Cheaha State Park provides rustic and luxury camping options in Alabama's highest elevations, with glamping facilities at 2,474 feet above sea level. Campgrounds near Oxford range from primitive sites along creeks to full-service RV parks with waterfront access. The Talladega National Forest surrounds many camping areas, offering pine-covered terrain and multiple water features throughout the four distinct seasons of northeast Alabama.
What to do
Hiking local trails: Pine Glen Recreation Area serves as an access point to the Pinhoti Trail. "The Pinhoti Trail runs straight through the campground and provides hiking opportunities, and if you are willing to drive a little while there is a lot to do in the area," notes Alex K. This primitive campground costs only $3 per night.
Swimming in natural settings: River Rocks Landing offers water-based recreation with multiple pools. "They have 3 pools and a splash pad! I would say this is my to go to place! Y'all check out the Christmas light display during the holidays!" shares Elizabeth P. The campground features an infinity pool and river access.
Mountain biking: Chief Ladiga Trail Campground connects directly to the rail-to-trail path. "The Chief Ladiga Trail is a rails to trails bike path running from Piedmont, AL to the Georgia state line then continues almost to Atlanta as the Silver Comet Trail," explains Asher K. Sites cost approximately $25 per night and accommodate bike tourists.
What campers like
Affordable primitive options: Pine Glen Recreation Area offers basic camping with scenic natural features. "Pine Glen is my favorite campground in this region of Alabama. It is fairly remote and has few amenities. Shoal Creek runs right past the campground, giving a pleasant white noise at night," reports Alex K.
Stargazing opportunities: The Chief Ladiga Trail Campground offers minimal light pollution. Frank W. notes it's "dark at night for star gazing" and provides "lots of open space, trees, by a river." The remote setting creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Digital detox environment: Bohamia campground provides intentional disconnection from technology. "Came with a group of friends from town to relax and disconnect. Services are great some cabins and tents having ACs, but primitive camping allowed as well," writes Michael C. The campground offers filtered drinking water and multiple accommodation types.
What you should know
Water availability challenges: Pine Glen sites sometimes experience water system issues. Leesha J. noted, "This campground was nice except none of the water faucets worked," and Frank M. confirmed, "the fact that all the water faucets were inoperable is another thing. Very disappointing."
Varying cell service: Bohamia offers limited connectivity, creating a true digital detox. Bailey M. reports from a nearby campground, "Overall no cell service for AT&T & Verizon - For Verizon, I had 1 bar pop up twice for a few minutes."
Road conditions: Access to primitive sites often requires driving on unpaved roads. One camper explains Pine Glen's access challenge: "The drive in is 8 miles on an unpaved, backcountry road with varying inclines on slippery mixture of clay and gravel through hunting recreation area."
Weather considerations: Rainy conditions affect campground usability in low-lying areas. Frank M. observed at Pine Glen, "a lot of sites were underwater. Not the campgrounds fault it had been rainy, just saying."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: The Cove RV Resort offers amenities specifically for children. "There's a clean pool, a small lake, laundry, and bath house," notes Cat R., making it suitable for families seeking recreational facilities.
Educational hiking options: The area provides outdoor learning opportunities on well-marked trails. George's F. shares about Cheaha, "We hiked 3 trails with excellent views. All easy and enjoyable for all 3 of my kiddos, ages 6, 11 and 12. High Falls was my personal favorite."
Budget-friendly sites: Family camping near Oxford remains affordable. Taylor notes of one campground, "For $3 this campground was worth it all in all," while camping at River Rocks Landing provides multiple recreation options for the price.
Night lighting considerations: Campgrounds vary in nighttime illumination. Bailey M. advises, "No lighting at night - be sure to bring plenty flashlights." This applies particularly to primitive sites in the national forest.
Tips from RVers
Interstate proximity: The Cove RV Resort provides convenient highway access. Meghan T. explains it's "conveniently right off the interstate, but still tucked away enough that it's quiet. Booking was extremely easy on the website. It was $35 total (including all taxes) for full hookups, water, & sewer."
Glamping in Oxford, Alabama area: Luxury camping options exist at several locations near Oxford. Timberline Glamping Cheaha provides safari-style accommodations with private facilities. Clear Creek Cove RV Resort offers an alternative glamping experience where "the whole place is set up to have easy access to the water and it does this really well," according to Asher K.
Leveling and site selection: Finding level sites matters for larger rigs. Meghan T. describes her site as "very level, right by the pool, and still has a view of the lakes."
Internet connectivity: Working remotely requires planning for service. JR Z. notes, "The internet service is less than desirable unless you are close to the access point," while Meghan T. reports, "At&t and Verizon both had strong signals" at The Cove.
