Best Cabin Camping near Bankhead National Forest

Cabin rentals near Bankhead National Forest can be found at Cullman Campground, where the rental units include basic amenities most visitors need. The cabins combine a woodsy feel with practical features, including full kitchens and comfortable living areas. Inside, you'll find a straightforward layout that works well for families or small groups. Air conditioning and heat keep the cabins usable regardless of Alabama's sometimes extreme temperatures. Each cabin at Cullman comes with beds already made up and its own bathroom. The drive from the cabins to Bankhead National Forest takes about 30 minutes, making day trips to the forest simple. You can book these cabins in any season since Cullman keeps them open year-round. Many hiking trails in Bankhead are within a 45-minute drive from the campground. Fishing spots near the cabins include small lakes and streams where bass and bream are common catches. The relatively quiet location gives you some peace while still having the basics covered in your cabin. Booking requires a deposit, and the campground has clear check-in procedures. Smith Lake and other local attractions sit within easy driving distance of the cabins. The cabins work well for both summer trips when you want AC and winter visits when you need heating. Cullman's cabins give you a solid base camp for checking out Bankhead without roughing it in a tent.

Best Cabin Sites Near Bankhead National Forest (13)

    1. Bama Campground & RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Bankhead National Forest, AL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (844) 922-6746

    $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."

    2. Thousand Trails Hidden Cove

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

    "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."

    "Plenty of amenities, pool, basketball court, disc golf, nice clubhouse with pool tables and other games/lounging, Lewis Smith Lake, nice playground, horseshoes, a lake overlook with gazebo and mini golf"

    3. Hidden Cove Thousand Trails

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

    "We love this park but it is about 45 minutes from a town with a good grocery store or restaurants."

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

    4. Smith Lake Park

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

    "I really enjoy Smith lake campground it has a lot of great sites. There are plenty of shades sites for summer camping."

    "Park has cabins on site, places for rvs, and also areas for tents. There is a beach area and a boat launch. They have pavilions with grills and electrical outlets"

    5. Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites

    7 Reviews
    Hackleburg, AL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 993-4559

    "It's about a quarter of a mile walk to the campsite, but the site is absolutely gorgeous! Very secluded and very roomy! The waterfall at the campsite is not large, but it still makes noise."

    "Located in Northwest Alabama, not far from the Sipsey Wilderness, Dismals Canyon offers an unparalleled camping experience that stands out in the state."

    6. Cullman Campground

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

    "Staff is helpful, guide you to site and help you park. Sites provide easy access with ample space for RV and vehicle or trailer."

    "Beautiful campground, check out the animals. Great signage to park. Not the greatest cell phone signal but not awful. Free wifi for non streaming service and paid option for streaming."

    7. Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday

    12 Reviews
    Trinity, AL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 280-4390

    "They have a rope course, water activities/rentals, cabins, rv/camper/tent sites waterside, and more. We fished feet from our camper off of the bank."

    "Very friendly people, beautiful setting, very clean cabin, peaceful and so nice to watch the sunset and sunrise from the beautiful shoreline in the screen porch"

    8. Faye Whittemore Farms Inc

    2 Reviews
    Jasper, AL
    25 miles
    +1 (205) 300-7141

    $10 - $30 / night

    "The campsites have water and electric hookups.  They have nice paddocks for your horses.  The multiple trails are so beautiful .  I have been here many times."

    "Lots to do and amazing trails. Helpful and friendly farmers. Clean washrooms and near campsite. No too far from town."

    9. controller works

    9 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, AL
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 412-6773

    $45 / night

    "Togetherness Works is 5 mile south of I-22/US-78 along a very good Alabama 253.  Junior Beasley and his wife have owned it for many years. "

    "Was provided information for this place by Tiffin Wayfarer plant when I called for the plant tour. Loved the setting and enjoyed the host Jr. Beasley."

    10. Joe Wheeler State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Rogersville, AL
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 247-1184

    $17 - $256 / night

    "Nice quiet park out on the lake. We were in loop C at the end of the improved sites."

    "This is a great spot located in Northern Alabama just east of Florence on the Tennessee River."

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Cabin Reviews near Bankhead National Forest

97 Reviews of 13 Bankhead National Forest Campgrounds


  • Jennifer H.
    Mar. 19, 2025

    Bama Campground & RV Park

    Great campground to hike Bankhead National Forest

    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. 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.

  • Carol A.
    Jun. 15, 2018

    Cullman Campground

    Close to I-65. Easily accessible, pull throughs for most sites.

    This 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.

  • C
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Smith Lake Park

    Great place

    I really enjoy Smith lake campground it has a lot of great sites. There are plenty of shades sites for summer camping. They have primitive and powered sites with most having picnic tables and some with shared water. It is very affordable and quiet with lots to do. They have canoe rentals, mini golf, pool, and a beach area by the lake. The bathhouses are close by to the powered sites which is really nice. The only drawbacks are the bathhouses at least for the mens side is they need to have a place to hang your shower bag with clothes and toiletries instead of having to sit them on the floor. (Tip now that I've been a couple of times go buy a suction cup hook to hang your bag or towel on). I'll definitely be going back! Note you'll have to check with front office about pool and canoe rentals due to the covid-19. 403 Co Rd 386, Cullman, AL 35057

    (256)-739-2916 http://www.cullmancountyparks.com/smithlake.html

  • Jon S.
    Oct. 23, 2019

    Joe Wheeler State Park Campground

    Nice lakeside park

    Nice quiet park out on the lake. We were in loop C at the end of the improved sites. The site was level, but the power, water, and sewer were all closer to the center or front of the site than the rear. That wasn’t a dealbreaker, but the sewer was a good bit higher than the paved pad. This made dumping the black tank a little iffy at best. That aside, the park is full of deer, squirrels, birds, all kinds of stuff for the kids to look at. The playground is a bit dated, and the bathhouse could use renovation, but was functioning and relatively clean. The sites are too close together which was nice. It looked as though all of the improved sites had a fire ring and picnic table. There was a dumpster at the end of our loop where the road to the primitive campsites started, so it was only about a minute walk away. The camp store at the front had all the essentials and some souvenirs, as well as the laundry facility. Everyone we met there, including the staff and volunteers, were all great. The kids loved it, and we will definitely be back to the park again.

  • Mallory H.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday

    Overnight Getaway

    My husband and I went on our first camper trip here. It was breathtakingly beautiful! They have a rope course, water activities/rentals, cabins, rv/camper/tent sites waterside, and more. We fished feet from our camper off of the bank. They have a tie-down for animals, fire pit (with grill), all the hook ups for the rv/campers, and even gave us free food upon arrival. It was a perfect getaway for just the 2 of us, but we plan to bring our children next time!

  • Mara S.
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Thousand Trails Hidden Cove

    Bring your boat

    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.

    You can pick your spot when you arrive. I like that.

    A and B sections are the original sections. C section is brand new with 50 amps hookup. All the big rigs there.

    I was on C74 with a great backyard overlooking the hills.

    Bathhouse is brand new and squeaky clean. You can see that almost no-one uses the campground shower because one of them doesn’t have a curtain to separate your dry clothes from the water. And neither of them have a caddy or any spot where you can put your soap.

    Pool was not open when I was here in April which was a shame. It was hot enough. I would have enjoyed a swim, especially so we there is not much else to do. I don’t have a boat yet. 🙁

    A decent Thousand Trails campground.

    I had no reception with Verizon but my AT&T hotspot had good reception.

  • Blair M.
    Jun. 1, 2019

    Elliot Branch - Bear Creek Dev Auth

    Great cabins, beautiful lake

    We stayed at two cabins at Elliot Branch in August with some friends.  It is a short drive to Bear Creek if you want to kayak or canoe, but the cabins are on lakefront property and you can just jump in!  

    The cabins are clean and quiet.  They have a full kitchen, bathroom, and ours slept two in a double bed, but there is room in the living area for cots or sleeping on the couch if you wanted.  The couches are huge, and the cabins have cable.  WiFi is also available, though it is slow.

    The campsites are also nice.  We drove through the area, scouting out where we want to tent camp in the future.

  • Marika L.
    May. 2, 2024

    Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday

    Beautiful

    Very friendly people, beautiful setting, very clean cabin, peaceful and so nice to watch the sunset and sunrise from the beautiful shoreline in the screen porch

  • Rebekah C.
    Aug. 22, 2021

    Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites

    Great choice for Visitors of Dismals Canyon

    We stayed in early August for 2 nights in the Sleeping Waters campground.

    We got there pretty late (after dark) for setting up camp, and I do not recommend doing that. It's about a quarter of a mile walk to the campsite, but the site is absolutely gorgeous! Very secluded and very roomy! The waterfall at the campsite is not large, but it still makes noise.

    After we got everything set up and got all the lights out, we noticed the glowing dismalites along the Canyon wall behind our tent!! It was super cool. We also had a creek flowing with crawdads, minnows, and bull frogs. Plenty of wildlife!!

    The canyon was pretty cool! The waterfalls were awesome and I loved all the spur trails. Disclaimer: be prepared to get your feet wet!!

    The Canyon and campsite were pet friendly. Dogs were even welcome in the country store!! Just not in the seating area for the Soda Fountain.

    I have few, minor complaints.. 1) I booked this campsite earlier in the year (early spring, I believe). I specifically wanted a night tour. They did not tell me that they wouldn't have night tours at that time of year. I wish I would've known, as I would've planned the trip for spring or fall. 2) the gate to get into the Canyon after hours for the bath house was difficult to operate. I'd pinch the code in and it wouldn't open. It would take several tries. The gate for the campsite area worked great! 3) The gate leading to the campsites was not marked. At night, it was challenging to determine where to park. 4) In the Canyon itself, not all of the landmarks were marked!! We had a map, but we had never been there before, so we weren't able to find everything easily.


Guide to Bankhead National Forest

Experience the charm of cabin camping near Bankhead National Forest, Alabama, where nature meets comfort in cozy accommodations.

Cabin campers like these nearby activities

Cabins are available at these well-reviewed spots

Discover local attractions near your cabin

  • Visit the nearby Ave Maria Grotto while staying at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove, a unique and serene spot that showcases beautiful sculptures.
  • Explore the rich history of the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, just a short drive from Smith Lake Park, where you can also enjoy lakefront camping.
  • Experience the vibrant culture of Huntsville, home to the US Space and Rocket Center, while enjoying the amenities at Cullman Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available in Bankhead National Forest cabins?

Cabins near Bankhead National Forest offer a range of amenities for comfortable stays. At Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday, cabins are clean with beautiful screened porches overlooking the shoreline, perfect for watching sunsets and sunrises. Many cabins in the area, like those at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove, provide access to additional amenities such as pools, basketball courts, disc golf, and clubhouses with games. Typically, forest cabins include full kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping accommodations for multiple people. Some cabins also feature fire pits with grills, lakefront access, and proximity to hiking trails and water activities.

Where are the cabins located in Bankhead National Forest?

Cabins in and near Bankhead National Forest are situated in various scenic locations. Elliot Branch - Bear Creek Dev Auth offers lakefront cabins a short drive from Bear Creek, perfect for water activities. For those looking to explore the natural wonders of the region, Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites provides accommodations in Northwest Alabama, not far from the Sipsey Wilderness area of Bankhead. These locations serve as excellent baselines for exploring the numerous waterfall hikes and trails throughout Bankhead National Forest.

How do I reserve a cabin in Bankhead National Forest?

To reserve a cabin in or near Bankhead National Forest, you'll need to contact the specific property management directly. For camping options like Bama Campground & RV Park on the edge of Bankhead, reservations can typically be made through their website or by phone. At Smith Lake Park, which offers affordable accommodations near Bankhead, you can make reservations for their cabins through their official reservation system. Most locations require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Reservation windows typically open 3-6 months ahead, and deposits are often required. It's advisable to book early for weekend stays and during summer months when availability is limited.