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Larry M.
Scout
ScoutBohamia
This is the kind of place that I wish I could find more often. I got lucky this time.
Tent Camping near Moody, AL
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Talladega National Forest provides the closest tent camping destinations to Moody, Alabama, with multiple backcountry options approximately 60 miles east. Primitive tent sites cluster around Mount Cheaha and its surrounding wilderness areas, offering varied backcountry experiences. The Turnipseed Campground serves as a central access point for tent campers, while more secluded sites like Cheaha Falls Campground and McDill Point Backcountry provide immersive forest camping experiences.
Most tent camping areas in Talladega National Forest feature established fire rings and cleared tent pads but minimal amenities. Sites at Turnipseed Campground include pit toilets and trash cans but no drinking water or hookups. One camper shared, "Pack some water and head out. Great hikes with waterfalls. Pit toilet, no water, critter proof trash cans." Tent campers should carry in all necessary water or plan to filter from streams when available. Many backcountry tent sites require hiking in, with distances ranging from half a mile to several miles of sometimes steep terrain. Season affects site availability, with the Turnipseed Campground operating from March to December.
Tent campers will find numerous trails connecting camping areas throughout the region. Chinnabee Silent Trail and Pinhoti Trail offer backcountry tent sites with varying levels of seclusion and scenic value. Areas around water features tend to be most popular, with Cheaha Falls providing tent sites near refreshing swimming holes. A reviewer noted, "This walk-in campsite is right next to the waterfalls. Tons of exploring can be done around camp or you could extend the trails and explore Devils Den Falls as well!" Higher elevation tent sites on ridgelines offer expansive views but less water access. During peak seasons (spring and fall), backcountry tent sites fill quickly, especially those at McDill Point and other scenic overlooks. Most primitive tent areas permit campfires when no bans are in effect, and many sites accommodate hammock camping with ample trees.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Moody (25)
1. Oak Mountain State Park Campground
"Although the first few tent sites on the B-side are located right off the road, they're set back far enough that they feel pretty secluded with plenty of trees to give a slight sense of privacy."
"Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park. Located just outside of Birmingham, it’s easy to escape to nature without being too far off the beaten path. This park is HUGE!"
4 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
2. Big Canoe Creek Outfitters
"Did some tent camping brought my inflatable fishing boat fish the river caught about eight bluegill and a couple Bass campsite has a fire pit and a grill and the bathroom is fairly close a wonderful experience"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
3. Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground
"Each of the primitive campsites has a fire pit and picnic table. Our table had seen better days and was missing one bench."
"There is a potable water spigot and trash cans, and the sites are well maintained. The ranger delivered firewood to us after hours for $5 a bundle."
7 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
4. Bohamia
"Stayed a few nights at the top end of the primitive sites by the pond. Very nice and well kept campground!!"
"Services are great some cabins and tents having ACs, but primitive camping allowed as well. Great showers and bathhouse with filtered drinking water option that I used daily."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $99 / night
5. Turnipseed Campground
"Pit toilet, no water, critter proof trash cans. First come first serve. Cash box available to pay. We had cell service. Used 10' trailer/ camper. No hookups or running water."
"Only about a dozen sites, most to partial shade (it's in the forest), plenty of downed pine not far. Sites are positioned well and decent for tent or something like a motorcycle camper."
6. Cheaha Falls Campground
"One of the great backpacking loop within the Cheaha wilderness is the skyway trail and the Cheaha Falls Campground is my favorite place to stay while doing it."
"This walk in campsite is right next to the waterfalls. Tons of exploring can be done around camp or you could extend the trails and explore Devils Den Falls as well!"
7. Pinhoti Trail Backcountry Campground — Cheaha State Park
"Like many sites along this section of the Pinhoti it is right off the patch and provides a large space to set up your tent with a nice campfire ring in the center."
"This is one of my favorite trails to camp on in Alabama and living in Birmingham it is not too far of a trek to get here. We often take people on this hike if it is their first backpacking trip."
8. McDill Point Backcountry — Cheaha State Park
"The site is pretty primitive and doesn’t have any hookups but it is fairly large and has plenty of space to cook. There are some premade rock fire pits that are perfect for an evening cook out."
"Park at the Cheaha trailhead directly off of highway 281 and there find the beautifully built entry way. Hike in about 1 min then turn right and head up the hill."
9. C & C Camping
10. Talladega National Forest Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area
"We passed through on our way to go backpacking deeper in the wilderness. The one major caution is to check the seasons that the site is open since it was locked up when we were there."
"I would suggest visiting either mid spring or summer so you can see the flowers and enjoy the high water levels or when it is hot you can go take a dip in the lake or one of the many waterfalls."
Drive Time
- 20 min from Birmingham, AL
- 39 min from Anniston, AL
- 51 min from Gadsden, AL
- 1 hr 28 min from Tuscaloosa, AL
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Moody, AL
54 Photos of 25 Moody Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Oak Mountain State Park Campground
BohamiaM
Rickwood Caverns State Park CampgroundL
Parksland Retreat - Clothing Optional
Talladega National Forest Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area
Cheaha Falls Campground
Cheaha Falls Private Backcountry Campsite
Turnipseed Campground
McDill Point Backcountry — Cheaha State Park
Pinhoti Trail Backcountry Campground — Cheaha State Park
Weogufka State Forest Flagg Mtnm
Tent Camping Reviews near Moody, AL
468 Reviews of 25 Moody Campgrounds
Phillip F.
TravelerBohamia
Mini wonderland
Stayed a few nights at the top end of the primitive sites by the pond. Very nice and well kept campground!! From Easy trails that lead to the river and beautiful waterfalls to pond fishing with my girlfriend and dog. This place was met all of our needs.
- JJeremy H.
GuideOak Mountain State Park Campground
Good Weekend Spot
Oak Mountain State Park is a great spot for a weekend tent camping trip. The campground is convenient, the park is beautiful, and there’s plenty to do during the day, especially if you enjoy hiking, biking, or just spending time outdoors. For a two- or three-night trip, I think it’s a really good option. That said, I’m not sure I would want to stay much longer than a weekend. The campground works well as a home base for exploring the park, but for an extended camping trip, I’d probably look for somewhere a little more scenic, secluded, or relaxing. Overall, I’d definitely come back for a weekend getaway. Oak Mountain has a lot to offer, and it’s an easy place to get outside without having to plan a major trip.
- LLaura H.
RangerOak Mountain State Park Campground
Awesome place!
Spacious sites. Well maintained facilities. The hiking is wonderful. Wish we would have stayed longer.
Birdy B.ScoutUpper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park
Enjoyable Stay
Stayed 4 nights at Cheaha State Park in the Upper Improved Campground, using sites 2 and 42. Overall, it was a solid stay with great scenery and convenient access, but a few things kept it from being exceptional. Check-in was easy and straightforward, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. Both sites were easy to access, though not perfectly level, which is worth noting if you’re in a van or RV and don’t carry leveling gear. The sites included full hookups (electric, water, and sewer), along with a fire ring and picnic table, which made setup simple and comfortable. However, the sites are fairly close together, and the campground has a lot of trees and hilly terrain, so privacy is somewhat limited. We had mostly good weather aside from one rainy day, and there were some bugs and flies, especially during warmer parts of the day. The bathhouse had restrooms and showers, but cleanliness was inconsistent and could use more frequent upkeep. On the positive side, the location is the highlight. The park has a camp store at the entrance, plus great overlooks and hiking trails. It’s also a nice area for biking and exploring the mountain scenery. Would I stay again? Yes—but probably with tempered expectations. It’s a beautiful park in a great location, but for the price, the campground experience itself feels just okay rather than outstanding.
- TTroy S.Scout
Oak Mountain State Park Campground
Great campground
Very nice campsites, great facilities, WiFi strength excellent and plenty of things to do.
David W.GuideChilton County Minooka Park
Nice Campground (bathrooms need attention)
Stopped in late for an overnight on our way to Gulf Shores. Nice level concrete sites Seems secluded…for a non dispersed campground. The bathrooms however were terrible. One non -functional One over flowing and clogged One has a line as if you were at a rock concert with only porta johns.
Pretty sad for a $45 fee.
Hopefully they get that figured out and we can make it a regular stop when headed south
Nancy W.
LegendBirmingham South RV Park
Close to Interstate
Conveniently located right off of Interstate I-65 with lots of pull thrus for an overnight stay. We stayed for a few nights as we had friends in town and wanted to see some of the sites and eat at the great restaurants in town. The campground is about fifteen miles from downtown Birmingham. The park is on the older side but decent enough. Roads are paved and have some potholes to navigate. Campsites are gravel sites and some patios are paved (although very small) and others are grassy. Tiny dog park. There is a covered pavilion with picnic tables that has a sink and campers outdoor kitchen although it looks like it had not been used in a while. Heated swimming pool, game room, and playground. Our park features a newly renovated store and office, a fenced playground, a heated swimming pool, descent wifi. Overall, we like the convenience of this campground to the interstate. If you have time, check out Vulcan Park and the Sloss Furnace National Historic Landmark. Definitely go to the Alabama Peanut Company for the best and most tasty peanuts you’ve ever had.
- Michael L.Guide
Tillson Bend Campground
One of the nicest campgrounds I have ever been to
An extremely nice campground with a pool, hot tub, swim up tiki bar. Decent bank fishing, Restaurant, very nice bait and takel shop. The bathrooms are only available at the pool area but they are extremely nice and clean, air conditioning, and an ADA shower with a shower chair.
My only complaint is about the wheelchair accessibility of the outdoor area, a few paved ADA sites would be really nice and the transition from the gravel to any paved surfaces have a curb you will have to bump over. There is no pool lift so if you need you are out of luck. I bring a battery powered floor lift chair I purchased off Amazon.
Guide to Moody
The Talladega National Forest region surrounding Moody, Alabama offers tent camping sites nestled in mountainous terrain with elevations reaching over 2,000 feet at Mount Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama. Spring camping brings wildflower displays along trails while summer temperatures can reach 90°F, making waterfall access valuable for cooling off. Fall camping delivers colorful foliage across hardwood forests with temperatures dropping into the 40s at night.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Visit Devils Den Falls near Cheaha Falls Campground where campers can swim and cool off during hot months. A reviewer notes: "There is an established fire ring, lots of flat places for tents and lots of trees for hammocks. The walk from Chinnabee Silent Parking lot is 1 mile."
Hiking network: Access the Pinhoti Trail from Turnipseed Campground, connecting to multiple scenic routes with varying difficulty levels. A camper shared: "This is connected to the Pinhoti Trail, and branches off to the Silent Trail where one can visit The Falls and Devil's Den."
Fishing opportunities: Cast for bass and bluegill at local waterways like those near Big Canoe Creek Outfitters. According to one visitor: "Did some tent camping brought my inflatable fishing boat fish the river caught about eight bluegill and a couple Bass campsite has a fire pit and a grill and the bathroom is fairly close."
What campers like
Mountain views: The lookout points along McDill Point Backcountry trails offer panoramic vistas. As one camper described: "The views from this campsite are truly incredible, especially if you are lucky enough to have a clear sky for sunrise/sunset."
Secluded campsites: Many spots at Pinhoti Trail Backcountry Campground provide privacy between sites. A reviewer mentioned: "Even when the campground is full you will not be on top of other campers. I would not recommend this campground to anyone in a large RV. It is very cheap though. Where else could you stay for $5 a night other than backcountry?"
Water access: Several camping locations feature streams and lakes for swimming, fishing, and water collection. One camper at Chinnabee Silent Trail noted: "We found this spot nearby the big swimming hole 'devils den' about 1/2 a mile from the chinnabee lake parking area."
What you should know
Water availability: Not all sites have reliable water sources, particularly at higher elevations. A Pinhoti Trail camper warned: "This site has no water access any time of year (unless it is actively raining) so make sure to carry in any water you will need."
Reservation systems: Most backcountry sites operate on first-come, first-served basis with self-registration. At Turnipseed Campground, "It's very nice to just drop five dollars in a box and go camp there are no attendants here."
Seasonal closures: Some recreation areas close during winter months. A visitor to Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area noted: "The one major caution is to check the seasons that the site is open since it was locked up when we were there. We ended up parking at the gate and walking down the road a mile."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Moody, AL?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Moody, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Moody, AL is Oak Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 104 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Moody, AL?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Moody, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Moody, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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