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Best Tent Camping near Arab, AL

458 Reviews

Tent campsites near Arab, Alabama offer several options for primitive camping experiences. TGL Adventures provides secluded tent sites with direct river access, while Little River Adventure Company offers private, spacious campsites on flat terrain. Both campgrounds maintain basic amenities for tent campers seeking a natural setting within driving distance of Arab.

Most tent campsites in the Arab area include fire pits and picnic tables, but amenities vary significantly between locations. TGL Adventures offers potable drinking water, electric hookups, and access to showers and toilet facilities. Little River Adventure Company maintains a bathhouse at the front of the property, though it may be a considerable distance from the more secluded tent sites. Sites typically have natural dirt pads with minimal leveling. During summer months, campers should be aware of potential snake and wildlife activity, particularly at locations like Easter Posey campground where warning signs about coyotes and copperhead snakes are posted.

The tent camping experience near Arab offers varying levels of seclusion and access to natural features. TGL Adventures provides tent sites as close as 10 steps from the river, allowing for excellent fishing and water access. Campsites at Little River Adventure Company are deliberately spaced to create privacy between sites, with some campers noting "it's easy to feel like you're the only ones out there." While some roadside noise may be audible at certain locations, most tent sites maintain a sense of isolation from neighboring campers. A visitor to Little River noted, "The sites are secluded and private, completely different than any other campground we've been to."

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Best Tent Sites Near Arab, Alabama (11)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Arab, AL

458 Reviews of 11 Arab Campgrounds

  • Katie S.
    Jun. 18, 2019

    Tomahawk Campground

    Ranger Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with SunShade camp chair at Tomahawk Primitive Campground

    Campground Review: 

    Tomahawk Primitive Campground is located near Cullman, AL right off of Highway 278. The campground is primitive, and has no electricity or water pumps or hookups at the individual sites, but there is a common room area attached to the back of the owner’s house that has a clean bathroom, a coffee maker, and electricity. There are 3 campsites with fire rings as well as a large, open field at the main campground area, and additional sites by the creek, about a 10 minute walk from the main area. The trail to the creek-side sites was partially cleared, but there were a few fallen trees blocking the path that could make it difficult to carry gear to those sites. My husband, puppy and I stayed at one of the tent sites in the main campground area. If you are staying in a tent, I highly recommend air mattresses for this camp. While the ground has been somewhat cleared, there are still large stocks sticking one or 2 inches out of the ground that would make sleeping without an air mattress very uncomfortable. However, the bigger issue making sleep difficult for us was the road noise from the highway, which stayed busy throughout the night. I assume that if you are in a camper you won’t notice it as much, but in a tent it made us feel like we were camping on the side of the highway and not at a camp. Another problem that we ran into, unfortunately after we set up camp, is that our site had a ton of fire ants. I’m not sure if this is a problem at all of the tent sites or if it was just ours, but I advise caution when choosing your site and where you set up your tent. Our favorite part of this campground was the creek. It was beautiful and clear, perfect for our dog to play in, and had good locations to set up a hammock and enjoy the peaceful creek sounds. If we were to stay at this camp again, we would bring gear that could be hauled to the creek-side campsites. 

    Gear Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with Sunshade 

    As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes get gear to review on my camping trips. For this trip I got the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade camp chair. I LOVE this chair, and so did my husband and dog. The chair comes in a durable carrying case, which is great because I’ve had many camp chair bags fall apart after just a few uses. The chair was a little confusing to set up/take down at first, until I realized that easy-to-follow instructions are attached to the bag. The chair is larger than most camp chairs and provides more support. The sunshade is adjustable and can be moved in several positions as well as completely collapsed. The only complaint that we had about the Pod Rocker is that the included cup holder is a pouch that doesn’t seem like it would actually prevent your drink from spilling. For me, the benefit of having a camp rocking chair far outweighs this one detractor. This chair was wonderful for camping but would also be perfect for outdoor sporting events and concerts. I highly recommend the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade! Here is the link for the GCI Pod Rocker with SunShade:  https://www.gcioutdoor.com/rockers/pod-rocker-with-sunshade/

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2020

    Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground

    The cave is the star attraction

    This is a very small campground- 13 improved sites (nine of these have 50 amp electric and can accommodate all sizes of rigs; four are designed for smaller units and have 30 amp electric) plus five primitive sites, which have communal water only (no electric). There is zero privacy/separation between the improved sites, which would make the unimproved sites possibly more appealing (but further from the restroom and it was pouring when we were there). Improved sites are gravel and include a BBQ, fire ring, and a very large picnic table. Rates are $16 for a primitive site/$29 for an improved site plus a $4.75 processing fee for the first night of your stay. Senior discounts are given. 

    The restrooms are functional and clean but basic. There was a leak in the roof from the pouring rain that could pose a slipping hazard. 

    There are a large picnic pavilion and two short hiking trails of about a mile each. We hiked the Fossil Mountain trail, which is very rocky. The main draw to this park is the cave. Tours are offered four times daily, January through November. If you camp, you receive a discount on the tour. The tour is worth doing.

  • Cassandra C.
    Sep. 2, 2017

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Quiet campground

    I stayed at site number 063, which was an RV site with electric and water, and it was adjacent to the primitive sites. This campsite had a gravel pad, and setting a tent up outside of the pad was impossible as all of the surrounding area was a steep slope. The pad was plenty big for my one person tent, but I can't imagine anything bigger than a 4 person tent fitting in the area. I definitely recommend the primitive campsites if you're tent camping. The sites in this part of the camp were pretty far apart, and there was plenty of privacy. The park was riddled with trails (22 miles of them), many of which were also open to bikes. The bathhouse was pretty far from site 063, but they were clean.

  • Jeremy H.
    Jun. 22, 2019

    Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground

    Clean, Quiet, Comfortable

    My son Charlie(age 8) and I camped at Cathedral Caverns State Park on June 17, 2019. It was a Monday night. We chose one of the primitive campground sites and paid a little under$20 for one night. Since we were camping we received a discount on our cave tour the next day. It's worth noting that all of the primitive and RV campsites are outside of the state park’s main gates which means that anyone can easily enter or leave the camp at anytime day or night; however, two state employees live fulltime within walking distance of the campsites. It was encouraging to know that help was only steps away if we needed it. One of the rangers actually stopped and introduced himself while making his early evening round. He verified that I had registered at the camp, informed me that it might rain that night, and wished us a good evening. A father and son also drove through the campground about that time in a personal car. I expected him to camp, but later when we went for a walk, we didn’t find him. On our walk we went down to the restrooms gathering kindling in large, reusable grocery bags. We also brought our one gallon water jug. It’s quite a walk to the restroom and unless you are driving, it would be unreasonable to rely on it as your bathroom. Bring a camping toilet or a shovel. The RV sites are right next to the restrooms, which means that if you are in the primitive site it is very unlikely that you will hear RV generators all night. There were no RVs there on our night because the sites were being overhauled and it was closed though the restrooms were still up and running. The restrooms were very clean and spacious with clean, new shower curtains and it was fully stocked with supplies. I can’t say if the water was hot, but my suspicion is that it probably was since the rest of the facility is well kept. Back to the kindling: There’s plenty to be had and we even found four or five logs left by our campsite by a previous camper. Speaking of firewood, there’s plenty of that for sale for a reasonable$10.00 at the restroom facility. Money’s left in a box on the honor system. After cooking two cans of Southgate chili on an improvised Sweedish fire using the charitable camper’s firewood, we played in the field which was easily accessible from the primitive campsite. It’s guarded by a feral but entertaining cat who has an appetite for small rabbits. He almost caught one when he chased it through the campsite and under the picnic table where we happened to be eating supper. I’m not sure if he ever caught him but the last time I saw them they were running through the campsite like the wind. The campsite was simple. There was a fire ring and an old picnic table. You might want to bring a table cloth along or use a tarp if you’re doing more than heating up canned chili. The site was clean as was the entire park. I was easily able to back into the site with a 2007 Trailblazer. Though we had planned on tent camping, we ended up sleeping in the Trailblazer. Dad brought the tent, but he forgot the poles. All of the sites were clean and would have made wonderful tent sites. They were spaced adequately apart to provide a sense of privacy though if you’re pooping in a bucket you might have to be strategic in your temporary John placement. I don’t think my wife would have liked the bathroom situation at all and it might have been a bigger issue for Charlie and me if there’d been anyone else on the campground. We were the sole campers at Cathedral Caverns during our visit. We weren’t the only people using the park though. There were plenty who come to see the cave which true to its name feels like a Cathedral. I’ve been in a few tourist caves but there’s something different about this one. Our tour guide did a great job not only telling us about the beauty and history of the cave, but helped us to imagine one of the caves first explorers and its benefactor Mr, Gurly. If that description doesn’t make you want to visit, here’s this: Legend says there’s a ledge in the cave and if you toss a coin and land it right on the ledge you get your wish. After I tossed my dime I regretted instantly not wishing for a billion instead of a million dollars. I was assured by the tour guide that I could expect my check any day now, so the star review might change depending on how quickly the check rolls in.

  • Cassandra T.
    Jul. 2, 2021

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    My Staycation Spot

    I'm a local and tent camping saves my sanity from a high preassured daily life. When I cant leave to camp I'll set up at a primitive site here for a week at a time. It's a simple space. No picnic tables at primitive sites. It's clean...beautiful....loads of hiking trails...and great food is a 10 min ride down the mountain to Huntsville.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 29, 2020

    Cherokee Rock Village

    Ranger Review: GCI Pod Rocker at Cherokee Rock Village Campground

    Campground Review: Since this is one of my favorite campgrounds I would suggest checking out one of my older reviews for an overview of the whole site. On this trip, we stayed at one of the sites in the central free for all wooded areas. This section of the campground has many spaces and fire pits where you can set up camp any free/flat ground you can find. Normally this would not be my first pick but we got there late on a Friday and most other spots were taken. Overall these sites are still nice but if you can find a space closer to the rocks or the ledge I would highly suggest doing that. We were able to purchase some firewood from the front office and had a very nice night relaxing in our private area. The next day we planned for a full day of climbing and the rocks did not disappoint. Even though there were a ton of people at the crag that weekend we could easily find spots to set up our top ropes and everyone was so friendly. It was such an amazing experience climbing here and by far my favorite in Alabama. There is every type of climbing available from bouldering to top rope to sport. Overall, the earlier you can arrive and claim a spot the better but definitely make a visit to this amazing campground. 

    ............................

    ****Product Review:** **

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products while out adventuring. At this campground, I relaxed in the GCI Pod Rocker with sunshade. After using this amazing chair at placed ranging from the beach to the woods some of my favorite features are: 

    1. Rocking: I know it seems obvious to say but it is still an incredible design of this chair. It has built-in shock type devices that allow you to feel like you are in a rocking chair on almost any surface. It works on the beach or on rocky terrain in the woods. I use it on my deck in the summer or on the sidelines of a sports game. It really adds a whole level of relaxation and takes the packable chair to another level. 
    2. Sunshade: This has been one of the features that I thought would be a silly extra but has ended up being one of the most useful parts of the chair. It is designed so that it folds up compactly behind the chair when packed up then locks open and can be adjusted when the chair is set up. The design also allows it to be closed up and moved out of the way when you don't need it. It is just the right size to provide shade for reading a book or taking a nap and the adjustability allows you to move it to wherever the sun is most direct. 
    3. Durability: Although the chair is on the heavier side it is worth it for the durability it provides. The chair is incredibly well built and will stand up to years of use on all kinds of terrain. The folding mechanism is reinforced in several places and all the components and materials are of high quality. This is not a chair you want to take backpacking but any time you only have a short walk it is the best option on the market. 

    Overall, this chair is incredibly comfortable and so well designed. The rocking feature works perfectly and takes the camping chair to a whole new level.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2019

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Some much fun so close to home

    Although we have been to Monte Sano many times to hike and attend events, this was our first time camping here. Monte State Park Campground is a large campground with 15 full hookup sites, 59 water& electric sites, and 21 primitive tent sites. All the sites are gravel, most sites are wooded with lots of shade, and most site are mainly level. All style sites include a picnic table and fire ring. 

    Check-in is at the camp store if you arrive during store hours or with camp host if you arrive after hours. We stayed on site 24, which had complete shade throughout the day. This site backs up to a draw and each evening just before dust we could watch the deer walk up through. 

    The bathhouse is centrally located, newer, and cleaned daily. There are also laundry machines available between the men’s and women’s area. 

    Firewood, ice, limited grocery items, and souvenirs were available at the camp store. There is a full grocery store about 15 minutes away. 

    We found ok to limited cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The state park did have wi-fi near the camp store. 

    The park has many trails for hiking and mountain biking, as well as host the North Alabama Japanese Garden. The North Alabama Land Trust also connects to the state park and adds many more miles of trails. We hiked about 15 miles this weekend and there are many more miles to explore on another visit. 

    The state park is located 5 minutes from Huntsville where you can find many restaurants, breweries, and the Space& Rocket Center. Check the Huntsville visitor’s center website for all that is offered in the area. In addition, the Burritt on the Mountain located just minutes from the park entrance and has an open air museum and an amazing overlook of Huntsville. 

    We are very excited that this gem is located so close to use and are proud to call this our home camp!

  • Tony C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2020

    Buck's Pocket State Park Campground

    A great park reopened!

    We stayed at Bucks Pocket State Park recently for five nights and had a wonderful time. This park was recently reopened after being closed for a few years, lots of work has been completed to the campground and facilities. The sites are very nice with full concrete pads, 50/30 amp electrical, water, picnic table, fire ring and grill. There are a few sites that are on the bank of Sauty Creek that also have sewer hook ups. This is a very small campground with only 23 RV sites, 4 of them are pull through. There are also about 8 tent only sites. There are clean and well stocked bathrooms located at the park office and also includes a laundry facility. The office also sells firewood and ice if needed.

    There are a few hiking trails that range in levels of difficulty, we hiked the trail to the overlook that I would classify as pretty arduous, the pay off was the Little Sauty Creek waterfall near the top and the beautiful vista of Point Lookout. The trail ascends 800 feet in elevation from the pocket floor to the summit so plan accordingly. There is also an off road vehicle (ORV) trail here so the park attracts these vehicles to the campground on the weekends.

    The park host (Jesse and his wife) are very friendly and involved, he is visible throughout the day ensuring the park is maintained and orderly.

    There will be little to no cell service or over the air TV reception due to the park being in the valley floor. The park does provide good WIFI that could be received throughout the campground.

    A huge thank you to the State of Alabama for providing the resources to restore this great facility to the state park system. Also, an extra recognition to the A Year to Volunteer (https://www.youtube.com/c/AYeartoVolunteer) organization for the extraordinary effort and contribution to this park's rebirth.

  • Morgan Z.
    Sep. 7, 2016

    Houston Recreation Area

    Sipsey Wilderness

    During my time in Alabama, I kept hearing wonderful things about Sipsey Wilderness, and its many waterfalls, rocky landscapes, and great hikes. Since it's "wilderness," there are no established campsites, and there is a strict "leave no trace" policy. That being said, the opportunity to pick your own home away from home on your backpacking trip leaves you with a plethora of gorgeous options! Be sure to check the water levels before your trip, because while Sipsey is always beautiful, it isn't abnormal for many of the waterfalls to be dried up after a hot summer. Also, if you park at the Sipsey River Picnic Area Trailhead, be sure to pay the $3/day parking fee. They will give you a steep ticket otherwise! I had read about the fee, but upon arriving didn't see where to pay and figured it must have been an outdated post. Turns out, there was just a car blocking the pay station, which is near the chemical toilet when you turn into the parking lot. It's a dated deposit system, where you put your payment in an envelope, drop it in a dropbox, and put the perforated proof of payment tag on your dashboard. So be sure to bring exact change!! I was expecting something a little more modern, so even if I had seen the deposit box, I wouldn't have had exact change on me.

    The trails can get a little complicated, as there aren't really any trail markers, so be sure to buy a map of the area and bring it along with your compass. I found a map at mountain high outfitters at the Summit in Birmingham, AL, and it served us well. The 209 trail follows the river and is known as one of the more scenic routes. Nearby sites within the Sipsey Wilderness include Big Tree (the biggest tree in AL), Eye of the Needle, Ship Rock, numerous waterfalls, and several scattered cemeteries. All of these will be marked on a good map.

    The area is very buggy, and the trails can get cramped/overgrown in parts, so I'd recommend wearing long pants and lots of bug spray!

Guide to Arab

Tent camping options near Arab, Alabama range from primitive sites along river shores to more developed campgrounds with trails and access to outdoor activities. The region's terrain varies from flat riverside areas to more wooded settings close to wilderness areas. Most campgrounds in this part of northeastern Alabama remain accessible year-round due to the mild climate, though summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F and thunderstorms are common from April through September.

What to do

Fishing along the water's edge: At TGL Adventures, campers can enjoy exceptional fishing access with minimal effort. "We arrived at our tents and hammocks up and then just relaxed a bit. We ended up fishing til daylight because the river was physically only 10 steps from our tents," notes Heather B., highlighting the convenience for anglers.

Trail exploration: Little River Adventure Company offers multiple walking trails throughout the property. According to Giorgio B., "This is a great spot and I would stay here again in a second." The campground is also conveniently located near Little River Canyon for additional hiking opportunities.

Water activities: Swimming and kayaking are popular at multiple locations. One visitor to Big Canoe Creek Outfitters shared, "Did some tent camping brought my inflatable fishing boat fish the river caught about eight bluegill and a couple Bass," demonstrating the accessible water recreation options available.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds prioritize site privacy. At Little River Adventure Company, John S. observed, "My site was flat, spacious, and easy to unload and set up on. The rest of the sites also looked very spacious and fairly flat."

Welcoming hosts: The personal touch from campground operators receives frequent mention. At TGL Adventures, Chris B. found that "The folks that run it are caring and inviting. It is a great experience." Similarly, campers appreciate receptive management at other locations.

Year-round water access: Reliable water sources are valued by tent campers. Ryan T. at Big Canoe Creek Outfitters noted, "campsite has a fire pit and a grill and the bathroom is fairly close," highlighting the practical layout that keeps facilities accessible while maintaining a wilderness feel.

What you should know

Bathroom accessibility varies significantly: At Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp, facilities are limited, while other campgrounds feature varying levels of bathroom access. One recent camper at Little River Adventure Company mentioned, "the bathhouse is at the very front of the property away from the campsites, but the toilet and shower were clean and perfectly adequate."

Road noise can affect some sites: Some campgrounds near Arab experience highway sounds. John S. noted about Little River Adventure Company, "there was a little bit of road noise at night from the main road. It wasn't nearly enough to keep me awake, but YMMV if you're sensitive to it."

Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife requires appropriate precautions. While most encounters are harmless, campers should store food properly and maintain awareness, especially during warmer months when snake activity increases.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to younger campers. Chris B. mentioned that TGL Adventures offers a "Nice playground for the kids as well," making it suitable for families with children who need activity options.

Flat terrain benefits: Owl Creek Horse Camp provides level sites for easier tent setup. Gregg G. describes it as "essentially a large field with some very large loblolly pines," making it practical for families with multiple tents or those less experienced with campsite selection.

Water safety considerations: Sites with direct water access require supervision. At Little River Adventure Company, Lonni B. reported, "Our kids were amazed by the water access and walking trails," but parents should maintain appropriate oversight near any water features.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookups at tent-focused sites: Most primitive tent camping areas near Arab lack RV amenities. Asher K. noted that Little River Adventure Company is designed "for those who want to tent camp," whereas "other sites nearby are more geared towards RVs."

Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Owl Creek Horse Camp, Gregg G. reported "2 bars of Verizon 4G LTE," noting they "enjoyed staying here after being out of cell service for a few days... so we were able to catch up and coordinate our next destination."

Weather preparedness: The region's potential for sudden thunderstorms makes proper setup crucial. Pack appropriate rain gear and ensure tents are properly secured against both precipitation and wind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Arab, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Arab, AL is Easter Posey MWR Military - Redstone Arsenal with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Arab, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Arab, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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