Tent campsites near Centreville, Alabama are scattered throughout several state forests and recreation areas in the Black Belt region. Most sites sit at elevations between 200-500 feet above sea level in a humid subtropical climate zone with mild winters and hot summers. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter overnight temperatures typically stay above freezing but can occasionally dip into the 20s.
What to do
Swimming access: Holt Lake offers a small man-made beach area with nearby bathroom facilities. According to Missy W., "The beach can be pretty crowded during the summer but it's a decent size and the bathrooms are nearby."
Boating options: Holt Lake provides excellent water recreation opportunities across its expansive surface. "Lots of people in boats and the lake is huge, great for towing, skiing, fishing and cruising," notes Missy W., making it an ideal location for tent campers who bring watercraft.
Hiking historic trails: The southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail begins at Flagg Mountain in Weogufka State Forest. Ro J. mentions, "Access to southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail. CCC tower and cabins from 1930's." This creates opportunities for day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips from your campsite.
What campers like
Historical structures: Flagg Mountain in Weogufka State Forest contains preserved Civilian Conservation Corps structures. Marty E. reports, "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 very helpful communicator."
Helpful caretakers: The presence of knowledgeable local caretakers enhances the camping experience at Flagg Mountain. Ro J. notes, "Caretaker and author Sunny Eberhart (Nimblewill Nomad) is wonderful to talk to," providing campers with local knowledge and assistance.
Picnic facilities: Payne Lake Spillway offers designated picnic areas with cooking equipment. Hannah C. describes, "The Payne Lake spillway is a nice place to have a picnic and view the lake. There is a pavilion with four picnic tables underneath it and then there are isolated picnic tables around the area. They have fire pits and grills nearby for cooking."
What you should know
Site accessibility: Some camping areas require short hikes or have specific vehicle requirements. At Weogufka State Forest Campsite 2, Asher K. reports, "You can park fairly close to the site and there is enough space for a couple of hammocks or a single tent. There are better sites in the area but this one is easy to access and is already established."
Water availability: Water access varies significantly between camping areas. Some sites require filtering from creeks, while others have pumps. At Jones Bluff, Sarah C. advises, "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."
Spillway restrictions: Despite having facilities, certain areas prohibit overnight stays. Hannah C. clarifies about Payne Lake, "No camping is allowed in this area of the campground," referring specifically to the spillway recreation area.
Tips for camping with families
Beach safety considerations: When visiting beaches with children, maintain vigilance. At Holt Lake, Missy W. cautions, "Last time I went I found a needle in the sand, so keep an eye out. I'm not sure how often the beach is cleaned."
Flexible camping arrangements: Some campgrounds accommodate larger family groups with multiple tents. Asher K. shares about Holt Lake, "The tent only sites are all very large and private. We set up our site with 3 tents and brought 8 people along. We had no issues checking in and getting our site set up."
Bathroom access: Family camping with children benefits from proper facilities. Asher K. notes that Holt Lake "also has a great bathroom facility that they clean daily," making it more suitable for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Nearby alternatives: For RV campers needing established facilities, look beyond immediate Centreville options. Sarah C. recommends, "There isn't camping located in the immediate vicinity, however you can camp just down the road at either the Prairie Creek Park Campgrounds or back toward Montgomery a bit at Gunter Hill Park (also run by the Army Corps of Engineers)."
Weather preparedness: Local weather patterns can affect camping conditions and road access. After experiencing Weogufka after a storm, Asher K. advises, "When we were here recently there had just been a hurricane that came through a couple of days earlier and there were a ton of trees down... this made it hard to find the trail at points so come prepared with a map."
