Camping options near Anniston, Alabama range from developed campgrounds to backcountry sites, with several locations situated in the Talladega National Forest and Cheaha State Park. The Upper Improved Campground at Cheaha State Park, located at Alabama's highest point, provides full hookup sites for RVs along with tent camping areas. Turnipseed Campground and Pine Glen Recreation Area offer more primitive experiences for tent campers seeking solitude. Mixed-use campgrounds like Scenic Drive RV Park and CWGS Campground of Oxford accommodate both tent and RV camping within city limits, while cabin accommodations can be found at Cheaha State Park for those preferring more comfort.
Road conditions and accessibility vary throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation up steep mountain roads. Cheaha State Park sits at the highest elevation in Alabama, providing cooler temperatures even during hot summer months. Many campgrounds in the area are open year-round, though some like Turnipseed Campground operate seasonally from March to December. Reservations are recommended, especially for developed sites with hookups during peak seasons. Cell phone coverage can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly in the national forest. According to one visitor, "Pine Glen is fairly remote and has few amenities. Shoal Creek runs right past the campground, giving a pleasant white noise at night, and it is situated in a glen of pine trees."
Campers consistently highlight the scenic views and hiking opportunities as major draws to the region. The Pinhoti Trail, which connects to the Appalachian Trail, runs through several campgrounds including Pine Glen Recreation Area and Cheaha State Park. Water features enhance many camping experiences in the area, with sites available near lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, Cheaha Falls Campground is particularly popular for its proximity to water: "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!" Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, though campers should be prepared for insects during warmer months. The region provides a mix of developed campground options with amenities like showers and electricity alongside more secluded backcountry sites for those seeking solitude.
"Camped in the upper primitive site while mountain biking at nearby Coldwater Mountain. Good campsite with great views. Good separation between sites, but the are very close to the road."
"Cheaha State Park is located south of I-20 close to Oxford& Anniston, Alabama. Its in one of the highest areas of the state and the towing incline to get there proves it."
"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 was able to eat in peace saw some wildlife but not to"
"Sites are positioned well and decent for tent or something like a motorcycle camper. No water but up the mountain, at the Cheaha State Forest campground, you can refill when nessesary."
"Pine Glen is my favorite campground in this region of Alabama. It is fairly remote and has few amenities. (vault toilets and trash cans but nothing else at time of writing.)"
"Points to consider: The drive in is 8 miles in on an unpaved, backcountry road with varying inclines on slippery mixture of clay and gravel through hunting recreation area."
"We had a long drive day. Needed something for the night. He was so nice and gave good directions. Perfect for a quick stop. We were able to park where we wanted. Full hookup."
"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."
"This can certainly be seen as a positive."
$35 - $54 / night
"Located in Ashville, Al, Greensport is a jewel of a place to get away and enjoy the beauty of Alabama. It sits on Lake Neely Henry and spreads across many acres."
"We did have some issues but I was able to verify with the grounds electrician that the low voltage issue was due to Alabama electric and not the camp ground."
"This campsite is made up of multiple small campsites all around the falls near the trail. There are additional more private spaces further off the trail but I cover those in a different review."
"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!"
"There is a little path/bridge, so We walked over to Camping World to get our bigger RV."
"There is a lot of highway noise. Not a bad place for a one-night stay. Oh and there is some excellent hiking nearby."
"The spot is located about 20-30 min away from the trail head/parking lot. It has a very well built rock fire pit which would work great for large groups that wanted to cook or just sit around a fire."
"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."
TravelerBathhouses clean but worn. Our site was level but many are not. Construction at the entrance. Road into the park is up and down with curves and some steep grades. WiFi and ATT signal were nonexistent at our site. Hiking was really good.
GuideGreat nature feel to the campground with mountain biking trails leaving directly from the campground. The RV sites are pretty level and have nice hookups. The tent sites look like they all have tent decks and the cabins look to be new. The only surprise is the driveway in is paved but required me to use 4-wheel low in order to pull my rv up the last part of the hill. (It was raining, but be aware it gets quite steep)
GuideThey are another park that doesn’t allow custom trailers. This growing trend is a shame. I understand they don’t want “junky” RVs but to just ban all custom builds is so pretentious. Check Terms before you book.
TravelerWe had a great time! Campsites are spaced out JUST enough for a little privacy. Short walk from our site to clean, warm bathhouses!! Sites in the main campground have power hookups and water spigots. Lake access is limited from the campground, there are only 1 or 2 “lake view” sites. Fishing was limited, lake is very grassy. Loop around the lake was beautiful. The “overflow” campsites were more spaced out and private but do not have shower house or power/water hook ups.
TravelerNew campground all new, staff very helpful and easy. Near big water fall and nice trailers with stunning views of the waterfall and spring. Grate for family with kids cause some more activities around.
TravelerWhile there is a free dispersed campground nearby, it requires advanced registration on their website. This is a good spot for passers by who wing trips without reservations. It’s just a lot, but there is a portapotty. It is a trail head for the local greenway. There’s also a frisbee golf course next to the lot. The trail is posted no motorized vehicles, so take that into account if you have ebikes. The streams nearby do have fish that are easily caught as well as water snakes (non-venomous). Overall I’d recommend to not abuse it (don’t deploy any awnings, chairs, grills, etc in the lot), but it’s a quiet waypoint to stretch your legs and overnight.
GuideGreat place for bouldering and repealing. The trails rock filled hiking trails all levels
ScoutTent camping. Very beautiful views and environment. Bathroom is just a room with a curtain though lol
GuideHey, it's a Hunter's Camp, which is basically a clearing in the forest. There's nothing here, and you are at least 30 minutes from a road to town, so bring it with you and take it with you when you leave.
Camping sites near Anniston, Alabama range from primitive backcountry areas to developed facilities with varying levels of amenities. Talladega National Forest offers several primitive camping options at lower elevations while Cheaha State Park sits at 2,407 feet, Alabama's highest point. Most primitive sites cost $3-5 per night, while developed campgrounds typically range from $16-30 depending on amenities and hookup availability.
Hike the Pinhoti Trail: Access this long-distance trail connecting to the Appalachian Trail from multiple camping areas. "So this is one of my favorite places in all of Alabama to go camping. We recently did a one night backpacking trip with 2 close friends where we started at the Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area and hiked to join the Pinhoti trail then headed south before looping back around," notes a visitor to Cheaha State Park.
Explore waterfalls: Several accessible waterfalls exist within short hiking distances from campgrounds. At Cheaha Falls Campground, "You can scrabble along the steep slope and have a wonderful space to set up a hammock, dip your toes, or even go for a swim if the day is hot enough and the water level high."
Mountain biking: The Chief Ladiga bike path extends to the Georgia line. At Michael Tucker Memorial Park, "The trail itself goes all the way to the Georgia line and is an incredible and well-maintained bike path."
Fishing: Many campgrounds offer lake access for fishing. At Greensport RV Park, "I've been boating and fishing. There's plenty to do. Don't forget crappie fishing is just around the corner."
Seclusion and quiet: Many campers appreciate the remote nature of certain campgrounds. At Turnipseed Campground, "We were there April 25-28, 2019. During Thursday and Friday it was mostly empty. Saturday night it was half full. Peaceful, clean, nice hiking."
Limited connectivity: The lack of cell service is often viewed positively. At Coleman Lake Rec Area, "Coleman Lake is in the Talladega National Forest and very remote. There is no cell phone service at all. We have been camping here all my life. It is one of my favorite campgrounds."
Affordable pricing: Many primitive sites offer low-cost camping. According to a Turnipseed Campground visitor, "Beautiful camp sites well maintained and only 5$ a night."
Water features: Creeks and lakes enhance the camping experience. Pine Glen Recreation Area campers note, "Shoal Creek runs right past the campground, giving a pleasant white noise at night, and it is situated in a glen of pine trees."
Unpredictable water access: Water sources at primitive sites aren't always reliable. At Pine Glen Recreation Area, one visitor noted, "First of all, a lot of sites were underwater. Not the campgrounds fault it had been rainy, just saying. However, the fact that all the water faucets were inoperable is another thing. Very disappointing."
Road conditions: Many sites require driving on dirt or gravel roads. A Pine Glen visitor warned, "The drive in is 8 miles in on an unpaved, backcountry road with varying inclines on slippery mixture of clay and gravel through hunting recreation area. We were in a Ford Explorer. Everybody else was in trucks. Good for them."
Limited facilities: Most primitive sites offer only basic amenities. At Turnipseed Campground, "There is no running water or showers but there is an outhouse. Nice place to disconnect from everything."
Seasonal limitations: Some campgrounds close during winter months. Coleman Lake and Turnipseed operate from March through December, while other sites remain open year-round.
Swimming options: Several sites offer swimming in natural settings. At Scenic Drive RV Park, families can access nearby swimming areas: "There is a Beach area and playground in the day use area."
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. A visitor to Greensport RV Park and Campground notes, "Playground for the kids, dog park, swimming pool, boating and fishing."
Educational activities: Some parks offer ranger-led programs. One camper mentioned, "The staff hosted several educational activities and were extremely helpful and informative."
Holiday celebrations: Some campgrounds organize special events. One Coleman Lake visitor shared, "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."
Site selection: Some RV sites have limitations on size or orientation. A Scenic Drive RV Park visitor observed, "Open space RV site with places to park and hookup and an office where you can check in and pay for your site. They have a range of sites and a nice atmosphere."
Highway noise: RV parks closer to town may experience traffic noise. A reviewer noted, "Easy to find. Right off the interstate, (close your windows,) super helpful & friendly host. Large Drive-thru sites with full hookups. Nice after a long day driving."
Hookup quality: Electric service quality varies between campgrounds. At Greensport RV Park, a camper noted, "We did have some issues but I was able to verify with the grounds electrician that the low voltage issue was due to Alabama electric and not the camp ground."
Leveling needs: Some sites require additional effort for leveling. A camper at Greensport RV Park mentioned, "The upper portion has trees, but it's not super level so be aware."
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV camping options and services are available in the Anniston area?
Time Away RV Resort is a well-maintained RV park near Anniston with recent renovations, providing amenities like a playground, pool, and covered picnic areas. It offers convenient access to the local racetrack. Scenic Drive RV Park and Campground is another option for RVers, featuring water hookups and big-rig-friendly sites. RV campers should note that Cheaha State Park's Upper Improved Campground accommodates RVs but requires navigating an incline to reach the mountain-top location, which may be challenging for vehicles struggling with towing capacity.
Are there tent camping facilities available near Anniston?
Tent campers have several excellent options near Anniston. McDill Point Backcountry — Cheaha State Park offers a primitive tent camping experience with incredible views, especially at sunrise and sunset, though it requires a hike to reach. Turnipseed Campground provides peaceful tent sites with good walking trails, fire rings, and a quiet atmosphere. For those seeking backcountry experiences, the Pinhoti Trail offers additional tent camping opportunities in the mountains surrounding Anniston.
Where can I find campgrounds near Anniston, Alabama?
Anniston is surrounded by several excellent camping options. Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park is located south of I-20 close to Oxford and Anniston, situated on Alabama's highest peak with beautiful views and hiking opportunities. Pine Glen Recreation Area is another popular option in the region, offering a more remote experience alongside Shoal Creek. Other nearby options include Turnipseed Campground, Michael Tucker Memorial Park along the Chief Ladiga Trail, and several backcountry sites in the surrounding mountains.
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