The Centreville, Alabama area features diverse camping options nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 200 to 500 feet above sea level. Campers can access both national forest land and state parks within a 30-mile radius. The region receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually, contributing to the lush forests and healthy waterways that define the camping experience.
What to do
Hiking through historical sites: At Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground, explore miles of trails with varying difficulty levels through restored historical buildings. "We brought bikes and explored miles of trails, all clearly marked by difficulty level. The park is also full of historical buildings like an old mill, furnace, blacksmith shop, and restored cabins," notes Randi P.
Swimming and water activities: The sandy beaches at Deerlick Creek offer designated swimming areas during warmer months. "There is a beach area for swimming and bathhouses are large and clean. Plenty of shade and picnic areas," shares Amber B. The creek-side sites also provide casual water access for kids to splash and play.
Campground events: Check the schedule for Trade Days at Tannehill, held monthly from March through November. "We're craft vendors at Tannehill Trade Days March-November and we've started camping out there every month. My grandkids absolutely love it. They ride their bikes, play in the creek, and eat great ice cream from the creamery!" writes Paige M.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: At Payne Lake East Side, primitive campsites offer direct water views for just $6 per night. "Primitive campsite by the lake. Quiet (except for occasional jets), private, perfect frog lullabies after dark, many species of wildflowers (due to a good burn regimen), nice breeze most of the time," reports Sue B.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathhouses at Deerlick Creek. "Nice level concrete pads with awesome shade. Bath house stayed clean. Nice 1/2 mile asphalt bike/walking trail. Hiking trail with hills and valleys skirting the lake," notes Eric H. about the facilities.
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings around Oak Mountain State Park Campground provide abundant wildlife sightings. "Our site on the lake was beautiful and had ducks came right up to our site. Clean and staff were friendly," shares maureen L. Many campsites around Centreville feature habitats for birds, deer, and small mammals.
What you should know
Firewood availability varies: Some campgrounds near Centreville require you bring your own. "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," advises Ali Z. about Payne Lake.
Cell service considerations: Coverage differs significantly between carriers throughout the region. "T-Mobile service was decent—we were able to use our hotspot to stream TV at night. There's no public Wi-Fi, but we didn't miss it," explains Randi P. about connectivity at Tannehill.
Payment systems: Many campgrounds use honor system payment methods. "When we arrived, 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," describes Ali Z. about Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park.
Seasonal considerations: Water systems may be shut down during winter months at some locations. "On the east side the water is shut off this time of year, but it is available at the dump station," notes Gregg G. about Payne Lake East facilities in February.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools for family enjoyment during hot months. "There appears to be a swimming pool - closed during our visit for winter of course, but looked like it was an attraction," observes Neil T. at Brierfield.
Playground options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "We stayed at Tannehill for a long weekend and had a great experience... The best part of Tannehill is everything there is to do... The park is also full of historical buildings like an old mill, furnace, blacksmith shop, and restored cabins... There's a Sunday church service at 9AM, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, a general store, a miniature train ride, and even an ice cream shop," shares Randi P.
Kid-friendly water features: Shallow creek access points provide safer water play than lake swimming in some locations. "The creek is peaceful and adds great ambiance, but there's no designated access area for wading or swimming. That said, lots of kids were playing in the water right near their sites," notes Randi P. about Joyland RV Park creek access.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Campgrounds offer different levels of service depending on location within the park. "There are three main campground areas. Campgrounds 1 and 2 offer full hook-ups, with many outer sites backing up to a scenic creek. Campground 3 has water and electric only," explains Randi P. about Tannehill.
Site selection strategy: For larger RVs, advance research on site dimensions is essential. "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. It was a little hard to find a spot in the dark, but that was on us," shares Randi P.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require additional equipment for proper setup. "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," reports Nicole K. about her stay at Tannehill.
