Best Campgrounds near Addison, AL

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 Camping Sites Near Addison, Alabama (100)

    1. Corinth Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Houston, AL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 300-1513

    $18 - $50 / night

    "**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."

    2. Clear Creek Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Arley, AL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 300-1463

    $32 - $75 / night

    "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."

    3. Brushy Lake Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Addison, AL
    9 miles
    Website

    "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

    13 Reviews
    Arley, AL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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. Smith Lake Park

    12 Reviews
    Bremen, AL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 739-2916

    "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."

    6. Houston Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Houston, AL
    8 miles
    Website

    "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."

    7. Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    4 Reviews
    Bankhead National Forest, AL
    12 miles

    "Great spot, close to stores and a lot of trails and such. Nice level clear spot, able to accommodate an overland or few tents setup. Close to the main road."

    "A previous camper had left behind some kindling, which was cool. Ended up having a little cell reception with T Mobile."

    8. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites

    10 Reviews
    Bankhead National Forest, AL
    19 miles
    Website

    "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."

    9. Cullman Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cullman, AL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 734-5853

    "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. Hidden Cove Thousand Trails

    2 Reviews
    Arley, AL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 221-7042

    "Great little campground with awesome access to the lake. Great for Starlink and good AT&T reception."

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Recent Reviews near Addison, AL

322 Reviews of 100 Addison Campgrounds


  • Anna M.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Slick Rock

    Looks Like People Live here

    2 bath houses for entire campground. Most spots look like people live here full time. When you can pull your boat up to your camp site who could blame them.

  • Anna M.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Elliot Branch - Bear Creek Dev Auth

    Year Round Boat Ramp

    The park closed at the end of October but the ramp is open year round. They have really nice cabins. Very little cell service. One bathhouse for all campers. The camp sites

  • Anna M.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Horseshoe Bend

    Very very small

    The camping spots are all under the tree canopy and very close together. There are a few spots on gravel. No cell service, one bathhouse for entire campground. There is nothing nearby it’s very remote. There is a boat launch and the fishing area is surrounded by rock so great if you have a boat. Permit required.

  • Anna M.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Twin Forks County Park and Campground

    Lots of Waterfront Sites

    This place has a lot of campsites right in the water. You can only reserve one day in advance. They do not accept cash. The bathrooms are clean and they do not have push button water it’s knobs and levers. Hot water worked when I was there. They close November 1st every year.

  • Jeff C.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Clear Creek Recreation Area

    Great place to camp

    Clear Creek is a really nice campground.  The sites are very nice and there is lots of shade.  The majority of sites are pretty level and the comfort stations were clean.  It takes four or five presses on the water activator in the shower before the warm water starts flowing, but there is plenty of water pressure. AT&T cell service was pretty good.

  • Jeff C.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday

    Nice place to relax

    Very nice campground on Wheeler Lake.  The staff is very pleasant and will work with you to find a site to your liking.  Facilities were clean and the campground was very quiet.  I only gave it four stars because the sites were kind of rocky and hard on my golden retreiver's feet.

  • Rae W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    Simple & Peaceful

    Nice little spot out in the forest. Spotted the gravel road and went down a little to the first opening. Pretty decent sized clearing. You can hear cars on the road, but it didn’t bother us. Pretty warm, humid, and buggy this time of year, but cooled off through the night.

    The stars were incredible after the moon went down a bit. Lots of bird sounds especially in the morning. A previous camper had left behind some kindling, which was cool. Ended up having a little cell reception with T Mobile.

  • Bobbie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Jay Landings Marina & RV Park

    Beautiful Sunsets

    Absolutely beautiful place to stay with all the needed amenities plus extra! I felt very safe here every day while my husband was at work. They have a shower house, laundry room, several common areas to sit, docs, boat ramp, salt water pool & basketball hoop. But for the noise, this would be a five star place to stay. There is a scrap metal recycling plant beside the campground, a train not too far away (whistle blows at night 😫) and across the river is a nuclear power plant and a refinery. The grounds are very well kept with lovey landscaping, paved roads and level sites with crushed rock and grass. Jessica at the front desk was pleasant and easy to work with. I would absolutely stay here again.

  • Michael C.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Joe Wheeler State Park Campground

    beautiful RV/Tent sites

    Stayed in A25 RV/Tent spot and had a beautiful view of the lake. Great little hiking trails near by. We ended up in this spot because the dispersed camping area had tornado destruction from years ago. So it was a bit pricey for just tent camping ($46)


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?

According to TheDyrt.com, Addison, AL offers a wide range of camping options, with 100 campgrounds and RV parks near Addison, AL and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

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?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots 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.