Marion's surrounding area features several well-established campgrounds primarily managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along waterways within driving distance of the city. Payne Lake, located approximately 50 miles northwest of Marion, offers both East and West Side campgrounds with accommodations for tents and RVs. Other nearby options include Paul M. Grist State Park Campground near Selma and Forkland Campground along the Black Warrior Tombigbee Waterway. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups, water access, and bathroom facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Tent campers can find dedicated sites at several locations, including the more primitive Payne Lake Spillway area for those seeking a less developed experience.
Campground access throughout the region typically follows seasonal patterns, with most sites remaining open year-round due to Alabama's relatively mild climate. Many Corps of Engineers campgrounds implement reservation systems for their developed sites, particularly during busy summer months when water activities are popular. Prairie Creek Campground and similar facilities maintain paved concrete pads suitable for RVs with varying levels of hookups, though some locations have limited or no sewer connections. Road conditions to most established campgrounds remain good, though some of the more remote locations may involve short stretches of unpaved access roads. "I drove through two miles of red mud to get to the paved access road," noted one visitor about reaching Elm Bluff Campground.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, particularly those with direct river or lake access. Corps of Engineers campgrounds along the Alabama River system provide opportunities for fishing, boating, and water recreation, making them popular destinations during warmer months. Several campers specifically mention the quality of catfishing in these areas. Prairie Creek Campground receives particular praise for its well-maintained facilities and spacious sites. According to one visitor, "Looks like most of the sites are level with concrete parking pads. Many great waterfront sites with lots of big shade trees." Campgrounds closer to Tuscaloosa, such as Deerlick Creek, offer more extensive hiking trails and tend to be busier during football season. Sites with full hookups typically cost between $30-40 per night, with more primitive options available at lower rates throughout the region.
"The lake was full of lily pads in bloom when we arrived mid-morning."
"Watching the sun come up on this lake was so calming. We camped in site 16 and had a good view and a little walk way to the water."
$6 - $18 / night
"We had a great time visiting Payne Lake this weekend! We stayed at a primitive campsite with a beautiful view of the lake. My biggest advice is to bring. your. own. firewood."
"It was beautiful, quiet, and the lake was perfect. Would definitely go back!"
"The Payne Lake spillway is a nice place to have a picnic and view the lake. There is a pavilion with four picnic tables underneath it and then there are isolated picnic tables around the area."
"Great hiking trail for a quick half day visit and also plenty of room on the ponds dam for tent camping!"
$20 - $26 / night
"We took a trip to Alabama a few summers ago to visit family, and decided to do some camping and hiking before we went home. The drive was beautiful."
"It is near my home so I had been there multiple times but never stayed. It is nice and quiet with many options for activities."
$20 - $30 / night
"Situated on a beautiful mountain side just minute from university of alabama. Camp beside a churning creek and listen to nature."
"The park is in a great part of Alabama and is located close to a lot of the best hiking in the state. Additionally, the park is set up on an old ironworks plant where many people lived and worked."
$20 - $30 / night
"My campsite was near the bathroom/shower which was convenient. Enjoyed the hillside view I had and the walks in the woods surrounding the campground."
"Greta place to camp in the fall for Alabama football games, only about 15-16 miles from campus, yet very secluded. Really a great place to camp, whether with RV or tent camping!"
$22 - $32 / night
"We stayed here for one night while traveling through Alabama. Looks like most of the sites are level with concrete parking pads. Many great waterfront sites with lots of big shade trees."
"Sites along the lake tended to be closer together than I like, but with great views. Sites across the street tended to offer a little more space and, in some cases, more privacy."
$26 / night
"Great camground, with plenty of access to river. There is even a beach for swimming!"
"It is by a beautiful lake and a friendly, well kept campground. It's also close to home so it is easy to run down and get out of town."
TravelerVery clean, spacious, well built park. Its main claim to fame is the off roading trails for bikes or side by sides. They can be heard all over the campground so if you like peace and quiet not the park for you. They also don’t have laundry but do have nice three stall bath house and playground for kids.
RangerVery nice large concrete pads with large gravel picnic area. Full hookups, picnic table, fire ring, fish table, pole for light. Our site was river front and saw lots of barrages go by each day. trees around but great views from most sites either of river or water. Can ride bikes down to the Lock and Dam areas. About 2 1/2 miles ride around campground. US Army Core of Engineer campground. Very well maintained! Demopolis, Alabama
TravelerThe staff here is wonderful. They've helped us adjust to full time RV Life over that past 4 months. The residents here are very friendly as well.
They have a dog park at the front and a large field in the back door our dog to run and play. The pavilion is also great for getting out, even in rainy weather.
The pool is amazing. Plenty of chairs and umbrellas to rest and our kids love the slide.
LegendThis is a great boat launch with picnic areas. Well maintained with public restrooms. You cannot camp here, but there is nearby camping facilities in both Forkland and Demopolis.
GuideWonderful remote campground. Definitely has that out of the way,secluded vibe. It was very peaceful. The sites are nice level concrete and gravel pads, many of which have beautiful water front views. There are provisions for fishing as well. The camp host is very helpful. The bathhouses are minimal and outdated, but very clean. Would definitely come back.
GuideWe pulled in after dark so we couldn’t see much at first. I will say the turn to go in is a bit steep and we bottomed out in the camper but no harm no foul. Our host, Mini, was an absolute treasure. We found our spot and set up quickly on the nicely paved spot (2). The next day we were blown away. It was quiet, insanely clean bathrooms (thanks bill and co) and a cute play area for our 6 yo. We rode bike in a loop and checked out the trail while stopping to speak to several COE employees that were a delight. The other campers were respectful, kind and courteous. The next host (didn’t catch her name) was just as accommodating and instead of the one night, we stayed 3. Would go back again and again. One of the best experiences for us, we are novices but don’t need a lot of frills. There is a walking trail and boat ramp along with riverside campsites that we did not utilize but checked out. Gold star.
TravelerIt’s more of an RV park than campground. There are spaces for tents, but they don’t have picnic tables. The trees are actually behind the sites. So, don’t think about a hammock. The bathrooms are clean, but there are no showers.
RangerWe stayed at Tannehill Ironworks Campground for a long weekend and had a great experience. We arrived late on a Thursday night and appreciated that the ranger is on-site 24/7, since the campground doesn’t take reservations. The process is easy—you just pull in, find a site, and register/pay the next morning. It was a little hard to find a spot in the dark, but that was on us.
There are three main campground areas. • Campgrounds 1 and 2 offer full hook-ups, with many outer sites backing up to a scenic creek. • Campground 3 has water and electric only.
We stayed in site 122 in Campground 1, right on the creek. The sites are all gravel with picnic tables (a little worn—we brought our own table setup). Ours was pretty spacious, and since it wasn’t full, we had empty sites in front of and behind us, which made it feel even more open.
The creek is peaceful and adds great ambiance, but there’s no designated access area for wading or swimming. That said, lots of kids were playing in the water right near their sites.
T-Mobile service was decent—we were able to use our hotspot to stream TV at night. There’s no public Wi-Fi, but we didn’t miss it. We didn’t use the dump stations, but they looked clean and easy to access.
Check-out time is 1:00 PM, and we didn’t see an official check-in time or posted quiet hours. The campground was fairly calm and relaxed, especially at night.
The best part of Tannehill is everything there is to do. We brought bikes and explored miles of trails, all clearly marked by difficulty level. The park is also full of historical buildings like an old mill, furnace, blacksmith shop, and restored cabins (some are available to rent). There’s a Sunday church service at 9AM, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, a general store, a miniature train ride, and even an ice cream shop.
If you visit during one of their Trade Days weekends, you’re in for a treat—it’s like a huge flea market with over 400 vendors, food stands, and all kinds of local treasures.
Tannehill is a unique blend of history, nature, and activities for all ages. We’ll definitely be back and would recommend it to anyone looking for a laid-back getaway with lots to explore!
LegendThe Payne Lake spillway is a nice place to have a picnic and view the lake. 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. There are also bathrooms across from the pavilion. The boat ramp for the lake is right down the road from the spillway parking area. No camping is allowed in this area of the campground.
Camping areas near Marion, Alabama offer convenient access to multiple waterways, including the Black Warrior River system and Alabama River lakes. Most campsites sit within a 50-mile radius of Marion, making them accessible for weekend trips. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with some lakes experiencing significant drawdowns during late winter and early spring months.
Fishing opportunities: Payne Lake East Side provides productive fishing spots throughout the year. "The lake is very pretty and has an area for swimming and a boat launch," notes Gregg G. The area prohibits motorized boats, creating a peaceful fishing environment.
Swimming beaches: Millers Ferry Campground maintains a designated swimming area with nearby facilities. "Public lake for swimming, on site, with playground!" reports camper L&A C. The swimming area features a sandy beach and stays open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Hiking trails: Deerlick Creek offers varied terrain for day hikes with lake views. "Nice 1/2 mile asphalt bike/walking trail. Hiking trail with hills and valleys skirting the lake," mentions Eric H. Trail maps available at the entrance station show difficulty ratings and estimated completion times.
Waterfront privacy: Prairie Creek Campground offers secluded sites along the Alabama River. "I had picked a secluded, wooded campsite away from the lake, but was able to move to a secluded, lakeside campsite which turned out to be one of the most enjoyable of our 6 week trip," writes Terry P. Waterfront sites 18-25 provide the best balance of privacy and views.
Clean facilities: Forkland Campground maintains well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "Bathroom/shower house clean as can be. The nature trail was very calming and enjoyable," says Raymond B. Park staff clean bathroom facilities daily, with maintenance schedules posted on bulletin boards.
Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the unspoiled setting at Payne Lake West Side. "Very quiet and secluded, there is a beach area for swimming and bathhouses are large and clean. Plenty of shade and picnic areas!" reports Amber B. Most sites have mature trees providing natural shade coverage.
Limited cell service: Cell coverage varies widely across campgrounds near Marion. At Payne Lake West Side, one camper notes, "Unless you have Verizon you probably won't have cell service (which is why it's not crowded) but that can be a good thing."
Seasonal water levels: Water levels change significantly throughout the year. "Could have been better. I have driven through this campground before and thought it was beautiful, but this time it was not at all. The lake was down to the mud and stumps," reports Hannah C. about a March visit to Payne Lake.
Insect preparation: Ants present a challenge at several campgrounds marion al. "Be prepared for biting things, for sure, not just mosquitos," warns one Payne Lake visitor. At Prairie Creek, campers recommend preventative measures: "The only negative was the amount of ants, which we kept out of the camper with comet," advises Nate S.
Playground access: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park Campground offers multiple play areas for children. "My grandkids absolutely love it. The ride their bikes, play in the creek, and eat great ice cream from the creamery!" shares Paige M. The main playground area sits near campground section 1.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites around camping areas provide learning experiences. "The museum there is very interesting and educational," mentions Leesha J. about Tannehill. Many campgrounds offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Safety considerations: Families should note wildlife precautions. "Apparently there are alligators here, but they are seldom seen this time of year per the campground host," reports a Payne Lake East visitor. Rangers recommend keeping children within sight near waterways.
Site selection: Choose sites based on specific needs rather than just availability. "Looks like most of the sites are level with concrete parking pads. Many great waterfront sites with lots of big shade trees," notes a visitor to Prairie Creek.
Hookup variations: Hat Creek RV Park provides basic hookups in a rural setting. "This is pure heaven for me. Out in the middle of cow pastures and rolling hills," shares Lisa J. Sites include water and electric but no sewer connections.
Weather preparation: RVers should check road conditions during rainy seasons. "But if you come during wet season like I did just be prepared to deal with black silk mud and red clay mud and I mean lots of it," advises a Hat Creek visitor. Access roads to some campgrounds remain unpaved and can become challenging after heavy rainfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Marion, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Marion, AL is Payne Lake West Side with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What parks are near Marion, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Marion, AL that allow camping, notably Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes and Alabama River Lakes.
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