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Ben W.
Traveler
TravelerCheaha Falls Private Backcountry Campsite
I’ve camped here multiple times. Great spot near the falls, just a short walk down the ridge. About 100 yards from the creek for water. Big enough for at least 3 hammocks.
Tent Camping near Alexander City, AL
2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Tent campsites in Talladega National Forest provide the main camping options near Alexander City, Alabama, with several established tent-only areas within a 30-45 minute drive. Star Point Reserve offers walk-in tent sites with toilet facilities but no drinking water, while Turnipseed Campground provides a more developed experience with fire rings, picnic tables, and trash disposal. Both locations are primarily designed for tent campers seeking a forest setting with minimal amenities and reasonable privacy.
Most tent campgrounds in this region require campers to be self-sufficient with water and supplies. Turnipseed Campground features pit toilets and trash receptacles but lacks running water or electric hookups. Sites typically have level ground suitable for tent setup, with natural forest floor surfaces throughout. Fire rings are available at most locations, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Walk-in tent sites at Star Point Reserve require short hikes from parking areas, offering additional seclusion but necessitating careful packing. A visitor commented that Turnipseed is "a tiny densely wooded primitive camp with outhouses but no water, some sites have old picnic tables and/or a fire pit."
The Cheaha Wilderness area provides excellent backcountry tent camping opportunities with varying degrees of accessibility. Pinhoti Trail backcountry sites offer more remote tent camping experiences for those willing to hike in. These areas feature natural clearings with established fire rings and relatively flat terrain for tent setup. Seasonal considerations include higher humidity in summer months and potential for thunderstorms. According to one review, "This is one of my favorite places to camp in all of Alabama. If you take the short route in it is about a 2 mile trip and can take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours." Fall and spring typically provide the most comfortable tent camping conditions with moderate temperatures and manageable insect populations, making these seasons ideal for overnight hiking trips on the trail network that connects many of these primitive tent areas.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Alexander City (29)
1. Wind Creek State Park Campground
"Wind Creek is a big, busy campground located right on the shores of Martin Lake outside of Alexander City. There is a ton to explore from canoeing and kayaking to hiking and rock climbing."
"Stayed at Wind creek and the atmosphere was wonderful. Lots of fun trails to hike. Located right on beautiful lake Martin there's plenty of great fishing. Even has a pier to fish from."
349 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
2. Hollins Hunting Camp
"I got in around 8 and there were only a couple people here, lots of space and easy to find a private spot. Hardly any bugs, no amenities"
3. Chewacla State Park Campground
"Sewage is nicely placed in a low spot so you won't need a hose lifter (a rarity in our experience). Out spot is across from the bath house, but also the dump station."
"Chewacla was a favorite to visit for a few hours a a local college student and now it’s an excellent location to take the family on an RV trip."
12 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
4. Star Point Reserve
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $60 / night
5. Weogufka State Forest Flagg Mtn
"This is a review for the backpacking shelter located along the Pinhoti trail in Weogufka State Forest."
"Access to southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail. CCC tower and cabins from 1930’s."
6. Turnipseed Campground
"Pit toilet, no water, critter proof trash cans. First come first serve. Cash box available to pay. We had cell service. Used 10' trailer/ camper. No hookups or running water."
"Only about a dozen sites, most to partial shade (it's in the forest), plenty of downed pine not far. Sites are positioned well and decent for tent or something like a motorcycle camper."
7. Weogufka State Forest Campsite 2
8. Bohamia
"Stayed a few nights at the top end of the primitive sites by the pond. Very nice and well kept campground!!"
"Services are great some cabins and tents having ACs, but primitive camping allowed as well. Great showers and bathhouse with filtered drinking water option that I used daily."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $99 / night
9. Cheaha Falls Campground
"One of the great backpacking loop within the Cheaha wilderness is the skyway trail and the Cheaha Falls Campground is my favorite place to stay while doing it."
"This walk in campsite is right next to the waterfalls. Tons of exploring can be done around camp or you could extend the trails and explore Devils Den Falls as well!"
10. Pinhoti Trail Backcountry Campground — Cheaha State Park
"Like many sites along this section of the Pinhoti it is right off the patch and provides a large space to set up your tent with a nice campfire ring in the center."
"This is one of my favorite trails to camp on in Alabama and living in Birmingham it is not too far of a trek to get here. We often take people on this hike if it is their first backpacking trip."
Drive Time
- 33 min from Auburn, AL
- 56 min from Montgomery, AL
- 1 hr 15 min from Birmingham, AL
- 1 hr 15 min from Anniston, AL
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Alexander City, AL
44 Photos of 29 Alexander City Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Wind Creek State Park Campground
Weogufka State Forest Flagg Mtnm
Parksland Retreat - Clothing Optional
BohamiaM
Turnipseed Campground
Chewacla State Park Campground
Cheaha Falls Campground
Cheaha Falls Private Backcountry Campsite
McDill Point Backcountry — Cheaha State Park
Talladega National Forest Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area
Pinhoti Trail Backcountry Campground — Cheaha State Park
Tent Camping Reviews near Alexander City, AL
531 Reviews of 29 Alexander City Campgrounds
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Larry M.
ScoutBohamia
This is the kind of place that I wish I could find more often. I got lucky this time.
Phillip F.TravelerBohamia
Mini wonderland
Stayed a few nights at the top end of the primitive sites by the pond. Very nice and well kept campground!! From Easy trails that lead to the river and beautiful waterfalls to pond fishing with my girlfriend and dog. This place was met all of our needs.
Hello K.ScoutYellowHammer RV Campground
Significant Upgrade from a rest area
This immaculate campground/manufactured home seller is easy off I65 and easy back on. Has laundry, playground, dog park, showers, restrooms, tv lounge vending machines, wifi, AND FULLhookup. Enjoyed one night.
Would definitely stay again.
Birdy B.ScoutUpper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park
Enjoyable Stay
Stayed 4 nights at Cheaha State Park in the Upper Improved Campground, using sites 2 and 42. Overall, it was a solid stay with great scenery and convenient access, but a few things kept it from being exceptional. Check-in was easy and straightforward, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. Both sites were easy to access, though not perfectly level, which is worth noting if you’re in a van or RV and don’t carry leveling gear. The sites included full hookups (electric, water, and sewer), along with a fire ring and picnic table, which made setup simple and comfortable. However, the sites are fairly close together, and the campground has a lot of trees and hilly terrain, so privacy is somewhat limited. We had mostly good weather aside from one rainy day, and there were some bugs and flies, especially during warmer parts of the day. The bathhouse had restrooms and showers, but cleanliness was inconsistent and could use more frequent upkeep. On the positive side, the location is the highlight. The park has a camp store at the entrance, plus great overlooks and hiking trails. It’s also a nice area for biking and exploring the mountain scenery. Would I stay again? Yes—but probably with tempered expectations. It’s a beautiful park in a great location, but for the price, the campground experience itself feels just okay rather than outstanding.
David W.
GuideChilton County Minooka Park
Nice Campground (bathrooms need attention)
Stopped in late for an overnight on our way to Gulf Shores. Nice level concrete sites Seems secluded…for a non dispersed campground. The bathrooms however were terrible. One non -functional One over flowing and clogged One has a line as if you were at a rock concert with only porta johns.
Pretty sad for a $45 fee.
Hopefully they get that figured out and we can make it a regular stop when headed south
Nancy W.
LegendGunter Hill
Always a favorite.
We stop here often and love how easy it is to get to from route 80 and not too far from I-65. There are two sections– Catoma Creek and Antioch Loop– both of which are very different. The Catoma Loop is full hook-up (50 and 30 amps) with a nice, level paved driveway and gravel patio. Sites in this loop have more space between campsites so you don’t feel like you are right on top of your neighbor. This loop is more open and less treed but there are a few shade trees. The waterfront sites are really nice with great views of the sunset. The only problem with this section is that it is more desirable and therefore more crowded. The Antioch Loop is the older more dilapidated section of the park. The roads are old concrete that are now full of potholes and loose gravel. The area is heavily treed so there is lots of shade but very little grass in between and around sites. Trees and shrubs have not been trimmed for a long time and overhang the roads and campsites. The sites are gravel with large gravel patios. Many of the sites are not level and have pretty bad slopes to them. Bathrooms are located towards the front of the section so pick your site accordingly if you want to be close to the restrooms. The bathhouse was extremely old and looked like it belonged in a state prison. The doors on the bathroom stalls where falling apart and I needed my shoulder to get out of the stall. This section is very unkept and old– definitely get a site in the Catoma Loop if you can. There is a boat launch, each loop has a playground, and group shelter. Dump stations are located in each loop. Garbage dumpsters are located near the entrance of the park so you either have to drive your garbage or take a fairly long walk. Check in is 4 and check out is 3 so make sure you don’t plan on coming very early as your site may be occupied until 3.
- Nancy W.Legend
R. Shaefer Heard Campground
Nice COE Campground
This is a typical park where not all sites are created equal. Some are paved, some are gravel. Some have 50 amp, some are 30-amp. Some are perfectly level and some have really steep grades. Some sites are pull-thru, some are back-in. Some are really long, some are much shorter. The roads in the campground are paved, free of potholes, and fairly easily navigable for big-rigs. All sites are pet-friendly and have water and electric. There are no sewer sites. Campsites 1-27 and 85-106 have 50-amp electric while the others are 30-amp. Some sites (40, 47, 50, 52, 65, 80, 84, 87, 89, 101) are “double-unit” (or buddy) sites which is reflective in the $60/night price. There are bathrooms scattered throughout the campground in each loop but there are only two shower houses in the entire campground. Sites 1-16 are perfectly level as are a few others. Reservations can be made online and the website has pictures and descriptions as well as length of site. The campground is very dark at night with the only lights being at the bathrooms. We love dark campgrounds where the moon and stars are bright. Unfortunately, numerous campers left their lights all night which we find really annoying. Our Verizon phone was very spotty and not reliable. We were able to use our portable Dish satellite to get television. There is a dump station located conveniently on your way out which is quite busy on Sundays at check out.
Bryan S.GuideGunter Hill
Absolutely gorgeous! Definitely staying again.
The park was beautiful and well maintained. The sites were big and the prices were low. The only downside was we couldn’t stay longer due to my wife’s allergies and it was too hot. We’ll visit it again during fall or spring when the temperatures allow us to in joy it more.
Guide to Alexander City
Tent camping near Alexander City, Alabama offers a mixture of primitive and established camping areas across the Talladega National Forest region. The forest sits at elevations between 600-2,400 feet, creating temperature variations that can be 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Camping options range from dispersed sites with no facilities to small established campgrounds with basic amenities, most requiring a 25-45 minute drive from Alexander City.
What to do
Hiking the Pinhoti Trail system: Access multiple backcountry campsites by hiking sections of the 335-mile Pinhoti Trail that connects to the Appalachian Trail. At Weogufka State Forest Flagg Mtn, "access to southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail. CCC tower and cabins from 1930's," notes one camper. The trail offers varying difficulty levels with interconnected loops.
Water activities at nearby lakes: Several camping areas provide access to water recreation. The Bohamia campground features "water areas are fun and safe, lots of privacy and plenty of room to explore," according to a recent visitor. Fishing is particularly good in spring and fall months when water temperatures are moderate.
Exploring historical sites: The area contains numerous Civilian Conservation Corps structures from the 1930s. "Simple and enjoyable. Caretaker and author Sunny Eberhart (Nimblewill Nomad) is wonderful to talk to," mentions a visitor about the CCC tower and cabins at Weogufka State Forest.
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Many campsites offer significant distance between camping areas. At Hollins Hunting Camp, a camper notes "no marked sites, just pull in and find a spot. I got in around 8 and there were only a couple people here, lots of space and easy to find a private spot."
Affordable camping options: Most primitive sites have minimal fees or are free. "Beautiful camp sites well maintained and only 5$ a night," reports a camper about Turnipseed Campground. Another adds it's "the best bang for your buck I've seen yet!!!"
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution provides excellent stargazing opportunities. A visitor to Hollins Hunting Camp mentioned it's "open to sky (took awesome star pics here)" while another noted there were "hardly any bugs, no amenities."
What you should know
Water availability is limited: Most sites require you to bring all water needed for your stay. A reviewer at Pinhoti Campsite near Clairmont Gap warns to "bring an ample supply of water for this section of the trail, as there are no reliable water sources nearby for refilling."
Seasonal considerations: The best camping seasons are typically spring and fall. One camper shares that Turnipseed was "very peaceful and quite and relaxing... We are the only 1s up here for the time being but there's some good walking trails that we hiked on was easy to make a hot meal with the fire ring."
Navigation challenges: Some trails and camp access roads have minimal signage. A Hollins Hunting Camp visitor mentioned the area "lacked good signage on the last turn" making it difficult to locate at night. Plan to arrive during daylight hours when possible.
Tips for camping with families
Easier access options: Choose campgrounds with drive-up sites for camping with children. Turnipseed Campground offers "about 10 spots maybe less or more. Each site is spaced a good distance from the other," making it good for family privacy while still having basic facilities.
Educational opportunities: Use the CCC historical structures for learning. One visitor to McDill Point Backcountry mentioned, "Just past McDill, there is a side trail that takes you to debris from a 1972 plane crash site," creating an interesting historical stop for older children.
Beginner backpacking trips: Several shorter trails offer good first-time backpacking experiences for families. A camper described McDill Point as "one of my favorite places to camp in all of Alabama. If you take the short route in it is about a 2 mile trip and can take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most campgrounds near Alexander City can only accommodate smaller RVs or trailers. A camper at Hollins Hunting Camp noted, "Overlanders (w/rtt) will be the most happy. Open areas have tall grass a but, but some have enough pine trees the pine needles make for better ground camping. Small camper trailers could probably make it too. Just be mindful of turn around spots."
Primitive conditions: Expect few or no hookups at most camping areas. Even at the more developed campgrounds like Cheaha Falls Campground, campers with small RVs should be prepared for "full hookup and nice showerhouses" in some sections while primitive areas have no facilities.
Alternative lodging options: For those wanting more comfort, some areas offer cabins. As one visitor noted about Weogufka State Forest, "you might need four-wheel-drive to get up to the ruins, but maybe not. Mary the caretaker of the area could easily tell you and is a great communicator and very helpful."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Alexander City, AL?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Alexander City, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Alexander City, AL is Wind Creek State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 47 reviews.
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Alexander City, AL?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Alexander City, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Alexander City, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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