Best Glamping near Bankhead National Forest, AL

This is a great campground which puts you near all the magic of the Sipsey Wilderness Area in the Bankhead National Forest. We last camped here in May 2020 on Yellowhammer 21 and there was a bit of a sewer smell in that area when it’s hot, so beware of that, but otherwise the campground is great. The trails in the nearby Sipsey are just amazing. 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. They also sell a waterproof Cart-o-Craft map in the stores nearby that can be super helpful.

This particular creek is one of my favorite canoeing destinations, as I grew up paddling along this river at summer camp. As an adult, it's been fun to return and spend time actually camping in the Bankhead National Forest. While I don't enjoy the heat and humidity the south has to offer in the summer months, this area provides well shaded sights and the cool water to keep the heat at bay.

This isn't a terribly busy camping area (I've never felt crowded here) and there are 102 sites ranging anywhere from $19-$38/night. Another highlight, unlike many USFS camping facilities this one has flush toilets! Not that there's anything wrong with vault toilets but flushing ones are nice!

If you find yourself in or around the Jasper area, take a moment to explore this national forest and why not spend a night or two in the woods while you're at it!

This campground is not open year round. It's season is early March-late October.

**Corinth Recreation Area– USFS **

Corinth Recreation area is located near the town of Double Springs, Alabama. The area is operated and maintained by the United State Forest Service (USFS) and can be reserved through www.recreation.gov. There are 52 total sites here and most reserved on line, there are a few sites only available as walk ins. This area is very clean and really quiet at night, the campgrounds are near the lakes edge but not lakeside. The sites are very well maintained, paved and gravel with full services including sewer. There are two RV campgrounds, Firefly and Yellowhammer. We stayed at Yellowhammer as this had more shaded sites than Firefly. There’s also a few tent only sites between the two loops. The bathrooms were clean and the staff was pleasant during our visit, we stayed five days and found so much to see near by the campground. There is very nice boat ramp on the park for easy access to Smith Lake, the beach area is also a great asset. Clean with a well-marked swimming area with bathrooms near the beach area. 

The Houston Jail (http://soloso.com/houston/) was a few miles away, this is the only surviving jail constructed from logs in 1818. It’s a historical landmark and worth the short drive to go and see. 

Natural Bridge Park (https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/natural-bridge-al/) is located in Natural Bridge, Alabama is also nearby. This rock formation is the longest sandstone natural rock bridge east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a good hike through well marked trails and there is a small gift shop that also sells refreshments.

Dismals Canyon (https://www.dismalscanyon.com/) is thirty miles from the campground near the town of Phil Campbell, Alabama. This natural formation will make you question if you are really in Alabama. The hike is a good way to spend the day in a shaded but humid natural wonder. You can also attend a night hike to see the dismalites that only reside in a few places in the world. 

The Bankhead National Forest surrounds the entire area. The forest is huge and trying to visit the area waterfalls and trails without a plan is not recommended. Take the time to study the area maps and map the accessible roads before heading out. We actually stopped by the NSFS Office to ask for information, there was also a large map of the area there you can take a picture of that will help you with your planning. 

We had a wonderful time here at Corinth, we especially liked the campground and the deer that would come out to graze every evening. This coupled with the fireflies really made this stay memorable, we’ll be back.

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. The price was a little high even with the senior pass. Not much cell service.

Park is located on the Tennessee River in Florence Alabama. No length of stay restrictions in off season. Reasonable site density with tables and paved pads. Bathrooms are horrible, so bring your own

I couldn’t believe how quiet and beautiful the park was. We were surrounded by the biggest trees I had ever seen in person. Hiking to the falls was the best activity for our family. We are planning on returning!

The rv sites are huge, and well spaced out. The camp hosts were nice and helpful.

We stayed here for two nights to kayak the Sipsey River nearby. The location is great. I don’t know about the other spots but the Yellow Hammer loop is not meant for tents. We were told by the host we could not pitch a tent on the grass so we had to pitch a tent on a gravel/concrete slab. There is water and electric hook ups. One of the two bathroom facilities was open. The showers were hot! This is a very family friendly campsite, we heard children playing loudly late into the night (so bring ear plugs) lol.

The was a nice, quiet campground.  The site had plenty of space, level, and easy to back into.  there is a nice overlook and plenty of hiking trails.   We were on the yellow loop

Well maintained and peaceful, with pretty good space between sites. First come first serve, but note that you need a gate code from the hosts, so be careful arriving after hours.

Easy access to Bankhead. Would go again if we were in the area.

We loved out spot here. The campground was very quiet. Both camp hosts were extremely nice and helpful. There are beautiful views overlooking the lake and lots of hiking trails and waterfalls. We had dinner nearby at Lakeshore Inn. We liked the food, servers were friendly and outside dining available with pretty scenery.

This was by far one of the most quite COE campground we have been to. 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. So if you are looking for a spot near an open bathhouse, Yellowhammer is where it is at.

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.

This place has an amazing trail, spots of gorgeous sunset or sunrise gazing, and shade.

We can’t wait to come back!

We got lucky when we picked sites and ended up with one of the best ones. The staff were super friendly. The campground is quiet and has no light pollution. There are trails all around. Will be back again for sure!

We went with friends and don't remember which site this was, but yellowhammer was a great loop. Great trails for kids and we took the canoes out for lots of fun! This campground was well maintained with very nice bath houses!

The natural beauty in that area is amazing however the camp ground in firefly loop leaves little to be desired and the camp host/hostess are extremely rude. Electric sites are advertised that they accommodate 2 tents however they do not. There is very little area to set up and the gravel is like concrete. There is grass and they don’t tell you a head of time but you can’t set up on the grass unless you are in the tent camping area. It’s is overpriced and poorly staffed.

Excellent place for an overnight rest on trip out West. Clean, spacious rv sites, and great views of lake.

Great campground. Large well maintained sites.

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. It's a nice place but definitely not so friendly on your feet.

This is a really nice family park. RV spaces are a great size. Really nice swim area on Smith Lake. Some of the cleanest and clearest water around. Plenty of biking and hiking opportunities. Just a short drive to Natural Bridge park, restaurants, groceries and more.

My husband and I have traveled twice to this campground and we always look forward to going. The lake is beautiful and the facilities are good too. Great workers as well!!

This campground is ran by good people. The restrooms and grounds are kept very clean. They ride around to keep watch so no worries about anything. Would recommend to anyone.

Awesome campground! Sites are shady, far enough apart, Super hosts! Super clean! Great hiking trails and Sipsey hiking trails to lots of waterfalls real close! Boat ramp easy to launch your water craft!