Best Dispersed Camping near New Hope, AL
Dispersed camping near New Hope, Alabama centers around the Walls of Jericho area, where primitive camping is permitted at several designated sites. The main option is the Walls of Jericho Trailhead Campsite, a free primitive camping area accessible by foot from the trailhead parking lot. This site serves as a basecamp for hikers exploring the Walls of Jericho trail system and Bear Den Point Loop Trail. Camping is also possible at scattered clearings near the trailhead, though these lack amenities and offer minimal privacy due to proximity to parking and trails.
Access to the Walls of Jericho Trailhead Campsite requires a short walk from the parking area. The site includes several small clearings with basic fire rings but no other facilities. No drinking water is available at the trailhead sites, though water can be found further down the trail. A porta-john toilet is located in the parking lot area, but otherwise, campers must follow leave-no-trace principles. Cell service is reported to be available with some carriers at the trailhead, but service diminishes on the trails. The area is remote with limited access to supplies, so proper planning is essential.
The camping experience at Walls of Jericho sites varies based on specific location. The trailhead sites are convenient but basic. "The trailhead campsite is level and large enough to accommodate many tents," notes one visitor, though another points out that "not a lot of options near the parking lot for hammocks" exist. Many campers use these sites as a staging area before hiking to more remote camping locations along the trail. The camping area near the parking lot has been described as "three separate clearings near the trailhead and parking with small fire pits." These work for car camping or late arrivals but offer limited privacy. For those willing to hike in with gear, more secluded options exist further along the trail, adjacent to water sources.