RV camping near Bankhead National Forest provides access to Alabama's largest national forest, spanning 181,230 acres of rugged terrain with deep gorges and sandstone cliffs. Located in northwest Alabama, the forest's elevation ranges from 600 to 1,000 feet with summer humidity levels frequently exceeding 80%. Several campgrounds operate year-round, though winter temperatures can drop below freezing between December and February.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 3-6 miles round trip. At Bama Campground & RV Park, visitors have convenient access to numerous waterfall trails. "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," notes Jennifer H.
Basketball and tennis: Free court access. Palomino RV Resort offers recreational facilities just off Interstate 65. "There was a swimming pond, a fishing pond, basketball & tennis court, fire pit, picnic tables. They had some really neat buddy camp sites," shares Crystal H., highlighting the variety of activities available without leaving the campground.
Woodland trail exploration: Private pathways. Some campgrounds feature their own trail systems for when you don't have time to visit the national forest. "The campground has hiking trails on the property if you don't have time to visit Bankhead NF," explains Jennifer H. about Bama Campground's on-site nature paths that complement the more extensive national forest trail network.
What campers like
Privacy and star-gazing opportunities. Togetherness Works RV Park offers secluded sites with minimal light pollution. "Great site tucked in the woods, very private area. Huge field with little light pollution to stargaze," writes Chris, highlighting the natural setting that attracts astronomy enthusiasts.
Spacious sites with natural buffers. Campers appreciate the thoughtful layout at many parks near Bankhead. "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," notes Jennifer H. about the varied site options at Bama Campground.
Well-maintained facilities. Quail Creek RV Resort earns praise for its upkeep. "It provides you a level space with picnic tables, concrete pads and fire rings. You can buy firewood and they have a bath house and laundry. It has excellent WIFI," reports Alisa P., emphasizing the infrastructure that makes stays comfortable.
What you should know
Cell service variations by carrier. Coverage depends significantly on your provider. "I had no reception with Verizon but my AT&T hotspot had good reception," reports Mara S. about service at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove. This pattern of AT&T outperforming Verizon repeats across multiple campgrounds in the region.
Local amenities require planning. Many campgrounds are remote with limited nearby services. "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," advises Nick & Allyssa S. about Hidden Cove's location.
Road conditions require caution. The rural roads leading to some parks present challenges. "Be careful driving here the road is very narrow and no shoulders. We met a school bus on the road and ended up having to go into the pit next to the road to avoid the bus that was in our lane," warns Alisa P. about approaching Quail Creek RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly amenities vary. Love's RV Stop offers dedicated pet areas. "There'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," reports Darby R., highlighting facilities that accommodate the whole family including pets.
Playground quality differs between parks. Some campground play areas need maintenance. "We stayed close to the park, mini golf, and horse shoes since we have a child. The wood on the playground needs to be replaced and the grass really needed cut. There were no horse shoes to play and no golf stuff," notes Kara S. about Hidden Cove's facilities.
Kid-specific activities are limited. Most recreation focuses on outdoor exploration rather than structured children's programs. "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," explains Nick & Allyssa S., suggesting families should plan their own activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection impacts experience. Choose carefully based on needs and preferences. "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," advises Mara S. about Hidden Cove's layout and the advantages of newer sections for larger vehicles.
Temporary stays more welcome at some parks. Not all RV parks welcome extended stays. "Independence Day 2021. Heading to MS but needed a stop-over. Lovely rustic place, just what we needed after a long drive. We were the only occupants. Full hookups. Junior is a great guy, but not in favor of long stop overs. A night or two is good. Any longer and you're overstaying your welcome," Kevin H. mentions about Togetherness Works RV Park's approach to visitors.
Premium sites offer significant upgrades. Consider splurging for better accommodations. "We stayed in a premium site which was level with a concrete pad, a cute little bistro table and a picnic table. The gravel was nicely manicured the concrete pad was pristine and the area surrounding the camp was beautiful," shares Bonnie C. about Heritage Acres RV Park, demonstrating the value of premium options for comfort-focused RVers.
