Camping near Hodges, AL

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    Developed campgrounds near Hodges, Alabama provide several options for visitors seeking lakeside recreation. Piney Point Campground and Elliot Branch are established campgrounds located along Bear Creek Development Authority waterways, offering tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Twin Forks Campground in nearby Bear Creek features approximately 90 sites including primitive spots with water views. Dismals Canyon provides a unique camping experience with primitive tent sites and cabins in a canyon setting known for rare bioluminescent "Dismalites." The Bear Creek waterway system connects several camping areas in this northwest Alabama region.

    Most campgrounds in the Hodges area operate seasonally, with Piney Point and Elliot Branch typically open from mid-March to mid-October. Reservations are required at some facilities like Dismals Canyon and Elliot Branch, while Twin Forks operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Many sites near water require Bear Creek Development Authority permits ($3 daily or $10 for three days) for lake and creek access. Water and electric hookups are common at established sites, though primitive options with fewer amenities exist throughout the region. Cell phone coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. A camper noted, "We tent camped at Piney Point several times last summer. Even in the summer heat, the shade is enough to keep you comfortable."

    Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews throughout the region. Campers frequently mention the shade provided by tall pine trees as a significant benefit during hot Alabama summers. The cabins at Elliot Branch offer lakefront access with opportunities for swimming and boating. At Dismals Canyon, visitors appreciate the unique geological features and wildlife viewing despite higher fees. According to one visitor, "The scenery was absolutely amazing!" Several reviews indicate that Twin Forks Campground provides spacious sites with water views, concrete picnic tables, and a large open area for children to play. Some campgrounds like Slick Rock have limited availability due to long-term occupancy, making access difficult for weekend visitors. Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region balance natural settings with varied amenity levels.

    Best Campgrounds near Hodges (86)

      1. Tishomingo State Park Campground

      4.3(52)24mi from Hodges91 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We were fortunate enough to get a spot right on the lake. It is such a perfect place to get away from it all.

      We were there for 5days . We got on the Natchez Trace parkway. Also we went to Tupelo."

      "Site 13 with electric and lake side was perfectly level and near restroom with showers, which were large!"

      from $2 - $267 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites

      3.4(7)9mi from HodgesTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Located in Northwest Alabama, not far from the Sipsey Wilderness, Dismals Canyon offers an unparalleled camping experience that stands out in the state."

      "Primitive sites, but bathroom access near the canyon entrance. Beautiful campsite at sleeping water. Great for a larger group."

      3. Elliot Branch - Bear Creek Dev Auth

      4.5(2)8mi from HodgesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "It is a short drive to Bear Creek if you want to kayak or canoe, but the cabins are on lakefront property and you can just jump in!   The cabins are clean and quiet. "

      4. Piney Point Campground

      5.0(1)5mi from HodgesRVs, Tents

      "The bathhouse is close to the campsites. The regulars are welcoming, the lake is close by for swimming. We stayed here while kayaking Bear Creek. It was a nice, quiet place to relax."

      5. Whitten Park Campground

      4.7(33)28mi from Hodges61 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Our 3/3/21-3/6/21 stay at Site 60 provides easy access to a fishing pier, walking paths and enjoyable sunsets."

      "Whitten Park campground is located on a peaceful waterway far enough from the highway to feel secluded but not difficult to access. Each site is surrounded by trees."

      from $34 - $36 / night

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      6. Twin Forks Campground

      4.2(5)15mi from HodgesRVs, Tents

      "This city campground has many beautiful lakeside campsites along Bear Creek.  Sites are first-come, first-served.  We camped here in mid-October and had no problems getting a site. "

      "It does require a BCDA permit which is $10 a person to make use of the lake and creeks for a three day permit.  The website says the daily rate is $6.  "

      from $27 - $47 / night

      7. Horseshoe Bend

      2.0(1)4mi from HodgesRVs, Tents

      8. Convenient Campground

      5.0(2)15mi from HodgesRVs

      from $25 / night

      9. Slick Rock

      2.0(3)13mi from HodgesRVs, Tents

      10. Red Bay RV Park

      5.0(1)15mi from HodgesRVs

      "We use it as an overnight when it’s near our route, or when there is a govt shutdown and ACE campgrounds are closing Large spacious, level sites on gravel. FHU. Envelopes and drop box for payment."

      from $25 / night

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    Recent Reviews near Hodges, AL

    396 Reviews of 86 Hodges Campgrounds

    • K
      Oct. 17, 2026

      Lakelife RV Park

      My friend was cussed at when arrived.

      They was cussed at us and told me my camper was ugly and accused of me being on drugs. And was told I was a lier. Was very blunt and said my camper looks like shit.

    • Brett D.
      Oct. 13, 2026

      Turkey 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!

    • jThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 14, 2026

      Campground at Barnes Crossing

      Good for the night

      Cash or checks only, $60. Lots of trees and big spaces if you're staying more than one night. One nightnighters get put in the back with close sites. A birders paradise here.

    • Tula J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 5, 2026

      Brush 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.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 3, 2026

      Tishomingo 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.
      Aug. 20, 2026

      Tombigbee 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.

    • Hannah C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 21, 2026

      Houston Recreation Area

      Beautiful but partially abandoned

      I bet this park was beautiful in its day. Unfortunately the campground area is now gated off. There is no longer an attendant at the gate either. I was working in the area and ate lunch and the swimming beach and used the restrooms. The restrooms and boat ramp are still kept up for use. There are picnic tables and fire pits still available near the swimming beach. There is one large pavilion overlooking Smith Lake. There is a boat ramp at the end of the road with a pit toilet. Would be a great place to launch kayaks, canoes, or motor boats.

    • MThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 30, 2026

      Whitten Park Campground

      Nice and quiet

      Stayed here for 4 nights in sites 27 and 28. Right across from the bathrooms which were more than adequate. Was able to put our paddle board in from site 27 - just had to walk thru a little brush to access the river. Very quiet campground. No other campers in our loop at all. Sites are shady and perfectly level.

    • Troy R.
      Jun. 19, 2026

      Whitten Park Campground

      Nice Clean Campground

      Check in with very nice and friendly. Bath houses are a bit dated but clean. Nice view of Tom bigby waterway. No sewer hookups but does have a dump station.

    Guide to Hodges

    Camping sites near Hodges, Alabama center around several reservoirs and waterways created by the Bear Creek Development Authority. The region sits within a forested section of northwest Alabama at elevations averaging 600-700 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach the 90s with high humidity, making waterfront camping locations particularly desirable during peak season.

    What to do

    Water activities on Bear Creek: The interconnected waterway system requires permits for access ($3 daily or $10 for three days). Visitors at Twin Forks Campground enjoy multiple water access points. "This is a nice clean and quiet campground. It offers both RV and primitive camping. The campground is right on the water," notes a camper.

    Hiking at Dismals Canyon: The unique geological formations host rare bioluminescent creatures visible during guided night tours. A visitor at Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites shared, "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!"

    Fishing opportunities: Bay Springs Lake provides excellent fishing conditions throughout the camping season. A visitor at Piney Grove Campground remarked, "Nice sites. I enjoy fishing Bay Springs," highlighting the accessible fishing spots available to campers.

    What campers like

    Spacious waterfront sites: Many camping areas feature direct lake or creek access with ample space between campsites. At Piney Grove Campground, a camper noted, "We chose a waterfront spot and we literally had our own beach in front of our RV. So beautiful!"

    Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept amenities despite rural locations. A visitor at Tishomingo State Park Campground reported, "Showers were very hot and the bathrooms were very clean! The best part was the price. I showed up without a reservation and got two nights with water and electric service for real cheap compared to everywhere else."

    Kid-friendly areas: Several campgrounds include designated play spaces for children. At Twin Forks, a reviewer observed, "There was a huge open grass area where all the kids would gather and play," making it suitable for family camping trips.

    What you should know

    Reservation policies vary: While some campgrounds require advance booking, others operate first-come, first-served. A camper at Twin Forks noted, "This campground is a first come first serve and do not take reservations, but if you call the day of you can pay over the phone to ensure you have a spot."

    Site levelness challenges: Some campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Dismals Canyon, a visitor warned, "Totally eroded with no level spot for a tent. Not an enjoyable camping experience for a really cool place."

    Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the region operate from March through October or November. As indicated by a camper at Whitten Park Campground, "We came on a Wednesday and were pretty much by ourselves. Both Thursday and Friday campers started coming in around 11:30 AM filling up the CG."

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Select sites near recreational facilities for convenience with children. A camper at Piney Grove advised, "We stayed on site 90. Pull through. Decently level. Good site for those with children."

    Swimming areas: Natural water features provide swimming opportunities during hot months. One visitor at Elliot Branch - Bear Creek Dev Auth shared, "We stayed at two cabins at Elliot Branch in August with some friends. It is a short drive to Bear Creek if you want to kayak or canoe, but the cabins are on lakefront property and you can just jump in!"

    Avoid basketball court sites: Noise levels can disrupt family camping experiences. A reviewer at Piney Grove recommended, "I would recommend avoiding sites that back up to the basketball courts unless you have younger kids and are fine with the noise level."

    Tips from RVers

    Electrical service information: Most campgrounds offer 30-amp service, with some providing 50-amp hookups. An RVer at Whitten Park mentioned, "Site 9 with water and electric(50/30/20 AMP). This was our third time camping at Whitten and we were delighted to find that they had combined site 8 and 9 into one long site."

    Site levelness concerns: Some RV sites require leveling equipment. A visitor at Twin Forks noted, "We reserved a waterfront spot, but our rig wouldn't fit despite the website saying so, no biggy though. Was able to swap spots and enjoyed our stay."

    Cell connectivity: Service varies significantly throughout the area. One RVer reported, "I have AT&T cell phones and T-mobile cellular modem. Both have 4g lte with 3bars of signal strength. TV and Computer on T-mobile with minimal buffering on TV in site 50."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Hodges, AL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Hodges, AL offers a wide range of camping options, with 86 campgrounds and RV parks near Hodges, AL and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Hodges, AL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hodges, AL is Tishomingo State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Hodges, AL.

    What parks are near Hodges, AL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Hodges, AL that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and National Forests in Alabama.