Best Campgrounds near Estillfork, AL

Camping options near Estillfork, Alabama center around the Walls of Jericho wilderness area, where multiple backcountry campsites offer primitive camping experiences for hikers and backpackers. The area includes several established backcountry sites including Clark Cemetery, Hurricane Creek, and Turkey Creek campsites, all requiring a hike in from the Walls of Jericho trailhead. For those seeking more developed facilities, Monte Sano State Park Campground and Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground are within driving distance, providing tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with modern amenities like electric hookups, showers, and drinking water.

Backcountry camping in the Walls of Jericho area requires proper preparation as sites have minimal amenities. The main trails descend into a canyon, making the hike out more strenuous than the hike in. Water sources are available at most sites but require filtration or treatment. Weather conditions significantly impact camping experiences, with potential flooding at certain sites after heavy rainfall. Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout most of the camping areas. Trailhead parking is available, but camping gear must be carried to backcountry sites, with distances ranging from 2.7 to 3.3 miles from the parking area. A visitor noted, "This is backcountry camping so plan appropriately (no bathroom, pack it in - pack it out)."

Most campers rate their experiences at Walls of Jericho backcountry sites highly, particularly appreciating the proximity to natural features like waterfalls and creek access. The Clark Cemetery site receives consistent praise for its spaciousness and ability to accommodate larger groups with multiple tent clearings and fire rings. Hurricane Creek and Turkey Creek campsites offer more secluded experiences but with less space. Several visitors mentioned that spring is the optimal time to visit when water levels are higher and waterfalls are more dramatic. The trailhead campsite provides convenience for those arriving late or preferring not to hike with gear, though it lacks water access and receives lower ratings than the backcountry sites. A review described the Clark Cemetery site as having "easy access to water most of the year and can provide space for over 10 tents."

Best Camping Sites Near Estillfork, Alabama (146)

    1. Monte Sano State Park Campground

    76 Reviews
    Brownsboro, AL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 534-6589

    $14 - $30 / night

    "This site backs up to a draw and each evening just before dust we could watch the deer walk up through.  The bathhouse is centrally located, newer, and cleaned daily."

    "On top of Monte Sano in the woods and a world away from the town -- although it's close by. So many trails to run or walk and a playground for the kiddos. This has primitive camping as well as W/E/S."

    2. Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite

    11 Reviews
    Estillfork, AL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 968-6215

    "The Clark Cemetery campsite is a moderate sized campsite along the Walls of Jericho trail and is located just yards from the Clark Cemetery and the Turkey Creek Bridge."

    "Close by the creek and close to the Walls. Super peaceful and super beautiful"

    3. Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    183 Reviews
    Trenton, GA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 657-4050

    $10 - $290 / night

    "Campground Review:East Rim Campground Pro’s: 1-Handicap Accessible, there is a cabin which is also HDA. 2- If your visiting for a get together your right next to the day use area and there is a picnic"

    "But we didn’t let that stop us hiking the West Rim Loop Trail and camping at the Walk In Campsite. We loved the views, waterfalls, and walk ability of this park."

    4. Fairview Campground — Tims Ford State Park

    22 Reviews
    Winchester, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 968-3536

    "Gravel drives & pads with water & electric at sites. Our site #28 had an exceptional view out the kitchen window & from the pinic table of the lake. Newer shower house centrally located."

    "We stayed in lot 59 which while not lakefront, it’s situated in a triangular spot right at the entrance with plenty of space for full setup. Picnic table and campfire grill also on site."

    5. Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Estillfork, AL
    7 miles
    Website

    "The Walls of Jehrico trail offers a handful of first-come/first-serve primitive campsites set adjacent to two separate water sources (streams). "

    "The trailhead campsite is a short walk from the parking lot, but makes for a great basecamp for exploring the area. The campsite is level and large enough to accommodate many tents."

    6. Walls of Jericho - Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Estillfork, AL
    7 miles

    "This is a great spot to camp if you are wanting to do some easy backpacking in Alabama. It is quiet and right on Hurricane creek on the way to Walls of Jericho."

    "I just got back from a weekend backpacking trip to Wall of Jericho and stayed at this site located right after coming down the hill before crossing the bridge."

    7. Walls of Jericho - Turkey Creek Backcountry Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Estillfork, AL
    7 miles

    "The Turkey Creek campsite is a campsite along the Walls of Jericho trail and is located just feet from Turkey Creek. The site is approximately 3.3 miles from the Alabama hikers trailhead parking lot."

    "This is a great site if you want to camp as close to the Walls of Jericho and the falls as you can get. It is about halfway up the trail between the cemetery and the falls."

    8. Tims Ford State Park Main Campground — Tims Ford State Park

    15 Reviews
    Belvidere, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 867-2757

    "The best thing about this spot is the lake access for swimming. We stayed at site 37 and the walking trail down to the lake was right next to our site."

    "There are paved paths for miles right there off the campsites. There are other trails as well not paved with but more tugged/traditional trails with bridges and cottonmouths lol be careful."

    9. Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Woodville, AL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 728-8193

    $14 / night

    "If you are looking for a Cave experience in Norh Alabama that little kids can handle, this is it."

    "state employees live fulltime within walking distance of the campsites."

    10. Sharon Johnston Park

    3 Reviews
    Union Grove, AL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 379-2868

    "The park is about 200 acres and the RV sites are located through gate one. There are three rows of sites and the best ones in my opinion are the ones located against the treeline/creek. "

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Recent Reviews near Estillfork, AL

969 Reviews of 146 Estillfork Campgrounds


  • William B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Marion county park Tennessee

    Nickajack Lake

    While I don’t know everything about this campground, I am really impressed. All sites have a view of the lake and a lot are right on the water. There is a boat ramp on site. There is water and electricity available at the sites and a dump station is there if you need it. The view is magnificent. I highly recommend this place if you are in the area.

  • M
    Oct. 15, 2025

    THT Park One

    Waiting for a reply

    I really wanted to learn more about THT Park One, as it looks like exactly what I’m looking for in a long-term stay.

    Unfortunately, after sending two emails over the past two weeks asking about monthly availability for November 2025 – March 2026, I haven’t received any response. Email seems to be the only way to reach them — there’s no phone number or website listed — which makes it difficult for potential guests to get basic information.

    The park looks very nice and well maintained from the photos, so it’s disappointing not to hear back.

    Hopefully management can improve communication soon, because this location appears to have a lot of potential.

  • Lizzy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Red Coach Resort

    Tucked away in the trees

    This park is tucked away in a private neighborhood on about 80 acres. There are a lot of RV sites as well as primitive camping in the back. We really enjoyed all of the trees and being able to take the kids to play in the small creek in the back of the property. They have a nice playground and a koi pond with a little deck to sit on. The only negative is I feel like they “nickle and dimed” us to death.

  • j
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Evans Loop Backcountry Site — Tims Ford State Park

    Great setup hike isn’t for the weak thought

    The actual campsite is great theres a fire pit with a grill over it some good trees for a hammock there is cell service thats something I wanted to know before going the hike is rough though so pack light and be prepared

  • William  Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Marion county park Tennessee

    Hospitable spot to overnight with great fishing

    Spent the evening of the 9th Sept at Marion County Park near Chattanooga, right on the water, along Hwy 41. Fantastic hosts…Lots of fishing going on all around us. Good camping spot…level, water and electricity for $38.00. Bathhouse was older but clean with lots of hot water. Downside, only one shower stall had a bench for changing and there was no counter at the bathroom sink. The other downside was the traffic noise across the beautiful water from I-24. Very welcoming spot just off of I-24

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    Beautiful park, great hiking

    Cloudland Canyon is one of Georgia’s prettiest parks. There are 2 campgrounds. West Rim campground has more privacy, with the sites in the trees. Sites in The East Rim campground are closer together, and is noisier.. There are also backcountry campsites. The West Rim Loop Trail, considered one of the top 10 hikes in the United States, according to Backpacker Magazine starts in the West Rim Campground. There is also a strenuous waterfall trail into the canyon. The campground was water and electric sites. There are no full hookup sites, but there is a dump station. Modern showers and bathrooms.

  • dolphmike The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    Quite

    Quite at night, but the primitive camping area is overgrown, and I have seen a lot of trash in the woods. Stayed one night just to hike the trail the next morning.


Guide to Estillfork

Camping sites near Estillfork, Alabama center around several backcountry locations within the 21,000-acre Walls of Jericho Natural Area. Located at the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau, the region sits at elevations between 800-1,600 feet and features limestone geology with numerous caves, sinkholes, and underground streams. Seasonal temperature swings are significant with summer highs regularly reaching 90°F and winter nighttime lows dropping below freezing.

What to do

Hiking beyond Walls of Jericho: The Hurricane Creek campsite provides access to multiple trail options. "The trail starts right at this campsite which was perfect since we could just take day packs and leave most of our gear set up. We then ended the day hiking the last section to go visit the Walls of Jericho and see the falls," shares a camper at Walls of Jericho - Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite.

Swim in natural pools: During warmer months, several swimming holes provide relief from heat. "A great way to end the day after hiking 7 miles in the Walls of Jericho. The night we stayed there there ended up being a thunderstorm but we were able to have really good coverage under the canopy of trees that were at the site," notes a visitor to Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite.

Cave exploration: Within driving distance, Cathedral Caverns offers guided tours through impressive limestone formations. A visitor reports, "The caverns, while pre-tty gimmicky, are really impressive and nothing beats that inside-of-a-refrigerator feeling of a nice cave on a hot day. You might even want to take a sweater."

Photography opportunities: The terrain around Estillfork provides numerous photographic settings. "We spent our full day doing a loop hike into Tennessee. The only thing you have to be cautious of is it can get pretty muddy if it has rained heavy recently," explains a camper.

What campers like

Creek-side camping spots: Many campers appreciate the water access at Turkey Creek. "This is a great site if you want to camp as close to the Walls of Jericho and the falls as you can get. It is about halfway up the trail between the cemetery and the falls. It has plenty of space for multiple tents and is right along the river so it has easy access to water," notes a camper at Walls of Jericho - Turkey Creek Backcountry Campsite.

Elevated views: For those willing to climb, higher elevation sites offer panoramic vistas. One camper describes the backcountry site at Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground: "Great little campsite on the yellow trail. You have to climb the mountain (Pisgah Mountain) to get there. Great sunsets and sunrises over the foothills of the Appalachians."

Seclusion in wilderness: The remoteness appeals to many campers seeking solitude. "We loved this site! A great way to end the day after hiking 7 miles in the Walls of Jericho. The night we stayed there there ended up being a thunderstorm but we were able to have really good coverage under the canopy of trees that were at the site," a camper shares.

Hammock-friendly camping: Tree configurations at several sites accommodate hammock camping. "This site is fully shaded. There were 3 or 4 fire rings at this site, so multiple groups could be accommodated," notes a visitor describing Turkey Creek camping options.

What you should know

Water availability varies by season: Stream levels fluctuate dramatically throughout the year. A camper at the trailhead campsite warns: "Be aware that you will have to go a little ways down the trail to find water." Another notes about Turkey Creek: "The major downside to this site in my opinion is that it can easily flood in heavy rain. So be prepared to set up on the highest part if there is any concern of that."

Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have minimal or no connectivity. A visitor to Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite notes: "The site is a good distance from any convenient stores or grocery stores so plan accordingly. We found good cell phone service with Verizon at this site," though other sites have no service at all.

Difficulty levels vary: Trails accessing camping areas range from moderate to challenging. "The hike out is much tougher than the way in, so pack light," advises one camper, while another explains: "Easy hike in, Down hill the entire way. Hard hike out, DUH! Up hill the entire way..."

Weather preparedness essential: Rapid weather changes affect camping conditions significantly. "When its hot out, there are places to go for a swim and wash/cool off," but storms can also arise quickly, with campers noting how tree cover provided essential protection during unexpected thunderstorms.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection for young children: Choose locations based on hiking difficulty and amenities. One family shares: "This would be a decent place if you're looking for an RV experience. The sites themselves are pretty plain old plots of land. Nice and green in the early summer, but nothing all that special."

Safety considerations: Parents should assess site risks before settling in. "If you are looking for a Cave experience in North Alabama that little kids can handle, this is it. Yes, it may be a little too tame for some and there is a small fee but it beats having to climb out of a hole with a petrified Pre schooler on your back," notes a visitor to Cathedral Caverns.

Space for activities: Some sites provide more room for kids to play. A family camping at Sharon Johnston Park shares: "It's a great site to bring the kids. In the summer the pool is open which is great for the hot days. There's also a track, a baseball field, and soccer fields so I've seen many athletic events held there. When we go, our kids run free -- there are 200 acres of open space and a lake."

Pack strategically: Carrying gear for children requires planning. "We had a great time. We got there on a Sunday and pretty much had the place to ourselves. Though on Monday we had a lot of company," notes a camper who recommends weekday visits for less crowded experiences.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: RV camping near Estillfork requires flexibility. A visitor notes about one area: "30amp only. The park has great hiking trails. Restrooms were clean. Good fishing areas."

Access considerations: Roads leading to some camping areas may challenge larger RVs. A camper at Monte Sano State Park shares: "Clean restrooms, hot showers. Great hiking and mountain biking. Nice playground for children, much nicer than many private campgrounds."

Level sites: Finding level ground for RVs can be challenging in this mountainous terrain. "Sites are gravel and vary; some are back-in, some are pull-through and some are parallel. Site 32 was very generous in size although not completely level," reports a visitor to Cathedral Caverns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Estillfork, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Estillfork, AL offers a wide range of camping options, with 146 campgrounds and RV parks near Estillfork, AL and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Estillfork, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Estillfork, AL is Monte Sano State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 76 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Estillfork, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Estillfork, AL.