Best Equestrian Camping near Choccolocco, AL

Coleman Lake Recreation Area includes an equestrian campground separate from the main camping area in the Talladega National Forest. The horse camping section provides designated sites for riders and their mounts with access to the Pinhoti Trail that extends from south Alabama to north Georgia. Both tent and RV camping options are available for equestrians with water and electric hookups at the main campground sites for $16 per night, while more primitive overflow sites cost $6. The campground features clean bathhouses with showers and flushing toilets accessible to all campers. No cell phone service is available throughout this remote camping area, providing a complete disconnection from technology during horse camping trips.

The Pinhoti Trail section accessible from Coleman Lake offers excellent riding opportunities with varied terrain through the Talladega National Forest. Trail riders can enjoy multi-day excursions as this extensive trail system connects to a network spanning two states. Water access is available at the nearby lake for horses after trail rides. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted, so arriving early is recommended during popular riding seasons. Most equestrian campers bring their own containment systems as permanent corrals are limited. Forest Service roads provide access to the campground, with County Road 500 sometimes becoming overgrown - larger horse trailers should consider using Forest Service Roads 500 or 548 for easier access to the camping areas.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Choccolocco, Alabama (4)

    1. Coleman Lake Rec Area

    14 Reviews
    Fruithurst, AL
    12 miles
    Website

    "Coleman Lake is in the Talladega National Forest and very remote. There is no cell phone service at all. We have been camping here all my life. It is one of my favorite campgrounds."

    "This can certainly be seen as a positive."

    2. Cherokee Rock Village

    33 Reviews
    Leesburg, AL
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 523-3799

    $0 - $35 / night

    "We attended North Alabama trails and recreation’s Rock and Rig event here. The park is beautiful with amazing views."

    "the locals) since 2011, starting back when it was still largely undeveloped and free…totally worth paying for these days - they’ve made it such a great place: showers, bathrooms, dumpsters, plenty of walk-in"

    3. Little Tallapoosa Park

    15 Reviews
    Carrollton, GA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 214-3580

    $40 - $50 / night

    "We stayed in the horse camp section because the RV area was full. They use the horse camp area as overflow. Plenty of space there with power and water."

    "We stayed for the weekend so we would be close to relatives for a visit. The sites are nice and paved with full hookups. There was even a dish at are site for satellite. Nice paved trails for hiking."

    4. McIntosh Reserve Park

    11 Reviews
    Whitesburg, GA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 830-5879

    "I cleaned up a bit of trash around my site when I arrived. The camp host drove around selling firewood."

    "We live close by so for a night trip this is a perfect little getaway."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Choccolocco, AL

72 Reviews of 4 Choccolocco Campgrounds


  • A
    Aug. 16, 2018

    Coleman Lake Rec Area

    Nature Lover's Dream

    Coleman Lake is in the Talladega National Forest and very remote. There is no cell phone service at all. We have been camping here all my life. It is one of my favorite campgrounds. Sites are first come, first serve, water and electric. There is a campground host on duty. A campground for equestrians is near the main campground. The Pinhoti Trail that extends from south Alabama to north Georgia goes right beside the lake and is a great section hike.

  • H
    Apr. 3, 2022

    Little Tallapoosa Park

    Awesome RV Park in Carroll County GA!!

    Great RV park that is owned and ran by the county. We stayed in the horse camp section because the RV area was full. They use the horse camp area as overflow. Plenty of space there with power and water. Sewer hookup is only available in the RV section. Tons of walking/horse trails to go along with a creek and a couple of lakes.

  • Swain K.
    Jun. 16, 2018

    Little Tallapoosa Park

    Small county park

    We stayed for the weekend so we would be close to relatives for a visit. The sites are nice and paved with full hookups. There was even a dish at are site for satellite. Nice paved trails for hiking. They have equestrian trails. Golf carts are also allowed. There is a creek and pond. Small water park and play ground for little ones. Great price for full hookup at $30 per night and senior discount is offered.

  • Sarah S.
    May. 25, 2025

    McIntosh Reserve Park

    New bathhouse with shower, water spigot

    Camping is first come first served basis, no reservations. $20 per night, parking for one vehicle included. Extra vehicles require $5 parking pass per day. They take credit card. Pull up to the booth at the entrance before 5pm or see the camp host 5-8pm. After 8pm, the park gate closes. I was given a gate code in case I needed to leave and return during the closed hours.

    The camping layout falls somewhere between dispersed camping and a traditional campground. When I checked in, I was told I could pull up to any site with a fire pit. There were picnic tables and trash cans at most sites. There are no hook ups at the sites, but there is a good amount of space on flat ground in the trees. Several cars, tents, or small campers would fit on each site. Bigger campers could opt for sites 8 or 9 which don’t have trees. I cleaned up a bit of trash around my site when I arrived. The camp host drove around selling firewood.

    Many of these reviews seem older, so I wanted to add that there is a newer block bathroom with flush toilets, electricity and a shower stall, and outdoor water spigot near the stretch of campsites marked 1-20 along the river. It was clean. Driving in, you’ll see a sign that points you to “Main Camping.” The sites stretch down a lane that follows the river to a dead end, the river and sites are on the left and there is a large grassy airfield on the right. There was no airplane traffic while I was there and no signage to stay off of it, so perhaps it is no longer in use.

    There is a boat ramp past site 20. I saw a sign at the bathhouse for paddling the river and various parks to camp along the way. There are signs for horse camping only at sites 18-20. One of the trails runs between the river bank and the campsites, with red blazes - “River Trail” - so don’t set up equipment there in case hikers or horses come through. I saw people fishing in the Chattahoochee River right off of their campsite. There is a small rapid that stretches across the river near sites 1-10, so you get that nice water flowing sound to fall asleep to!

    There are also sites in other areas of the park, if you turn left instead of following the “Main Camping” sign. I’m not sure if they are numbered, and they seem more scattered. There is another bathhouse with running water and a shower that is older next to the cabin called “Old Ranger’s Station.”

    The park has wide trails for horseback riding. I hiked the 2 mile Eagle Loop Trail and saw a mountain biker as well. I saw signs for an Orienteering Course. There is a splash pad and a new looking playground that from a glance, might be ADA accessible. There are many signs prohibiting swimming in the river due to the strong current. There is no beach and in most places, the river bank is steep. John Tanner Park has a swimming beach.

    The park map is not great and the information available online is insufficient, but I do recommend coming to explore the area and camp! I’ll be back now that I have an understanding of the layout.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Cherokee Rock Village

    Rocks and Rigs

    We attended North Alabama trails and recreation’s Rock and Rig event here. The park is beautiful with amazing views. We camped on the “brow” not in the rv parking area so I can’t speak to the camping spots or amenities for RVs, but the staff and facilities are nice.

  • Twan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 15, 2024

    Cherokee Rock Village

    Sandrock Sanctuary

    I’ve camped at Cherokee Rock Village (affectionately known as Sandrock to the locals) since 2011, starting back when it was still largely undeveloped and free…totally worth paying for these days - they’ve made it such a great place: showers, bathrooms, dumpsters, plenty of walk-in and car camping sites. Best climbing in the southeast, bouldering and sport, and a lot of RC car rock crawling, etc. Sandrock is a must go-to spot in Alabama. The views are awesome, climbing is awesome & camping is awesome. Charcoal grills at most sites, fire rings, firewood available at the front gate/office, etc. Good Verizon coverage, too. Plenty of gas stations and grocery stores within 20min, too.

  • Brandon D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2018

    Cherokee Rock Village

    So many memories at Sand Rock!

    A long-time Alabama climbing institution, Sand Rock has had a colorful and sometimes dubious history. For many years, it seemed that lowlifes were in direct competition with climbers. Sand Rock was a destination for ATV riders, drunken late-night partiers and other examples of southern stereotypes. Broken beer bottles and overturned portapotties were common sights, and the cliffs were despoiled with spray-painted graffiti. 

    In recent years, the aesthetics of Sand Rock have vastly improved. Ownership of the site was taken over by Cherokee County which turned it into a county park. Sand Rock now has on-site managers, improved parking, picnic areas, a playground for kids and a nice bathhouse. Much of the litter and graffiti has been cleaned up. 

    Admission to Sand Rock is currently $5 per car. Camping is abundant near the parking lot and along the entrance road; be sure to register at the park office if you plan to camp.

  • Dan C.
    Oct. 5, 2019

    Cherokee Rock Village

    Hidden Away

    I’d never heard of this place but accompanied a friend here that was doing some climbing. I picked a site away from the bluff near the boulders. Nice and quiet. Of course it’s primitive but there is a bathhouse and water within a short walk. General store has a little bit of everything for camping and lots of nice climbing gear. I’m impressed. Beautiful view of Weiss Lake from the bluff side of the park.

  • s
    May. 22, 2019

    Cherokee Rock Village

    Perfect car camping for dirtbags!

    Cherokee Rock Village is the closest campground to Sand Rock, Alabama. In fact, all of the campsites sit atop the crag. Sand Rock great outdoor climbing area for beginners to novices, with ratings from 5.7 to 13+. The facilities at the campsite have been recently updated and include a bathhouse with showers and toilets, a large communal pavilion, a playground, large dumpsters, and multiple water spigots. All sites are first come, first serve, and a few of them even overlook the valley! I've never had an issue with other climbers/campers being too loud, and it seems like the park enforces their policies quite well. It's a great basecamp for a weekend climbing trip.


Guide to Choccolocco

Horse camping in Alabama offers a unique experience for equestrian enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with well-maintained facilities tailored for both horses and riders.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • The well-reviewed Cherokee Rock Village provides ample space for horse camping, complete with clean facilities and easy access to trails.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • At Little Tallapoosa Park, visitors can enjoy scenic trails perfect for horseback riding, along with a splash pad for family fun.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails

  • McIntosh Reserve Park features a variety of trails along the Chattahoochee River, making it an ideal spot for horse camping and exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Choccolocco, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Choccolocco, AL is Coleman Lake Rec Area with a 4.5-star rating from 14 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Choccolocco, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Choccolocco, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.