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Best Tent Camping near Belle Mina, AL

435 Reviews

Tent camping options near Belle Mina, Alabama include several established sites within the Bankhead National Forest, particularly in the Sipsey Wilderness area. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites and Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Sites offer primitive tent camping experiences with varying levels of accessibility. Easter Posey MWR Campground on Redstone Arsenal provides a more developed option for military personnel, while The Circus Spot and TGL Adventures offer additional tent camping alternatives within driving distance.

Most tent sites in the Sipsey Wilderness require hikers to access them via trail systems, with many campsites positioned along streams and rivers. Campers should bring water filtration equipment as drinking water is limited at most locations. Fire rings are common at established backcountry sites, though fire bans may be implemented during dry periods. Vault toilets are available at some trailheads but absent at most backcountry tent sites. The terrain typically consists of sandy or dirt surfaces with minimal site development beyond basic fire rings.

"Sipsey is one of the real jewels of Alabama for backpacking and you really feel like you are in another world while wandering though these woods," noted one camper about the Thompson Creek Trail area. Tent campers frequently use these sites as bases for exploring the network of trails that connect various waterfalls and rock formations throughout the wilderness area. The backcountry sites along Trail 200 and Trail 207 offer particularly secluded tent camping experiences, with some positioned on elevated banks to avoid potential flooding issues. Spring and fall provide the most comfortable tent camping conditions, as summer months can be extremely hot and buggy. Most sites accommodate 1-3 tents, though some larger group sites exist that can handle multiple tent setups while still providing adequate privacy.

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Best Tent Sites Near Belle Mina, Alabama (27)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Belle Mina, AL

25 Photos of 27 Belle Mina Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Belle Mina, AL

435 Reviews of 27 Belle Mina Campgrounds

  • Katie S.
    Jun. 18, 2019

    Tomahawk Campground

    Ranger Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with SunShade camp chair at Tomahawk Primitive Campground

    Campground Review: 

    Tomahawk Primitive Campground is located near Cullman, AL right off of Highway 278. The campground is primitive, and has no electricity or water pumps or hookups at the individual sites, but there is a common room area attached to the back of the owner’s house that has a clean bathroom, a coffee maker, and electricity. There are 3 campsites with fire rings as well as a large, open field at the main campground area, and additional sites by the creek, about a 10 minute walk from the main area. The trail to the creek-side sites was partially cleared, but there were a few fallen trees blocking the path that could make it difficult to carry gear to those sites. My husband, puppy and I stayed at one of the tent sites in the main campground area. If you are staying in a tent, I highly recommend air mattresses for this camp. While the ground has been somewhat cleared, there are still large stocks sticking one or 2 inches out of the ground that would make sleeping without an air mattress very uncomfortable. However, the bigger issue making sleep difficult for us was the road noise from the highway, which stayed busy throughout the night. I assume that if you are in a camper you won’t notice it as much, but in a tent it made us feel like we were camping on the side of the highway and not at a camp. Another problem that we ran into, unfortunately after we set up camp, is that our site had a ton of fire ants. I’m not sure if this is a problem at all of the tent sites or if it was just ours, but I advise caution when choosing your site and where you set up your tent. Our favorite part of this campground was the creek. It was beautiful and clear, perfect for our dog to play in, and had good locations to set up a hammock and enjoy the peaceful creek sounds. If we were to stay at this camp again, we would bring gear that could be hauled to the creek-side campsites. 

    Gear Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with Sunshade 

    As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes get gear to review on my camping trips. For this trip I got the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade camp chair. I LOVE this chair, and so did my husband and dog. The chair comes in a durable carrying case, which is great because I’ve had many camp chair bags fall apart after just a few uses. The chair was a little confusing to set up/take down at first, until I realized that easy-to-follow instructions are attached to the bag. The chair is larger than most camp chairs and provides more support. The sunshade is adjustable and can be moved in several positions as well as completely collapsed. The only complaint that we had about the Pod Rocker is that the included cup holder is a pouch that doesn’t seem like it would actually prevent your drink from spilling. For me, the benefit of having a camp rocking chair far outweighs this one detractor. This chair was wonderful for camping but would also be perfect for outdoor sporting events and concerts. I highly recommend the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade! Here is the link for the GCI Pod Rocker with SunShade:  https://www.gcioutdoor.com/rockers/pod-rocker-with-sunshade/

  • Cassandra C.
    Sep. 2, 2017

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Quiet campground

    I stayed at site number 063, which was an RV site with electric and water, and it was adjacent to the primitive sites. This campsite had a gravel pad, and setting a tent up outside of the pad was impossible as all of the surrounding area was a steep slope. The pad was plenty big for my one person tent, but I can't imagine anything bigger than a 4 person tent fitting in the area. I definitely recommend the primitive campsites if you're tent camping. The sites in this part of the camp were pretty far apart, and there was plenty of privacy. The park was riddled with trails (22 miles of them), many of which were also open to bikes. The bathhouse was pretty far from site 063, but they were clean.

  • Jeremy H.
    Jun. 22, 2019

    Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground

    Clean, Quiet, Comfortable

    My son Charlie(age 8) and I camped at Cathedral Caverns State Park on June 17, 2019. It was a Monday night. We chose one of the primitive campground sites and paid a little under$20 for one night. Since we were camping we received a discount on our cave tour the next day. It's worth noting that all of the primitive and RV campsites are outside of the state park’s main gates which means that anyone can easily enter or leave the camp at anytime day or night; however, two state employees live fulltime within walking distance of the campsites. It was encouraging to know that help was only steps away if we needed it. One of the rangers actually stopped and introduced himself while making his early evening round. He verified that I had registered at the camp, informed me that it might rain that night, and wished us a good evening. A father and son also drove through the campground about that time in a personal car. I expected him to camp, but later when we went for a walk, we didn’t find him. On our walk we went down to the restrooms gathering kindling in large, reusable grocery bags. We also brought our one gallon water jug. It’s quite a walk to the restroom and unless you are driving, it would be unreasonable to rely on it as your bathroom. Bring a camping toilet or a shovel. The RV sites are right next to the restrooms, which means that if you are in the primitive site it is very unlikely that you will hear RV generators all night. There were no RVs there on our night because the sites were being overhauled and it was closed though the restrooms were still up and running. The restrooms were very clean and spacious with clean, new shower curtains and it was fully stocked with supplies. I can’t say if the water was hot, but my suspicion is that it probably was since the rest of the facility is well kept. Back to the kindling: There’s plenty to be had and we even found four or five logs left by our campsite by a previous camper. Speaking of firewood, there’s plenty of that for sale for a reasonable$10.00 at the restroom facility. Money’s left in a box on the honor system. After cooking two cans of Southgate chili on an improvised Sweedish fire using the charitable camper’s firewood, we played in the field which was easily accessible from the primitive campsite. It’s guarded by a feral but entertaining cat who has an appetite for small rabbits. He almost caught one when he chased it through the campsite and under the picnic table where we happened to be eating supper. I’m not sure if he ever caught him but the last time I saw them they were running through the campsite like the wind. The campsite was simple. There was a fire ring and an old picnic table. You might want to bring a table cloth along or use a tarp if you’re doing more than heating up canned chili. The site was clean as was the entire park. I was easily able to back into the site with a 2007 Trailblazer. Though we had planned on tent camping, we ended up sleeping in the Trailblazer. Dad brought the tent, but he forgot the poles. All of the sites were clean and would have made wonderful tent sites. They were spaced adequately apart to provide a sense of privacy though if you’re pooping in a bucket you might have to be strategic in your temporary John placement. I don’t think my wife would have liked the bathroom situation at all and it might have been a bigger issue for Charlie and me if there’d been anyone else on the campground. We were the sole campers at Cathedral Caverns during our visit. We weren’t the only people using the park though. There were plenty who come to see the cave which true to its name feels like a Cathedral. I’ve been in a few tourist caves but there’s something different about this one. Our tour guide did a great job not only telling us about the beauty and history of the cave, but helped us to imagine one of the caves first explorers and its benefactor Mr, Gurly. If that description doesn’t make you want to visit, here’s this: Legend says there’s a ledge in the cave and if you toss a coin and land it right on the ledge you get your wish. After I tossed my dime I regretted instantly not wishing for a billion instead of a million dollars. I was assured by the tour guide that I could expect my check any day now, so the star review might change depending on how quickly the check rolls in.

  • Cassandra T.
    Jul. 2, 2021

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    My Staycation Spot

    I'm a local and tent camping saves my sanity from a high preassured daily life. When I cant leave to camp I'll set up at a primitive site here for a week at a time. It's a simple space. No picnic tables at primitive sites. It's clean...beautiful....loads of hiking trails...and great food is a 10 min ride down the mountain to Huntsville.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2019

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Some much fun so close to home

    Although we have been to Monte Sano many times to hike and attend events, this was our first time camping here. Monte State Park Campground is a large campground with 15 full hookup sites, 59 water& electric sites, and 21 primitive tent sites. All the sites are gravel, most sites are wooded with lots of shade, and most site are mainly level. All style sites include a picnic table and fire ring. 

    Check-in is at the camp store if you arrive during store hours or with camp host if you arrive after hours. We stayed on site 24, which had complete shade throughout the day. This site backs up to a draw and each evening just before dust we could watch the deer walk up through. 

    The bathhouse is centrally located, newer, and cleaned daily. There are also laundry machines available between the men’s and women’s area. 

    Firewood, ice, limited grocery items, and souvenirs were available at the camp store. There is a full grocery store about 15 minutes away. 

    We found ok to limited cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The state park did have wi-fi near the camp store. 

    The park has many trails for hiking and mountain biking, as well as host the North Alabama Japanese Garden. The North Alabama Land Trust also connects to the state park and adds many more miles of trails. We hiked about 15 miles this weekend and there are many more miles to explore on another visit. 

    The state park is located 5 minutes from Huntsville where you can find many restaurants, breweries, and the Space& Rocket Center. Check the Huntsville visitor’s center website for all that is offered in the area. In addition, the Burritt on the Mountain located just minutes from the park entrance and has an open air museum and an amazing overlook of Huntsville. 

    We are very excited that this gem is located so close to use and are proud to call this our home camp!

  • Tony C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2020

    Buck's Pocket State Park Campground

    A great park reopened!

    We stayed at Bucks Pocket State Park recently for five nights and had a wonderful time. This park was recently reopened after being closed for a few years, lots of work has been completed to the campground and facilities. The sites are very nice with full concrete pads, 50/30 amp electrical, water, picnic table, fire ring and grill. There are a few sites that are on the bank of Sauty Creek that also have sewer hook ups. This is a very small campground with only 23 RV sites, 4 of them are pull through. There are also about 8 tent only sites. There are clean and well stocked bathrooms located at the park office and also includes a laundry facility. The office also sells firewood and ice if needed.

    There are a few hiking trails that range in levels of difficulty, we hiked the trail to the overlook that I would classify as pretty arduous, the pay off was the Little Sauty Creek waterfall near the top and the beautiful vista of Point Lookout. The trail ascends 800 feet in elevation from the pocket floor to the summit so plan accordingly. There is also an off road vehicle (ORV) trail here so the park attracts these vehicles to the campground on the weekends.

    The park host (Jesse and his wife) are very friendly and involved, he is visible throughout the day ensuring the park is maintained and orderly.

    There will be little to no cell service or over the air TV reception due to the park being in the valley floor. The park does provide good WIFI that could be received throughout the campground.

    A huge thank you to the State of Alabama for providing the resources to restore this great facility to the state park system. Also, an extra recognition to the A Year to Volunteer (https://www.youtube.com/c/AYeartoVolunteer) organization for the extraordinary effort and contribution to this park's rebirth.

  • Morgan Z.
    Sep. 7, 2016

    Houston Recreation Area

    Sipsey Wilderness

    During my time in Alabama, I kept hearing wonderful things about Sipsey Wilderness, and its many waterfalls, rocky landscapes, and great hikes. Since it's "wilderness," there are no established campsites, and there is a strict "leave no trace" policy. That being said, the opportunity to pick your own home away from home on your backpacking trip leaves you with a plethora of gorgeous options! Be sure to check the water levels before your trip, because while Sipsey is always beautiful, it isn't abnormal for many of the waterfalls to be dried up after a hot summer. Also, if you park at the Sipsey River Picnic Area Trailhead, be sure to pay the $3/day parking fee. They will give you a steep ticket otherwise! I had read about the fee, but upon arriving didn't see where to pay and figured it must have been an outdated post. Turns out, there was just a car blocking the pay station, which is near the chemical toilet when you turn into the parking lot. It's a dated deposit system, where you put your payment in an envelope, drop it in a dropbox, and put the perforated proof of payment tag on your dashboard. So be sure to bring exact change!! I was expecting something a little more modern, so even if I had seen the deposit box, I wouldn't have had exact change on me.

    The trails can get a little complicated, as there aren't really any trail markers, so be sure to buy a map of the area and bring it along with your compass. I found a map at mountain high outfitters at the Summit in Birmingham, AL, and it served us well. The 209 trail follows the river and is known as one of the more scenic routes. Nearby sites within the Sipsey Wilderness include Big Tree (the biggest tree in AL), Eye of the Needle, Ship Rock, numerous waterfalls, and several scattered cemeteries. All of these will be marked on a good map.

    The area is very buggy, and the trails can get cramped/overgrown in parts, so I'd recommend wearing long pants and lots of bug spray!

  • Mo F.
    Sep. 26, 2017

    McFarland Park Campground

    Camping in the City Limits

    We pulled in with no plans and drove through the whole campground. There are 60 RV spots, pull thru and not, some parking lot style and some a along a creek. There are no trees or bushes between spots, but the whole campground is situated with forest and creek on one side and the Tuscumbia River on the other. We weren't positive what the deal was so we checked in with the host and paid $14 for one night.

    Primitive tent spots are right on the river. There are fire pits, trees, and picnic tables sporadically placed. We pitched our tent facing the bluffs along the river and our hammock between two trees. It wasn't crowded and it was pretty quiet (no generators, no music, very family friendly and chill). The grass was cut, and though there were small ant piles everywhere, they really weren't in the way or aggressive. The bath-house is...not awesome. It's exactly what you'd expect for an older, gov-run park, with some spiders and leaky toilets, but toilets and showers are there.

    It is a three minute drive into downtown Florence. Most of that is through the park, which is home to a good-sized marina, disc golf course, and (defunct?) driving range. It's super convenient, cheap, and kept up well enough. The view of the water and bluffs is A++, and it's fun to watch the speed boats and river cruises.

  • Daniel L.
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Primative sites offer lots of space, but little privacy

    Our site was massive, but was situated right next to park entrance and major hiking thoroughfare.

    Our site had a place to park and a fire ring that was full to the rim of coals and half burnt logs. It didn't take long to clear it out, but the pit was extremely muddy and lighting a fire meant a ton of smoke. No picnic table here.

    The best sites were along the ridge, but are divided into AB sites. So you are sharing basics amenities with a neighbor. This site design seems to be suited for families or groups, but if you are wanting a site with a view you are kinda stuck. Not all of the improved sites are suitable for tents.

    Their staff is A+ if you have never been, call ahead and book over the phone. The staff know this campground well and can steer you in the right direction every time.

    The lower score comes from the park being rough around some of the edges. The CCC museum is a small shack, not really worth your time. The Northern Alabama Japanese Tea Garden is a bit of a head scratcher to say the least. There is a disc golf course the plows through the middle of it and the trails (while peaceful) lead you off to the main road.

    We had booked two nights here, but decided to move on after only one night. 

    (Sadly didn't have time to take pictures, but the leaves were beautiful.)

    Leaves were in peak color, the temperature was 65 all day and night due to wind and was a really pleasant

Guide to Belle Mina

Dispersed camping opportunities near Belle Mina, Alabama center on Bankhead National Forest, with most sites located within a 45-mile drive southwest of Belle Mina. The forest contains over 180,000 acres at elevations ranging from 700-1,100 feet, with camping terrain characterized by sandstone outcroppings, dense hardwood forests, and numerous stream crossings. Water levels fluctuate dramatically between seasons, with late winter and early spring typically seeing the highest water levels in the forest's numerous creeks and rivers.

What to do

Hike Thompson Creek Trail: The trail follows Thompson Creek and offers access to numerous primitive campsites. "Me and my 6 year old daughter hiked the trail this past Saturday, July 27, 2019. Had a great time. Definitely be back," notes Jimmy R. about his experience at Thompson Creek Trail Campsites.

Explore waterways: The creeks throughout Bankhead National Forest provide natural swimming areas during warmer months. "The hike in is not difficult. You do have to cross a stream, which was not as difficult for my 6'2 husband as it was for me at 5'2. The water was clear. The waterfall was beautiful and we found a quiet spot up the creek to camp," shares Miranda C. about Thompson Creek Trail.

Mountain biking: Some trails in the area accommodate bikes, though many are primarily designed for horses. "We rode our bikes, the trails are more geared for the equestrian rider, but was friendly enough for bikes," reports Gregg G. about his experience at Owl Creek Horse Camp.

What campers like

Sandy tent spots: Many sites along the rivers feature comfortable, level sand areas ideal for setting up tents. "The flat tent areas at this site are mostly covered in sand which means you will have a very comfortable surface to sleep on," explains Asher K. about Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site B).

Privacy between sites: Despite being in popular areas, many campsites offer good separation. "It is fairly large but buried in the trees so you are both protected in case of storms and won't boil from the sun in the morning. It also provides a nice bit of privacy from both the trail and the other nearby campsites," notes Asher K. about Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site C).

Year-round water availability: Some campsites and trailheads provide reliable water sources. "Here you can find potable water from the spickets all year long. It is essentially a large field with some very large loblolly pines. The nights sky is wonderful," reports Gregg G. about Owl Creek Horse Camp.

What you should know

Trail conditions vary by season: Trails can become overgrown in summer and muddy after heavy rains. "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes," reports Dani K. about accessing Thompson Creek Trail Campsites.

Cell service is limited: Most wilderness areas have spotty or no service. "No cellular but ok enough data," notes Dani K. about the primitive campsites along Thompson Creek Trail.

Campsite availability: Most backcountry sites operate on a first-come basis. "You need to get there early if you want to claim it for yourself. It is often full of people when I arrive," warns Asher K. about the popular Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G).

Pack out trash: Some sites have problems with litter. "Some other campsites around were filled with trash. Please pick up after yourselves," reminds Dani K. about areas near Thompson Creek.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with river access: Kids enjoy shallow water play areas. "The water is a beautiful turquoise. Most of the campsites have giant moss covered boulders all around, and cliffs in the background opposite the river," describes Aaron S. about the Thompson Creek Trail area.

Consider trail difficulty: Some trails are appropriate for young hikers. "The entire Sipsey Wilderness is gorgeous, but if you want a trail with lots of great spots to camp, this trail is fantastic. Don't expect bathrooms or drinking water to be nearby, but if you're looking to really get away from it all and do some primitive camping, this is a great place to go," advises Trinity W. about Thompson Creek Trail Campsites.

Look for group-friendly sites: Some areas accommodate multiple tents. "This site is by far the best site if you have a group of 3 or more tents. It has several firepits and is spread out over a large area. Each individual site has enough privacy while still providing group areas to congregate," recommends Asher K. about Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G).

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options in wilderness: Most tent camping near Belle Mina in the Sipsey Wilderness doesn't accommodate RVs. "If you want a good campground in Bankhead National Forest near Sipsey that is more modern with a bathhouse, picnic tables, etc, try Brushy Lake," suggests Trinity W., noting the limitation of the primitive sites along Thompson Creek.

Consider military options: For those with military access, Easter Posey MWR Campground on Redstone Arsenal provides RV facilities. "Easter posey is mainly populated with people who live long term in their RV and work on base. We were one of only 3 guests that stayed for an entire week - the 2 other guests quickly rotated out. there are bathroom and shower facilities, cleaned maybe once a week," notes Gloria G.

Prepare for wildlife encounters: Wildlife is present at many camping areas. "Signs to be careful about coyotes and copperhead snakes abound. we didn't see any when we were there, but still, warnings posted," reports Gloria G. about Easter Posey MWR Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Belle Mina, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Belle Mina, AL is Easter Posey MWR Military - Redstone Arsenal with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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