Glamping opportunities near Cleveland, Alabama extend beyond luxury tents and yurts. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at approximately 800 feet elevation, the area experiences mild winters and warm summers with average July temperatures reaching 90°F. Several campgrounds around Lake Guntersville and Smith Lake provide access to clear waters that maintain temperatures comfortable for swimming from May through September.
What to do
Trail exploration at Bankhead Forest: Just 30 miles from Cleveland, Bankhead National Forest offers extensive hiking with varying difficulty levels. "We spent a lot of time walking with our kids on the trails and riding scooters around the campsite roads. Nature trails were extremely well kept with great views on the water," notes a visitor to Corinth Recreation Area.
Watersports on Smith Lake: Known for its crystal-clear water, Smith Lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. According to one camper at Clear Creek Recreation Area, "The sites were beautifully wooded and spacing between each site was adequate. The perimeter lake lots in the Hoot Owl Loop all had steps or path access from the site to the shore."
Dirt biking at The Ridge: The Ridge Outdoor Resort offers dedicated trails for off-road enthusiasts. A reviewer states, "Most of the camp is for dirt bike riding but the park was almost empty at the end of the night! If it's in the off season bring a table! Also it looked like a lot of renovations were happening in the camp!"
What campers like
Accessible lake swimming spots: Many campers appreciate the easy water access at various sites. At Honeycomb Campground, "The beach was very nice and the staff was beyond helpful. Our site was spacious and right on the lake."
Evening lakeside relaxation: Campsites with direct water views offer peaceful sunset viewing. "We camp here often. It is one of our favorites! It's conveniently located in Gadsden right on the Coosa River! The place is absolutely beautiful. I love to sit beside the willow trees and watch the sun set over the river!" mentions one regular at River Rocks Landing.
Diverse accommodation options: The region offers everything from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups. "We already love this park because of the many trails and wide range of terrain along with the lake where you can swim or boat. The site we stayed at was only a short walk, maybe 15 min from the road but it felt like a totally different world."
What you should know
Variable site spacing: Site sizes and privacy levels differ significantly between campgrounds. At Oak Mountain State Park Campground, "The sites are very nice and there is lots of shade. The majority of sites are pretty level and the comfort stations were clean."
Limited services in off-season: Many campgrounds reduce amenities during winter months. "We found this spot on the Dyrt a few days ago! Put together a last minute camping trip with some other college students. Very cheap, clean and friendly! If it's in the off season bring a table!"
Cell service variability: Coverage differs by provider and location. "I have 2 bars on my Verizon," reports one camper at The Ridge, while another camper at Oak Mountain notes, "It has wifi throughout and almost everywhere in the park has cell reception."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access for hot days: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools when lake swimming isn't ideal. "They have 3 pools and a splash pad! I would say this is my to go to place!" mentions a River Rocks Landing visitor.
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Many campgrounds include facilities specifically for children. "There is a basketball and volleyball area in a nice green space area near the boat launch," notes a Clear Creek Recreation Area camper.
Educational wildlife opportunities: The Cove RV Resort and Campground provides a fishing pond ideal for teaching children. One visitor shared, "There is a nice pool and fishing pond. Driveway is gravel, so it's very dusty." At Oak Mountain, families can experience the "very neat trail with rescued owls, turkeys and red hawks, and more."
Tips from RVers
Angle-friendly sites: Some campgrounds design pull-through sites at angles to ease parking. "The spaces were a little bit tight & close but they were angled nicely. We had to maneuver the trailer around the trees but not complaining about the shade."
Bathroom proximity planning: With limited facilities in some areas, site selection matters. "They are only keeping open one bathroom at a time, so you have to pick and choose your site when you don't have a built in bathroom. The hosts keep the bathrooms very clean, and all of them are very nice."
Hookup considerations: Many campsites offer partial hookups rather than full service. "Our site didn't have sewer but had water and electricity. There was also a notice that stated only one of the restroom facilities for the entire campground was available."
