Kelly W.
Traveler
TravelerTishomingo State Park Campground
Nice quiet campground. We stayed at site 59. Level concrete pad, full hookup. We walked a couple trails. It’s been very dry no waterfalls and small creeks were dry.
Tent Camping near Hackleburg, AL
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Tent campgrounds near Hackleburg, Alabama feature multiple backcountry options in the Sipsey Wilderness within Bankhead National Forest. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites and Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites offer tent-specific camping experiences, with Sipsey Wilderness providing numerous established backcountry sites along Trails 200, 203, and 207. Most sites are accessible via hiking trails that follow creeks and streams, making them ideal for primitive tent camping away from developed areas.
Tent sites throughout Sipsey Wilderness typically feature established fire rings and previously cleared tent pads, though minimal other amenities exist. Most campsites require water filtration from nearby streams, as potable water is not available on trails. Access varies significantly based on weather conditions, with river crossings potentially becoming hazardous after heavy rainfall. The primitive tent campgrounds at Dismals Canyon require additional fees, including admission to the canyon and cleaning fees, but offer bathroom access near the canyon entrance. One camper noted, "Most of the campsites have giant moss covered boulders all around, and cliffs in the background opposite the river."
Backcountry tent camping in this region provides exceptional natural immersion with sites strategically located along water sources. Thompson Creek Trail features multiple established tent sites with varying degrees of privacy and comfort. Many tent sites are positioned on sandy ground, offering comfortable sleeping surfaces but requiring careful consideration during potential flooding seasons. A review on The Dyrt mentioned that "different times of year provide completely different experiences whether it's the exciting blooms of spring, the overgrown wild of summer, the bold colors of fall, or the high river levels of winter." Most tent campers appreciate the secluded nature of these sites, though accessibility can be challenging depending on trail conditions and seasonal factors.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Hackleburg (27)
1. Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites
"We got there pretty late (after dark) for setting up camp, and I do not recommend doing that. It's about a quarter of a mile walk to the campsite, but the site is absolutely gorgeous!"
"Located in Northwest Alabama, not far from the Sipsey Wilderness, Dismals Canyon offers an unparalleled camping experience that stands out in the state."
2. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites
"Campground Review: Sipsey is one of the real jewels of Alabama for backpacking and you really feel like you are in another world while wandering though these woods."
"Easily accessible to fresh water. Has nice logs around a campfire pit if you plan on having a nice campfire. Plenty of space to set up a tent, or a hammock."
3. Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
"Easy drive on paved road until you reach the GPS coordinates (I wouldn’t have seen the little gravel road if I hadn’t been looking for it)."
"The other small spot seems only suitable for tent camping. Site big enough for vehicle is all the way at the end of the dirt road. NO BIG RIGS I REPEAT NO BIG RIGS."
4. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site B)
"This particular campsite is located at the intersect of several streams and is a beautiful spot with a large area to set up tents."
5. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G)
"Each individual site has enough privacy while still providing group areas to congregate. On top of that, it is close to several water sources and has some of the most beautiful wildflowers."
6. Sipsey Wilderness - Trail 200 Campsites
"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, and best of all it has flat sandy tent spots"
7. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site H)
"Check out my other reviews of the wilderness area for a general overview of the backpacking here. This site, in particular, is one of my favorites to stay at."
8. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site C)
"We loaded up all our gear into our hiking cooler and backpacking packs and trekked the 15-20 min downhill to this site. It is the 3rd campsite you pass after turning right at the bridge."
9. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site F)
"Make sure to check out my other reviews in the area for a general overview of backpacking in Sipsey. This site is a nice flat well-established campsite off of the main 200 trail."
10. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site J)
"Check out my other reviews in the area for a better overview of the hiking in Sipsey. This site has an established fire pit and easy access to (purifiable) water."
Drive Time
- 49 min from Florence, AL
- 1 hr from Decatur, AL
- 1 hr 19 min from Huntsville, AL
- 1 hr 58 min from Tuscaloosa, AL
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hackleburg, AL
32 Photos of 27 Hackleburg Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites
Thompson Creek Trail Campsites
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G)
Sipsey Wilderness - Trail 200 Campsites
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site C)
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site B)
Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
Joe Wheeler State Park Campground
Second Creek Rec AreaJ
Tent Camping Reviews near Hackleburg, AL
373 Reviews of 27 Hackleburg Campgrounds
- GGina B.
ScoutBama Campground & RV Park
BEST Place Ever !!
My friend and I stayed Friday and Saturday night in the two-story cabin. The location was easy to find, and it was extremely affordable. Such a great value, when most places are out of reach even for two days! The cabin was so clean and had everything you need. There's a fire pit with kindling and firewood that's nice and dry and burns excellently. We went during the Fall Festival, and they had hot air balloon rides, a pumpkin patch, cornhole boards, bouncy houses for the kids, horse rides, wonderful food, and a night hike to the cave(they even provided glow sticks!). It was an event-filled weekend with the best atmosphere! I can't say enough about Steve and his staff. They're all so kind, it's like you've known them forever. Anything you need, just give them a call and they're Johnny-on-the-spot. We will definitely come and stay again. I'd recommend this peaceful, beautiful place with a 5-star rating and more! Love this place!!
- A
Anna R.
GuideBrushy Lake Recreation Area
Great spot for $5! Sites are spacious and it's a quick walk to the day use area bathhouse if needed. Only 3 other groups on a Monday night.
MickandKarla W.
LegendWhitten Park Campground
Still One of Our Favs
GPS took us right to Whitten Park Campground (CG). The check-in gate opens early most days and was already open when we arrived at 2:15 PM. Check-in was friendly and quick, even though the official check-in time was 4:00 PM. We had pull-through site 9 with water and electric(50/30/20 AMP). Sites 8 and 9 had been combined to create a very long pull-through with two sets of utilities. We were able to position our rig on the pad to compensate for the slight slope, using one leveling block under each wheel on the door side. With temperatures reaching 100 degrees, we were glad the 50 AMP service supported all three of our air conditioners. As with most COE CGs, water pressure was very good, so we used our pressure regulator. Our site had a nice step-down patio with a large picnic table, stand-up BBQ grill, and fire pit. We stayed in the same site a couple of years ago, but the picnic table and other amenities from the former site 8 had since been removed. We also enjoyed a partial water view through the trees. We had 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on T-Mobile, with the T-Mobile signal strong enough to run our T-Mobile Home Internet and stream. With the amount of large trees in this CG, satellite could be iffy depending on the site. There was no CG WiFi. We stayed in Loop 1, which had trails leading to the boating and fishing docks, along with connecting trails to the other CG loops. Loops 1 and 3 are the most popular and tend to attract more campers. If you prefer fewer crowds and a quieter camping experience, consider Loop 2, which generally has fewer occupied sites, especially during the week. Whitten Park remains one of our favorite campgrounds.
Brett D.LegendTurkey Hill RV Park
Cute and quiet campground minutes from the interstate
Cute, quiet campground tucked away in the woods, yet only 5 minutes from the interstate! The sites are spacious, shaded, and very level. The showers and bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities are great. Highly recommend, especially for the price. Excellent value!
Michael M.GuideDecatur / Wheeler Lake KOA Holiday
Awesome
We spent a night here on our way to Florida. We originally booked a year ago when it was a KOA, but before we arrived, they switched to Unhitched. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The inside sites had full hookups, but we opted for a waterside site with a view, which was a great choice. They even had live music, and the band was fantastic. I bought a couple of bundles of firewood, and they delivered them to us. We’ll definitely stay here again for a couple of nights next time, as it was worth it. We didn’t use the bathhouse.
Tula J.ScoutBrush Creek Park
Beautiful quiet place to relax
My daughter door dashes in Florence. Since we live in the Bankhead Forest, sometimes we stay closer to Florence. We love this park for peace and quiet. Easy to find. Only real problem is the showers. They are not heated and there is no door. So you need to bring your own shower curtain. It's wide open to the world.
Kim K.GuideTishomingo State Park Campground
tishomingo State Park
Very nice campground has concrete pads for RVs water and electric no sewer but does have a dump station has lots of beautiful hiking trails. Dog friendly and historic sites
Erin L.GuideTombigbee State Park Campground
FHU- Not big rig friendly
Small park, 20 sites of various sizes, 18 full hook ups(even sewer). Tent& group camping available. Cabins also available. A/C Bathhouse centralized with a vending machine for canned soda, men's side, women's side, and coin laundry(2 washer/2 dryer)$2.50 per use for light wash load- price increases with load size and function.$2.50 per dryer in commercial dryer. Sides each consisted of 3 flush toilets and 2 shower stalls. Lots of playground equipment for kids, along with a small baseball diamond, volleyball nets, BBQ grills, picnic tables and pavilions. Lots of trails around, but seems that they link to the disc golf course. Trolling motor or kayak lake only, NO SWIMMING. You can rent kayaks from the office. Fishing available with permit available at office& limits. Not far from Tupelo, MS, 15 minute drive to explore and shop. Our site#6 was just big enough for our camper(35 ft). We parked our truck(25ft) sideways-ish in front of the camper. We tried to stay out of the road for passing vehicles. There were parking spaces just up from our site, but our truck would have stuck out into traffic. Glad that we didn't because a storm came through and the wind caused a tree to come down over the road in front of our camper where those parking spots were. When I made the reservation via the phone number, I spoke with a representative who was in Maryland, so she had no idea, but said that on her screen the pad size should be long enough and it was not. There is no one at the gatehouse, you have to check in at the office across from the campground or envelopes are provided with a fee list for the honor system. It was quiet at night. There was only 1 other RV hooked up there the whole 7 days that we were. There were people that came through the week for 1 night only, but most people coming into the campground loop were stopping to use the shower facilities, the laundry facilities, or just driving through. We camped at Tombigbee State Park in a Travel Trailer.
Guide to Hackleburg
Backcountry camping options near Hackleburg, Alabama center around the 25,000-acre Sipsey Wilderness within Bankhead National Forest. The wilderness area features sandstone gorges with elevations ranging from 700-1,000 feet and contains Alabama's only federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Water levels in the region fluctuate significantly between seasons, with spring bringing abundant water flow while late summer often sees dry creek beds.
What to do
Explore hidden waterfalls: Trail 206 at Thompson Creek Trail Campsites leads to several cascades within the first mile of hiking. One visitor noted, "The hike in is not difficult. 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."
Watch for wildlife: Many campers report seeing diverse wildlife throughout the Sipsey Wilderness trails. A camper at Trail 206 observed, "The water is a beautiful turquoise. We found a quiet spot up the creek to camp."
Visit Dismals Canyon: The canyon at Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites features rare bioluminescent creatures called Dismalites. "When 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," reported one visitor who camped at the Sleeping Waters site.
What campers like
Sandy camping surfaces: Multiple Sipsey Wilderness - Trail 200 Campsites feature sandy tent pads that provide comfortable sleeping surfaces. A camper noted, "Most of the site is pretty sandy but level which was wonderful for sleeping on."
Privacy between sites: The backcountry sites along the trails offer seclusion. A visitor to Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site B) shared, "Because it is actually slightly removed from the trail that most people take it has an incredible amount of privacy while not being cramped or crowded."
Natural swimming areas: Many campsites sit near natural water features good for cooling off. "There is a nice fairly deep reservoir to swim in, as well as creeks and streams throughout," reported a camper at Dismals Canyon, though they cautioned about the relatively high fees.
What you should know
Multiple access points: Trails in Sipsey Wilderness can be reached from various trailheads. A camper at Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site C) explained, "The Borden Creek Trailhead where we started our hike used to be down at the bottom of the hill but several years ago they moved the parking to a quarter mile away."
Fees and regulations: Camping in Dismals Canyon comes with additional costs. One camper reported, "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."
Firewood restrictions: At Dismals Canyon, outside firewood cannot be brought in. A visitor noted, "They DO NOT let you bring in firewood, but you can get firewood there."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites away from flood zones: For camping with children, look for higher-ground options. A camper at Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site D) recommended, "This site is one of the furthest along this section of trail and is nice since it is one of the larger spaces in this area."
Plan for creek crossings: When hiking with children, prepare for water obstacles. One family group noted, "You'll find fire pits at most of the sites that previous campers have made, but that's about it. Most of the time, except during dry spells, there are LOTS of waterfalls."
Consider guided tours: Families visiting Dismals Canyon can participate in night tours to see the bioluminescent Dismalites. "Night tours are guided. The day tours are self guided, but the night tours to see the dismalites are guided," explained a repeat visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV camping options: Most tent camping near Hackleburg exists in primitive backcountry settings not suitable for RVs. A camper at Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site F) noted, "This site is a nice flat well-established campsite off of the main 200 trail," highlighting the backcountry nature of most sites.
Road conditions: Access roads to trailheads can be challenging. A visitor mentioned, "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes."
Consider cabin alternatives: For those seeking RV amenities without hauling an RV, Dismals Canyon offers cabins. A visitor described, "These cabins feature a generously sized kitchen, a warm and inviting living room complete with a fireplace, and two comfortable bedrooms."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Hackleburg, AL?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hackleburg, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hackleburg, AL is Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites with a 3.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Hackleburg, AL?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hackleburg, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Hackleburg, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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