Top Free Dispersed Camping near Hayden, AL

Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Hayden? We've got you covered. Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Alabama camping adventure.


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Hayden

13 Reviews of 5 Hayden Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Creek Public Use Area
    June 19, 2024

    Blue Creek Public Use Area

    River Bluff overlook, Blue Creek public use area.

    Large area overlooking the river that gives you a slight breeze for 85 degrees in mid June. There are a few other sites in the woods, but no breeze and mosquitoes. Actually has a concrete overlook view area above the river

  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Creek Public Use Area
    June 7, 2024

    Blue Creek Public Use Area

    Relaxing spot for sure

    Fun spot. Very easy to get to. Nice big site felt very private only had 2 or 3 cars come by but everything was very low key.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Wolf Pen Hunters Camp
    April 21, 2024

    Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

    Good free camping

    Sites were level and clear. A little muddy but it had been raining. No utilities or restrooms but thats to be expected with a free site. Sites are spread out and pretty private. Overall a good free camp site.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Wolf Pen Hunters Camp
    September 20, 2022

    Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

    Aanrader voor natuurliefhebbers, back to basic

    Heel leuk, zonder stroom, geen voorzieningen; terug naar de basic natuur

  • Camper-submitted photo from Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
    July 4, 2022

    Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    Remote spot, would recommend

    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). Take the little road for a mile or so until you reach the circle at the end. We loved it because there was no chance of hearing any cars and the animal noises were fantastic. We were glad to have a bug net — probably a necessity for this site!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
    December 23, 2021

    Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    December - secluded, dry, fun :D

    We camped here for one night on a road trip in December. We stayed in the second "middle" spot. It had been raining so the last spot at the end was all muddy. We missed the first spot. The second was perfect. We had to improve the fire ring a bit. Plenty of kindling around. Closest stores are in Moulton. Heard some foxes at night.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Wolf Pen Hunters Camp
    December 5, 2021

    Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

    great spot

    if you can get there quick enough there are some pretty good spots to camp and it's free not to mention right down the road from some of the best hiking trails I have ever seen open year round

  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Creek Public Use Area
    November 2, 2021

    Blue Creek Public Use Area

    Nice overlook of river and dam

    This camping spot is at the top of the bluff overlooking the river and dam. There are some wooded spots across the street, but I prefer the overlook area. Big enough for several overlanding rigs or tents. There is some traffic on this boat ramp road and the occasional ATV will come through. Still, I like this spot. There is also a large spot just a little further down. It’s more private, but view is not as nice.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground
    January 1, 2021

    Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground

    Unique Experience!!!

    Camping here is a very unique experience and completely different than most other campgrounds so I will try and make sure to include enough details to repeat our trip. This"campsite" is really just a large embankment along the Tennessee River on land owned by the TVA. They have a policy that on certain parts of their land along the Tenessee River you are allowed to camp following leave no trace rules. Make sure to follow the link for the campsite to learn more. Although you can use any of their lands there are limited areas that are flat or large enough to comfortably set up a tent. This particular site(GPS coordinates above) is a great space and was perfect for a night along the river. We parked our car on the southern side of the Guntersville dam and put in our boats at the loading ramp. we then kayaked with our gear in dry bags up the river past the amazing views of the painted bluff. We parked our boats for a quick swim(with life vests, the current was really strong) and hiked around the shore where there is a cave. We continued on upriver and finally found this particular site where we set up for the night. The banks of the river are pretty steep so finding a large enough site can be challenging. Be prepared to have extra time to search for another site if the river level is high. On the whole, this was one of the most amazing camping experiences I have ever had and I highly recommend it.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Wolf Pen Hunters Camp
    November 13, 2020

    Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

    Rustic

    I believe this campground is known as the Wolfpen Hunt Camp on the Bankhead National Forest website. This was basically a forest road with dispersed camping. If there are toilets and water we never saw them. Just off the main road there is a loop and people were camping in the clearing of the loop. We drove further down the forest road and found a clearing near the dead end and set up camp. It was lovely and peaceful but no amenities at all. It is free though and no issues with other people.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
    May 24, 2020

    Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    Great boondock spot for free camping.

    Great spot, close to stores and a lot of trails and such. Nice level clear spot, able to accommodate an overland or few tents setup. Close to the main road. There’s 3 individual sites along this roadway. The first site is located approximately 1/10 mile down on the right and the second site is further at approximately 3/10 miles. The road follows a slow gradual decline leading another 2-300 yards where the graveling leads to the 3rd and final site which is nestled in a nice culdesac area.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Wolf Pen Hunters Camp
    July 1, 2017

    Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

    Amazing hiking

    This is a free hunters campground located in Sipsey wilderness. The hiking in this area is incredible and makes you feel like you are in another world. We have taken several trips to this area and it is well worth it. The camping is rustic but the sights are worth it. This site is not heavily traveled but has restrooms and water which is nice. Be cautious though to check the hunting seasons if you are planning on hiking though since you want to make sure you can be seen. I would also come prepared with essentials in case the campground itself is closed down for the season and the amenities are not accessible.



Guide to Hayden

Camping near Hayden, Alabama, offers a mix of beautiful nature and unique experiences. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned camper, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Explore the Caverns: Check out the Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground for a guided tour of the caverns. One visitor said, “We toured the caverns on Saturday and enjoyed the tour. Tours are discounted for campers.”
  • Enjoy Water Activities: At Smith Lake Park, you can fish, swim, or rent canoes. A reviewer mentioned, “There are tons of things to do here, especially if you like to fish!”
  • Relax at the Campground: The Thousand Trails Hidden Cove is a peaceful spot with a lovely lake view. One camper noted, “Very peaceful and quiet, nice lake overlook areas.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate cleanliness. One reviewer at Cullman Campground said, “The showers are really clean. We stayed the week of Thanksgiving, so it was decorated really cute.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpful staff. A camper at Hidden Cove RV Resort said, “The management and office personnel were very friendly.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the tranquility of the sites. A review from Rickwood Caverns mentioned, “Because the campground is so small, it was very quiet at night.”

What you should know

  • Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have small sites. A visitor at Rickwood Caverns complained, “These are the tiniest campsites I've ever seen in a State Park, worse than an RV park even.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. One camper at Hidden Cove RV Resort noted, “Many amenities yet minimally maintained and showing age and wear.”
  • Traffic Noise: Some campgrounds are near highways. A reviewer at Rickwood Caverns mentioned, “The park is kind of near a highway and I could hear cars in the evening and at night.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Smith Lake Park, which has playgrounds and activities. One parent said, “Lots of playgrounds for the kids and some very nice camping spots!”
  • Plan for Clean Facilities: Families appreciate clean bathrooms. A camper at Cullman Campground said, “4 shower rooms open during business hours.”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Make sure to pack games for the kids. A visitor at Hidden Cove RV Resort mentioned, “They had some really neat buddy camp sites.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: RVers should look for level sites. One camper at Hidden Cove RV Resort noted, “The pull-through spots were great and level.”
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Some areas have poor reception. A reviewer at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove mentioned, “Verizon signal is very sketchy, and non-existent depending on where you are in the campground.”
  • Utilize Amenities: Take advantage of amenities like laundry facilities. A camper at Cullman Campground said, “They have recently added a lot of new slots.”

Camping around Hayden, Alabama, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a great experience for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hayden, AL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hayden, AL is Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hayden, AL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Hayden, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.