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Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground welcomes pets across multiple camping areas, with sites suitable for tents, RVs, and those seeking full hookups. Campers with dogs appreciate the park's clean, wooded environment and access to walking trails along the stream in primitive camping areas. Nearby, Payne Lake offers both East and West campgrounds with pet-friendly policies in a lakeside setting. The West Side features hot showers and clean bathhouses, while the East Side provides more rustic camping experiences at just $6 per night. Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park maintains pet-friendly sites with water and electric hookups, though picnic tables are reported to be in poor condition. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash requirements and expect owners to clean up after their pets. Primitive campsites at Payne Lake East provide peaceful lakeside accommodations where pets can enjoy the natural surroundings alongside their owners.
Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly parks provide exercise opportunities for dogs, with Tannehill offering creek access where pets can cool off during warmer months. Payne Lake features swimming areas and boat launches, though owners should be aware that alligators inhabit the lake, particularly visible during warmer seasons. The east side of Payne Lake offers abundant wildflowers due to regular prescribed burns, creating interesting scents for dogs to explore while hiking. Oak Mountain State Park, about 40 minutes from Brent, provides additional pet-friendly camping with extensive trail systems. Campground hosts at these locations are generally helpful with pet-specific questions and local recommendations. Visitors should bring all necessary pet supplies as the nearest stores can be a considerable drive away, especially from the more remote locations like Payne Lake where cell service is limited to Verizon in some areas.
"Situated on a beautiful mountain side just minute from university of alabama. Camp beside a churning creek and listen to nature."
"The park is in a great part of Alabama and is located close to a lot of the best hiking in the state. Additionally, the park is set up on an old ironworks plant where many people lived and worked."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"The lake was full of lily pads in bloom when we arrived mid-morning."
"Watching the sun come up on this lake was so calming. We camped in site 16 and had a good view and a little walk way to the water."
"My campsite was near the bathroom/shower which was convenient. Enjoyed the hillside view I had and the walks in the woods surrounding the campground."
"Greta place to camp in the fall for Alabama football games, only about 15-16 miles from campus, yet very secluded. Really a great place to camp, whether with RV or tent camping!"
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Nice quite camping area. nice bath houses, walking trails and wonderful inground pool!"
"It's the largest state park in Alabama."
"lots of trails. Upgraded sites, new bathhouse, pet friendly, full hook up at some sites."
"We had a great time visiting Payne Lake this weekend! We stayed at a primitive campsite with a beautiful view of the lake. My biggest advice is to bring. your. own. firewood."
"It was beautiful, quiet, and the lake was perfect. Would definitely go back!"
from $6 - $18 / night
Check Availability"Because it's across the highway. Close to everything in Tuscaloosa. No 5 stars because it sufficient for camping, not much more! Which is what we do!"
"Close to campus. Perfect to move in and out . The game day package is a fantastic deal . Office is extremely easy to work with ."
from $29 - $32 / night
Check Availability"The facilities were probably lovely back in the day but we still enjoyed walking around exploding the grounds."
from $30 - $400 / night
"Very nice RV park next to the casino. Easy access off the Interstate. Concrete pads with full hookups, dog run, small bath house and playground for the kids"
"While they are paved sites, we found that you do have to level out still by around 3 inches. Clean restrooms and showers, plus laundry is reasonable at $1.50 per cycle."
"They put us in a pull though site which was awesome for being easy to make quiet exit. Never I’m hooked the truck."
"Easy access to highway, very spacious and new bathrooms and showers. Very much enjoyed our stay."
from $35 - $65 / night
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ScoutQuiet campground with 3 dog parks level lots. Numerous sewer as well as non sewer lots. Economy camping option in the economy storage area. Numbers posted for assistance as well as campground office in with the self storage office.
TravelerThe staff here is wonderful. They've helped us adjust to full time RV Life over that past 4 months. The residents here are very friendly as well.
They have a dog park at the front and a large field in the back door our dog to run and play. The pavilion is also great for getting out, even in rainy weather.
The pool is amazing. Plenty of chairs and umbrellas to rest and our kids love the slide.
LegendLiterally right off the interstate at Tuscaloosa. Much lower noise level than I expected. Definitely a parking lot, without trees. We are in site 9, pretty level gravel site, electric and water hookup only. 2 dump stations are available, 2 dog parks. 30 dollars a night. Mostly long term parking. No firepits or picnic tables. Check in by phone, no office.
RangerMy husband's job requires constant travel. We stayed here for five weeks for a job in Selma. I absolutely LOVED this campground! GiGi and Don work tirelessly six days a week. If there were 8 days in a week, they would work 7. Beautiful flowers, more trees than I have ever seen in a campground, fenced dog park, seasonal pool, bathrooms with a shower, large laundry room/sitting area at the front of the park, book/DVD swap, second laundry room being renovated at the back of the park, propane filled on site and safe walking within the park (hills). Some road noise but not obnoxious. Will absolutely stay here again if we are in the area.
LegendThis review is based on a short-term versus destination campground (CG). When we made reservations, we were told to only take exit 179 off I-65 and follow the GPS directions, as any other way will take you on narrow roads, including gravel roads. We drove the 14 miles from the exit to the CG with no issues. We were greeted by Don on his golf cart, and his wife, Gigi, checked us in at the office. We received a great rundown of the local area, including restaurant suggestions that looked really good. Unfortunately, we were only overnighting here and did not have the chance to enjoy Prattville. We were led to pull through site A with FHUs. Getting to our site was a little narrow but very doable. The site was level and pleasantly spacious both at and between sites. The utilities are in the middle of the pad. We were able to position so we could get to both black tanks with a 10’ sewer hose. We got 2 bars on Verizon, and their WiFi was better than most CGs this size. Both Don and his wife came by at separate times to ensure we were settled in, to include asking if we needed propane. The CG is mainly full-timers that include a small community of retired military. They have dedicated sites for short-term stays. There were transient workers as we heard the familiar Cummings diesel start-ups in the wee hours of the morning. There is some road noise, but not bad. They have a nice dog park. As we travel through the area, we will place this CG on our return list.
ScoutOak mountain state park has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. There's so much to do; and its always growing. It's the largest state park in Alabama. Theres lakes, waterfalls, nature trails, basket ball court, volley ball, a petting zoo, horses back riding, water sports, dirt bikes trails, BMX course, archery, cabins, primitive camping and rv's , a beach, a wildlife rescue center and so much more. If you're in the area do yourself a favor and check it out.
Rangerlots of trails. Upgraded sites, new bathhouse, pet friendly, full hook up at some sites. It’s site A09 the site sloped downward, which caused the trailers sewer connection to be lower than the dump site. As far enough away from the interstate that you don’t hear the road noise you’re surrounded by woods and hills. Will stay here again.
GuideVery happy at this campground. But there aren't many campers here. I think they are at the main campground. But regular RV campers are allowed at the Equestrian center. We are close to the farm/petting zoo. Also the horses are next to the campground. Very quiet and reasonably priced.
TravelerWhen we arrived the grass was very tall. They did mow today. Just not my site as we were occupying it. It has full hook ups. Not very much shade. My site has none. The bathrooms are dirty. The pool is a nice size. It could use a vacuum. There is a decent size jungle gym at the playground. My 8 year old son has been having a great time playing with other kids there. There is a nice sized fenced in dog park. There is a swing to sit on. However, it’s all busted up and not usable. There is a nice sized pond. I haven’t been to it yet. There is supposed to be wifi. I don’t see the network when searching for it. We have our own hotspot. It runs on the t mobile network. Except, we don’t have a signal here. I haven’t met anyone who runs this place. Honestly if my son wasn’t having as much fun playing on the playground we would’ve left after the first night. We booked 3 nights as to break up our drive. I definitely wouldn’t stay here again.
Tuscaloosa National Forest surrounds the town of Brent, Alabama, creating opportunities for pet-friendly camping in diverse woodland settings. Situated approximately 40 miles from Birmingham in central Alabama, campgrounds in this region experience mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures and humid summers where highs regularly reach the upper 90s. Most campgrounds maintain open status year-round, though some primitive facilities close water service during winter months.
Swimming access at designated areas: Payne Lake West Side offers a dedicated swimming beach for cooling off during warmer months. "There is a beach area for swimming and bathhouses are large and clean. Plenty of shade and picnic areas," notes Amber B. The lake features accessible swimming areas with sandy shorelines where pets can watch from designated areas nearby.
Historical sites exploration: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground provides educational opportunities through restored historical structures. "The park is full of historical buildings like an old mill, furnace, blacksmith shop, and restored cabins," shares Randi P. Visitors can walk self-guided tours through the ironworks facilities to learn about Alabama's industrial history.
Mountain biking on maintained trails: The trail systems offer various difficulty levels for mountain bikers, particularly at parks with dedicated cycling paths. "The Mountain Bike trails are a blast and well maintained. Definitely worth the trip for that alone," reports Adam R. about Tannehill's trail network. Most trails require standard mountain biking safety gear and close at sundown.
Full hookup options at reasonable rates: Deerlick Creek provides quality sites with utilities at competitive prices. "Love the large sites that are nicely separated from neighboring sites and overlook the water. Friendly staff and clean bathhouse," says Steve V. Sites with water and electric typically range from $18-25 per night, while full hookups may cost $25-35 depending on location.
Privacy between campsites: Many campers appreciate the natural buffers between sites at certain campgrounds. Eric H. notes about Deerlick Creek: "Nice level concrete pads with awesome shade. Bath house stayed clean. Nice 1/2 mile asphalt bike/walking trail." The spacing between sites allows pets to relax without constant interaction with neighboring campers.
Affordable primitive camping: Payne Lake East Side offers basic accommodations at minimal cost. "Payne Lake East is primitive camping that costs $6 dollars a night. From here you can access the amenities on the west shore," explains Gregg G. These sites provide picnic tables and lantern posts with access to pit toilets, ideal for campers seeking economical options.
Limited cell service in remote areas: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering reliable connectivity only for certain carriers. "Unless you have Verizon you probably won't have cell service (which is why it's not crowded) but that can be a good thing," explains Missy W. about Payne Lake. Plan communications accordingly and download maps before arrival.
Seasonal wildlife awareness: Wildlife encounters occur regularly at campgrounds near water features. Gregg G. notes at Payne Lake East: "Apparently there are alligators here, but they are seldom seen this time of year per the campground host." Spring and summer bring increased reptile activity around shorelines and marshes.
First-come, first-served policies: Several campgrounds operate without reservation systems. "We arrived late on a Thursday night and appreciated that 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," explains Randi P. about Tannehill Ironworks.
Children's recreation options: Birmingham South RV Park provides dedicated play facilities. "The pool was open and they had a nice play area for the kids. Nothing too fancy but great for our overnight stay," reports Beth H. The campground's proximity to Pelham offers additional family activities within a short drive.
Educational opportunities: Historical parks combine learning with outdoor recreation. "We camped at Tannehill for our 12th anniversary. It was Flea Market weekend, also. The museum there is very interesting and educational," shares Leesha J. Families can participate in scheduled demonstrations of historical crafts and industries.
Gathering firewood protocols: Rules about collecting wood vary between campgrounds. At Payne Lake West, "The host also let us know we could scavenge any fire pits or pick anything brown off the ground for a fire," says Mo F. Some facilities sell bundled firewood, while others permit gathering from downed timber within campground boundaries.
Site selection considerations: Oak Mountain State Park Campground offers varied sites requiring strategic selection. "A30 level site and nearly full shade coverage. Moveable wooden and metal picnic table. Metal fire pit with cooking grate," reports Napunani. RVers should check site dimensions before booking to ensure compatibility with their equipment.
Utility connections quality: Many campgrounds provide full hookups, but quality varies. "We paid $25 that included electric hookup, bath house with showers, water on site, and a dump station. I believe you can pay another $5 for sewage on site," notes Nicole K. about Tannehill. Most sites offer 30/50 amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections at premium sites.
Terrain and backing challenges: Some campgrounds present navigation difficulties for larger rigs. "Be sure to check your spot to make sure you can park easily- some sites are difficult for large pull trailers," advises Mikki B. about Deerlick Creek. Consider requesting pull-through sites when available if maneuvering space is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Brent, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Brent, AL is Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Brent, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 54 dog-friendly camping locations near Brent, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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