Top Free Dispersed Camping near Oneonta, AL

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Oneonta, AL (5)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Oneonta

7 Reviews of 5 Oneonta Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Skyway Loop Backcountry Site Near Chinnabee
    October 1, 2023

    Skyway Loop Backcountry Site Near Chinnabee

    Improved since last visit

    This site has been cleaned up and expanded since I last stayed here. The space is in a really beautiful area near the parking area for Lake Chinnabee and a few minutes down the trail from Devil's Den Falls. It has an established fire pit and several clear flat areas for tents. The creek runs right alongside so there is easy access to water and it provides a peaceful background sound during the night. Another nice feature of this campground is that it sits at the intersection of multiple trails.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Riverside Skyway Loop Backcountry Site
    April 30, 2021

    Riverside Skyway Loop Backcountry Site

    Small with water access

    This site is another of the small backcountry sites along the river between Cheaha Falls and Lake Chinnabee. Make sure to check out my review of Cheaha Falls Campground where I discuss the entire loop and the best times of year to visit. Although this campground isn’t as nice as others in the area it has easy access to water and is small and private so you won't have anyone else crowding your space. It is also a great option when the other spots can fill up during busy times such as holiday weekends in the spring or fall. This campground also has easy access to the many waterfalls that are up the trail and is not too far from the parking at Lake Chinnabee. This campground has a level area for either 1 or 2 tents, a fire ring, and access to flowing water. The best time to visit is either late spring or early summer when the flowers are blooming and the weather is warm enough to swim. But be aware it can get pretty hot and muggy late in the summer.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground
    January 1, 2021

    Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground

    Unique Experience!!!

    Camping here is a very unique experience and completely different than most other campgrounds so I will try and make sure to include enough details to repeat our trip. This"campsite" is really just a large embankment along the Tennessee River on land owned by the TVA. They have a policy that on certain parts of their land along the Tenessee River you are allowed to camp following leave no trace rules. Make sure to follow the link for the campsite to learn more. Although you can use any of their lands there are limited areas that are flat or large enough to comfortably set up a tent. This particular site(GPS coordinates above) is a great space and was perfect for a night along the river. We parked our car on the southern side of the Guntersville dam and put in our boats at the loading ramp. we then kayaked with our gear in dry bags up the river past the amazing views of the painted bluff. We parked our boats for a quick swim(with life vests, the current was really strong) and hiked around the shore where there is a cave. We continued on upriver and finally found this particular site where we set up for the night. The banks of the river are pretty steep so finding a large enough site can be challenging. Be prepared to have extra time to search for another site if the river level is high. On the whole, this was one of the most amazing camping experiences I have ever had and I highly recommend it.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Chinnabee Silent Trail Backcountry Site 7
    December 18, 2020

    Chinnabee Silent Trail Backcountry Site 7

    Easy water access

    This is a nice sized campsite alongside the river right off of the Chinnabee Silent Trail. Check out my video below for my take on this site. It is definitely one of the larger and more developed backcountry sites along the trail and is far enough back from the river to not have to worry about flooding. I also liked how close it is to the waterfall so you could set up camp and go for a nice evening swim before cooking dinner. It's probably not the best option if you only have a hammock to sleep in but for a tent it is perfect. If you are not an early riser be aware that this site is right alongside the trail so you may hear people who get out on the trail in the morning. Overall, there are many sites to choose from along this trail and most of the year you will have your pick. If you are backpacking in the busy season though this is a great site if you can get it early.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Skyway Loop Backcountry
    June 1, 2018

    Skyway Loop Backcountry

    Great backpacking site

    I have stayed at this site once but visited it twice now and it is really the second best on top of the ridge while doing the loop. We wanted to stay at the next campground along but were unable to find space. Make sure to check out my review of Cheaha Falls Campground where I discuss the entire loop and the best times of year to visit. The downside to staying this far along the ridge is that even in times with high water levels it is pretty far away and you will be trekking back and forth a good distance if you don’t fill up along the way. Additionally, this site is located right at the turning point of the trail so everyone who passes will actually loop around your site or pass right through it. Otherwise it is great cause you get a direct view out from the ridge and sunset is amazing!!! Make sure to spend some time out on the rocks at night since you can see every star in the sky. There is nothing special about the firepit but it is nice that there is space to set up several tents in different areas and there are plenty of trees for hammocks. Overall, its worth checking Skyway Loop Campground with view to see if it is available but otherwise staying here is not a bad option at all.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Skyway Loop Backcountry Site Near Chinnabee
    May 28, 2018

    Skyway Loop Backcountry Site Near Chinnabee

    Fork in the trail

    This campground is located at a point where the trail splits and either goes to the Lake Chinnabee recreation area or turns and continues on the skyway loop south. This is an important point because if you miss the turn you will get lost and not make it around the loop. Make sure to first read my review of the entire loop here. This site is really wonderful because of how easy it is to access, its location on the water, and its large level areas for setting up tents. You can get to the site from any of the 2 skyway loop starting points or you can park at Lake Chinnabee and walk a short distance to get to the campsite. It is still a backcountry site but could theoretically be used by groups who want to just hike in the short distance with more gear. If you are a backpacker completing the loop this is a great place to rest and have lunch or this would be a good night option if you do the loop over 3-4 days. (For a 2 day loop I suggest starting at the southern point and camping at either Turnipseed or Cheaha Falls). This is a great place to visit in Spring or early summer before it gets too hot and while the water levels are still high. You can see some amazing wildflowers and if you make the hike to the top of the ridge nearby the views are spectacular.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Skyway Loop Backcountry
    May 28, 2018

    Skyway Loop Backcountry

    Little campground on the water

    This is a nice little campground right along the river that is one of the few of its size at this point in the loop. I would suggest starting by reading my review from Cheaha Falls Campground which gives a good synopsis of the backpacking loop. This site has a large campfire ring with level space for a couple of tents and plenty of trees for hammocks. There is water here year round though that also means it can get buggy in the summer. We were here in the really early spring and it was amazing! Water levels were high and everything was just starting to bloom. The signage along these trails is also good and they are well traveled though there are a few stream crossings that can get confusing so keep an eye out for turns in the trail, especially in the fall or winter when there are leaves on the ground. If you plan to camp in this site but it is full there are other options in the area so just travel a little further down the trail.



Guide to Oneonta

Camping near Oneonta, Alabama, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned camper, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Explore the Caverns: Visit Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground for a chance to tour stunning underground formations. One camper mentioned, “The tour didn’t include so much geological information as it was about rocks shaped as animals, etc. It would have been cool to learn more about the history and sciency stuff.”
  • Fishing and Swimming: Check out Lake Guntersville State Park Campground for fishing and swimming opportunities. A visitor shared, “We stayed three nights in primitive camping and it was fantastic. Our site was right on the water and far away from any other campers.”
  • Hiking Trails: Head to Oak Mountain State Park Campground for hiking and biking trails. One reviewer said, “The park has so many different activities including hiking, BMX trails, swimming, and more.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Noccalula Falls Park & Campground noted, “The bathrooms are old and dingy and not ADA at all. But it would have been nice to get some assistance.”
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campgrounds have friendly staff. A camper at Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground remarked, “The camp hosts Theresa and Ray are absolutely amazing. They’re the friendliest camp hosts we’ve ever met!”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful surroundings. One reviewer at Clear Creek Recreation Area said, “This was our first trip to Clear Creek and we were blown away. We stayed on Fox Loop and it had great water views and shade!”

What you should know

  • Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have small sites. A camper at Rickwood Caverns State Park Campground mentioned, “These are the tiniest campsites I've ever seen in a State Park, worse than an RV park even.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Corinth Recreation Area noted, “There are dump stations but they are far from the campsites, recommend you have a portable container that is towable.”
  • Noise Levels: Some areas can be noisy due to nearby roads. A camper at Noccalula Falls Park & Campground shared, “The campground is very close to town and as so expect a lot of noise from traffic.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A reviewer at Lake Guntersville State Park Campground said, “There are several types of sites, monthly, cabins and tent camping. There are boat slips and a Pavilion on the water, basketball and tennis courts, playground, shady dog park, splash pad, and clean bathhouses.”
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities for kids. One camper at Oak Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, “There are things to do year-round and the weather was great for mid-July.”
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids entertained with snacks and games. A visitor at Honeycomb Campground said, “The sites are pretty close together, not much room for outdoor family activities.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Birmingham South RV Park noted, “The concrete at the campsite we had was so bad if you did not watch where you walked you could twist your ankle.”
  • Be Prepared for Limited Wi-Fi: Some campgrounds have inconsistent internet. A visitor at Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground mentioned, “CG WiFi was inconsistent, with speeds from next to zero and up to 1.5 MB/s.”
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the dump stations are located. A camper at Clear Creek Recreation Area advised, “There are dump stations but they are far from the campsites.”

Camping around Oneonta, Alabama, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Oneonta, AL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Oneonta, AL is Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Oneonta, AL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Oneonta, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.