Camping spots near West Blocton, Alabama are scattered throughout the region's rolling hills and hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 400-600 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds maintain moderate temperatures year-round, with summer highs averaging 90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below freezing. Autumn camping is particularly popular during October and November when humidity drops significantly and forest colors peak.
What to do
Hiking trails: Deerlick Creek offers a 1/2-mile paved walking trail plus hiking trails that skirt the lake with varying difficulty levels. A camper noted, "There's a great 1/2 mile asphalt bike/walking trail. Hiking trail with hills and valleys skirting the lake."
Water activities: Oak Mountain State Park Campground features multiple lakes for fishing, canoeing, and swimming with designated beach areas. "Big lakes for fishing, swimming or canoeing," explains one visitor who appreciates the variety of water options.
Historical exploration: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground offers extensive historical buildings to explore. A camper shared, "The park is full of historical buildings like an old mill, furnace, blacksmith shop, and restored cabins. There's a Sunday church service at 9AM, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, a general store, a miniature train ride, and even an ice cream shop."
Mountain biking: Trails at Tannehill State Park accommodate various skill levels with clearly marked difficulty ratings. One mountain biking enthusiast mentioned, "The Mountain Bike trails are a blast and well maintained. Definitely worth the trip for that alone as my previous trips have been for."
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Burchfield Branch Park offers waterfront camping with sites 1-8 directly on the river. "We enjoyed being waterfront at site #5, but there are 8 total lots on the water and then more sites that are in the wooded area. Lots 4, 5, and 6 seem to be the better ones," reports one camper.
Digital disconnection: Some parks offer true escapes from technology. At Burchfield Branch Park, a visitor explained, "There is no reception here…cell phones and aircards won't work…so if you want to disconnect it's an ideal place to do so."
Spacious campsites: Payne Lake West Side provides generously sized camping areas with water access. A camper mentioned, "I recommend this place because it's not crowded and the sites are a nice size with many being on the water. There's a swimming area, you can kayak, fish and hike."
Well-maintained facilities: Despite rural locations, many campgrounds maintain clean facilities. At Payne Lake, a visitor reported, "Very well kept clean relaxing campground been going here for years," highlighting the consistent maintenance standards.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Deerlick Creek requires reservations while Tannehill operates first-come, first-served. A camper at Tannehill explained, "The ranger is on-site 24/7, since the campground doesn't take reservations. The process is easy—you just pull in, find a site, and register/pay the next morning."
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds have limited or no cellular coverage. At Burchfield Branch Park, a visitor warned, "This campground has zero cell service, so if you can't do without that read no further."
Campfire regulations: Rules about fires vary significantly between parks. Hoover Met Complex RV Park prohibits fires entirely, while most state parks permit them in designated rings.
Supply planning: Remote campgrounds require thorough packing. For Burchfield Branch Park, a camper advised, "It is deep in the wilderness so do not expect Wi-Fi or cell signal. It's nearly an hour to town come well-stocked!"
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Oak Mountain State Park offers designated swimming areas with amenities for children. A visitor noted, "Great camping area for RV's or tents. Big lakes for fishing, swimming or canoeing."
Playground access: Birmingham South RV Park provides play facilities close to campsites. A family camper shared, "They had no contact check in. The pool was open and they had a nice play area for the kids. Nothing too fancy but great for our overnight stay."
Educational opportunities: Tannehill combines outdoor recreation with historical learning. "The museum there is very interesting and educational," wrote one visitor who camped during their anniversary weekend.
Creek exploration: Multiple campgrounds feature small water features suitable for children. At Tannehill, a camper observed, "The creek is peaceful and adds great ambiance, but there's no designated access area for wading or swimming. That said, lots of kids were playing in the water right near their sites."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Deerlick Creek, an RVer advised, "Be sure to check your spot to make sure you can park easily- some sites are difficult for large pull trailers."
Hookup availability: Hoover Met Complex RV Park provides full hookups with easy connections despite its urban location. An RVer stated, "Very easy to find and super easy to park. Very clean and easy hookups. All lots are pull through and asphalt."
Quick overnight options: Sunset RV serves as a convenient stopover location for travelers. "We stayed for one night. Well maintained, level sites. Easy on and off the freeway. Very basic and clean," reported one passing RVer.
Power options: Most campgrounds offer 50-amp service, but availability varies by site. At Birmingham South RV Park, a camper noted, "We had a 50amp pull through site. It was very level and we didn't even unhook from the truck!"
