The Walls of Jericho wilderness area extends across parts of northeast Alabama and southern Tennessee, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,800 feet. This section of the Cumberland Plateau features steep limestone gorges and diverse hardwood forests. The terrain offers multiple access points for equestrian camping, with road conditions varying seasonally after heavy rainfall, particularly on the routes leading to dedicated horse camping areas.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cherokee Rock Village features extensive woodland habitat where campers can observe native wildlife. "This park is an attraction to hikers and rock climbers according to the lady at the camp store. The views are absolutely spectacular," notes Kent H.
Fishing in nearby waters: Several accessible fishing spots are located within a 30-minute drive of the main camping areas. At Lake Guntersville State Park Campground, campers report "great fishing and watersports" with bass fishing particularly productive in spring and early summer. Brad W. mentions the park is "right on the banks of Guntersville lake which has great fishing."
Hiking combined with horseback riding: Multiple interconnected trails allow for day trips between camping areas without backtracking. "The trail system features switchbacks with tree markers" that connect to additional routes beyond the main paths. Scott M. notes that while some areas get "super crowded on the weekends," weekday visitors often have trails largely to themselves.
What campers like
Natural water features: The limestone geology creates unique swimming opportunities in the warmer months. At Fairview Campground, Clinton N. explains that you get "water access at your campsite to swim or kayak." Becky S. adds this campground is "great for kayaking and fishing. Family friendly."
Rock formations for climbing: The sandstone bluffs provide numerous climbing routes for various skill levels. "There is plenty of hiking to do in this area. The rock formations are truly beautiful and fairly unique to this camping area," shares Asher K. about his experience at Walls of Jericho.
Multiple camping configurations: The terrain allows for various camping setups depending on group size and equipment. "The site is level and large enough to accommodate many tents. There are also many trees that would be suitable for hammock camping," writes Steve V. about the Clark Cemetery site, adding "I counted at least six fire rings at this site, so multiple groups could be accommodated."
What you should know
Seasonal accessibility changes: Spring runoff can affect trail conditions significantly through May. "The camping area can become muddy after heavy rains," especially at lower elevations near creek crossings. A visitor notes, "Be cautious of weather because the trail can get fairly muddy if it has rained in the area in recent days."
Limited amenities at backcountry sites: Most horse-accessible camping requires self-sufficiency. At Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite, Ethan K. describes "a rather primitive site that was very large and perfect for our big group," adding "the campsite is not immediately at the parking lot so you will have to hike/carry your belongings almost an hour before getting to the site."
Navigational challenges: Some trail junctions lack clear markings, particularly in less-traveled areas. Aaron S. cautions, "The trail is full of switchbacks. There are tree markers on the trail to mark the turns but at times they are easy to lose. There are also some random trees marked that are not on the trail. So watch out for that."
Tips for camping with families
Strategic campsite selection: For families with younger children, sites closer to trailheads reduce hiking difficulty. Davis Pond Campsite offers accessible options as William S. describes: "This lightly developed site has two picnic tables, and two lantern posts near the tables. However, it can easily accommodate many more campers in the space and has multiple dirt-and-rock fire pits."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations between day and night can exceed 30 degrees in spring and fall. Asher K. advises, "Nights turned a bit chilly, so make sure to pack layers if camping in the fall or winter season."
Water safety considerations: Stream crossings can become impassable for horses after heavy rain. Kevin M. notes about camping near the Walls, "water available, bring a filter," as most natural water sources require treatment before use.
Tips from RVers
Access route selection: RVs should approach from northern routes when possible to avoid steeper grades. Mitchell M. warns about approaching Sawmill Lake Campsite: "If you have a trailer or rv I recommend coming in from the west direction, if you can tell from maps. The east way had 180 degree sharp turns up the mountain, so may be difficult."
Size limitations: Most equestrian camping areas near Hollywood have limited turning radius for larger rigs. "Most sites easy access, some sites maybe tight for bigger Rigs," explains Becky S. about maneuvering larger vehicles, adding that a "35' 5th Wheel was a breeze at most sites, a couple sites may be tight."
Advance planning required: Limited cell service necessitates downloading offline maps. "There is no cell service and no Wi-Fi. Off the grid," reports Nathan T., emphasizing the importance of arriving prepared with necessary information.
