Glamping opportunities close to Bankhead National Forest offer visitors direct access to Alabama's second-largest national forest spanning 181,230 acres of wilderness terrain. The forest contains multiple trailheads at varying elevations between 500-1,100 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 90°F and high humidity. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing, particularly in the northern sections of the forest.
What to do
Hiking the Sipsey Wilderness trails: The trails in Clear Creek Recreation Area connect to the broader network of Bankhead's hiking routes. "There is a fun hiking trail and also a paved bike trail. Will definitely camp there again!!!" notes Leesha J. who visited Clear Creek.
Night tours to see bioluminescent creatures: Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites offers guided night tours to see glowing creatures. "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," reports Rebekah C. about her camping experience.
Waterfront recreation on Smith Lake: The lake provides swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. "We stayed in site 17 on the Fox loop. It's right on the water and couldn't have been more perfect!!" writes Rebekah C. about Clear Creek campground, adding "There's even a beach nearby for people to swim, if you like lake swimming!"
Basketball and volleyball activities: Clear Creek offers sports facilities near the boat launch area. "There was a basketball and volleyball area in a nice green space area near the boat launch," reports camper M&P M. about the recreation spaces available.
What campers like
Private, spacious campsites: Corinth Recreation Area offers well-designed sites. "We stayed at Yellow Hammer site #9 easy pull through with plenty of room. Not only did all the sites have amazing scenery but the roads were well maintained," shares Thomas H. who rated the campground 5 stars.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to observe local fauna. "This campground is quiet but you would have thought the opposite based on how quite is was. This place has an amazing trail, spots of gorgeous sunset or sunrise gazing, and shade," Genie C. wrote about her stay at Corinth.
Waterfront camping options: Many sites offer direct lake access for swimming and boating. "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," shares M&P M. about their stay at Clear Creek.
Canyon exploration: The unique geology provides distinctive camping experiences. "The campgrounds are situated just across the street from the rest of the park and require a short stroll to reach. They offer a variety of camping choices, each with its unique appeal," writes Asher K. about Dismals Canyon.
What you should know
Variable campsite conditions: Some sites may have uneven terrain. "Totally recommend seeing the canyon, but the campsites are in rough shape. Totally eroded with no level spot for a tent. Not an enjoyable camping experience for a really cool place," warns Glynne E. about Dismals Canyon.
Bathroom availability can be limited: During peak seasons or COVID restrictions, facilities may be reduced. "There was a notice that stated only one of the restroom facilities for the entire campground was available so tent families beware and plan your site accordingly," advises M&P M. about Clear Creek Recreation Area.
Cell service varies by carrier: Different networks have different coverage levels. "Full hookups and AT&T cellphone coverage good enough for working from Trailer. Verizon cellphone coverage didn't work here," reports Thomas H. about Corinth Recreation Area.
Additional fees beyond base camping rates: Some sites charge separate access fees. "They nickel and dime you to death... they also charge a $5 cleaning fee and a 'one time admission fee' of $30," notes Sarah C. about costs at Dismals Canyon.
Tips for camping with families
Choose the Yellow Hammer loop at Corinth: This section has better amenities for families. "We made the mistake of booking the FlyerFly loop, the bathhouse was closed due to COVID. The camp host was very nice and helped us move to Yellowhammer where the bathhouse was open," shares Genie C.
Consider lakefront sites for kids: Water access provides built-in entertainment. "Our site was cleaned before we arrived; no coals in the grill or ash in the pit. There was a basketball and volleyball area in a nice green space area near the boat launch. We will definitely be back!" recommends M&P M. about Clear Creek.
Download trail maps before hiking: Cell coverage is inconsistent in the forest. "If you go hiking, make sure you have AllTrails with a downloadable trail map before you leave the campsite, because there is not great cell service on most trails, and it's easy to get turned around in some places," advises Kristi C. about hiking near Corinth Recreation Area.
Be prepared for potential swimming challenges: Some beaches have uncomfortable terrain. "Swimming area has shaded picnic areas but is down a steep hill a good way from your car. Also small pebbles in swim area are very painful," warns Kelly S. about Corinth.
Tips from RVers
Select Yellow Hammer site #17: This specific site at Corinth is frequently recommended. "Loved this park! It was our first trip in our new Travel Trailer and it couldn't have gone better. Best site is Yellow Hammer #17," recommends Thomas H.
Plan for varying hookup availability: Different loops offer different amenities. "Our site didn't have sewer but had water and electricity," notes M&P M. about their Clear Creek experience, providing important information for RVers planning utility usage.
Expect tight navigation in some campgrounds: Some parks have narrow roads or closely spaced sites. "This place is tight. The roads to the site was hard to navigate due to the amount of vehicles parked along the roads. However, the sites were great angles and easy to maneuver into and out of," explains Katie D. about Point Mallard City Campground, which is about an hour's drive from Bankhead.
