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Best Tent Camping near Double Springs, AL

252 Reviews

Sipsey Wilderness offers multiple tent camping locations near Double Springs, Alabama, with Thompson Creek Trail Campsites providing free primitive sites along turquoise waters. The Sipsey backcountry sites on Trail 200 and Trail 203 feature established campsites in a wilderness setting where tent campers can experience true backcountry conditions. These primitive tent campgrounds are situated within Bankhead National Forest, providing access to interconnected trail systems and stream crossings.

Most tent sites have basic fire rings but lack developed amenities. No drinking water, toilets, or trash service is available at these primitive tent campgrounds, requiring campers to filter water from nearby streams and pack out all waste. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites allow both walk-in and drive-in access for tent camping, while the Sipsey Wilderness backcountry sites primarily require hiking in. According to site reviews, water levels in streams can vary significantly by season, with higher levels typically occurring in winter and after rainfall. Fires are permitted at most sites, but firewood must be collected or brought in.

The sandy, level ground at many Sipsey Wilderness campsites provides comfortable tent placement options. "The site has plenty of space for several tents and a well-established firepit," noted one camper about Trail 200 sites. Tent campers should consider site selection carefully, as some locations near water may flood during heavy rains. Most primitive tent sites in this area offer good privacy from the trail and other campers, particularly those farther along trails 200 and 203. Sites vary in size, with some accommodating single tents while others can host small groups with 2-3 tents. Stream access for water filtration is generally easy from most tent campsites, with many sites positioned on higher banks to avoid potential flooding issues.

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Best Tent Sites Near Double Springs, Alabama (24)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Double Springs, AL

25 Photos of 24 Double Springs Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Double Springs, AL

252 Reviews of 24 Double Springs Campgrounds

  • Katie S.
    Jun. 18, 2019

    Tomahawk Campground

    Ranger Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with SunShade camp chair at Tomahawk Primitive Campground

    Campground Review: 

    Tomahawk Primitive Campground is located near Cullman, AL right off of Highway 278. The campground is primitive, and has no electricity or water pumps or hookups at the individual sites, but there is a common room area attached to the back of the owner’s house that has a clean bathroom, a coffee maker, and electricity. There are 3 campsites with fire rings as well as a large, open field at the main campground area, and additional sites by the creek, about a 10 minute walk from the main area. The trail to the creek-side sites was partially cleared, but there were a few fallen trees blocking the path that could make it difficult to carry gear to those sites. My husband, puppy and I stayed at one of the tent sites in the main campground area. If you are staying in a tent, I highly recommend air mattresses for this camp. While the ground has been somewhat cleared, there are still large stocks sticking one or 2 inches out of the ground that would make sleeping without an air mattress very uncomfortable. However, the bigger issue making sleep difficult for us was the road noise from the highway, which stayed busy throughout the night. I assume that if you are in a camper you won’t notice it as much, but in a tent it made us feel like we were camping on the side of the highway and not at a camp. Another problem that we ran into, unfortunately after we set up camp, is that our site had a ton of fire ants. I’m not sure if this is a problem at all of the tent sites or if it was just ours, but I advise caution when choosing your site and where you set up your tent. Our favorite part of this campground was the creek. It was beautiful and clear, perfect for our dog to play in, and had good locations to set up a hammock and enjoy the peaceful creek sounds. If we were to stay at this camp again, we would bring gear that could be hauled to the creek-side campsites. 

    Gear Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with Sunshade 

    As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes get gear to review on my camping trips. For this trip I got the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade camp chair. I LOVE this chair, and so did my husband and dog. The chair comes in a durable carrying case, which is great because I’ve had many camp chair bags fall apart after just a few uses. The chair was a little confusing to set up/take down at first, until I realized that easy-to-follow instructions are attached to the bag. The chair is larger than most camp chairs and provides more support. The sunshade is adjustable and can be moved in several positions as well as completely collapsed. The only complaint that we had about the Pod Rocker is that the included cup holder is a pouch that doesn’t seem like it would actually prevent your drink from spilling. For me, the benefit of having a camp rocking chair far outweighs this one detractor. This chair was wonderful for camping but would also be perfect for outdoor sporting events and concerts. I highly recommend the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade! Here is the link for the GCI Pod Rocker with SunShade:  https://www.gcioutdoor.com/rockers/pod-rocker-with-sunshade/

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2020

    Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground

    The cave is the star attraction

    This is a very small campground- 13 improved sites (nine of these have 50 amp electric and can accommodate all sizes of rigs; four are designed for smaller units and have 30 amp electric) plus five primitive sites, which have communal water only (no electric). There is zero privacy/separation between the improved sites, which would make the unimproved sites possibly more appealing (but further from the restroom and it was pouring when we were there). Improved sites are gravel and include a BBQ, fire ring, and a very large picnic table. Rates are $16 for a primitive site/$29 for an improved site plus a $4.75 processing fee for the first night of your stay. Senior discounts are given. 

    The restrooms are functional and clean but basic. There was a leak in the roof from the pouring rain that could pose a slipping hazard. 

    There are a large picnic pavilion and two short hiking trails of about a mile each. We hiked the Fossil Mountain trail, which is very rocky. The main draw to this park is the cave. Tours are offered four times daily, January through November. If you camp, you receive a discount on the tour. The tour is worth doing.

  • Tony C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2019

    Corinth Recreation Area

    We'll Be Back!

    **Corinth Recreation Area– USFS **

    Corinth Recreation area is located near the town of Double Springs, Alabama. The area is operated and maintained by the United State Forest Service (USFS) and can be reserved through www.recreation.gov. There are 52 total sites here and most reserved on line, there are a few sites only available as walk ins. This area is very clean and really quiet at night, the campgrounds are near the lakes edge but not lakeside. The sites are very well maintained, paved and gravel with full services including sewer. There are two RV campgrounds, Firefly and Yellowhammer. We stayed at Yellowhammer as this had more shaded sites than Firefly. There’s also a few tent only sites between the two loops. The bathrooms were clean and the staff was pleasant during our visit, we stayed five days and found so much to see near by the campground. There is very nice boat ramp on the park for easy access to Smith Lake, the beach area is also a great asset. Clean with a well-marked swimming area with bathrooms near the beach area. 

    The Houston Jail (http://soloso.com/houston/) was a few miles away, this is the only surviving jail constructed from logs in 1818. It’s a historical landmark and worth the short drive to go and see. 

    Natural Bridge Park (https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/natural-bridge-al/) is located in Natural Bridge, Alabama is also nearby. This rock formation is the longest sandstone natural rock bridge east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a good hike through well marked trails and there is a small gift shop that also sells refreshments.

    Dismals Canyon (https://www.dismalscanyon.com/) is thirty miles from the campground near the town of Phil Campbell, Alabama. This natural formation will make you question if you are really in Alabama. The hike is a good way to spend the day in a shaded but humid natural wonder. You can also attend a night hike to see the dismalites that only reside in a few places in the world. 

    The Bankhead National Forest surrounds the entire area. The forest is huge and trying to visit the area waterfalls and trails without a plan is not recommended. Take the time to study the area maps and map the accessible roads before heading out. We actually stopped by the NSFS Office to ask for information, there was also a large map of the area there you can take a picture of that will help you with your planning. 

    We had a wonderful time here at Corinth, we especially liked the campground and the deer that would come out to graze every evening. This coupled with the fireflies really made this stay memorable, we’ll be back.

  • Morgan Z.
    Sep. 7, 2016

    Houston Recreation Area

    Sipsey Wilderness

    During my time in Alabama, I kept hearing wonderful things about Sipsey Wilderness, and its many waterfalls, rocky landscapes, and great hikes. Since it's "wilderness," there are no established campsites, and there is a strict "leave no trace" policy. That being said, the opportunity to pick your own home away from home on your backpacking trip leaves you with a plethora of gorgeous options! Be sure to check the water levels before your trip, because while Sipsey is always beautiful, it isn't abnormal for many of the waterfalls to be dried up after a hot summer. Also, if you park at the Sipsey River Picnic Area Trailhead, be sure to pay the $3/day parking fee. They will give you a steep ticket otherwise! I had read about the fee, but upon arriving didn't see where to pay and figured it must have been an outdated post. Turns out, there was just a car blocking the pay station, which is near the chemical toilet when you turn into the parking lot. It's a dated deposit system, where you put your payment in an envelope, drop it in a dropbox, and put the perforated proof of payment tag on your dashboard. So be sure to bring exact change!! I was expecting something a little more modern, so even if I had seen the deposit box, I wouldn't have had exact change on me.

    The trails can get a little complicated, as there aren't really any trail markers, so be sure to buy a map of the area and bring it along with your compass. I found a map at mountain high outfitters at the Summit in Birmingham, AL, and it served us well. The 209 trail follows the river and is known as one of the more scenic routes. Nearby sites within the Sipsey Wilderness include Big Tree (the biggest tree in AL), Eye of the Needle, Ship Rock, numerous waterfalls, and several scattered cemeteries. All of these will be marked on a good map.

    The area is very buggy, and the trails can get cramped/overgrown in parts, so I'd recommend wearing long pants and lots of bug spray!

  • Mo F.
    Sep. 26, 2017

    McFarland Park Campground

    Camping in the City Limits

    We pulled in with no plans and drove through the whole campground. There are 60 RV spots, pull thru and not, some parking lot style and some a along a creek. There are no trees or bushes between spots, but the whole campground is situated with forest and creek on one side and the Tuscumbia River on the other. We weren't positive what the deal was so we checked in with the host and paid $14 for one night.

    Primitive tent spots are right on the river. There are fire pits, trees, and picnic tables sporadically placed. We pitched our tent facing the bluffs along the river and our hammock between two trees. It wasn't crowded and it was pretty quiet (no generators, no music, very family friendly and chill). The grass was cut, and though there were small ant piles everywhere, they really weren't in the way or aggressive. The bath-house is...not awesome. It's exactly what you'd expect for an older, gov-run park, with some spiders and leaky toilets, but toilets and showers are there.

    It is a three minute drive into downtown Florence. Most of that is through the park, which is home to a good-sized marina, disc golf course, and (defunct?) driving range. It's super convenient, cheap, and kept up well enough. The view of the water and bluffs is A++, and it's fun to watch the speed boats and river cruises.

  • L
    May. 6, 2023

    Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground

    Great for Beginner Campers

    Rickwood Caverns was the first car camping experience I ever had. My husband and I went sans kids to see if we liked tent camping and test out our gear. We are total beginners. 

    We got there at 5:15 and the shop/office closes at 5pm. There was a sign with a phone number for assistance in late check in. No one answered and our VM was never returned. No big deal. We didn’t have a pass in our car and no one cared or checked.

    The campground is small. Each of the primitive campsites has a fire pit and picnic table. Our table had seen better days and was missing one bench. Somewhere in the vicinity, there was a faucet for washing dishes, etc., but it was surrounded by a giant mud puddle. There’s another faucet area in the parking lot near the bathroom/shower building. 

    We reserved site #17 and there were two other tents pitched nearby. I reserved the site on Alaparks’ website and I think I paid $14/night. The park is gated and locked each evening. It is an old state park and a bit run down. The bathroom/shower building is very old, but it was tidy and I did see someone clean it on Saturday morning.

    We toured the caverns on Saturday at 10am with a small group and enjoyed the tour. Tours are discounted for campers. 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. Something really interesting about the history to me was that the caverns were basically blasted out and excavated by Boy Scouts in the 50s. Seriously. With dynamite. 

    The caverns have steep stairs that can be muddy and wet. Lots and lots of steps, so definitely not an activity for folks with mobility issues. Children might struggle too. 

    The park is kind of near a highway and I could hear cars in the evening and at night. 

    Cell phone reception was fine. 

    Temps were low 50s in overnight and bugs were only an issue around dusk. (This was in late April).

    Because the campground is so small, primitive camping area is close to camper parking lot, so there was a little camper community close by but that didn’t bother us. 

    Rickwood Caverns is a low frills place for tent camping for beginner campers. The caverns might be fun to tour again in December when they have their Christmas lights up.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2019

    Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site A)

    Closest to the Car

    This campground is the first you pass after coming down the road from the parking area. It is located right at the 203 trail junction near the bridge and along the water. On this trip, it was occupied by a family that had walked down the hill at the same time as us and carried in all their gear in their arms with no packs. This is an ideal site if you need an easy to find a campground that is as close as you can get to the parking area. It is on the smaller size but has a nice firepit and plenty of area to put up at least two tents. It is also high enough off the bank for you to stay dry in case of flooding. One small downside is that to access water you will need to climb down a steep slope or walk around to the bridge slightly down the trail. Another downside is that the trail passes right through the campsite so if you are a late sleeper you may get disturbed in the morning by other hikers passing through. If you are able I would suggest going a little further down the trail and checking out the 2 other nearby sites. Read some of my other reviews from this area for more info about backpacking in Sipsey Wilderness.

  • Thomas H.
    Jan. 10, 2021

    Corinth Recreation Area

    Perfectly Designed for RV Newbies!

    Loved this park! It was our first trip in our new Travel Trailer and it couldn't have gone better. We stayed at Yellow Hammer site #9 easy pull through with plenty of room. Not only did all the sites have amazing scenery but the roads were well maintained. Full hookups and AT & T cellphone coverage good enough for working from Trailer. Verizon cellphone coverage didn't work here. Each site fully equipped with fire ring, picnic table, and lantern poles. Wood available for purchase from host. 

    Beach & Bath houses were closed due to COVID-19

    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

    Best site is Yellow Hammer #17

  • Anna M.
    Apr. 20, 2025

    Corinth Recreation Area

    It's commercial camping with tons of kids.

    Very expensive, crowded and noisy but what do you expect. The hot water was out in the bath house so no showers. $10/day to enter if you have more than 2 vehicles. Everyone wants to be outside and camping most in large RV's with all the amenities and a dozen loud kids per. This is typical if you are looking for something else you will have to keep looking. Night time quiet hours are not enforced. Spaces are a little closer and tighter than other campgrounds.

Guide to Double Springs

Sipsey Wilderness in Bankhead National Forest spans over 25,000 acres in Northwest Alabama near Double Springs. The forest features a diverse topography of deep ravines, sandstone cliffs, and upland ridges with elevation changes up to 400 feet in some sections. Hiking and tent camping Double Springs, Alabama experiences vary dramatically by season, with water levels in multiple streams fluctuating between near-dry conditions during summer droughts and flowing waterfalls after significant rainfall periods.

What to do

Waterfall hiking: 1-3 mile trails lead to several notable cascades within the wilderness area. "The entire Sipsey Wilderness is gorgeous, but if you want a trail with lots of great spots to camp, this trail is fantastic... Most of the time, except during dry spells, there are LOTS of waterfalls," notes a visitor at Thompson Creek Trail Campsites. These falls are most impressive during winter months or after heavy rain.

Water access recreation: Multiple stream crossing points along trails provide opportunities for wading and cooling off. A camper at Sipsey Wilderness - Trail 200 Campsites noted, "It is a wonderful site and well worth claiming early since it is close to the parking area, has easy access to the river where you can pump water and swim."

Nature photography: Early morning light on sandstone bluffs creates optimal conditions for capturing landscape photographs. "The water is a beautiful turquoise. Most of the campsites have giant moss covered boulders all around, and cliffs in the background opposite the river," reported one visitor describing the photographic opportunities at Thompson Creek.

What campers like

Elevated camping spots: Many tent campers prefer sites positioned on higher banks. "This site is situated nice and high up on the bank so you should be well protected from flooding," explains a camper at Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site I).

Sandy tent pads: Natural sand tent platforms at numerous sites provide comfort without tent footprints. At Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site B), a camper reported, "the flat tent areas at this site are mostly covered in sand which means you will have a very comfortable surface to sleep on."

Rock features for sitting and dining: Unique natural formations serve practical purposes at campsites. "Theres a beautiful large boulder rock that overlooks Thompson Creek you can relax on or have meals on," wrote one camper about their site.

What you should know

Water filtration necessities: All drinking water requires treatment before consumption. "You won't find bathrooms or drinking water nearby, but if you're looking to really get away from it all and do some primitive camping, this is a great place to go," advises a Thompson Creek visitor.

Variable site privacy: Proximity to trails affects seclusion levels at different sites. A camper at Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site H) mentioned, "This site, in particular, is one of my favorites to stay at... and is secluded from many other sites. It shows up in a bend in the trail after you cross over one of the small creeks."

Creek crossing challenges: Water levels determine ease of traversing waterways. "You do have to cross a stream, which was not as difficult for my 6'2 husband as it was for me at 5'2. The water was clear," reported one Thompson Creek hiker, highlighting how height can affect crossing difficulty.

Tips for camping with families

Shallow water play areas: Specific creek sections provide safer wading for children. "Also lots of shallow places for the kids to play in the water. Watch for snakes and bring bug spray," advises a camper who visited Thompson Creek with family.

Short hiking options: For families with young children, consider the closest access points. "Me and my 6 year old daughter hiked the trail this past Saturday... Had a great time," shared a parent about their Thompson Creek experience.

Multiple tent group sites: Some locations specifically accommodate family-sized groups. At Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G), a reviewer noted it "is by far the best site if you have a group of 3 or more tents. It has several firepits and is spread out over a large area. Each individual site has enough privacy while still providing group areas to congregate."

Tips from RVers

Road condition awareness: Access roads to trailheads vary in maintenance quality. "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes," reported one visitor at Thompson Creek, providing context for drivers of larger vehicles.

Primitive roadside camping options: Some areas permit vehicle camping near forest roads. "Stayed just off the main road about a mile at a previously made campsite... No cellular but ok enough data," noted a camper who chose not to hike into the backcountry with their van.

Trailhead parking limitations: Vehicle size constraints affect access to hiking entry points. Some parking areas accommodate standard vehicles but present challenges for larger rigs, requiring advance planning for RV travelers interested in accessing tent camping areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Double Springs, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Double Springs, AL is Thompson Creek Trail Campsites with a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Double Springs, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Double Springs, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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