A
Anna R.
Guide
GuideBrushy Lake Recreation Area
Great spot for $5! Sites are spacious and it's a quick walk to the day use area bathhouse if needed. Only 3 other groups on a Monday night.
Camping near Addison, AL
106 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Bankhead National Forest dominates the camping landscape surrounding Addison, Alabama, with diverse options ranging from developed recreation areas to remote wilderness sites. Corinth Recreation Area, operated by the US Forest Service, provides 52 well-maintained sites with full hookups near Smith Lake, while Brushy Lake Recreation Area offers more secluded tent camping with basic amenities. The Sipsey Wilderness area within Bankhead presents numerous backcountry camping opportunities along its network of trails and waterways. Smith Lake Park and Clear Creek Recreation Area accommodate RVs with full hookups, and several private campgrounds like Thousand Trails Hidden Cove provide additional options with cabin rentals. Free dispersed camping can be found at designated areas within the national forest for those seeking a more primitive experience.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping conditions in the Addison area. Most developed campgrounds operate from March through October, with some like Houston Recreation Area having a shorter May-to-October season. Summer brings hot, humid conditions with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer more moderate weather. As one camper noted, "Sipsey wilderness is one of my favorite places in Alabama to go backpacking, especially in the spring and fall when the weather is not absurdly hot and the mosquitos are not out to kill." Water levels in streams and waterfalls fluctuate dramatically based on recent rainfall, particularly affecting backcountry sites. Cell service is limited throughout much of the forest, with one visitor reporting "not much cell service" even at developed campgrounds like Corinth Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank highly among visitor experiences, with deer sightings common at dusk. According to one camper at Corinth, "We especially liked the campground and the deer that would come out to graze every evening. This coupled with the fireflies really made this stay memorable." The region's waterfalls and rock formations draw hikers and photographers, particularly in Sipsey Wilderness and at nearby Dismals Canyon, known for its rare bioluminescent "dismalites." Trail access varies by season, with many dirt roads becoming difficult after heavy rain. Visitors frequently mention the need for advance planning when exploring the area's natural features. As one reviewer advised, "The forest is huge and trying to visit the area waterfalls and trails without a plan is not recommended."
Best Campgrounds near Addison (106)
1. Corinth Recreation Area
"**Corinth Recreation Area– USFS ** Corinth Recreation area is located near the town of Double Springs, Alabama."
"Well designed campground in the hills of Northern Alabama. Sites are well spaced. Well maintained. The lake is pretty. Each site has fire pit and table."
from $22 - $58 / night
Check Availability2. Clear Creek Recreation Area
"While many reviews say the lakeside sites are first come, first serve, under the new management they are all booked in advance online."
"The perimeter lake lots in the Hoot Owl Loop all had steps or path access from the site to the shore. This would be especially nice in the summer."
from $38 - $85 / night
Check Availability3. Brushy Lake Recreation Area
"Campground Review: Located right outside of the core part of Sipsey wilderness (William Bankhead) this campground is a great place for people who want to be around other tent campers and want something"
"Close to Sipsey Wilderness and several waterfalls. Clean and quiet. Short paved walking trail, fishing pier, restrooms/showers."
4. Thousand Trails Hidden Cove
"Spot are very bigs and a good distance between them. Full hookup sites. Amenitied are very cleans, kids play grounds. Park for walking, biking, use your boat and kayak, boat ramp access."
"This RV park is right on a lake, but a bit away from anything else. If you have any sort of boat, kayak, paddle board, bring it! There is hiking about an hour away at the Bankhead National Forest."
5. Houston Recreation Area
"During my time in Alabama, I kept hearing wonderful things about Sipsey Wilderness, and its many waterfalls, rocky landscapes, and great hikes."
"Close to waterways. The campground is medium sized, dense forests surround the campsites. The amenities are pretty standard."
6. Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
"Right away, I noticed how peaceful it felt, tucked a good distance from the main road. Even with the rain coming down, it wasn’t too hard to get to the camping areas."
"Behind the campsite there is a trail over a mound that leads down the hill to a small creek which was nice however there are 2 nice sized caves 1 to either side of this trail."
7. Smith Lake Park
"Staying on tent site #55 power/ close to water spout. Bathhouse really close by nice shady lot."
"I really enjoy Smith lake campground it has a lot of great sites. There are plenty of shades sites for summer camping."
8. Hidden Cove Thousand Trails
"Great little campground with awesome access to the lake. Great for Starlink and good AT&T reception."
9. Cullman Campground
"Great place to stay for the night or longer. 2 miles off I-65 exit 310. Close to restaurants and shopping."
"Off the beaten path but conveniently located close to town.
The showers are really clean. We stayed the week of Thanksgiving, so it was decorated really cute."10. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites
"This is my favorite place in Alabama. Best hiking in Alabama, possibly the southeast."
"Campground Review: Sipsey is one of the real jewels of Alabama for backpacking and you really feel like you are in another world while wandering though these woods."
Drive Time
- 39 min from Decatur, AL
- 1 hr from Huntsville, AL
- 1 hr from Birmingham, AL
- 1 hr 7 min from Florence, AL
Recent Camping Photos near Addison, AL
115 Photos of 106 Addison Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Houston Recreation Area
Brushy Lake Recreation AreaH
Corinth Recreation Area
Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
Clear Creek Recreation Area
McDougle Hunt Camp
Bama Campground & RV ParkS
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G)
Sipsey Wilderness - Trail 200 Campsites
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site B)
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site C)
Smith Lake Park
Recent Reviews near Addison, AL
353 Reviews of 106 Addison Campgrounds
Brett D.
LegendTurkey Hill RV Park
Cute and quiet campground minutes from the interstate
Cute, quiet campground tucked away in the woods, yet only 5 minutes from the interstate! The sites are spacious, shaded, and very level. The showers and bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities are great. Highly recommend, especially for the price. Excellent value!
Michael M.GuidePalomino RV Resort
Great layover
We stayed at Palomino RV Park as a layover on our trip from Indiana to Destin, and it was an excellent stop. The campground is right off the highway, and from the exit to pulling into our site was literally just a few minutes, which made it incredibly convenient for an overnight stay.
The staff was very friendly, the campground was in pristine condition, and the amenities were great. Our kids especially enjoyed the paddleboards and kayaks on the pond, and our dog loved having a fenced-in dog park to run around in.
Our site had full hookups, a nice concrete pad, and a freestanding fireplace, which made for a very comfortable stay.
If I had one complaint, it would be the $8 bundle of firewood. Compared with other campgrounds we’ve stayed at, the bundle was extremely small. That’s a very minor issue, though, and certainly wouldn’t keep us from coming back.
We would 100% book here again when traveling through Alabama. It’s a convenient, clean, family-friendly campground and an excellent overnight stop.
Raymond P.
TravelerQuail Creek RV Resort
Clean camp crown with pull through slots
Level campsites, not too cramped, very clean and well organized
- Michael M.Guide
Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday
Awesome
We spent a night here on our way to Florida. We originally booked a year ago when it was a KOA, but before we arrived, they switched to Unhitched. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The inside sites had full hookups, but we opted for a waterside site with a view, which was a great choice. They even had live music, and the band was fantastic. I bought a couple of bundles of firewood, and they delivered them to us. We’ll definitely stay here again for a couple of nights next time, as it was worth it. We didn’t use the bathhouse.
Hannah C.LegendHouston Recreation Area
Beautiful but partially abandoned
I bet this park was beautiful in its day. Unfortunately the campground area is now gated off. There is no longer an attendant at the gate either. I was working in the area and ate lunch and the swimming beach and used the restrooms. The restrooms and boat ramp are still kept up for use. There are picnic tables and fire pits still available near the swimming beach. There is one large pavilion overlooking Smith Lake. There is a boat ramp at the end of the road with a pit toilet. Would be a great place to launch kayaks, canoes, or motor boats.
- ssavGuide
Lentzville Road
Beautiful
Absolutely beautiful spot. There are trash cans at each of the three pull-offs. However, there is shattered glass, trash, and abused trees at each of the spots. Daily reminder to treat the few free spots we have left with respect and to leave it better than you found it. A woman who camps here frequently warned us about the man that lives near these spots. She said that he and his two dogs will come snoop, but we didn’t have a problem from him, but both of his dogs came down and barked at us in our site at 7 am. They weren’t necessarily aggressive but they definitely weren’t friendly. Besides that, fantastic vibes. If you camp here, I recommend camping at one of the two that are farther away from the guys house and you won’t have a problem with either him or the dogs. Very close to the water, very close to the road. Lots of wildlife so be prepared for fish jumping, critters, branches snapping, snuffling, birds throwing hands, and growling. More here than at most other sites in my experience. You can get great fishing done here but I believe you need a permit. Great stars out here too.
- JJason P.
ScoutPoint Mallard City Campground
Maiden Voyge
Nice campground. Lots of shade. Quiet during week, busier on weekends.
- vicki S.Guide
Palomino RV Resort
A great find for our overnight stay
We found the park on the Dyrt Ap, just browsing parks in the area to stop and boy did we strike gold! Clean, nice pads, beautiful setting next year we plan to stay a couple nights to explore the area
Guide to Addison
Bankhead National Forest dispersed camping offers free primitive sites in designated areas outside developed campgrounds. The forest encompasses 180,000 acres of wilderness terrain at elevations ranging from 700-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 88-92°F during the day, dropping to 68-72°F at night, while cell service remains spotty throughout the forest with AT&T generally providing better coverage than Verizon.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access Thompson Creek Trail for multiple waterfall views. "The hike in is not difficult. You do have to cross a stream, which was not as difficult for my 6'2 husband as it was for me at 5'2. The water was clear. The waterfall was beautiful and we found a quiet spot up the creek to camp," notes a Thompson Creek Trail Campsites visitor.
Night sky viewing: Find prime stargazing spots away from light pollution. "The stars were incredible after the moon went down a bit. Lots of bird sounds especially in the morning," reports a camper at Boondock Dispersed Camping.
Canoeing and kayaking: Explore the 33-acre lake at Brushy Lake Recreation Area. "Brushy Lake is a lovely spot in the beautiful Bankhead National Forest. The 33 acre lake is perfect for canoeing or kayaking. The fishing is excellent," shares a visitor.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy between sites. "The sites were beautifully wooded and spacing between each site was adequate, but you can definitely see from one site to the next. The perimeter lake lots in the Hoot Owl Loop all had steps or path access from the site to the shore," notes a Clear Creek Recreation Area camper.
Quiet atmosphere: The relative seclusion creates a peaceful camping experience. "This was by far one of the most quite COE campground we have been to. Like is said, peace and quite was the theme of the weekend. The camp was full but you would have thought the opposite based on how quite is was," writes a visitor to Corinth Recreation Area.
Diverse wildlife: Early morning and evening wildlife viewing opportunities abound. "You will see deer in the morning and are likely to have a visitor, raccoons, during the night," mentions a Clear Creek camper.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Prepare for minimal connectivity. "Verizon cellphone coverage didn't work here. AT&T cellphone coverage good enough for working from Trailer," reports a Corinth Recreation Area camper.
Road conditions: Access roads can become difficult after rain. "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes," notes a visitor to Thompson Creek Trail Campsites.
Water levels: Stream crossings and waterfall views depend on recent rainfall. "As the trail follows Thompson's Creek, it is next to all of the campsites. Water levels tend to be higher during the winter. The water is a beautiful turquoise," explains a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Brushy Lake Recreation Area offers kid-friendly water access. "They have a basketball and volleyball area in a nice green space area near the boat launch. We will definitely be back!" shares a visitor.
Playground access: Smith Lake Park provides multiple play areas. "Awesome place with a beautiful lake! Lots of playgrounds for the kids and some very nice camping spots!" notes a camper.
Beach preparation: Bring water shoes for rocky shores. "The beach area had a lot of rocks! Probably due to water level low had to go buy some water shoes, but then it was all good," advises a Smith Lake Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose locations based on available facilities. "They are only keeping open one bathroom at a time, so you have to pick and choose your site when you don't have a built in bathroom. It is still a nice campground, lots of space, quite, big spots," advises a Clear Creek Recreation Area visitor.
Leveling considerations: Prepare for varied site conditions. "Our site was level and easy to back into. There is a nice overlook and plenty of hiking trails. We were on the yellow loop," notes a Corinth Recreation Area camper.
Off-season advantages: Consider camping in spring or fall for more comfortable conditions. "Loved this park! It was our first trip in our new Travel Trailer and it couldn't have gone better. We stayed at Yellow Hammer site #9 easy pull through with plenty of room. Not only did all the sites have amazing scenery but the roads were well maintained," shares an RVer at Corinth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Addison, AL?
What camping is available near Addison, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Addison, AL offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near Addison, AL and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Addison, AL?
Which is the most popular campground near Addison, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Addison, AL is Corinth Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Addison, AL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Addison, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Addison, AL.
What parks are near Addison, AL?
What parks are near Addison, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Addison, AL that allow camping, notably National Forests in Alabama and Bankhead National Forest.
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