Best Dispersed Camping near Madison, AL

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Madison

14 Reviews of 7 Madison Campgrounds

• 

  Kevin C.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 28, 2024

  Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

  Parking Lot Camping

  Read that there was a drive-in camp site at this location. Upon arrival, we found a parking lot with a fence all around it. There were a few fire rings in the parking lot.

  I was not tempted to stay. There was nothing here but a place to park when you go hiking. The only thing here was disappointment and the realization that I needed to go somewhere else.

• S

  Sam O.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 21, 2024

  Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

  Good free camping

  Sites were level and clear. A little muddy but it had been raining. No utilities or restrooms but thats to be expected with a free site. Sites are spread out and pretty private. Overall a good free camp site.

• 

  Frits Z.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 20, 2022

  Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

  Aanrader voor natuurliefhebbers, back to basic

  Heel leuk, zonder stroom, geen voorzieningen; terug naar de basic natuur

• C

  Charles

  Guide

  

  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.

  Traveler

  

  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.

• 

  Timothy K.

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 5, 2021

  Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

  great spot

  if you can get there quick enough there are some pretty good spots to camp and it's free not to mention right down the road from some of the best hiking trails I have ever seen open year round

• 

  William Andrew C.

  Scout

  

  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.

  Legend

  

  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.

  Legend

  

  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.

  Traveler

  

  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.

• A

  Amanda C.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 13, 2020

  Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

  Rustic

  I believe this campground is known as the Wolfpen Hunt Camp on the Bankhead National Forest website. This was basically a forest road with dispersed camping. If there are toilets and water we never saw them. Just off the main road there is a loop and people were camping in the clearing of the loop. We drove further down the forest road and found a clearing near the dead end and set up camp. It was lovely and peaceful but no amenities at all. It is free though and no issues with other people.

• 

  Dwight L.

  Guide

  

  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.

  Legend

  

  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.

• 

  Asher K.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 1, 2017

  Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

  Amazing hiking

  This is a free hunters campground located in Sipsey wilderness. The hiking in this area is incredible and makes you feel like you are in another world. We have taken several trips to this area and it is well worth it. The camping is rustic but the sights are worth it. This site is not heavily traveled but has restrooms and water which is nice. Be cautious though to check the hunting seasons if you are planning on hiking though since you want to make sure you can be seen. I would also come prepared with essentials in case the campground itself is closed down for the season and the amenities are not accessible.