Top Free Dispersed Camping near Huntsville, AL

Looking for dispersed camping near Huntsville? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Huntsville, AL (5)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Huntsville

8 Reviews of 5 Huntsville Campgrounds


  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
    Jul. 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!

  • Rhea B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama
    Dec. 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.

  • William Andrew C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite
    May. 1, 2021

    Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    Not a lot of options near the parking lot for hammocks

    The only decent spot for hammocks is the little campsite that is right in front of the parking lot. We went over to the clearing just north of the parking lot, but there were no good spots. The clearing was extremely overgrown, as was the tree line all around the clearing. At the site directly in front of the parking lot, you can really only get two hammocks, unless you want to stack your hammocks vertically. You'll have to tie both hammocks to the same tree at one end, and then use two trees on the other side. There is no water near this site. This site is OK if you need to be near the parking lot or don't want to hike your gear in and out. Otherwise, you're way better off going down to one of the other sites.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite
    Apr. 1, 2021

    Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    Small boring site

    This site is 3 separate clearings near the trailhead and parking with small fire pits. They work in a pinch if you get here late and don’t want to hike in or if you want to car camp and hike to the falls without gear. Be aware that you will have to go a little ways down the trail to find water.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground
    Jan. 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.

  • Blake C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite
    Nov. 16, 2020

    Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    An exercise in packing

    The Walls of Jehrico trail offers a handful of first-come/first-serve primitive campsites set adjacent to two separate water sources (streams).  Any equipment must be carried in and out which makes for a perfect backpacking experience.  

    Your campsite offers little privacy due to trail proximity but that should not distract from a wonderful experience.

    There are minimal places to stock up on necessities along the road so be sure and come equipped.  There is also no cell service so make sure you plan accordingly and have an emergency system in place.

  • Dwight  L.
    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.

  • Steve V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite
    Nov. 20, 2019

    Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    Convenient Trailhead Camping

    The trailhead campsite is a short walk from the parking lot, but makes for a great basecamp for exploring the area. The campsite is level and large enough to accommodate many tents. There are also trees that would be suitable for hammock camping. The site is on the edge of an overlook of the canyon and has multiple fire rings if there are multiple groups there. This site and trailhead serves both the Walls of Jericho trail and the Bear Den Point Loop Trail. 

    This is primitive camping so no bathhouse, but there is a porta-john in the trailhead parking lot. The site is a good distance from any convenient stores or grocery stores so plan accordingly. We found good cell phone service with Verizon at this site. Trash cans are located in the trailhead parking lot. Please pack out your trash from the campsite.



Guide to Huntsville

Camping near Huntsville, Alabama, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds, like Monte Sano State Park Campground, have extensive hiking trails. One visitor mentioned, “The bathhouse was clean and there are lots of trails to hike.”
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At Lake Guntersville State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A camper shared, “We stayed three nights in primitive camping and it was fantastic. Our site was right on the water.”
  • Family Fun: Point Mallard City Campground offers playgrounds and walking trails. One family said, “Family friendly with 2 playgrounds. Dog friendly. Walking and biking trails.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground noted, “Restrooms and showers were a bit of a walk up the hill, but clean and well maintained.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Redstone Arsenal RV Park & Campground said, “They were very helpful, knowledgeable and professional, with a great attitude.”
  • Scenic Views: Campgrounds like Honeycomb Campground offer beautiful lakefront sites. A visitor remarked, “Beautiful views from lakefront sites.”

What you should know

  • Site Spacing: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Lake Guntersville State Park Campground mentioned, “The RV camping is not as secluded.”
  • Limited Connectivity: Many areas have poor cell service. One camper at Brushy Lake Recreation Area noted, “No Verizon service there but if you drive up the road past the visitor center, you can get a few bars.”
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds do not allow reservations, so it’s best to arrive early. A visitor at Northgate RV Travel Park said, “Nothing fancy, but great for overnight.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. At Point Mallard City Campground, one reviewer said, “The community who stayed there were very friendly. They wanted to talk to us and offered us coffee even in the morning.”
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy during hikes. A camper at Tims Ford State Park Main Campground mentioned, “The bathrooms are very clean, bright and heated in the winter.”
  • Plan for Downtime: Bring games or books for quiet time at the campsite. A visitor at Joe Wheeler State Park said, “Great anytime of year. Fishing, golf, restaurant and many other activities.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Redstone Arsenal RV Park & Campground noted, “The pads here are huge and the utilities including 50 AMP worked well.”
  • Bring Extra Cords: Some sites may not have enough power outlets. A camper at Monte Sano State Park Campground mentioned, “We enjoyed the Japanese tea garden, and look forward to coming back for more hiking and site seeing.”
  • Know Your Route: GPS can be tricky in rural areas. One visitor at Honeycomb Campground said, “Deep ditches around my site made it very, very difficult to park my van.”

Camping in Huntsville, AL, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Huntsville, AL is Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

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