Best Campgrounds near Calera, AL

This 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.

This was our second time staying here. The sites have full hookups. The lake is right in front of the RV. The people that work here are very very nice. It’s a small campground, but I would stay here again.

We are local (30ish miles) but love to just escape here when we have 3 or 4 days and don't want to travel long distance.  Perfect spot to be closer to the river in the summer and in the woods in the fall.  Catoma loop sites are full hookup with concrete pads including both back in and pull through options.  Antioch Loop does not have sewer hookup and these sites are gravel lots but offer some amazing water views.

Easy to find off of main hwy. Grassy area with lots of trees and shade. Campfires are permitted but, you meed to bring your own wood. Campground host are helpful with questions about the area. Close to boat launches, fuel and restaurants. Talladega Super Speedway close by. Enjoyable stay at this campground.

This has a good road and decent open spots to set-up. Overlanders (w/rtt) will be the most happy. Open areas have tall grass a but, but some have enough pine trees the pine needles make for better ground camping. Small camper trailers could probably make it too. Just be mindful of turn around spots.

I arrived late so harder to find spots. Mid-week so no one else here.

-Lacked good signage on the last turn. -No facilities (as expected) -Open to sky (took awesome star pics here)

Fun spot. Very easy to get to. Nice big site felt very private only had 2 or 3 cars come by but everything was very low key.

This is a motocross, zip line and paint ball camp. The people that checked us in were great. Charge was $5 per person. So $11.00 for us. The sites are grassy. We are the only ones here so we pulled up to the bath house. They will be out to turn on the hot water in a bit. Quiet. Relaxing after a day of seeing the sites. I have 2 bars on my Verizon.

If you have a boat and are a fisherman you will love this park. We had a spot right on the water. Views were beautiful. Brought our kayaks but didn’t use them as it was a bit chilly and windy. Would definitely. Return. Only downside - lots of poison ivy!! And the bathrooms were rundown and dingy.

Stopped for an overnight on our way home to Atlanta from a trip out west. Not much of a park. Most sites are long term or semi permanent. Only 6 available for regular RV. Water, 30/50 amp electric & sewer There is a small laundry room The office wasn’t open but we had reservations and had received an email about our site and directions. WiFi was poor. It is right off of I-20 so there was lots of road noise all night. There was a very bright vapor light above our site that lit up the whole area. There is a small dog walking area.

We just needed a stop with hookups for the night. But this place exceeded expectations. We had a pull through spot so we didn't have to disconnect our tow dolly. Gravel site was fairly level despite being in a hilly area. There's quite a bit of space between most of the sites (particularly the back in sites). Our site was right up against another pull through on our patio side though. No big deal, if we were coming to stay for a while we would get a back in spot. We did not check out the bathrooms or laundry facilities, but there are several of them.

Its not impossible, just slow going. Roads to get here are narrow, hilly, and twisty, but in good condition. If you have a rig longer than 30ft and want room to breathe, get a pull-through site. The campground doesn’t do the best job at marking how to get to each site and some site number posts are knocked over, like Site #16, which makes it a little tricky to navigate. Water pressure is on the low side compared to other campgrounds. But the site views and peace & quiet are worth it.

Very spacious sites in Catoma loop. Stayed in site 65 with great access to bathroom/shower house and volleyball net. Beautiful park with some fantastic lakefront sites. Clean, well kept, very affordable rates, and very friendly staff. Some online information suggests the gates close at night. The guard confirmed you are never locked in and can leave at any hour.

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. As far as we could tell, there was nowhere at the campground to purchase bundles of firewood, and even the local grocery stores/gas stations weren't stocked with any either. We spent quite a bit of time using a hatchet to cut up down trees to fuel our firepit. 

The campground is organized well and we were able to have our pick of campsites (mainly due to the fact that it was 30 degrees the whole weekend). The primitive campsites all had picnic tables and fire pits. Our group also uses hammocks and there were plenty of trees near enough together for hammock hanging. 

When we got to the campground, the check in area is quite simple. There is a box with envelopes/forms to fill out that ask for your payment (in cash!), car information, and site number. Once you fill out your information, you simply drive and park at your campsite. As far as we could tell, each site had ample room for parking 2 cars within 15 feet or so. We paid $6 a night for the site, as well as an extra $3 fee/day because of a third car. 

The area is quiet and peaceful, and the lake is a beautiful spot to catch the sunrise. On the East Side of the lake, we got a large amount of late afternoon sun, but minimal sunshine until later in the morning. The West Side saw a lot of sun early in the morning. 

We got the chance to meet the Camp Host, who was very gracious and also introduced us to his dog, Reecie. He even offered to take our trash out for us!

We took a walk around the entire campground, and it is clear that the West Side of the lake sees more visitors and is generally kept up with more. The blue hiking trail on the East side required quite a bit of bushwhacking and didn't seem to have much upkeep at all. On our hike, we ended up walking the roads of the campsite and seeing the whole grounds.

It was beautiful, quiet, and the lake was perfect. Would definitely go back!

This place is exquisite in every way. Beautiful scenery and perfectly clean grounds, water areas are fun and safe, lots of privacy and plenty of room to explore. Love the staff manners and information. This place is the BOMB!