Tent campsites near Jasper, Alabama lie within the Bankhead National Forest, which covers over 181,000 acres of wilderness with elevations ranging from 500-1,100 feet. The forest contains Alabama's largest wilderness area, the Sipsey Wilderness, encompassing 25,000 acres of protected land. Many backcountry campsites remain accessible year-round, with water levels in creeks and rivers typically highest from December through April.
What to do
Water activities during dry periods: Thompson Creek Trail features multiple swimming holes even when water levels are low. A camper noted, "The water is a beautiful turquoise. Most of the campsites have giant moss covered boulders all around, and cliffs in the background opposite the river."
Photography at waterfalls: Thompson Creek Trail Campsites offer easy access to photogenic water features. "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," explained one visitor.
Short day hikes from campsites: Many established sites connect to trail networks. At Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site B), you can access "the intersect of several streams" which provides "a beautiful spot with a large area to set up tents" while still offering trail connectivity.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many backcountry sites offer seclusion from neighboring campers. At Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site H), campers appreciate that it "is secluded from many other sites. It shows up in a bend in the trail after you cross over one of the small creeks."
Sandy tent pads: The soil composition creates comfortable sleeping surfaces. "The flat tent areas at this site are mostly covered in sand which means you will have a very comfortable surface to sleep on," notes one camper about Trail 207 Site B.
Natural rock features: The geological formations add visual interest to campsites. "Most of the campsites have giant moss covered boulders all around, and cliffs in the background opposite the river. Most of the campsites have fire pits, and a few have some hand-made benches, usually from woven branches," shared one camper about Thompson Creek Trail.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely across the wilderness area. At Owl Creek Horse Camp, campers report "2 bars of Verizon 4G LTE," but most backcountry sites have no service.
Campsite availability timing: Popular sites fill quickly on weekends. At Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G), one camper advised, "The only downside to this campsite is that you need to get there early if you want to claim it for yourself. It is often full of people when I arrive."
River level variability: Water levels dictate both swimming and water crossing difficulty. A camper noted, "We had planned to kayak down the river from the Sipsey River Trailhead to the Highway 33 Bridge take out but were thwarted by a recent lack of heavy rain and unusually low river levels for the season."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water access: Look for sites with gentle stream entry points. "There are LOTS of shallow places for the kids to play in the water," noted one camper about Thompson Creek Trail.
Short-distance sites for children: Some quality sites require minimal hiking. A parent shared, "Me and my 6 year old daughter hiked the trail this past Saturday, July 27, 2019. Had a great time. Definitely be back."
Wildlife awareness with children: Local fauna includes snakes. A camper recommended, "Watch for snakes and bring bug spray" when visiting with kids.
Tips from RVers
Rough access roads: The forest service roads leading to trailheads can be challenging. One RVer at Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site C) mentioned, "The Borden Creek Trailhead where we started our hike used to be down at the bottom of the hill but several years ago they moved the parking to a quarter mile away."
Limited RV-accessible campgrounds: Most tent sites in the Jasper area require hiking access. A camper stated, "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes," regarding access to Thompson Creek Trail.
Parking lot security concerns: Unattended vehicles at trailheads may be vulnerable. Campers recommend removing valuables and ensuring vehicles are locked, as many parking areas are remote and unmonitored.
Scout
