Camping options near Moulton, Alabama range from primitive tent sites to glamping yurt accommodations. Located in Lawrence County at an elevation of 764 feet, this north Alabama region experiences mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures and hot, humid summers that average 90°F in July and August. The surrounding area features limestone karst topography with numerous caves, sinkholes, and underground streams that influence the camping terrain.
What to do
Water activities on Smith Lake: Clear Creek Recreation Area provides access to one of Alabama's cleanest lakes. "There is a nice hiking trail and also a paved bike trail. Will definitely camp there again!!!" notes Leesha J. The waterfront setting includes white sand around the swimming area and a rentable pavilion for gatherings.
Hiking in Sipsey Wilderness: Corinth Recreation Area serves as a gateway to the nearby Sipsey Wilderness trails. "This is a great campground which puts you near all the magic of the Sipsey Wilderness Area in the Bankhead National Forest," writes Kristi C. She adds practical advice: "If you go hiking, make sure you have AllTrails with a downloadable trail map before you leave the campsite, because there is not great cell service on most trails."
Disc golf and fishing: Brush Creek Park offers free camping with multiple recreational options. "I went down to the parking lot so I could sleep in my car and have a fire by the water. It was great and quiet except there are parking lot lights which I didn't see until they turned on," shares Justin L. The park features a disc golf course and direct lake access for fishing.
Explore unique glow worms: Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites offers a rare natural phenomenon. "When you first arrive, you go down to the little general store that now has a cafe... it is absolutely gorgeous, and is one of the few places in the world where you can see the tiny glow worms called Dismalites," explains Trinity W. The night tours to see these bioluminescent creatures require reservations.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: "We stayed in site 17 on the Fox loop. It's right on the water and couldn't have been more perfect!!" reports Rebekah C. about Clear Creek. The sites feature enough separation that campers "were close enough to see your neighbors but far enough away to not hear them."
Spacious camping areas: McFarland Park Campground provides generous sites along the Tennessee River. "I have camped here twice so far and it is a nice, basic campground. We tent camped but there were a couple of RV's there, so I know there are places for them," says Trinity W. "It is on a nice stretch of the Tennessee River, and you can swim, fish, and boat there. Plenty of camp sites and very spacious."
Yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near Moulton, Alabama, Sipsey Creek Farm offers unique accommodations in a rural setting. Though no reviews are currently available for the yurts, this farm provides an alternative to traditional tent or RV camping with just three sites available, making for a quiet experience.
Hot showers and amenities: "Has paved roads in it 18 padded spots with water hookups. Bathroom's with hot water and shower's. Has designated dispersed tent spot," reports Michael W. about Brush Creek Park. The free camping with developed facilities makes this an attractive option for budget-conscious campers.
What you should know
Fees and regulations: Dismals Canyon has a structured fee system. "Sites are anywhere from $27/night to $48/night. But then they also charge you a $5 cleaning fee and a 'one time admission fee' of $30," cautions Sarah C. The park also requires a "$50 refundable damage deposit due to excessive issues with campfire damage."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally. Clear Creek is open March through October, while Corinth Recreation Area operates from March 15 to October 30. Some amenities may be limited outside peak season.
Cell service limitations: "Make sure you have AllTrails with a downloadable trail map before you leave the campsite, because there is not great cell service on most trails, and it's easy to get turned around in some places," advises Kristi C. about hiking from Corinth Recreation Area.
Access challenges: Some camping areas require walking to reach sites. "It's about a quarter of a mile walk to the campsite, but the site is absolutely gorgeous! Very secluded and very roomy!" notes Rebekah C. about Dismals Canyon's Sleeping Waters campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Monte Sano State Park Campground offers excellent facilities for children. "There are cool little wooden play obstacles for the kids in the campground and a huge playground 1/2 mile away inside the park," shares Greg S. The campground also features clean restrooms and hot showers.
Swimming areas with varying conditions: "Swimming area has shaded picnic areas but is down a steep hill a good way from your car. Also small pebbles in swim area are very painful," warns Kelly S. about Corinth Recreation Area. Consider water shoes for children at rocky swimming spots.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to observe local fauna. "The nature itself is amazing," states Meredith M. about Dismals Canyon, while Shelly S. mentions at Monte Sano that "you always see something new" during hikes.
Secure campgrounds: "The camp host was very nice and helped us move to Yellowhammer where the bathhouse was open," reports Genie C. about changing sites at Corinth Recreation Area. Most established campgrounds have hosts or rangers available to assist families.
Tips from RVers
Site angles and access: Point Mallard Campground offers angled sites that help with RV placement. "The spaces were a little bit tight & close but they were angled nicely. We had to maneuver the trailer around the trees but not complaining about the shade," shares Timothy T. The tight roads require patience when backing in and unhitching.
Leveling considerations: At Point Mallard City Campground, "It appears that many of the RVs there are long-term, permanent residents; wood porches, lots of yard items, etc. The roads to the site was hard to navigate due to the amount of vehicles parked along the roads. However, the sites were great angles and easy to maneuver into and out of," reports Katie D.
Bathroom access planning: For RVers without onboard facilities, "They are only keeping open one bathroom at a time, so you have to pick and choose your site when you don't have a built in bathroom (teardrop camper)," advises D.W. L. about Clear Creek. This requires strategic site selection based on proximity to open facilities.
Hookup availability: "Loved this park! It was our first trip in our new Travel Trailer and it couldn't have gone better. We stayed at Yellow Hammer site #9 easy pull through with plenty of room," reports Thomas H. about Corinth Recreation Area. Full hookups and adequate cell coverage make working from your RV possible at select sites.
