Camping options near Hackleburg, Alabama sit within the western edge of the Appalachian foothills, providing access to the Bankhead National Forest waterways and Bear Creek Lake. The area averages 59 inches of annual rainfall, creating numerous streams and waterfalls across the terrain. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, with limited services available during winter months.
What to do
Hiking trails with varying terrain: Thompson Creek Trail offers multiple routes through Sipsey Wilderness with campsites alongside the creek. "This is a huge campground. Right across the river about 3/4 mile from the trailhead. Easily accessible to fresh water. Has nice logs around a campfire pit if you plan on having a nice campfire," notes Matthew P.
Fishing in Bear Creek Lake: Anglers can access the water from several points at Twin Forks Campground, though permits are required. "To use the lake or go to the beach area that was down the road you had to purchase a BCDA permit for ages 16-65. $3 a day or $10 for 3 day for each individual," explains Justin N.
Night tours for glowworms: Seasonal bioluminescent tours at Dismals Canyon let visitors see the rare dismalites. "We got there pretty late (after dark) for setting up camp, and I do not recommend doing that. After we got everything set up and got all the lights out, we noticed the glowing dismalites along the Canyon wall behind our tent!! It was super cool," shares Rebekah C.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Togetherness Works RV Park provides spacious, wooded sites for both RVs and tents. "Labor Day weekend, Great find because most parks are full or have 3 day minimum. Secluded, peaceful w/ full hookups. Had 2 acre site all to ourselves. Our dog was happy and made friends w/ the resident deer," writes Annaliese M.
Waterfront camping: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Hackleburg offer sites with direct water access. "This campground is a nice quiet campground. It offers both RV and primitive camping. The campground is right on the water," reports Brendon H. about Twin Forks Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Natural surroundings attract local fauna throughout the camping areas. "We camped about 1 mile in at an existing fire ring. Beautiful water color!! Cool trees and rock formations," notes Terrell B. about Thompson Creek Trail Campsites, where many hikers report seeing native wildlife while on trails.
What you should know
Pricing structure: Dismals Canyon requires entrance fees in addition to camping costs. "This is a nice little spot but they nickel and dime you to death. Sites are anywhere from $27/night to $48/night. But then they also charge you a $5 cleaning fee (for a campsite????) and a 'one time admission fee' of $30," explains Sarah C.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts both campground operations and water levels in the region. "During our most recent visit, we chose to stay in one of the cozy cabins, but the campgrounds also present an excellent lodging option," notes Asher K., who recommends visiting Dismals Canyon in spring or fall to see the glowworms.
Site leveling challenges: Some primitive sites require preparation for comfortable tent setup. "The campsites are in rough shape. Totally eroded with no level spot for a tent. Not an enjoyable camping experience for a really cool place," reports Glynne E. about certain sites at Dismals Canyon.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Corinth Recreation Area offers family-friendly amenities including beaches. "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," says Thomas H.
Budget-friendly options: Pet-friendly campgrounds with reasonable rates can be found in the area. "This is a work in progress as I just added this campground and will review as the days progress! So far, it is reasonably priced. It does require a BCDA permit which is $10 a person to make use of the lake and creeks for a three day permit," explains Blair M. about Twin Forks.
Insect preparation: Bugs can be prevalent, especially during summer months. "The reason we return year after year is that it is absolutely gorgeous, and is one of the few places in the world where you can see the tiny glow worms called Dismalites... Bring bug spray," advises Trinity W.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Whitten Park Campground has some uneven sites requiring adjustments. "We were able to adjust our 5th wheel to avoid the several unlevel areas in this very long pull through. As with most COEs, water pressure was good and the electric worked fine," shares MickandKarla W.
Cell service availability: Coverage varies significantly between providers across the area. "Whitten CG has a lot of mature trees, so satellite is iffy. We had no north shot for our Starlink. However, we got 2 to 3 bars on Verizon and the Mifi worked well for our needs to include streaming," reports MickandKarla W.
Hookup options: Sites with utilities are limited at primitive locations. "All the approved sites had water and electric hook ups, concrete picnic tables that were on a slab so that didn't move. One downside was no grills or fire rings at the sites. However previous campers had makeshift rings out of rocks that were at several sites," notes Justin N. about Twin Forks Campground.
