The area around Moundville, Alabama offers tent camping opportunities within a mixed terrain of woodlands and waterways. Tent sites are situated near rivers and lakes that were historically part of Alabama's Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway system. Summer temperatures average 90°F during daytime with high humidity, making spring and fall the more comfortable camping seasons for visitors seeking primitive camping experiences.
What to do
Boating access: Payne Lake Spillway provides dedicated boat launch facilities for accessing fishing areas. A reviewer noted, "The boat ramp for the lake is right down the road from the spillway parking area," making it convenient for campers who bring watercraft.
Picnic facilities: Payne Lake Spillway offers several picnic options beyond the camping areas. According to one visitor, "There is a pavilion with four picnic tables underneath it and then there are isolated picnic tables around the area. They have fire pits and grills nearby for cooking."
Historical exploration: The Tom Bevill Visitor Center features a 19th century plantation house reproduction within walking distance of the camping area. A camper reported, "There is a reproduction of a 19th century plantation house. Its very beautiful. The lake has a huge paddle wheel steam boat that you can pay to cruise around the lake."
What campers like
Lake views: Many tent sites provide direct views of adjacent lakes. At Holt Lake, campers appreciate that "The tent sites are very nice and groomed and have a wonderful view of the lake. They have individual water pumps at each site and room for several cars to pull up and park."
Swimming areas: Some campgrounds feature designated swimming spots for cooling off. A camper at Holt Lake mentions, "we got some swimming in down at the beach area," providing a recreational option during hot Alabama summers.
Site privacy: Tent camping areas often offer sufficient space between sites. One camper at Holt Lake noted, "the tent only sites are all very large and private. We set up our site with 3 tents and brought 8 people along," indicating good accommodation for groups.
What you should know
Facility maintenance: Beach areas may require vigilance about cleanliness. One visitor to Lock 7 warned, "Last time I went I found a needle in the sand, so keep an eye out. I'm not sure how often the beach is cleaned."
Site availability: Most campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. Campsites fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays.
Varied bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies between locations. At Tom Bevill Visitor Center, "The bathrooms were clean and there is running water," while more remote sites offer only basic vault toilets or no facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Multi-day stays: Runaway Branch is one of the few sites with both picnic tables and access to drinking water, making it more suitable for extended family camping trips with children.
Bathroom access: Select sites with proper facilities when camping with children. At Holt Lake, "The campground also has a great bathroom facility that they clean daily," which can be essential for family comfort.
Recreation planning: Combine camping with scheduled activities. For the Tom Bevill area, paddlewheel boat tours provide structured entertainment: "The lake has a huge paddle wheel steam boat that you can pay to cruise around the lake."
Tips from RVers
Water access considerations: Most tent camping areas near Moundville lack RV hookups, but Payne Lake Spillway offers sanitary dump stations for RVs passing through or day-visiting.
Parking limitations: Sites are primarily designed for tent camping with limited vehicle access. Larger RVs will find maneuvering difficult at most locations.
Day use option: RVers staying at larger campgrounds can visit these areas for day recreation. "The Payne Lake spillway is a nice place to have a picnic and view the lake," making it suitable for day trips from nearby RV parks.
