pretty lake

Popular campground with 39 sites, water & electric, flush toilets and shower. $16/nt. Overflow area has no hookups. Lake is pretty and fish are accommodating. We had site #30, and did not feel crowded at all despite the campground being full. County Rd 500 was overgrown and twisty. Presence of 35’ trailers suggests there’s a better way in (maybe FS500 or FS548?)

Site30
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by David M., June 7, 2023
Reviewed Nov. 6, 2022

Overflow for tents

First time here. Clean camp, clean restrooms, great scenery. Main two loops are really for campers/RVs and are really close together with little privacy but have water and electricity. We ended up checking out the “overflow” area - didnt know it existed - and those campsites are more primitive, no water or electricity but have fire rings and pea gravel. Overflow is more spacious and private. Our spot was right above the lake. Main two loops are $16 and overflow is $6. The overflow is on the right as you pull in the campground - some people had campers up there but definitely the spot if you are tent camping. Had a great time, will return!

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Raymond , November 6, 2022
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Raymond , November 6, 2022
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Raymond , November 6, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 2, 2022

Very nice campground with FHU for $16

Beautiful, mostly shaded sites. My site, #7 had a path that led right down to the lake. Very nice bath house with shower and flushing toilets. Has a Beach area and playground in the day use area.

Site7
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Lisa W., October 2, 2022
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Lisa W., October 2, 2022
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Lisa W., October 2, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2022

Quiet and comfortable camping experience

Nice little lake to play on and around. Very family and pet friendly. Restrooms and showers exceptionally clean. Not alot of paid spots with water electricity and first come first serve so no reservations. Plenty of dispersed throughout the area though.

Site7
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Steven W., July 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Steven W., July 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Steven W., July 23, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 17, 2021

Camping

We like it kids enjoyed it we the wish there was fire pits on camping place amd not so close to other campers other than that is was good

SiteRiver rocks landing
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 12, 2021

Very good!

Coleman Lake Campgrounds is a really nice campground with clean bathhouses, paved roads, relatively flat camp sites, great bike and hiking trails, and big lake for fishing and swimming. Lots of things to keep the kids entertained or just a quiet getaway for the adults.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Nov. 1, 2020

Hidden gem of a campground

This is an incredibly family forward campground. I camped there on Halloween with my grandkids. My Frankie's dressed in costume for me but the camp host saw them and made a point of inviting them for  campground trick or treating. Almost every camp site gave candy and the kid turn out was impressive. The only negative is that there is absolutely no cell service at all. The nearest reliable service is literally 6 miles down the road. This can certainly be seen as a positive.

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2018

Nature Lover's Dream

Coleman Lake is in the Talladega National Forest and very remote. There is no cell phone service at all. We have been camping here all my life. It is one of my favorite campgrounds. Sites are first come, first serve, water and electric. There is a campground host on duty. A campground for equestrians is near the main campground. The Pinhoti Trail that extends from south Alabama to north Georgia goes right beside the lake and is a great section hike.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2018

Nice, quiet campground

This is a family-friendly campground. The quiet is nice, however all lights were out by 9, which was a little early for me and my group. Nice bathhouse and good amount of space for each site. It was also nice being right by the lake.

SiteSite 09
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Coleman Lake Rec Area by Jess N., July 31, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area in Fruithurst, Alabama?

Coleman Lake Campground offers 39 sites with water and electric hookups, priced at $16 per night (or $10 with a senior pass). The campground features clean flush toilets and shower facilities in well-maintained bathhouses. Sites are mostly shaded and relatively flat with paved roads throughout the campground. While some campers note that sites are close together in the main loops, there's also an overflow area with more primitive camping options. The day-use area includes a beach for swimming and a playground. Campground hosts are on site and offer services like firewood delivery. One thing to note is that fire pits aren't available at all sites.

How do I make reservations for Coleman Lake Campground?

Coleman Lake Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. All campsites in the main campground (with water and electric hookups) are available only by arriving and claiming an open site. The campground has 39 sites in the main area plus additional sites in the overflow section for primitive camping. During busy periods, especially weekends and holidays, it's advisable to arrive early to secure a spot. There is a campground host on duty who can assist with check-in procedures and answer questions about availability.

Where is Coleman Lake Campground located and how do I get there?

Coleman Lake Campground is located in the Talladega National Forest in Fruithurst, Alabama. When driving to the campground, it's important to use Highway 78 for access rather than following GPS directions that might route you through Dugger Mountain Road, which is an 11.5-mile mountain trail not suitable for campers or RVs. The campground is in a remote location with no cell phone service. County Road 500 leads to the campground but can be overgrown and twisty in sections, so drive carefully and allow extra time to reach this secluded destination.

What recreational activities can I enjoy at Coleman Lake?

Coleman Lake offers numerous recreational activities for visitors of all ages. The lake is perfect for fishing, with bass and other species available for anglers. Swimming is popular at the designated beach area. Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy trails around the lake, including a scenic loop trail that circles the water. Biking trails wind through the surrounding forest, and the paved campground roads are good for casual riding. Birdwatching opportunities abound with diverse wildlife in the area. During special occasions like Halloween, the campground hosts community activities like trick-or-treating, making it particularly family-friendly. The quiet, natural setting also makes it ideal for relaxation and enjoying nature.

Are there maps available of Coleman Lake Campground trails and facilities?

Maps of Coleman Lake Campground trails and facilities are available from the on-site campground hosts when you arrive. The area features several trails, including a scenic path around the lake that's popular with hikers. The campground has two main loops with 39 sites, plus an overflow area with more primitive camping options. For the most detailed and current maps before your trip, contact the Talladega National Forest office or check the USDA Forest Service website. Trail maps can help you navigate the hiking and biking paths throughout the surrounding forest area.