Looking for tent camping near Calera? Find the best information on tent camping near Calera, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Calera campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Sightseeing, hiking, camping, and bird watching are the main attractions at the state forest. Weogufka State Forest is open to the public for sightseeing, bird watching, primitive camping, and social events. Remember; be considerate to other recreational users and their needs.
Flagg Mountain is the southernmost Appalachian peak over 1,000 feet, located near Weogufka, Alabama, in Coosa County, and contains a CCC-built lookout tower and cabins. Weogufka State Forest consists of 240 acres of upland hardwood on Flagg Mountain. It is owned by the State of Alabama and Managed by the Alabama Forestry Commission (see map).
The property is open to the public. It contains many hiking trails maintained by the Alabama Hiking Trail Society. The Pinhoti Trail’s southern terminus ends on Flagg Mountain. (The Pinhoti Trail extends northward to Springer Mountain in Georgia, where the Appalachian Trail begins.)
Currently, there is a full-time caretaker on the property. Weogufka State Forest is open to the public. Overnight camping and social events are available, but reservations must be through the caretaker in advance. Please text 256-223-3990.
Currently there are limited bathroom facilities. Efforts are underway to improve the facilities. This includes reopening the tower stairs, building a bathhouse, and improving the cabins.
Bohamia is a 268 acre private forest retreat surrounded by 400,000 acres of the Talladega National Forest. You'll feel like a world away even though you are about an hour's drive from Birmingham and Atlanta.
Booking options include temperature controlled Glamping cabins with queen size beds and private decks, RV sites, and camp sites around the property. Gorgeous bathhouse (seriously) with private restrooms and endless hot showers.
Bohamia is best explored on foot or bicycle (or kayak in the case of our five acre spring fed pond and nearby Talladega Lake). We have miles of marked trails and many unmarked trails for adventurous types. We also have marked trail access to off property gems like Talladega Creek and the Blue Hole waterfall and swimming area.
All sites allow at least one vehicle to park nearby unless otherwise noted. In many cases you can have two vehicles by your site, or can park in group areas nearby when not loading or unloading.
$25 - $99 / night
Legend
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.
Guide
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.
Guide
They put a massive amount of money into updating this place. This is the #1 best state park campground I have ever been at. Some of the non-5star reviews are people before the updates or people that really should just be at a KOA resort.
This place has everything, mtn bike, gravel bike, trail running, road running, road biking, golf, equestrian, sailing and fishing.
It has wifi throughout and almost everywhere in the park has cell reception.
TravelerI grew up near oak mountain and it’s always been a decent campground for the price. After we purchased our first camper this summer we decided to go give it a shot at Oak Mountain before we went further out. We were unaware that they had completely revamped the entire place. The bathhouses were awesome and clean as were the laundry rooms. They had plenty of supplies in the store if you forgot something. We will be returning during the fall. Sites are pretty spacious and well maintained.
Traveler
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.
GuideHaving visited 3 times now, twice before the renovations and now once after, I can confidently say I love this park! I have previously primitive camped here and now camper at a full hookup RV site. Tent sites range from "water in vicinity," "water at site," and "water and 20 amp power at site." Rv sites are water and electric or full hook up. I think all RV sites are now 50/30/20 but I'm not certain. There is a dump station near the exit of the campground. Sites are mostly level/slight grade but found that not all drain very well when it rains, including our site a17.
The park has so many different activities including -Hiking -Bmx trails -Swimmimg -Archery range And more I can't even remember.
Flip side watersports operates at 2 locations and paid activities include -wake boarding -Aqua Park And rentals of -Kayaks -stand up paddle boards -paddle boats And -Canoes.
There are things to do year round and the weather was great for mid July.
Scout
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.
Traveler
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)
Guide
Came with a group of friends from town to relax and disconnect. Services are great some cabins and tents having ACs, but primitive camping allowed as well. Great showers and bathhouse with filtered drinking water option that I used daily. Several hiking trails, but also roads to allow those who prefer to ride. They do offer ice, drink and snack delivery service with QR codes in each area. Definitely a place that I plan to revisit, but would refer friends to come as well for a weekend getaway.
GuideThis state park has it all. A place to swim, numerous hiking trails, playgrounds, etc. The newly remodeled campground is spectacular. The pads are super level (at least in A16. Small tent spots sprinkled in. Saw security and police several times just passing through to check on folks. Love that. We will be back many more times for sure.
Scout
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.
LegendIf 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.
Legend
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.
Guide
 this is a great campsite. You might need four-wheel-drive to get up to the ruins, but maybe not. Mary the caretaker of the area could easily tell you and is a great communicator and very helpful. I highly recommend this area. 
Guide
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.
Guide
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.
GuideVery 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.
Scout
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.
Legend
Great little campground for a two day too though looked like people for staying there for much longer.
ScoutIt was beautiful, quiet, and the lake was perfect. Would definitely go back!
ScoutThis 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!
Scout
Quiet 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.
Traveler
I’ve been going here since I was a kid and it’s one of my favorite places in the world. You’ll never run out of things to do between the endless hiking trails, the museum of wildlife, and the wildlife rescue center. There’s an archery station within the park and a petting farm. The campground is easily navigated with multiple bathhouses per campground so you’ll always have one nearby.
Legend
Perched along the ridge of the Pinhoti Trail, just south of Adam's Gap, this backcountry campsite promises a rewarding wilderness experience. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your stay. First and foremost, be sure to bring an ample supply of water for this section of the trail, as there are no reliable water sources nearby for refilling. The effort is well worth it, though, as the views from this campsite are simply breathtaking, especially during certain times of the year. The most stunning vistas await you right after completing the climb up from Clairmont Gap. These panoramas make the somewhat challenging trek worthwhile, offering a sense of awe and tranquility.
The campsite itself, while relatively small, provides enough space for 1-2 tents and boasts an abundance of trees for those who prefer hammocks. An established fire pit is also available, providing warmth and comfort on colder nights. It's worth noting that this section of the trail is less frequented by hikers, which means fewer campsite options. To avoid getting caught hiking in the dark, it's essential to plan your stops in advance. During our recent visit, we encountered an overgrown trail filled with brambles, which slowed our progress. Keep this in mind as you prepare for your journey.
In summary, this backcountry campsite along the Pinhoti Trail offers a chance to immerse yourself in the wilderness and enjoy stunning ridge-top views. Remember to pack enough water, plan your stops in advance, and be prepared for some overgrown sections along the trail. Despite the challenges, the natural beauty and tranquility of this location make it a worthwhile destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Scout
Great people Always willing to help, loves our long term stay here. Mr. Gerald, Mr. Teddy & Mr. Scott are always more than willing to work with you & help in any way. Loves everything about this place. Family friendly, atv park.
ScoutWe felt so welcome! Beautiful spot in the country. Gigi and Don helped us a lot and both are so wonderful and nice people
LegendWe stayed at Sunset West, which is the same RV park, but just about 5 minutes down the road. Amenities were only available at the east location. This included a small office, laundromat, and shower room. We had site 57, which was a level blacktop site that had sewer, water, cable and electricity. Dumpster located on site for trash. Loud traffic noise. But, with all that, it was 45.33 with tax.
Tent camping near Calera, Alabama offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the great outdoors. With a variety of options available, campers can find spots that cater to their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Calera, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Calera, AL is Weogufka State Forest Flagg Mtn with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Calera, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Calera, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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