Best Tent Camping near Camden, AL

Tent camping options around Camden, Alabama include several established campgrounds within driving distance. Murchison Farm in Pine Apple offers both tent and RV camping with drive-in and walk-in access from March to October. Jones Bluff near Autaugaville provides tent-only sites with basic amenities. Silver Creek Park and Runaway Branch also maintain primitive tent campsites in the region.

Most tent camping areas near Camden feature basic facilities. Jones Bluff, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, provides toilet facilities but prohibits fires and alcohol. Silver Creek Park allows fires and offers picnic tables at its tent sites, while also providing toilet facilities and trash collection for campers. Drinking water is available at some locations including Jones Bluff and Runaway Branch, but many sites lack amenities like showers or electric hookups. Tent campers should check seasonal availability, as some campgrounds like Murchison Farm operate only from March through October.

The tent camping experience in the Camden area offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and river access. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, Jones Bluff (also known as Bob Woodruff Park) provides access to the Alabama River for swimming, hiking, and fishing activities. While dedicated campsites might not be available directly at Jones Bluff, nearby options include Prairie Creek Park Campgrounds and Gunter Hill Park. The proximity to Montgomery and Selma allows tent campers to combine outdoor experiences with cultural exploration. Most tent sites in the region maintain a natural setting with limited development, appealing to campers seeking a more authentic outdoor experience away from RV-focused facilities.

Best Tent Sites Near Camden, Alabama (5)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Camden, AL

75 Reviews of 5 Camden Campgrounds


  • Wolf P.
    Oct. 9, 2019

    Prairie Creek Campground

    Quiet, out of the way, and a charming place

    Wifi non-existent.

    sketchy phone service...we have verizon and had very limited coverage.

    great staff...very helpful.

    showers...pressure was great!  restrooms were old(er), but clean!

    Site was very level....ours had good shade...fair amount of space and many concrete pads (but not all).

    Some have raised issues about the ants...we did see ants, but ONLY on the tent walk in area...and there were places there that looked like the ants would have been a real issue.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 26, 2023

    COE Demopolis Lake Foscue Creek Campground

    What a Steal!

    PROS 

    Immaculate grounds throughout the campground. Always saw someone working at it. 

    Site 49 level concrete pad surrounded by pea gravel, with moveable aluminum table, pedestal BBQ grill, metal fire ring and wooden fish cleaning table. 

    Bathhouse very clean and in good working condition with soap and TP 

    Quiet except for occasional train whistle 

    Sue at gate check in very nice and helpful and then Bill escorted us to our site. What great customer service! 

    Security gates closed at 10p; open at 6a. No overnight entry. 

    America the Beautiful Pass discounted the site to$15/night...WHAT A STEAL! 

    No reservation transaction fee incurred 

    T-MOBILE 2 bars 

    CONS 

    Site numbers painted on asphalt and on electrical box 

    Roads are narrow in some areas 

    No park WIFI 

    Don’t Miss 

    Barges on the waterway 

    Smokin’ Jack BBQ in Demopolis 

    Lower Pool park with the damn and the last lock heading south

  • Isabella H.
    Sep. 1, 2018

    Bells Landing

    Great area!

    My family and I visited Alabama a few years ago while on a family reunion. We decided to do some camping the last 2 nights we were visiting. We stayed here, and really enjoyed our stay. We stayed in the tent area, and just set up 2 tents (there was 4 of us). The campsite fit both tents, had a table and fire ring. We spent the evening around the campsite roasting marshmallows. The place we stopped at ran out of chocolate and crackers, so we only had mallows. It was still super yummy. Bring your own so this doesn’t happen to you :). The campground was clean, although there was only 1 bathroom. It didn’t smell very good, so we were pleased that we weren’t close to the bathroom for that reason! Kinda felt bad for the people who had campsites near the bathrooms. Also, we really appreciated that there was a dumpster onsite as well. I think this helps with keeping the place clean. We found a hike to do in the morning and it was great. For my first visit to Alabama, I definitely enjoyed it and hopefully it won’t be my last!

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2017

    Sherling Lake City Park

    Perfect for RV Camping

    This was a beautiful campground and very well taken care of. However, it was mostly set up for RVs and not for tent camping. Each site has plenty of space and a hookup. There are also central bathrooms and covered picnic benches that work well for groups. If you want to get out and do some hiking there are also trails around the park. Just remember it can get hot here in the summer so be prepared.

  • J
    Dec. 2, 2021

    Owassa Lakeside RV Park

    Great short term spot

    Only stayed one night here. Easy to get to off the interstate. Not much around at all. Very quiet. No wifi availability. Gas station by the exit but no food options very close.

  • M
    Apr. 26, 2022

    COE Alabama River Lakes Chilatchee Creek Campground

    Older but peaceful

    Access: very rough road on the short section of dirt. Older area First impressions: old and very minimally kept up Sites: well spaced,clean,big, I would suggest clearing some of the brush and smaller trees for a better water view Bathroom/shower: need updating but extremely clean and well stocked Host: extremely friendly and talkative,very helpful Positives: peaceful, wildlife,great fishing, decent boat ramp,away from big cities Negatives:updating needed, better road going in,clean up the area around the piers maybe replace piers, clean up brush around the sites, clean up the front host site where a camper burned, clean up the old picnic tables around the area that ain’t being used.

  • L&A C.
    Apr. 30, 2024

    Millers Ferry Campground

    Great RV Lakeside Park

    Third time at Millers Ferry! Water & electric hook ups . Good water pressure, dump station on property. Our site was paved and easily accommodated our 40 ft Rv/ fifth wheel & Dooley. Each site has a fire ring/with top grate to grill, picnic table, shepherd hook.Bathroom clean another one under construction. Nice playground. $1 for washer and dryer. Lots of sites are gravel as well, but level. Lots of people fish-parking for trucks & trailers at water ramp on property. No dog park, but lots of nature walks and paved roads to walk on. Oh yes, Lots of mosquitoes & ants, bring bug spray for a more pleasant stay! Shopping in town about 15-20 minutes away. Several good restaurants. There is a Piggly Wiggly, True Value Hardware, and Dollar stores. Approx 20-30 min to Walmart, next town over. Public lake for swimming, on site, with playground!

  • E
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Prairie Creek Campground

    Bring ant killer if camping in tents!

    The tent sites are walk in only...guess I missed that bit of info when I reserved. The guy at the gate was nice enough to change us from the furthest site to the closest...with 2 kids in tow I definitely didn't want to carry all the our supplies in! Sadly the sites were infested with ants!! They were everywhere..inside everything and we had to toss food that was in containers...just gave us the jitters! Spray killed many of them but we used an entire can and still had ants!

    The bath house and washer/dryer were clean.

    Ppl were friendly. The lake wss gorgeous

  • Jess  S.
    Jul. 10, 2019

    Prairie Creek Campground

    Waterfront camping

    Gorgeous sites, many right on the water. We saw huge paddlefish jumping out of the water, many birds and deer on the nature trail. Bring fishing poles. Staff super friendly. Would get five stars but the ants really are bad. It's a southern campground thing apparently. Be prepared and you'll be fine. Walk-in sites really nice and trail is flat and will accommodate wagon for hauling gear easily.


Guide to Camden

Tent camping near Camden, Alabama provides access to multiple natural areas along the Alabama River watershed. The region's subtropical climate features hot summers with temperatures averaging 90°F in July and mild winters averaging 50°F in December. Most camping areas remain accessible year-round except during periods of flooding or scheduled maintenance closures.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: The waterways near Jones Bluff serve as productive fishing grounds. "This is a large parcel of land owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Also known as Bob Woodruff Park, located right on the Alabama River, there's access to swimming, hiking, fishing and of course boating," notes camper Sarah C.

Boating access: Launch sites at Runaway Branch accommodate small watercraft with concrete ramps available for day use. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting boat launch conditions, particularly during winter drawdowns when ramps may be unusable.

Historical exploration: The Camden area sits within 45 minutes of significant Civil Rights historical sites. After camping, visitors can explore nearby towns with historical markers documenting the region's role in Alabama's development from the antebellum period through the Civil Rights era.

What campers like

River proximity: Campsites at Silver Creek Park provide direct water access for swimming during warmer months. The primitive tent sites maintain minimal development, preserving natural surroundings with basic toilet facilities and designated fire rings.

Affordability: Most tent camping areas near Camden maintain low fees compared to developed RV parks. Sites typically range from $8-15 per night, with discounts available for extended stays. Some locations operate on a first-come basis without reservation systems in place.

Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk hours offer opportunities to observe deer, turkey, and various bird species at Lock 5. The undeveloped nature of these camping areas creates natural habitat corridors supporting diverse wildlife populations throughout the seasons.

What you should know

Limited amenities: Most tent camping sites near Camden operate as primitive facilities without electricity, running water, or shower facilities. Visitors should prepare for self-contained camping with appropriate water storage and waste management plans.

Seasonal considerations: Summer humidity levels regularly exceed 80% from June through September, creating challenging camping conditions. Winter camping offers more comfortable temperatures but requires preparation for potential temperature drops into the 30s overnight.

Regulations: Murchison Farm maintains specific operating months from March through October with site-specific rules regarding fires and noise levels. The private operation differs from public lands with more stringent access controls and registration requirements.

Tips for camping with families

Safety planning: When camping with children near Camden, select sites away from water edges during spring flood periods. River levels can change rapidly, particularly after upstream rainfall events that may not be visible from camp locations.

Insect preparation: The subtropical climate supports active mosquito populations from April through October. Families should bring appropriate repellents and netting, particularly for evening hours when activity increases around water sources and wooded camping areas.

Educational opportunities: The regional ecosystem provides hands-on learning about southern forest habitats and river ecosystems. Parents can coordinate camping trips with seasonal events like migration periods or flowering cycles to enhance educational value.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Camden cannot accommodate large recreational vehicles due to narrow access roads and limited turning radius. RVs longer than 25 feet face significant access challenges at primitive sites.

Alternative options: For RV camping needs, established campgrounds within a 50-mile radius offer more suitable facilities with hookups and pull-through sites not available at the primitive tent locations surrounding Camden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Camden, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Camden, AL is Murchison Farm with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Camden, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Camden, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.