Ruby L.
Traveler
TravelerTombigbee State Park Campground
Quiet and clean
Have stayed several times while passing through the area. Inexpensive, well maintained, quiet and nice level spaces and plenty of room between sites
Tent Camping near Hodges, AL
1 campground with availability next weekend
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The Sipsey Wilderness within Bankhead National Forest offers numerous primitive tent camping opportunities near Hodges, Alabama. The area contains multiple backcountry tent sites along trails 200, 203, and 207, with Thompson Creek Trail Campsites providing free tent camping with water access. Dismals Canyon features tent sites alongside cabins, though most campers prefer the secluded backcountry options throughout the wilderness area.
Most tent sites in Sipsey Wilderness are accessible via short to moderate hikes, with many requiring creek crossings that can be challenging during high water periods. The backcountry campsites typically include established fire rings but few other amenities. Fires are permitted at most sites, though campers should bring their own water treatment options as drinking water is not readily available except at Dismals Canyon. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with spring bringing abundant waterfalls but potential flooding concerns for lower-lying tent sites. Alcohol is permitted at most backcountry sites but prohibited at Dismals Canyon.
Tent campers will find numerous flat, sandy areas along the river banks throughout Sipsey Wilderness, offering comfortable sleeping surfaces. The network of trails provides access to intersecting creeks, streams, and waterfalls that create a secluded backcountry camping experience. Sites vary in size from small clearings suitable for single tents to larger group areas accommodating 2-3 tents. Higher elevation sites offer protection from seasonal flooding while maintaining access to water sources. According to one visitor, "Sipsey Wilderness is a protected but unmaintained area well known for its intersecting creeks, streams, and rivers that play together with many waterfalls and magical rock faces." Many tent sites are positioned to provide privacy from main trails while maintaining easy access to water for filtering and swimming opportunities.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Hodges (28)
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. Joe Wheeler State Park Campground
"Nice quiet park out on the lake. We were in loop C at the end of the improved sites."
"Some were well shaded , others had nice water views. We had an oversized site that was a pull through. We got there after sunset, so it was nice to have a quick and easy set-up."
118 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
5. 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."
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 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."
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 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."
10. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site D)
"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."
Drive Time
- 56 min from Florence, AL
- 1 hr 6 min from Decatur, AL
- 1 hr 26 min from Huntsville, AL
- 2 hrs from Tuscaloosa, AL
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hodges, AL
32 Photos of 28 Hodges Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites
Thompson Creek Trail Campsites
Sipsey Wilderness - Trail 200 Campsites
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G)
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site C)
Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site B)
Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
Second Creek Rec AreaJ
Joe Wheeler State Park Campground
Tent Camping Reviews near Hodges, AL
352 Reviews of 28 Hodges Campgrounds
Kelly W.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.
- 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!
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 Hodges
The Sipsey Wilderness area within Bankhead National Forest spans approximately 25,000 acres of protected wilderness with an elevation range from 500 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Located near Hodges, Alabama, this federally designated wilderness features a rugged terrain of sandstone bluffs, hemlock forests, and numerous stream crossings. Tent camping opportunities can be found throughout the wilderness, with many sites experiencing high humidity during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
What to do
Waterfall hunting: Year-round access to various cascades throughout the wilderness. At Thompson Creek Trail Campsites, campers can follow several small tributaries to find secluded falls. "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. The water was clear. The waterfall was beautiful and we found a quiet spot up the creek to camp," notes Miranda C.
Canyon exploration: Guided or self-guided options available at Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites where rare bioluminescent creatures called Dismalites can be viewed. "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! Very secluded and very roomy! After we got everything set up and got all the lights out, we noticed the glowing dismalites along the Canyon wall behind our tent!!" reports Rebekah C.
Swimming holes: Natural pools form along the numerous creeks. "We had a creek flowing with crawdads, minnows, and bull frogs. Plenty of wildlife!!" states a camper at Dismals Canyon. The deeper reservoir areas provide cooling relief during hot summer days when tent camping near Hodges.
What campers like
Sandy camping surfaces: Many campsites at Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G) feature natural sand bases ideal for comfortable sleeping. "This site is by far the best site if you have a group of 3 or more tents. It has several firepits and is spread out over a large area. Each individual site has enough privacy while still providing group areas to congregate," according to Asher K.
Group campsite configurations: For larger parties, certain areas accommodate multiple tent setups. "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. Like all the other campsites it has easy access to water and nice coverage with trees. It is also relatively private but still close to the trail," notes a reviewer of Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site D).
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural habitats support diverse species throughout the camping areas. "The entire Sipsey Wilderness is gorgeous, but if you want a trail with lots of great spots to camp, this trail is fantastic. Don't expect bathrooms or drinking water to be nearby, but if you're looking to really get away from it all and do some primitive camping, this is a great place to go," writes Trinity W. about Thompson Creek Trail Campsites.
What you should know
Cost considerations: Pricing varies significantly between established campgrounds and wilderness sites. At Dismals Canyon, "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 (good for up to 4 people, additional people = additional money). Oh, they also charge a $50 refundable damage deposit due to excessive issues with campfire damage," warns Sarah C.
Site erosion issues: Some primitive sites have deteriorated from heavy use. "Totally recommend seeing the canyon, but 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.
Seasonal flooding risks: Lower elevation sites can become unusable during rainy periods. "We stayed in early August for 2 nights in the Sleeping Waters campground. The waterfall at the campsite is not large, but it still makes noise," notes a Dismals Canyon camper, highlighting how water features change with seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration with kids: Shallow water access points provide safe play areas. "Most of the time, except during dry spells, there are LOTS of waterfalls. Also lots of shallow places for the kids to play in the water. Watch for snakes and bring bug spray," advises Trinity W. about Thompson Creek Trail Campsites.
Night hike options: Specialized evening programs showcase unique bioluminescent creatures. "A standout experience during our stay was embarking on the night hike the first evening we arrived. This adventure allowed us to explore the canyon in the darkness before immersing ourselves in its beauty during daylight hours," shares Asher K. about Dismals Canyon.
Bug protection essentials: Insects can be particularly problematic during warmer months. "The hardest part is really the long stairs going into and out of the canyon. The cost is really the only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. Bring bug spray," recommends Trinity W. when tent camping at Dismals Canyon with children.
Tips from RVers
Access road challenges: Many backcountry sites require high-clearance vehicles. "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes," reports Dani K. about accessing Sipsey Wilderness - Trail 200 Campsites.
Alternative lodging options: For those seeking more comfort while still experiencing the wilderness. "Located in Northwest Alabama, not far from the Sipsey Wilderness, Dismals Canyon offers an unparalleled camping experience that stands out in the state. While it may lean toward the higher end in terms of cost, the memories you create during a special weekend getaway here are absolutely worth it," notes a reviewer who stayed in cabins rather than tent camping at Hodges.
Limited cell service: Communication capabilities vary throughout the wilderness areas. "No cellular but ok enough data," mentions Dani K. about the Thompson Creek area, providing important information for those needing to stay connected while tent camping near Hodges, Alabama.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hodges, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hodges, AL is Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites with a 3.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
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What is the best site to find tent camping near Hodges, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Hodges, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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