The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Madison, AL

423 Reviews

Tent camping near Madison, Alabama provides access to several backcountry and established tent sites within driving distance of the city. The Sipsey Wilderness in Bankhead National Forest, located about 60 miles southwest of Madison, offers numerous primitive tent campsites along its trail system. Closer to Madison, TGL Adventures provides tent camping with riverside access, while The Circus Spot and The Campsite at Leigh Acres offer walk-in tent sites. For military personnel, Easter Posey MWR Campground on Redstone Arsenal provides tent camping options with basic amenities.

Most primitive tent camping in the region requires preparation for varying conditions. The Sipsey Wilderness backcountry sites feature established fire rings but no facilities, requiring visitors to filter water from streams and pack out all waste. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites provide free primitive tent camping with fire rings but no potable water or toilets. Weather conditions vary dramatically by season, with summer bringing high temperatures and humidity, while spring and fall offer more comfortable camping conditions. Campers should be aware of potential flooding near water sites, particularly after heavy rainfall, and check fire regulations before trips as restrictions may apply during dry periods.

The backcountry tent camping experience near Madison offers unique opportunities for solitude and natural immersion. According to reviews, Sipsey Wilderness features "tons of campgrounds" with sites appearing "almost every quarter mile" along rivers and streams. One visitor noted that Thompson Creek Trail Campsites are "perfect for primitive camping" with numerous established fire pits along the trail. The Walls of Jericho Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite, approximately 30 miles northeast of Madison, provides hike-in tent sites with level ground for multiple tents in close proximity. Many sites feature sandy, level tent pads that provide comfortable sleeping surfaces, with riverside locations offering both cooling opportunities during hot weather and ambient sounds that enhance the camping experience.

Map showing campgrounds near Madison, AlabamaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Madison, Alabama (32)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 32 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Madison Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Madison, AL

30 Photos of 32 Madison Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Madison, AL

423 Reviews of 32 Madison Campgrounds

  • Katie S.
    Jun. 18, 2019

    Tomahawk Campground

    Ranger Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with SunShade camp chair at Tomahawk Primitive Campground

    Campground Review: 

    Tomahawk Primitive Campground is located near Cullman, AL right off of Highway 278. The campground is primitive, and has no electricity or water pumps or hookups at the individual sites, but there is a common room area attached to the back of the owner’s house that has a clean bathroom, a coffee maker, and electricity. There are 3 campsites with fire rings as well as a large, open field at the main campground area, and additional sites by the creek, about a 10 minute walk from the main area. The trail to the creek-side sites was partially cleared, but there were a few fallen trees blocking the path that could make it difficult to carry gear to those sites. My husband, puppy and I stayed at one of the tent sites in the main campground area. If you are staying in a tent, I highly recommend air mattresses for this camp. While the ground has been somewhat cleared, there are still large stocks sticking one or 2 inches out of the ground that would make sleeping without an air mattress very uncomfortable. However, the bigger issue making sleep difficult for us was the road noise from the highway, which stayed busy throughout the night. I assume that if you are in a camper you won’t notice it as much, but in a tent it made us feel like we were camping on the side of the highway and not at a camp. Another problem that we ran into, unfortunately after we set up camp, is that our site had a ton of fire ants. I’m not sure if this is a problem at all of the tent sites or if it was just ours, but I advise caution when choosing your site and where you set up your tent. Our favorite part of this campground was the creek. It was beautiful and clear, perfect for our dog to play in, and had good locations to set up a hammock and enjoy the peaceful creek sounds. If we were to stay at this camp again, we would bring gear that could be hauled to the creek-side campsites. 

    Gear Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with Sunshade 

    As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes get gear to review on my camping trips. For this trip I got the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade camp chair. I LOVE this chair, and so did my husband and dog. The chair comes in a durable carrying case, which is great because I’ve had many camp chair bags fall apart after just a few uses. The chair was a little confusing to set up/take down at first, until I realized that easy-to-follow instructions are attached to the bag. The chair is larger than most camp chairs and provides more support. The sunshade is adjustable and can be moved in several positions as well as completely collapsed. The only complaint that we had about the Pod Rocker is that the included cup holder is a pouch that doesn’t seem like it would actually prevent your drink from spilling. For me, the benefit of having a camp rocking chair far outweighs this one detractor. This chair was wonderful for camping but would also be perfect for outdoor sporting events and concerts. I highly recommend the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade! Here is the link for the GCI Pod Rocker with SunShade:  https://www.gcioutdoor.com/rockers/pod-rocker-with-sunshade/

  • Cassandra C.
    Sep. 2, 2017

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Quiet campground

    I stayed at site number 063, which was an RV site with electric and water, and it was adjacent to the primitive sites. This campsite had a gravel pad, and setting a tent up outside of the pad was impossible as all of the surrounding area was a steep slope. The pad was plenty big for my one person tent, but I can't imagine anything bigger than a 4 person tent fitting in the area. I definitely recommend the primitive campsites if you're tent camping. The sites in this part of the camp were pretty far apart, and there was plenty of privacy. The park was riddled with trails (22 miles of them), many of which were also open to bikes. The bathhouse was pretty far from site 063, but they were clean.

  • Jeremy H.
    Jun. 22, 2019

    Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground

    Clean, Quiet, Comfortable

    My son Charlie(age 8) and I camped at Cathedral Caverns State Park on June 17, 2019. It was a Monday night. We chose one of the primitive campground sites and paid a little under$20 for one night. Since we were camping we received a discount on our cave tour the next day. It's worth noting that all of the primitive and RV campsites are outside of the state park’s main gates which means that anyone can easily enter or leave the camp at anytime day or night; however, two state employees live fulltime within walking distance of the campsites. It was encouraging to know that help was only steps away if we needed it. One of the rangers actually stopped and introduced himself while making his early evening round. He verified that I had registered at the camp, informed me that it might rain that night, and wished us a good evening. A father and son also drove through the campground about that time in a personal car. I expected him to camp, but later when we went for a walk, we didn’t find him. On our walk we went down to the restrooms gathering kindling in large, reusable grocery bags. We also brought our one gallon water jug. It’s quite a walk to the restroom and unless you are driving, it would be unreasonable to rely on it as your bathroom. Bring a camping toilet or a shovel. The RV sites are right next to the restrooms, which means that if you are in the primitive site it is very unlikely that you will hear RV generators all night. There were no RVs there on our night because the sites were being overhauled and it was closed though the restrooms were still up and running. The restrooms were very clean and spacious with clean, new shower curtains and it was fully stocked with supplies. I can’t say if the water was hot, but my suspicion is that it probably was since the rest of the facility is well kept. Back to the kindling: There’s plenty to be had and we even found four or five logs left by our campsite by a previous camper. Speaking of firewood, there’s plenty of that for sale for a reasonable$10.00 at the restroom facility. Money’s left in a box on the honor system. After cooking two cans of Southgate chili on an improvised Sweedish fire using the charitable camper’s firewood, we played in the field which was easily accessible from the primitive campsite. It’s guarded by a feral but entertaining cat who has an appetite for small rabbits. He almost caught one when he chased it through the campsite and under the picnic table where we happened to be eating supper. I’m not sure if he ever caught him but the last time I saw them they were running through the campsite like the wind. The campsite was simple. There was a fire ring and an old picnic table. You might want to bring a table cloth along or use a tarp if you’re doing more than heating up canned chili. The site was clean as was the entire park. I was easily able to back into the site with a 2007 Trailblazer. Though we had planned on tent camping, we ended up sleeping in the Trailblazer. Dad brought the tent, but he forgot the poles. All of the sites were clean and would have made wonderful tent sites. They were spaced adequately apart to provide a sense of privacy though if you’re pooping in a bucket you might have to be strategic in your temporary John placement. I don’t think my wife would have liked the bathroom situation at all and it might have been a bigger issue for Charlie and me if there’d been anyone else on the campground. We were the sole campers at Cathedral Caverns during our visit. We weren’t the only people using the park though. There were plenty who come to see the cave which true to its name feels like a Cathedral. I’ve been in a few tourist caves but there’s something different about this one. Our tour guide did a great job not only telling us about the beauty and history of the cave, but helped us to imagine one of the caves first explorers and its benefactor Mr, Gurly. If that description doesn’t make you want to visit, here’s this: Legend says there’s a ledge in the cave and if you toss a coin and land it right on the ledge you get your wish. After I tossed my dime I regretted instantly not wishing for a billion instead of a million dollars. I was assured by the tour guide that I could expect my check any day now, so the star review might change depending on how quickly the check rolls in.

  • Cassandra T.
    Jul. 2, 2021

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    My Staycation Spot

    I'm a local and tent camping saves my sanity from a high preassured daily life. When I cant leave to camp I'll set up at a primitive site here for a week at a time. It's a simple space. No picnic tables at primitive sites. It's clean...beautiful....loads of hiking trails...and great food is a 10 min ride down the mountain to Huntsville.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2019

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Some much fun so close to home

    Although we have been to Monte Sano many times to hike and attend events, this was our first time camping here. Monte State Park Campground is a large campground with 15 full hookup sites, 59 water& electric sites, and 21 primitive tent sites. All the sites are gravel, most sites are wooded with lots of shade, and most site are mainly level. All style sites include a picnic table and fire ring. 

    Check-in is at the camp store if you arrive during store hours or with camp host if you arrive after hours. We stayed on site 24, which had complete shade throughout the day. This site backs up to a draw and each evening just before dust we could watch the deer walk up through. 

    The bathhouse is centrally located, newer, and cleaned daily. There are also laundry machines available between the men’s and women’s area. 

    Firewood, ice, limited grocery items, and souvenirs were available at the camp store. There is a full grocery store about 15 minutes away. 

    We found ok to limited cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The state park did have wi-fi near the camp store. 

    The park has many trails for hiking and mountain biking, as well as host the North Alabama Japanese Garden. The North Alabama Land Trust also connects to the state park and adds many more miles of trails. We hiked about 15 miles this weekend and there are many more miles to explore on another visit. 

    The state park is located 5 minutes from Huntsville where you can find many restaurants, breweries, and the Space& Rocket Center. Check the Huntsville visitor’s center website for all that is offered in the area. In addition, the Burritt on the Mountain located just minutes from the park entrance and has an open air museum and an amazing overlook of Huntsville. 

    We are very excited that this gem is located so close to use and are proud to call this our home camp!

  • Tony C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2020

    Buck's Pocket State Park Campground

    A great park reopened!

    We stayed at Bucks Pocket State Park recently for five nights and had a wonderful time. This park was recently reopened after being closed for a few years, lots of work has been completed to the campground and facilities. The sites are very nice with full concrete pads, 50/30 amp electrical, water, picnic table, fire ring and grill. There are a few sites that are on the bank of Sauty Creek that also have sewer hook ups. This is a very small campground with only 23 RV sites, 4 of them are pull through. There are also about 8 tent only sites. There are clean and well stocked bathrooms located at the park office and also includes a laundry facility. The office also sells firewood and ice if needed.

    There are a few hiking trails that range in levels of difficulty, we hiked the trail to the overlook that I would classify as pretty arduous, the pay off was the Little Sauty Creek waterfall near the top and the beautiful vista of Point Lookout. The trail ascends 800 feet in elevation from the pocket floor to the summit so plan accordingly. There is also an off road vehicle (ORV) trail here so the park attracts these vehicles to the campground on the weekends.

    The park host (Jesse and his wife) are very friendly and involved, he is visible throughout the day ensuring the park is maintained and orderly.

    There will be little to no cell service or over the air TV reception due to the park being in the valley floor. The park does provide good WIFI that could be received throughout the campground.

    A huge thank you to the State of Alabama for providing the resources to restore this great facility to the state park system. Also, an extra recognition to the A Year to Volunteer (https://www.youtube.com/c/AYeartoVolunteer) organization for the extraordinary effort and contribution to this park's rebirth.

  • Daniel L.
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Primative sites offer lots of space, but little privacy

    Our site was massive, but was situated right next to park entrance and major hiking thoroughfare.

    Our site had a place to park and a fire ring that was full to the rim of coals and half burnt logs. It didn't take long to clear it out, but the pit was extremely muddy and lighting a fire meant a ton of smoke. No picnic table here.

    The best sites were along the ridge, but are divided into AB sites. So you are sharing basics amenities with a neighbor. This site design seems to be suited for families or groups, but if you are wanting a site with a view you are kinda stuck. Not all of the improved sites are suitable for tents.

    Their staff is A+ if you have never been, call ahead and book over the phone. The staff know this campground well and can steer you in the right direction every time.

    The lower score comes from the park being rough around some of the edges. The CCC museum is a small shack, not really worth your time. The Northern Alabama Japanese Tea Garden is a bit of a head scratcher to say the least. There is a disc golf course the plows through the middle of it and the trails (while peaceful) lead you off to the main road.

    We had booked two nights here, but decided to move on after only one night. 

    (Sadly didn't have time to take pictures, but the leaves were beautiful.)

    Leaves were in peak color, the temperature was 65 all day and night due to wind and was a really pleasant

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2018

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Nice campground with nice hiking trails

    When I called Saturday morning to check on availability for that evening, I was told only primitive sites were available which would have been ok for a one night stay but upon arrival, we were told you had to pitch a tent for the primitive sites (we don’t have a tent and sleep in our van). However, a number of improved sites had opened up so we were in luck. All sites are gravel and appear to be fairly level and ours was likely the most level we’ve been in for awhile. Picnic table and fire ring at each site. Many families with young children (fun to watch them ride their bikes around the loop). Bathhouse was clean and I appreciated the HOT water! Coin laundry. The North Alabama Japanese garden is a nice short walk and there are a variety of hiking trails (I would recommend the Stone Cut Trail for a moderately challenging hike).

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2019

    Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 203 Site A)

    Closest to the Car

    This campground is the first you pass after coming down the road from the parking area. It is located right at the 203 trail junction near the bridge and along the water. On this trip, it was occupied by a family that had walked down the hill at the same time as us and carried in all their gear in their arms with no packs. This is an ideal site if you need an easy to find a campground that is as close as you can get to the parking area. It is on the smaller size but has a nice firepit and plenty of area to put up at least two tents. It is also high enough off the bank for you to stay dry in case of flooding. One small downside is that to access water you will need to climb down a steep slope or walk around to the bridge slightly down the trail. Another downside is that the trail passes right through the campsite so if you are a late sleeper you may get disturbed in the morning by other hikers passing through. If you are able I would suggest going a little further down the trail and checking out the 2 other nearby sites. Read some of my other reviews from this area for more info about backpacking in Sipsey Wilderness.

Guide to Madison

Tent camping near Madison, Alabama ranges from primitive backcountry experiences to family-friendly established sites within a 60-mile radius. The region sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains with elevations ranging from 600-1,000 feet, creating diverse terrain for campers. Summer temperatures typically reach 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall bring milder conditions between 50-70°F.

What to do

Water activities: TGL Adventures offers riverside camping with easy water access. As camper Heather B. notes, "We ended up fishing til daylight because the river was physically only 10 steps from our tents," adding that there were "steps to take down to the river where we were able to get in and splash around."

Hiking exploration: Easter Posey MWR Campground provides military personnel access to extensive trail systems. One camper mentioned "outdoor recreation was great and took care of any questions. You can rent a lot of equipment from them" for day hiking excursions from your campsite.

Multi-day trekking: Thompson Creek Trail Campsites serves as an excellent basecamp for longer adventures. Trinity W. explains, "The entire Sipsey Wilderness is gorgeous, but if you want a trail with lots of great spots to camp, this trail is fantastic." Another camper adds that "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."

What campers like

Sandy, comfortable tent sites: At Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site, the flat tent areas are covered in sand for comfortable sleeping. One visitor observed that "the flat tent areas at this site are mostly covered in sand which means you will have a very comfortable surface to sleep on."

Privacy between campsites: Despite being popular, many campsites maintain good separation. At Walls of Jericho Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite, Asher K. praised how the site "has a lot of privacy and great water access," despite being smaller with "space for 2 maybe 3 tents."

Stargazing opportunities: Owl Creek Horse Camp offers exceptional night sky viewing. Gregg G. reported "the nights sky is wonderful" at this large field site surrounded by "very large loblolly pines," providing an unobstructed view of the stars.

What you should know

Water source planning: Most backcountry sites require filtering stream water. At The Circus Spot, drinking water is available, but primitive sites like Thompson Creek require filtration. Trinity W. advises: "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."

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely across camping areas. At Walls of Jericho Trailhead, Steve V. found "good cell phone service with Verizon," while at Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite, he noted only "ok to weak cell phone service."

Seasonal considerations: Winter and early spring bring higher water levels. Asher K. observed at Sipsey Wilderness that "different times of year provide completely different experiences" and that for kayaking, rangers advised "the only time that it was really navigable was in the winter or fall for a couple of days after a major rainfall."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water play: Look for shallow stream areas during warmer months. Trinity W. shares that Thompson Creek offers "lots of shallow places for the kids to play in the water" making it ideal for families with children who enjoy water exploration.

Playground access: TGL Adventures features dedicated play areas for children. Chris B. mentioned it's a "really nice" place with "nice playground for the kids as well," making it suitable for families wanting camping with recreational amenities.

Short hiking options: For families with young hikers, consider sites with nearby short trails. Jimmy R. shared his experience: "Me and my 6 year old daughter hiked the trail this past Saturday... Had a great time," demonstrating the accessibility of some trails for children.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for RVs: At Evans Loop Backcountry Sites, RVers can find both tent and RV accommodations, though access may require planning. Buddy G. noted that "the boat traffic and lack of respect for kayakers was concerning" when accessing these sites, suggesting motorized access might be preferable for RVers.

Limited hookup availability: Most tent camping sites near Madison that accommodate RVs lack full hookups. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites permits RVs but offers no electric, water, or sewer connections, making it suitable only for self-contained units comfortable with boondocking.

Access road conditions: Many wilderness camping areas have challenging approach roads. Dani K. reported about Thompson Creek: "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes," providing helpful context for RVers considering these more remote options for tent camping near Madison, Alabama.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Madison, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Madison, AL is Easter Posey MWR Military - Redstone Arsenal with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Madison, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 32 tent camping locations near Madison, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring