Smith Lake forms the centerpiece of camping options near Bremen, Alabama. Located at an elevation of 510 feet, the area features a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds in the region offer direct access to the 21,000-acre lake, with water temperatures averaging 87°F during peak summer camping season.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Rickwood Caverns State Park, visitors can explore well-marked trails that offer geological lessons. One visitor noted, "A great hiking trail" is available even if the campground itself might feel "more of a parking lot" to some campers.
Cave exploration: The caverns at Rickwood are a major attraction worth planning your trip around. "The tour of the caverns was well worth the trip," reports Matthew D., who added that having electricity at the campsite made morning meal prep much easier - "much easier to make pancakes for breakfast carrying the electric griddle."
Fishing at Clear Creek: The recreation area provides excellent fishing access with spacious waterfront sites. "The perimeter lake lots in the Hoot Owl Loop all had steps or path access from the site to the shore. This would be especially nice in the summer," according to a camper who appreciated the easy water access.
Swimming in cave water: The Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground offers a unique swimming experience. "Olympic size pool fed by cave water!! Kids loved this campground! Low and high dive, great gift shop and cave tours," says Nick C., highlighting the refreshing temperature of the cave-fed swimming pool.
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: At Clear Creek Recreation Area, tent campers enjoy more room than at many other campgrounds. One visitor reported, "The sites were beautifully wooded and spacing between each site was adequate," though they noted you can "definitely see from one site to the next."
Quiet camping loops: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options away from the main areas. A camper at Corinth Recreation Area shared, "This was by far one of the most quite COE campground we have been to," adding that even when the camp was full "you would have thought the opposite based on how quite it was."
Electricity at tent sites: Many campers appreciate that tent sites at Smith Lake Park come with power. One visitor stated, "We got a tent site with power. Great price! Clean park, lake is always a good thing," and highlighted that "Bath house shower had great hot water with good pressure."
Family-friendly amenities: Smith Lake Park offers multiple recreation options beyond just camping. "Awesome place with a beautiful lake! Lots of playgrounds for the kids and some very nice camping spots!" shared Paul G., underlining the park's appeal for families with children.
What you should know
Bathhouse locations matter: When booking at certain campgrounds, check which bathhouses are open. At Corinth Recreation Area, one camper advised, "We made the mistake of booking the Firefly loop, the bathhouse was closed due to COVID. The camp host was very nice and helped us move to Yellowhammer where the bathhouse was open."
Site selection for privacy: Primitive or tent-only areas often provide more seclusion. A camper at Rickwood Caverns State Park observed, "We were able to stay in the primitive camping 'loop' and had SO much space and woods to run in, hills to climb, and space to explore. It was absolutely perfect for kids."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the area have spotty connectivity. At Hidden Cove, a visitor noted, "Wifi weak cel signal weak," while another mentioned having "no reception with Verizon but my AT&T hotspot had good reception."
Distance to supplies: Some campgrounds are quite remote. A camper at Hidden Cove Thousand Trails shared, "We love this park but it is about 45 minutes from a town with a good grocery store or restaurants," highlighting the need to pack accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: The Thousand Trails Hidden Cove offers excellent lake access for families. "Right on the lake with a good view. Equipped with bathhouse, laundry room, club house, nice playground and more!" shared Jason E., noting the campground is continually improving with new sites being added.
Pet-friendly options: Most campgrounds in the area welcome pets, making it ideal for pet-friendly camping near Bremen. Elizabeth P. at Rickwood Caverns shared, "We absolutely love camping here. The campground is small but it's nice and clean! Very peaceful and relaxing!"
Playground conditions: When bringing kids, check recent reports on playground equipment. At Hidden Cove, one visitor noted, "The wood on the playground needs to be replaced and the grass really needed cut," suggesting maintenance can vary seasonally.
Indoor recreation: For rainy days, some campgrounds offer clubhouse activities. A Hidden Cove visitor mentioned, "The clubhouse was very nice and had a lot for kids to do as well," providing options when outdoor play isn't possible.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing concerns: Several RVers mention tight quarters at Corinth Recreation Area. Thomas H. recommended, "Best site is Yellow Hammer #17," after staying at a "perfectly designed" site for RV newbies, noting "easy pull through with plenty of room."
Seasonal occupancy: Many RV sites at Smith Lake Park are occupied by long-term residents. One visitor observed, "It looked like the majority of the campers there were for the long haul," describing the feeling as "more of a trailer park than RV Park."
Hook-up availability: Check for full hookup options when booking. At Cullman Campground, one RVer praised the "gravel level full hook up 30 and 50 amp sites," while also appreciating the "pond with ducks, bossy goose and horses" that added to the campground's charm.
Level sites: Finding level pads can be challenging in some parks. A camper at Cullman Campground reported, "Very nice quiet campground...They have recently added a lot of new slots. Once the grass grows in, they will be very nice," though they cautioned about potential summer heat since "there is no shade on these new spots."
