Thousand Trails Hidden Cove attracts campers with pets seeking lakeside recreation on Smith Lake near Arley. The campground permits leashed pets throughout the property with designated pet waste stations. Full hookup RV sites, tent camping areas, and pet-friendly cabin rentals accommodate various camping styles. Spacious campsites feature gravel pads, fire rings, and picnic tables, with both waterfront and wooded options available. Sites in Loop C provide 50-amp service ideal for larger RVs, while loops A and B offer more traditional camping experiences. The campground maintains clean facilities including bathhouses, laundry facilities, and a clubhouse with games. Cell service remains spotty throughout the property with Verizon particularly weak, though AT&T offers better coverage.
Several hiking paths accommodate dog walkers, including access points to lakeside trails where pets can cool off in designated swimming areas. Campers should bring sufficient pet supplies as the nearest substantial shopping options require a 45-minute drive to Cullman. The campground provides excellent lake access with a boat ramp and dock, perfect for families camping with dogs who enjoy water activities. Bankhead National Forest lies approximately 20 minutes away, offering additional pet-friendly hiking opportunities through old-growth forests and canyon landscapes. Summer visitors should monitor pets closely due to high temperatures and humidity. The recreation area includes a playground, basketball court, mini-golf, and disc golf course where leashed pets can accompany their owners throughout most common areas.
$38 - $85 / 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."
$22 - $58 / 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."
"No fenced in dog park but plenty of space to have one. Right on the lake but unaware of any kind of rentals available nearby— closest rentals are 40 mins away on the opposite side of the lake."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Great little campground with awesome access to the lake. Great for Starlink and good AT&T reception."
"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."
$10 - $30 / night
"Lots to do and amazing trails. Helpful and friendly farmers. Clean washrooms and near campsite. No too far from town."
"The multiple trails are so beautiful . I have been here many times."
"Quiet park, pet friendly with areas to walk you pet with grass and trees."
"Great place to stay for the night or longer. 2 miles off I-65 exit 310. Close to restaurants and shopping."
$45 - $79 / night
"This is a great little campground tucked away on the edge of Bankhead National Forest. The location of the campground makes it an excellent location to enjoy the numerous waterfall hikes in the area."
"Stayed here on an overnight while driving through the state. Great site tucked in the woods, very private area. Huge field with little light pollution to stargaze. Very friendly host. Would Recommend."
ScoutNo wifi per office with no known date of repair. Relatively quiet, lots of vehicle traffic and golf carts. Office staff is very helpful and friendly. Majority of park is longterm. Dog friendly, no dog park at location. Close to shopping but far enough away for quiet.
ScoutThere's a fire pit, cornhole, showers are included, two dog parks and half a basketball court. There is a small trail that circles the whole campground.
TravelerThis is a great little campground tucked away on the edge of Bankhead National Forest. The location of the campground makes it an excellent location to enjoy the numerous waterfall hikes in the area. The campground was laid out well with spacious gravel sites and full hookups. Sites 2-4 had good views of the pond/field, sites 10-15 backed up to the tree line to provide a little shade all other sites had full sun. The camp host was super friendly and helpful. They have a general store, laundry, bathhouse, and small dog park. The campground has hiking trails on the property if you don’t have time to visit Bankhead NF. If you’re in the area or wanting to spend time in Bankhead NF I’d recommend checking this campground out.
GuideGreat campground & people! Only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is the lack of things to do. No fenced in dog park but plenty of space to have one. Right on the lake but unaware of any kind of rentals available nearby— closest rentals are 40 mins away on the opposite side of the lake. Nearest Walmart is Cullman which is 45 mins away. Wouldn’t recommend staying here if you prefer to be closer to the city but perfect if you want to be in the middle of the woods and have no reason to leave. Very hot, humid and rainy time of year! Would be back in the fall perhaps.
ScoutThis is a friendly, clean, campground. Staff is helpful, guide you to site and help you park. Sites provide easy access with ample space for RV and vehicle or trailer. Quiet park, pet friendly with areas to walk you pet with grass and trees.
LegendWe called ahead the day of arrival and got a reservation for an overnight stay. We received an email with information and bath/laundry code along with instructions to proceed directly to pull-through site 36 with full hookups. There are various ways from I-65 to get to this campground (CG); we came in on I-565E to Mooresville Rd which provided straightforward big-rig friendly access with no tight turns. Our gravel pull-through site was mostly level, and other sites, especially those on the upper level, also appeared level. The park appears newer with functional gravel sites, some with small concrete patio areas, though sites can be somewhat close together and there is little shade. There was no picnic table nor fire pit at our site, which was fine for an overnighter. Water pressure was decent and we got 2 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on T-Mobile. Occupants were mainly full-timers and transient workers, but the park was quiet and decently maintained without appearing overly junky. A nice centrally located bathhouse and small but clean laundry facility are available. Highlights for us were the large fenced dog park, easy self-check-in process, convenient overnight layout for big rigs, and proximity to Buc-ee’s, making this a solid quick stop when traveling through the Athens area.
LegendWe received an email with arrival information, which stated to pick up our site and park information at the shower and laundry facility as you entered the RV Park portion of the golf resort. The information provided a campground(CG) map and our site number. We proceeded to pull through site 25 with FHUs. The site was plenty long enough to situate and disconnect for our two-night stay. Some pull-through reviews stated spacious, and I guess if you rate pad length, that could be accurate, but the sites are close together. The water pressure was excellent, and we really liked the new cedar picnic table. We noticed WiFi transponders throughout the CG. This CG has the most WiFi transponders we’ve ever seen, counting five per row of 20 campsites. The CG WiFi was pretty good, but we put up our Starlink with no problem getting a northern shot. There would not have been a problem with a southern sky shot as well. Soon after we set up, the very nice CG host/manager came by to ensure we didn’t have any issues or questions, which we did not. We got 3 bars on Verizon. The CG is fairly large, with full-time or seasonal leases. They do not have a dog park, but there are plenty of areas to walk your dog. They have dedicated spots for short-term campers. The motel and golf course facilities are adjacent and are located further back on the property. It was nice that there was a separate road to the resort area as the locals drive rapidly to and from the golf course. We played a round of golf and were surprised that the course is not very well maintained, but it does get a lot of play. The CG and the golf course are actually separate entities even though they are co-located. Drove the 15 minutes into Hartselle and were pleasantly surprised by amenities such as the Walmart and especially a very nice, well-stocked Krogers. We enjoyed our stay at this very nice CG.
Tip: Go left at the stop sign on Mt. Zion Rd from Nat Key Rd when departing the CG! When we departed, heading back towards the interstate, you come to a stop sign. Our RV GPS and Waze wanted us to turn right on Mt. Zion Rd instead of going left as we did when we arrived. We took the right turn, and about the time the trailer swung, we saw the drop-off into the ditch, and the driver’s side wheels went into it, knocking off a snap pad. We stopped at the old country store parking lot at the next turn and checked for damage. Thank goodness we only lost a snap pad.
LegendPros: Easy in & out overnight stay. Full 50 amp hookup. Clean site. Pet park, tennis & basketball courts, playground & 2 lakes.
ScoutWonderful, quiet and shaded camping areas and also has a awesome clean creek to swim and canoe in.. pet friendly
Smith Lake camping near Arley offers quiet waterfront sites with varying terrain across Bankhead National Forest. The forest's elevations range from 500 to 1,000 feet, creating diverse ecosystems with hardwood and pine forests. During summer months, temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 60s.
Hiking in Bankhead Forest: Located approximately 20 minutes from Arley, Bankhead National Forest offers extensive hiking opportunities. At Clear Creek Recreation Area, campers can access both hiking and biking trails. "There is a fun hiking trail and also a paved bike trail," notes Leesha J., who found the sites spacious with "lots of space between sites."
Swimming at sandy beaches: The lake areas feature designated swimming spots with unique terrain. At Smith Lake Park, visitors find "a beach area and a boat launch" according to Vanessa S. Kelly S. describes another swimming area: "White sand around swimming area. Pavilion is rentable for gatherings."
Boating and fishing: Smith Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities, particularly in less crowded areas. "In peck times can be hard to get a spot," says Joe C. about Clear Creek, making weekdays preferable for fishing. At Corinth Recreation Area, Terry J. notes the "Really nice swim area on Smith Lake. Some of the cleanest and clearest water around."
Privacy between sites: Many campsites offer good separation from neighbors. At Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama, Rae W. found "a pretty decent sized clearing" and noted that "the stars were incredible after the moon went down a bit." Katrina G. describes Clear Creek: "You can find a site to satisfy almost anyone. Lots of sites on the water. If you prefer seclusion, try the upper grounds."
Pet-friendly beaches: Several campgrounds welcome dogs at their lakeside areas. Smith Lake Park provides multiple areas where dogs can enjoy the water. At Smith Lake, Sherry P. mentions: "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."
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities. Charles found that at Boondock Dispersed Camping, "there was no chance of hearing any cars and the animal noises were fantastic." Genie C. describes Corinth Recreation Area: "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."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between providers. At Bama Campground & RV Park, Jennifer H. notes it's "tucked away on the edge of Bankhead National Forest," making reception spotty. Jeff C. reports "AT&T cell service was pretty good" at Clear Creek, while Mara S. found "no reception with Verizon but my AT&T hotspot had good reception" at Hidden Cove.
Distance to supplies: Most campgrounds require significant travel for groceries or other needs. Steve T. describes Bama Campground as "in the middle of the country side near Bankhead Forest," while Nick & Allyssa S. note that near Hidden Cove, the "nearest Walmart is Cullman which is 45 mins away."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Campground bathhouses range from modern to basic. At Corinth Recreation Area, Thomas H. noted "Bath houses were closed due to COVID-19." At Smith Lake Park, Sherry P. found "Bath house shower had great hot water with good pressure."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Arley: For families with pets, Faye Whittemore Farms offers excellent options. Belinda H. describes it as "very nice and woodsy. The campsites have water and electric hookups." Adrienne D. adds it has "lots to do and amazing trails. Helpful and friendly farmers. Clean washrooms and near campsite."
Water activities for kids: Multiple swimming areas cater to families with children. Paul G. describes Smith Lake Park as an "awesome place with a beautiful lake! Lots of playgrounds for the kids and some very nice camping spots!" Rebekah C. adds, "There's even a beach nearby for people to swim, if you like lake swimming!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Elizabeth P. says Rickwood Caverns State Park is "nice and clean! Very peaceful and relaxing!" Melissa R. adds that Rickwood has "a cute playground for the little ones and a great hiking trail that was absolutely gorgeous."
Loop selection at campgrounds: Different loops offer varying experiences and amenities. At Clear Creek, D.W. L. notes, "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." Thomas H. recommends Corinth Recreation Area's "Yellow Hammer site #9 easy pull through with plenty of room" and adds "Best site is Yellow Hammer #17."
Leveling considerations: Some sites require more setup work than others. At Bama Campground, Jennifer H. found "spacious gravel sites and full hookups" where "sites 2-4 had good views of the pond/field, sites 10-15 backed up to the tree line to provide a little shade all other sites had full sun."
Site privacy varies by section: Different areas within campgrounds offer varying levels of seclusion. M&P M. describe Clear Creek: "The lots 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Arley, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Arley, AL is Clear Creek Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Arley, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 79 dog-friendly camping locations near Arley, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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