Top Free Dispersed Camping near Cleveland, AL

Looking for the best dispersed camping near Cleveland? Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Cleveland, including photos, reviews, and tips. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Cleveland, AL (2)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Cleveland

4 Reviews of 2 Cleveland Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
    July 4, 2022

    Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    Remote spot, would recommend

    Easy drive on paved road until you reach the GPS coordinates (I wouldn’t have seen the little gravel road if I hadn’t been looking for it). Take the little road for a mile or so until you reach the circle at the end. We loved it because there was no chance of hearing any cars and the animal noises were fantastic. We were glad to have a bug net — probably a necessity for this site!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
    December 23, 2021

    Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    December - secluded, dry, fun :D

    We camped here for one night on a road trip in December. We stayed in the second "middle" spot. It had been raining so the last spot at the end was all muddy. We missed the first spot. The second was perfect. We had to improve the fire ring a bit. Plenty of kindling around. Closest stores are in Moulton. Heard some foxes at night.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground
    January 1, 2021

    Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground

    Unique Experience!!!

    Camping here is a very unique experience and completely different than most other campgrounds so I will try and make sure to include enough details to repeat our trip. This"campsite" is really just a large embankment along the Tennessee River on land owned by the TVA. They have a policy that on certain parts of their land along the Tenessee River you are allowed to camp following leave no trace rules. Make sure to follow the link for the campsite to learn more. Although you can use any of their lands there are limited areas that are flat or large enough to comfortably set up a tent. This particular site(GPS coordinates above) is a great space and was perfect for a night along the river. We parked our car on the southern side of the Guntersville dam and put in our boats at the loading ramp. we then kayaked with our gear in dry bags up the river past the amazing views of the painted bluff. We parked our boats for a quick swim(with life vests, the current was really strong) and hiked around the shore where there is a cave. We continued on upriver and finally found this particular site where we set up for the night. The banks of the river are pretty steep so finding a large enough site can be challenging. Be prepared to have extra time to search for another site if the river level is high. On the whole, this was one of the most amazing camping experiences I have ever had and I highly recommend it.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
    May 24, 2020

    Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    Great boondock spot for free camping.

    Great spot, close to stores and a lot of trails and such. Nice level clear spot, able to accommodate an overland or few tents setup. Close to the main road. There’s 3 individual sites along this roadway. The first site is located approximately 1/10 mile down on the right and the second site is further at approximately 3/10 miles. The road follows a slow gradual decline leading another 2-300 yards where the graveling leads to the 3rd and final site which is nestled in a nice culdesac area.



Guide to Cleveland

Camping near Cleveland, Alabama, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced camper, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Explore the Caverns: Visit the Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground for a unique cave tour. One camper shared, “The tour didn’t include so much geological information as it was about rocks shaped as animals, etc. It would have been cool to learn more about the history and sciency stuff.”
  • Enjoy Water Activities: At Smith Lake Park, you can fish, swim, or rent canoes. A visitor mentioned, “They have canoe rentals, mini golf, pool, and a beach area by the lake.”
  • Hiking and Trails: The Oak Mountain State Park Campground has numerous trails for hiking and biking. One camper noted, “The park has so many different activities including hiking, BMX trails, swimming, and an archery range.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Noccalula Falls Park & Campground stated, “The park has a nice playground and a pool we were unable to try during the winter months. The campground is very close to town and as so expect a lot of noise from traffic.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of campgrounds like Brushy Lake Recreation Area. One camper said, “It is very quiet and very dark at night!!!!! Great family outing!!”
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff. A visitor at Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground remarked, “Camp hosts Theresa and Ray are absolutely amazing. They’re the friendliest camp hosts we’ve ever met!”

What you should know

  • Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have small sites. A review from Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground noted, “These are the tiniest campsites I've ever seen in a State Park, worse than an RV park even.”
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell reception in some areas. A camper at Clear Creek Recreation Area mentioned, “No Verizon service there but if you drive up the road past the visitor center, you can get a few bars.”
  • Weather Considerations: Check the weather before you go. One camper at Lake Guntersville State Park Campground said, “Numerous thunderstorms, unfortunately. Avoid area B where we stayed.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A review from Smith Lake Park highlighted, “Awesome place with a beautiful lake! Lots of playgrounds for the kids and some very nice camping spots!”
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A visitor at Honeycomb Campground noted, “The campground is not well maintained, some sites are too short, most sites are too close.”
  • Pack Games and Activities: Bring along games for downtime. One camper at Noccalula Falls Park & Campground mentioned, “The campground is very close to town and as so expect a lot of noise from traffic.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Lengths: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review from Corinth Recreation Area stated, “Clean, spacious RV sites, and great views of the lake.”
  • Be Ready for Tight Turns: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A camper at Clear Creek Recreation Area advised, “Some roads into the campsites have tight turns so be aware of that if you drive a longer rig.”
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before you arrive. A visitor at Brushy Lake Recreation Area said, “There is a bathhouse but it's a short walk to the day use area.”

Camping near Cleveland, AL, has something for everyone, so pack your gear and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cleveland, AL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cleveland, AL is Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.