Coleman Lake Recreation Area in the Talladega National Forest features a dedicated equestrian campground near the main camping area. The horse camp provides first-come, first-served sites with water and electric hookups. Trails connect directly to the Pinhoti Trail system that extends from south Alabama to north Georgia, offering extensive riding opportunities through diverse forest terrain. The campground operates seasonally from March to December, with a campground host on duty to assist visitors.
Little Tallapoosa Park in nearby Carrollton, Georgia maintains horse-friendly camping with water and power hookups. The park serves as overflow camping when the RV section fills up, accommodating both tent and RV campers with horses. Wide, well-maintained equestrian trails wind throughout the 800-acre property, connecting to a creek and multiple lakes. The trail system features both natural paths and paved sections suitable for various skill levels, with benches positioned along the riverside trails for rest stops.
"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."
"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."
from $25 - $50 / 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"
from $19 - $30 / night
"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."
GuideWell, another review from Hank and I about three weeks ago in October we stayed at McIntosh reserve in Whitesburg Georgia. We stayed for a week. They have no power, but we have a solar generator and a regular generator they have water Spicket spread out sporadically throughout the park, they do have restrooms and a shower house. Very nice park. Very nice host.
TravelerThis is a great family friendly spot to camp the lots are not the most leveled but I think that’s part of the fun, clean bathrooms/showers and definitely plenty to do to keep the kids entertained
ScoutClean and easy to get to.
TravelerWe had a great time! Campsites are spaced out JUST enough for a little privacy. Short walk from our site to clean, warm bathhouses!! Sites in the main campground have power hookups and water spigots. Lake access is limited from the campground, there are only 1 or 2 “lake view” sites. Fishing was limited, lake is very grassy. Loop around the lake was beautiful. The “overflow” campsites were more spaced out and private but do not have shower house or power/water hook ups.
GuideI was the only occupied site tent so I had the entire area to myself. Plenty of trails to walk/bike on. Bathrooms were clean, just felt like they could be updated.
GuideWe 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.
GuideThis park is an attraction to hikers and rock climbers according to the lady at the camp store. The views are absolutely spectacular! To register for the night you will need cash unless there's someone in the store. Best I can tell, there are more day visitors than campers. I stayed in the tent area, but there appeared to be quite a few places to park a small RV. I chose the tent area because it seemed a bit better for level parking. It was also closer to the restroom. Note there are lots of signs stating no parallel parking in the tent area, so I guess the way the space is laid out if you are towing a trailer you couldn't park there. The tent sites are scattered along half the loop through the park, but there are no specific sites with numbers. Instead there are lots of picnic tables and fire rings and it seems you just pick an open spot. Absent are any tent pads, so you just put out your tent under the trees. There is a restroom building that includes showers, but the showers are those single button things you have to keep pressing. The restroom was reasonably clean given there were a few groups of kids there during the day. Overall this is a pretty good place to camp for the night. The staff was friendly and the park well maintained. I slept in my truck quite comfortably and had a peaceful night. It's June as I visit, and the full rate is $19 to camp. They gave me a senior discount.
ScoutCamping 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.
TravelerDidn’t expect anyone to be out in the front office but they were in there and gave a detailed description of the campsite and locations. Nice and quiet camping area great to just get away for a day or three will definitely come back
Equestrian camping near Heflin, Alabama offers easy access to sections of the 335-mile Pinhoti National Recreation Trail that stretches from central Alabama to north Georgia. The area sits within the southern Appalachian foothills at elevations between 700-1,600 feet, creating diverse riding terrain through mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions between 55-75°F.
Trail riding at Cherokee Rock Village: This park offers multiple trails suitable for day rides, with spectacular views of Weiss Lake from the bluff side. "There are also trails to hike, run or bike. I saw signs for an Orienteering Course," notes a visitor. Some paths connect to larger regional trail systems, making it ideal for riders seeking longer routes.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds provide access to productive fishing waters. At Coleman Lake Rec Area, "Caught 3 bass in the lake. You can't beat the price," shares Jason G. The area offers both lake and river fishing options within short distances of horse-friendly camping areas.
Explore historical sites: The region contains significant historical markers and preserved areas. Near McIntosh Reserve Park, you'll find "historical sites on the drive in. Great place for family, splash pad in the park," according to Buddy G. Many of these areas allow horses on designated trails and include interpretive information.
Privacy between sites: At Little Tallapoosa Park, the layout provides good separation between camping areas. "This is a smaller park, but the sites are spread out well. Super quiet, lots of trails to follow - including paved ones," mentions Tiffany D. Horse campers appreciate the dedicated equestrian section that maintains separation from other camping areas.
Clean facilities: Many horse campers note the well-maintained facilities at parks throughout the region. At Cherokee Rock Village, campers report "clean bathrooms with a shower, covered picnic tables and a playground centrally located." Another visitor mentioned, "The bathhouse was reasonably clean given there were a few groups of kids there during the day."
Multi-use trail systems: Riders appreciate trail networks designed for various users. "Tons of walking/horse trails to go along with a creek and a couple of lakes," notes Hollis K. about Little Tallapoosa Park. These connected trail systems allow for rides of varying lengths and difficulty levels from a single base camp.
Seasonal considerations: The best riding seasons are spring and fall. "We have been camping here all my life. It is one of my favorite campgrounds," says AMANDA D. about Cherokee Rock Village, noting its year-round access despite seasonal changes in conditions.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "This is an incredibly family forward campground. The only negative is that there is absolutely no cell service at all. The nearest reliable service is literally 6 miles down the road," explains Evan S. about Coleman Lake Recreation Area.
Trail conditions after rain: The clay soil in this region becomes slippery when wet. Wait 24-48 hours after heavy rain for trails to dry sufficiently for safe riding. Some parks close certain trail sections during very wet periods to prevent damage.
Kid-friendly activities: Many equestrian campgrounds offer additional recreation options. At McIntosh Reserve Park, "This place is a great place for family reunions or birthday parties. They even do Easter egg hunts every year. Also, for those that are into Geocashing, there are a few you could find here," suggests DeWayne H.
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated play areas near the camping zones. "Just camped here recently with some friends and our kids. Took the kids to the splash pad and enjoyed cooking out and hanging out over night," shares Ryan N. about McIntosh Reserve Park.
Special events: Plan your equestrian camping trip around scheduled activities. Coleman Lake hosts Halloween events: "I camped there on Halloween with my grandkids. My Frankies dressed in costume for me but the camp host saw them and made a point of inviting them for campground trick or treating. Almost every camp site gave candy and the kid turn out was impressive," recalls Evan S.
Navigation challenges: Some horse-friendly campgrounds have challenging access roads. "Make sure you use Highway 78 to enter. Google Maps will send you on a 11.5 mile mountain trail (Dugger Mountain Road) that is a dirt 2 track over the mountain...an interesting trip with a camper," warns Micheal S. about Coleman Lake Rec Area.
Site selection for horse trailers: When towing horse trailers, specific sites work better than others. "We stayed in the equine section. Total of 12 sites. Only 3 of us there. Nice and quiet," notes shirley D. about Little Tallapoosa Park's dedicated horse camping area.
Hookup availability: Not all equestrian campgrounds offer full hookups. "Popular campground with 39 sites, water & electric, flush toilets and shower. $16/nt. Overflow area has no hookups," explains David M. about camping at Coleman Lake Recreation Area. Check each facility's specific amenities before arriving with horses and camping equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Heflin, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Heflin, AL is Coleman Lake Rec Area with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Heflin, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Heflin, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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