Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Bankhead National Forest? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Trail 206 snakes through a variety of terrain and passes by two of the Wilderness' better natural attractions – the rock formations known as Eye of the Needle and Ship Rock. Wildflowers adorn the creek-side portions of the trail during the spring. The low-lying sections along Thompson Creek and adjoining Whiteoak Hollow are popular camping areas.
Cabins Dismals Canyon offers two romantic cabins; "Bringing Up The Moon" and "Bringing Down The Sun" located at the north end of the conservatory. This location ensures maximum privacy. Constructed inside and out of Western Red Cedar, with vaulted ceilings, stone fireplaces and hardwood floors. wine basket The details of hospitality are unsurpassed - comfy throws, Tiffany lamps, books, and magazines, and welcoming refreshments. Everything is furnished from rocking chairs to freshly ironed sheets. A complimentary wine basket (wine, cheese, & grapes) awaits your arrival (for guests that stay 2 or more nights). Primitive Campsites Scattered off the main path and given a wide berth from one another, Dismals Canyon primitive campsites offer the ultimate outdoor experience. The number of campsites is limited by design in order to maintain the splendor of the pristine wilderness. They offer privacy and convenience to the canyon.
Owl Creek Horse Camp and Trail System offer nearly 25 miles of trails designed for horseback-riding. The trail system starts on Forest Service Road 262 about 7 miles east of Highway 33. Trail riders may choose from loops of varying lengths. The camp provides primitive overnight campsites for trail riders.
Legend
Our GPS brought us right into the campground (CG) that is conveniently located off I-65 and US-31. Check in was pleasant and quick. They take cash or check.We were assigned pull through site D-1(water and electric 50/30/20 AMP) behind the office. The advantage of this site, is that it has a yard area as the other sites do not. This is a bare bones CG with no amenities. Most of the sites have FHUs. The pad was plenty long enough for our 40’ fifth wheel and F450 plus fairly level. However, if you unhook and leave, you have a long, slightly curved road to back up on to get back in position to hook your rig up unless the site next to you is empty. The utilities are in the middle of the pad and you can maneuver to suit your needs. Water pressure was good at 50 psi and we got 4 bars on Verizon. There’s no Wifi here but due to this CG being a parking lot, no issues with satellite. Like other reviewers stated, there’s a deep ditch on either side of the driveway when you pull in, so keep an eye on how your rig tracks. This CG filled up the Saturday to Sunday we overnighted and we were assigned one of the few water and electric only sites, but were still charged$45 same as the FHU sites? Overall, this CG worked for our needs.
Scout
This city campground has many beautiful lakeside campsites along Bear Creek. Sites are first-come, first-served. We camped here in mid-October and had no problems getting a site. The campground staff were friendly and helpful.
The site is gravel with large wooden beams surrounding it. We had to put a couple boards under the passenger side tires to level our rig; the site was pretty level from front to rear. Easy setup.
The campground was quiet during the evenings. Fire rings are not provided, so bring your own fire pit if you'd like a campfire.
The park WiFi worked well for us - strong signal, roughly 40mbps download speeds. Using T-Mobile, we had strong 5G service.
Scout
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.
Traveler
We stayed here with 3 dogs and it could not have been better! The bathhouse was amazing and we practically had the park to ourselves! Dogs loved running around smelling all the smells!
Guide
We love this park but it is about 45 minutes from a town with a good grocery store or restaurants.
ScoutThis place is great if you like peace and quiet. Its in the middle of the country side near Bankhead Forest. The campground is nice.
ScoutHello Iam here to let everyone know that His number has changed and he hasn't been able to change it online yet. His new number is 205- 412-6773 if he doesn't answer leave him a voicemail or you can try to text him. Also if you see this please spread the word so he doesn't miss any business in the future. Thank you so much
Scout
Excellent place for an overnight rest on trip out West. Clean, spacious rv sites, and great views of lake.
Scout
No 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.
Scout
Great anytime of year. Fishing, golf, restaurant and many other activities. Campground recently updated.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! We're excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book, check them out and make sure to leave a review!
RangerThe 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.
Scout
We checked out this park again for full time workers they did have a couple sites that they overnight it did look clean
Scout
The campground is very nice and woodsy. 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.
Legend
Located in Northwest Alabama, not far from the Sipsey Wilderness, Dismals Canyon offers an unparalleled camping experience that stands out in the state. While it may lean toward the higher end in terms of cost, the memories you create during a special weekend getaway here are absolutely worth it. During our most recent visit, we chose to stay in one of the cozy cabins, but the campgrounds also present an excellent lodging option. These cabins feature a generously sized kitchen, a warm and inviting living room complete with a fireplace, and two comfortable bedrooms. Outside, there are ample spaces perfect for relaxation and al fresco dining. 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. For more detailed information about these options, you can refer to their website. A standout experience during our stay was embarking on the night hike the first evening we arrived. This adventure allowed us to explore the canyon in the darkness before immersing ourselves in its beauty during daylight hours. We were fortunate enough to enjoy a private tour on a Friday night and were treated to a mesmerizing display of glow worms, which call this canyon home. While the trails within Dismals Canyon may not be particularly lengthy, you'll find yourself utterly captivated by the allure of the surroundings. Be sure to allocate a full day to fully explore and lose yourself in the canyon's enchantment. In summary, Dismals Canyon delivers a camping experience like no other in Northwest Alabama, close to the Sipsey Wilderness. Whether you opt for the cozy cabins or the campgrounds, you'll be treated to a remarkable getaway. Don't pass up the opportunity to embark on a night hike to witness the canyon's beauty illuminated by the glow worms. With its captivating charm, Dismals Canyon guarantees cherished memories.
Traveler
Brian is a super cool guy. We are going on our 3rd week here. We had a house fire fathers day and are permanently displaced. Instead of replacing all our crap, we invested in camping. We want to travel and see our amazing country. I figured if we camped primitive, we would know how we would test and can prepare for our adventure. Brian has been very helpful and has let us do just about anything we have needed to set up and be comfortable. He does have air BNB about a hundred yards away. He has only asked that we do not interrupt that. Keep it clean and not ridiculously noisy is all he has asked. The spot we chose is closer to road. There is some noise from traffic, but we are not phased. There isn't utility hook up, but he allowed us to get water when needed. We have our 2 pups with us. They are loving this! There is a dollar general and gas stations close if we need supplies. Thanks to Brian, we have really been able to have a great test run with our camping skills. I'm really glad we found this place. Whenever we roll back through this area, this will definitely be our go to if Brian is still the owner of this property. We have really been enjoying our stay.
TravelerLots to do and amazing trails. Helpful and friendly farmers. Clean washrooms and near campsite. No too far from town.
GuideJust the basic services (worked well), but the setting is well worth the five mile drive off the interstate. And a short journey up a narrow gravel drive. Jr is a great host, personable and helpful. He had me back up in the gravel space until we were very level. We used our own phone connections for streaming.
Legend
We 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.
ScoutThis place is a hidden gem! So peaceful and secluded. Right on the water! Well kept. Has a porter potty, garbage can, and some solar powered mostion lights throughout. Also you have to get a code to unlock the gate so it’s not just free to the public! The owner is very nice and you can tell she cares about the campground.
Traveler
Rickwood Caverns was the first car camping experience I ever had. My husband and I went sans kids to see if we liked tent camping and test out our gear. We are total beginners.
We got there at 5:15 and the shop/office closes at 5pm. There was a sign with a phone number for assistance in late check in. No one answered and our VM was never returned. No big deal. We didn’t have a pass in our car and no one cared or checked.
The campground is small. Each of the primitive campsites has a fire pit and picnic table. Our table had seen better days and was missing one bench. Somewhere in the vicinity, there was a faucet for washing dishes, etc., but it was surrounded by a giant mud puddle. There’s another faucet area in the parking lot near the bathroom/shower building.
We reserved site #17 and there were two other tents pitched nearby. I reserved the site on Alaparks’ website and I think I paid $14/night. The park is gated and locked each evening. It is an old state park and a bit run down. The bathroom/shower building is very old, but it was tidy and I did see someone clean it on Saturday morning.
We toured the caverns on Saturday at 10am with a small group and enjoyed the tour. Tours are discounted for campers. The tour didn’t include so much geological information as it was about rocks shaped as animals, etc. It would have been cool to learn more about the history and sciency stuff. Something really interesting about the history to me was that the caverns were basically blasted out and excavated by Boy Scouts in the 50s. Seriously. With dynamite.
The caverns have steep stairs that can be muddy and wet. Lots and lots of steps, so definitely not an activity for folks with mobility issues. Children might struggle too.
The park is kind of near a highway and I could hear cars in the evening and at night.
Cell phone reception was fine.
Temps were low 50s in overnight and bugs were only an issue around dusk. (This was in late April).
Because the campground is so small, primitive camping area is close to camper parking lot, so there was a little camper community close by but that didn’t bother us.
Rickwood Caverns is a low frills place for tent camping for beginner campers. The caverns might be fun to tour again in December when they have their Christmas lights up.
ScoutIt's very nice and peaceful. Great bath house. With laundry. Has an inn and golf course on property. Close to 65.
ScoutFamily friendly with 2 playgrounds. Dog friendly. Walking and biking trails. Laundry facilities on site and open 24 hours. Camp store on site and open everyday until 5pm.
ScoutNot very far from interstate. Shady. Good for a night to stop.
Traveler
Super chill and fun. Electric at tent sites for no extra cost. Lake, bathrooms, etc.
Guide
I didn’t have a reservation prior to arriving, but the staff was extremely helpful with locating a spot to my specifications (close to bathroom, full shade). There’s a great paved trail for biking or walking. I use Verizon and had no problem getting cell service.
GuideI'm updating my review from 2 stars to one because not only are these the world's tiniest campsites with no buffer between you and next site, they apparently have no limits as to how many people, vehicles, or tents are allowed on one site. The tiny site 5 feet from my camper had 6 vehicles last night blocking the road so I could not even get to my site. They have 8 people a pop up camper and tent all encroaching on what little space I had. The other side of me has now set up two tents on my site. Horrible. Alabama state parks should be ashamed of themselves. What a rip off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bankhead National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bankhead National Forest is Thompson Creek Trail Campsites with a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Bankhead National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Bankhead National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
