Best Cabin Camping near Bear Creek, AL

Cabins near Bear Creek provide quiet retreats along lakefronts and forested settings. Dismals Canyon offers rustic cabin accommodations with kitchens, living rooms with fireplaces, and comfortable bedrooms. Elliot Branch - Bear Creek Dev Auth features lakefront cabins with full kitchens, bathrooms, and double beds. Thousand Trails Hidden Cove provides cabins situated directly on Smith Lake with water views and full hookup options. "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."

Depending on location, accommodations range from rustic log cabins to modern units with amenities. Dismals Canyon cabins include spacious kitchens, living rooms with fireplaces, and outdoor spaces for dining. Joe Wheeler State Park Campground offers cabin rentals with electricity, water hookups, and picnic tables. Most properties are pet-friendly, though policies vary by location. Togetherness Works RV Park and Bama Campground & RV Park both accommodate cabin guests with pets. According to one visitor, "The cabins feature a generously sized kitchen, a warm and inviting living room complete with a fireplace, and two comfortable bedrooms."

Most cabins require advance reservations, especially during summer months when lakefront properties fill quickly. Basic supplies like firewood are available at many locations, including Dismals Canyon and Joe Wheeler State Park. Visitors should verify what linens and kitchen items are provided before arrival, as standards vary between properties. Grocery options are limited near more remote cabin locations, with the nearest Walmart approximately 45 minutes away in Cullman. A review noted, "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!"

Best Cabin Sites Near Bear Creek, Alabama (13)

    1. Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites

    7 Reviews
    Hackleburg, AL
    5 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."

    2. controller works

    9 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, AL
    22 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."

    3. Bama Campground & RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Bankhead National Forest, AL
    17 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."

    4. Elliot Branch - Bear Creek Dev Auth

    1 Review
    Hodges, AL
    19 miles
    +1 (256) 332-4392

    "We stayed at two cabins at Elliot Branch in August with some friends. "

    5. Thousand Trails Hidden Cove

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

    "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"

    "No fenced in dog park but plenty of space to have one. Right on the lake but unaware of any kind of rentals available nearby— closest rentals are 40 mins away on the opposite side of the lake."

    6. Joe Wheeler State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Rogersville, AL
    43 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."

    7. Decatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday

    12 Reviews
    Trinity, AL
    44 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. Smith Lake Park

    12 Reviews
    Bremen, AL
    46 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"

    9. Mulberry Creek Camp

    3 Reviews
    Cherokee, AL
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 627-7328

    $35 - $550 / night

    "Misty and Jason provide the cleanest, neatest and friendliest campground site, that I have ever stayed at! I plan to come back in September! It is so peaceful and tranquil."

    10. Hidden Cove Thousand Trails

    2 Reviews
    Arley, AL
    36 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."

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Cabin Reviews near Bear Creek, AL

97 Reviews of 13 Bear Creek Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Thomas H.
    Feb. 9, 2022

    Thousand Trails Hidden Cove

    Nice, clean, quite campground

    Excellent campground. Staff was very friendly. This is a spacious campground and easy to navigate even with a big rig. Loop C is newer than A & B loops. 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 though it was missing the artificial grass, not sure if it closed permanently or down for repairs. Cullman has the Ave Maria Grotto, a definite must see IMO, Huntsville has the US Space and rocket museum and Redstone Arsenal Army Base. I didn’t get to it but Birmingham has the Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church and Tupelo is Elvis’s birthplace.

    Facilities in my loop are very nice and clean. There is a boat launch and nice dock and a small waterfall behind it as well. Jasper and Cullman are the closest cities, about a 20-30 minute drive. There is a nearby gas station and Dollar General.

    Verizon signal is very sketchy, and non existent depending on where you are in the campground. I was able to make calls but that was it. They do have wifi, free at the clubhouse and a couple other spots. The have campground wide wifi that you can pay for, I stayed for a week and it was $14.95. They have other lengths of time to choose from. It was pretty good for me, Internet usage was good, FaceTime calls were ok ish, cut in and out but phone calls were fine.

    Sites are gravel, full hook up, and there are 5 tent camping sites. Minor leveling needed for my spot. There are quite a few permanent campers in the good spots with views of the lake, that was kind of a bummer but not detrimental. Site was very large, enough for another camper to fit. It had a nice fire pit ring that doubled as a grill you could flip over and use and had a picnic table. Some birds and squirrels, nothing exciting. Overall, very nice, clean and quiet campground, would recommend visit again.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2023

    Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites

    Cabins are nice but expensive

    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.


Guide to Bear Creek

Cabin rentals near Bear Creek, Alabama offer a range of accommodations on Smith Lake and nearby waterways. Most cabins provide kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping areas while locations vary from shoreline properties to woodland settings. Weather conditions can affect cabin access, particularly in winter months when some forest roads may become difficult to navigate.

What to do

Waterfall exploration: The Dismals Canyon area features multiple waterfalls within hiking distance of the cabins. According to one visitor, "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!!" at Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites.

Lake swimming: Many cabin properties offer direct water access. At Smith Lake Park, guests appreciate the combination of camping and water activities: "We got a tent site with power. Great price! Clean park, lake is always a good thing... the beach area had a lot of rocks! Probably due to water level low had to go buy some water shoes, but then it was all good."

Fishing opportunities: Cabins near the water provide excellent fishing access. "We fished feet from our camper off of the bank," notes a visitor at Decatur Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday, mentioning that the location is "breathtakingly beautiful" with "water activities/rentals, cabins, rv/camper/tent sites waterside."

What campers like

Secluded locations: Many cabin renters appreciate the privacy offered at locations like Togetherness Works RV Park. A reviewer noted, "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."

Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention cleanliness as a deciding factor. "The 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," shares one guest about their experience at Dismals Canyon.

Wildlife viewing: Cabin locations often provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper at Togetherness Works RV Park described: "Labor Day weekend, Great find because most parks are full or have 3 day minimum. Secluded, peaceful w/ full hookups. Had 2 acre site all to ourselves. Camped in 5th wheel. Our dog was happy and made friends w/ the resident deer."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most cabin properties require advance booking, especially during summer months. At Hidden Cove Thousand Trails, a visitor notes: "We love this park but it is about 45 minutes from a town with a good grocery store or restaurants."

Amenity variations: Facilities differ significantly between properties. Some offer luxury accommodations while others provide rustic experiences. As one camper at Togetherness Works RV Park described: "The shower cabin was beautiful and clean, was told that it was made from lumber cut and milled from the property."

Seasonal accessibility: Some cabin areas have limited access during winter months or after heavy rainfall. At Dismals Canyon, a visitor advised: "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!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Bear Creek, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Bear Creek, AL is Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites with a 3.4-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Bear Creek, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 cabin camping locations near Bear Creek, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.