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Best Tent Camping near Paint Rock, AL

695 Reviews

The forested hills surrounding Paint Rock, Alabama offer several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius. Walls of Jericho Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite provides primitive tent-only camping accessible via a 2.7-mile hike from the Alabama trailhead. Little River Adventure Company, located near Little River Canyon, features 30 tent campsites specifically designed for tent campers rather than RVs. TGL Adventures offers riverside tent camping with easy water access, while Hurricane Creek Campground provides walk-in tent sites with basic amenities in a secluded setting.

Most tent campgrounds in the Paint Rock region feature natural, level surfaces suitable for tent setup. Walls of Jericho sites accommodate only 2-3 tents per site and require hikers to pack in all supplies and filter water from Hurricane Creek. Little River Adventure Company provides a bathhouse at the front of the property, though campers selecting more remote sites should consider bringing portable toilet options. Primitive tent camping areas typically include fire rings, but campers should check current fire restrictions before arrival. Most sites permit pets, and reservations are recommended, particularly for established campgrounds like TGL Adventures where riverside sites are popular.

Tent campers visiting the area frequently use these sites as bases for exploring nearby natural attractions. According to reviews, the Hurricane Creek site at Walls of Jericho offers "great water access" and serves as an ideal starting point for day hikes to features like the Blue Hole and the falls. One camper noted that Little River Adventure Company provides "spacious and fairly flat" tent sites with good privacy between campsites. Sites at TGL Adventures place tents "only 10 steps from the river," allowing for fishing and water activities directly from camp. Spring visits to backcountry tent sites are particularly rewarding after rainfall when water features are more dramatic, though summer heat can be challenging at exposed sites. Most tent-only campgrounds in the region provide more seclusion than typical RV-oriented facilities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Paint Rock, Alabama (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Paint Rock, AL

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Tent Camping Reviews near Paint Rock, AL

695 Reviews of 16 Paint Rock Campgrounds

  • Melissa K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2017

    Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    Beautiful

    This park was really nice. We stopped while passing through. The only sites available were walk in tent sites. This isn't a huge big deal but it wasn't ideal for us at that particular time. We had a hard time identifying our site number as they really weren't marked but it wasn't far from the parking lot. There was a tent pad and fire ring but no picnic table. Not the end of the world as we arrived late and were really just sleeping there for the night. The sounds were amazing, owls for a good part of the night. We did have an issue with noise, there was a large group somewhere that was very loud well in to quiet hours and without a camp hose or attendant in the walk in sites, nothing was done about it and the noise started back up first thing in the morning as well. The park did acknowledge other complaints but without knowing which site they were in, it was hard to correct the situation. We did decide to explore the park before driving on and hiked to two waterfalls. Both hikes contained many stairs which is a good workout. The falls were really pretty and well worth the walk with a toddler.

  • A
    Sep. 5, 2016

    Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    Walk-in sites

    Love the tent-only serenity of the walk-in sites. There is a separate parking lot at the back of the park for the walk-in sites, which are a short distance away (easy to haul your gear). The sites have a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring, and lots of privacy as the sites are very far from each other. The bath house has showers and running hot water. the long hike around the canyon and down into it provided amazing views! I'm always thrilled to find camping areas where I can have the convenience of my car-but can avoid the noise of RVs - and you definitely get that here!

  • Katie S.
    Jun. 18, 2019

    Tomahawk Campground

    Ranger Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with SunShade camp chair at Tomahawk Primitive Campground

    Campground Review: 

    Tomahawk Primitive Campground is located near Cullman, AL right off of Highway 278. The campground is primitive, and has no electricity or water pumps or hookups at the individual sites, but there is a common room area attached to the back of the owner’s house that has a clean bathroom, a coffee maker, and electricity. There are 3 campsites with fire rings as well as a large, open field at the main campground area, and additional sites by the creek, about a 10 minute walk from the main area. The trail to the creek-side sites was partially cleared, but there were a few fallen trees blocking the path that could make it difficult to carry gear to those sites. My husband, puppy and I stayed at one of the tent sites in the main campground area. If you are staying in a tent, I highly recommend air mattresses for this camp. While the ground has been somewhat cleared, there are still large stocks sticking one or 2 inches out of the ground that would make sleeping without an air mattress very uncomfortable. However, the bigger issue making sleep difficult for us was the road noise from the highway, which stayed busy throughout the night. I assume that if you are in a camper you won’t notice it as much, but in a tent it made us feel like we were camping on the side of the highway and not at a camp. Another problem that we ran into, unfortunately after we set up camp, is that our site had a ton of fire ants. I’m not sure if this is a problem at all of the tent sites or if it was just ours, but I advise caution when choosing your site and where you set up your tent. Our favorite part of this campground was the creek. It was beautiful and clear, perfect for our dog to play in, and had good locations to set up a hammock and enjoy the peaceful creek sounds. If we were to stay at this camp again, we would bring gear that could be hauled to the creek-side campsites. 

    Gear Review: GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker with Sunshade 

    As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes get gear to review on my camping trips. For this trip I got the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade camp chair. I LOVE this chair, and so did my husband and dog. The chair comes in a durable carrying case, which is great because I’ve had many camp chair bags fall apart after just a few uses. The chair was a little confusing to set up/take down at first, until I realized that easy-to-follow instructions are attached to the bag. The chair is larger than most camp chairs and provides more support. The sunshade is adjustable and can be moved in several positions as well as completely collapsed. The only complaint that we had about the Pod Rocker is that the included cup holder is a pouch that doesn’t seem like it would actually prevent your drink from spilling. For me, the benefit of having a camp rocking chair far outweighs this one detractor. This chair was wonderful for camping but would also be perfect for outdoor sporting events and concerts. I highly recommend the GCI Pod Rocker with Sunshade! Here is the link for the GCI Pod Rocker with SunShade:  https://www.gcioutdoor.com/rockers/pod-rocker-with-sunshade/

  • Cassandra C.
    Sep. 2, 2017

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Quiet campground

    I stayed at site number 063, which was an RV site with electric and water, and it was adjacent to the primitive sites. This campsite had a gravel pad, and setting a tent up outside of the pad was impossible as all of the surrounding area was a steep slope. The pad was plenty big for my one person tent, but I can't imagine anything bigger than a 4 person tent fitting in the area. I definitely recommend the primitive campsites if you're tent camping. The sites in this part of the camp were pretty far apart, and there was plenty of privacy. The park was riddled with trails (22 miles of them), many of which were also open to bikes. The bathhouse was pretty far from site 063, but they were clean.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2019

    DeSoto State Park Campground

    Relaxing Fall Weekend

    This was our first time staying at Desoto after being here previously to hike. Desoto State Park Campground is a large campground with 94 full hookup sites, 16 primitive tent sites, and 2 primitive backcountry sites. All sites with hook ups also included cable hook ups. All the sites are gravel and most sites are wooded with lots of shade. The sites are a little sloped, so have leveling equipment ready. The sites vary from small and close together in the pull through area, to medium size with plenty of separation for some privacy. All style sites include a picnic table and fire ring. 

    Check-in is at the camp store if you arrive during store hours or at the lodge if you arrive after hours. We stayed on site 15, which had a little sun in the morning and complete shade in the afternoon. This site does have a little slope in it, which was no problem for leveling our trailer, but our friends that were with us and in a tent had to deal with setting up on a little slope. 

    The bathhouse is centrally located, newer, and cleaned daily. There are also laundry machines available between the men’s and women’s area.. 

    Firewood, ice, limited grocery items, and lots of souvenirs were available at the camp store. There is a full grocery store less than 15 minutes away. 

    We found ok to limited cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The state park did have wi-fi near the camp store. 

    The park has lots of hiking to enjoy the outdoors, a few smaller waterfalls along some of the trails, a zipline and sky bridge course(for a fee), and a large waterfall a short 5 minute drive from the campground. The river above the large waterfall is also available for kayaking and canoeing, and a small outfitter rents boats if you need one. 

    The state park is located in a very outdoorsy area with various activities to take inn. We look forward to visiting here again.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 23, 2025

    Woodybrooke Farm

    Hipcamp near cloudland canyon

    This place is perfect. Small outhouse and far away from everyone. Long gravel road you can drive or walk to three separate ponds to fish(they keep them stocked) and you can also kayak or canoe on the ponds. They have a great little community kitchen and the Hipcamp owner is so sweet! Lots of tent sites and a couple rv electric sites but no water or sewer hookup for the fancier campers needing more accommodations. No shower area besides an outdoor shower near the community kitchen area and good cell signal! And a store is ten minutes from camp so grab some food to cook over the fire! This is a perfect get in touch with nature spot. They have fire rings and tables everywhere and also have firewood! And dog friendly!

  • Jeremy H.
    Jun. 22, 2019

    Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground

    Clean, Quiet, Comfortable

    My son Charlie(age 8) and I camped at Cathedral Caverns State Park on June 17, 2019. It was a Monday night. We chose one of the primitive campground sites and paid a little under$20 for one night. Since we were camping we received a discount on our cave tour the next day. It's worth noting that all of the primitive and RV campsites are outside of the state park’s main gates which means that anyone can easily enter or leave the camp at anytime day or night; however, two state employees live fulltime within walking distance of the campsites. It was encouraging to know that help was only steps away if we needed it. One of the rangers actually stopped and introduced himself while making his early evening round. He verified that I had registered at the camp, informed me that it might rain that night, and wished us a good evening. A father and son also drove through the campground about that time in a personal car. I expected him to camp, but later when we went for a walk, we didn’t find him. On our walk we went down to the restrooms gathering kindling in large, reusable grocery bags. We also brought our one gallon water jug. It’s quite a walk to the restroom and unless you are driving, it would be unreasonable to rely on it as your bathroom. Bring a camping toilet or a shovel. The RV sites are right next to the restrooms, which means that if you are in the primitive site it is very unlikely that you will hear RV generators all night. There were no RVs there on our night because the sites were being overhauled and it was closed though the restrooms were still up and running. The restrooms were very clean and spacious with clean, new shower curtains and it was fully stocked with supplies. I can’t say if the water was hot, but my suspicion is that it probably was since the rest of the facility is well kept. Back to the kindling: There’s plenty to be had and we even found four or five logs left by our campsite by a previous camper. Speaking of firewood, there’s plenty of that for sale for a reasonable$10.00 at the restroom facility. Money’s left in a box on the honor system. After cooking two cans of Southgate chili on an improvised Sweedish fire using the charitable camper’s firewood, we played in the field which was easily accessible from the primitive campsite. It’s guarded by a feral but entertaining cat who has an appetite for small rabbits. He almost caught one when he chased it through the campsite and under the picnic table where we happened to be eating supper. I’m not sure if he ever caught him but the last time I saw them they were running through the campsite like the wind. The campsite was simple. There was a fire ring and an old picnic table. You might want to bring a table cloth along or use a tarp if you’re doing more than heating up canned chili. The site was clean as was the entire park. I was easily able to back into the site with a 2007 Trailblazer. Though we had planned on tent camping, we ended up sleeping in the Trailblazer. Dad brought the tent, but he forgot the poles. All of the sites were clean and would have made wonderful tent sites. They were spaced adequately apart to provide a sense of privacy though if you’re pooping in a bucket you might have to be strategic in your temporary John placement. I don’t think my wife would have liked the bathroom situation at all and it might have been a bigger issue for Charlie and me if there’d been anyone else on the campground. We were the sole campers at Cathedral Caverns during our visit. We weren’t the only people using the park though. There were plenty who come to see the cave which true to its name feels like a Cathedral. I’ve been in a few tourist caves but there’s something different about this one. Our tour guide did a great job not only telling us about the beauty and history of the cave, but helped us to imagine one of the caves first explorers and its benefactor Mr, Gurly. If that description doesn’t make you want to visit, here’s this: Legend says there’s a ledge in the cave and if you toss a coin and land it right on the ledge you get your wish. After I tossed my dime I regretted instantly not wishing for a billion instead of a million dollars. I was assured by the tour guide that I could expect my check any day now, so the star review might change depending on how quickly the check rolls in.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2017

    Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    Gets its name honest

    Outside Trenton, Ga, off of I59 Cloudland Canyon State Park has the views!

    The West Rim trail was not super difficult but lots of roots and rocks, so watch your step. Plenty of overlook opportunities, the main overlook is at the Interpretive Center. Bear Creak is a back country 7+ mile adventure, check in before you go. There are several other shorter trails including a waterfall Trail. Then there's 5 Points Recreation Area which has bike, horse and hiking trails.

    There are cabins, yurts, RV camping, back country sites and walk in tent sites, BUT reserve early! Friendly helpful staff have taken good care of the maintenance of the camping areas and the trails.

    I liked the walkin campsite. It was far enough away from the other sites to not be disturbed, had connector trails to other areas of the park and a stream nearby. Plenty of room for more then one tent or hammocks and a picnic table and fire ring.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: RovR RollR 60 Cooler at Cloudland Canyon State Park

    **Campground Review: **

    This is the second year in a row for us visiting Cloudland Canyon in the fall. Cloudland Canyon is a large state park with 72 water and electrics campsites, 30 walk-in primitive campsites, and 13 backcountry campsites. There are also cabins and yurts to rent. The RV sites are split between the east rim where the sites are close together and are in more of an open field, and the west rim, where the sites are in a wooded setting, shaded, and slightly separated. All of sites include a picnic table and fire ring. 

    Check-in was easy at the office at the entrance of the campground. We stayed on site 36 on the west rim. This site was mainly level and close to the bathhouse. 

    The bathhouse is centrally located and older, but functional and cleaned daily. There are also laundry machines available between the men’s and women’s area.. 

    Firewood, ice, limited supplies, and souvenirs were available at the office. At the office, you can also pick up the phone number to a local that sells firewood by the cord or half cord and will deliver right to your site. We got a half cord(equivalent to about 6 bundles) for$23. 

    We found good cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The campground did not have wi-fi. 

    There is tons of hiking in and around the state park. On this visit, we hiked about 14 miles on trails in different areas of the park. The west rim campground also has connector trails to some of the main trails and we had our own personal connector off of site 36 to the trail system. The view on both the west and east rims area amazing, and if you decide to take on the 600 stairs to the bottom of the canyon there are two impressive waterfalls. 

    With this being our second year to stop here, we have fallen in love with the area. We recommend this campground and will keep returning to this area. I really like that it is less than 2 hours away from home, so we can visit this park often.

    **---------------------------- **

    **Product Review: **

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, I tested the RovR RollR 60 Cooler. This cooler from RovR is a new addition to our standard camp gear list. The RollR 60 is a sturdy cooler that has the ability to hold temperature for long periods. During our 5 days of use, we did have some ice melt, but the ice water stayed super cold, kept our items very cold, and some ice remained the entire time. The all-terrain tires and handle made it easy for moving throughout the terrain found at our campsite. The wagon bin that fits on top is great for storing miscellaneous gear and the dry bin inside the cooler is perfect for keeping those items you want cold, but not wet. I also like the fact that is has heavy-duty rubber latches to keep the lid closed tight and the critters out. I highly recommend this cooler and am excited to have this as part of our gear loadout.

Guide to Paint Rock

Tent campsites near Paint Rock, Alabama are scattered throughout Jackson County's mixed hardwood forests at elevations ranging from 600-1,200 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with hot, humid summers where temperatures regularly exceed 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Several camping areas provide creek access on limestone terrain with natural swimming holes forming during spring high-water periods.

What to do

Kayaking access points: Little River Adventure Company offers convenient water access for paddlers. "The owner, Giorgio, is a off-road bike rider and a super host. This is a great spot and I would stay here again in a second," notes Charles H. The campground includes river access for launching kayaks.

Backcountry hiking: Walls of Jericho - Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite serves as a strategic base for extended hikes. "I just got back from a weekend backpacking trip to Wall of Jericho and stayed at this site located right after coming down the hill before crossing the bridge... We hiked in on Friday afternoon and set up camp. Then on Saturday morning after eating breakfast we headed out on the mill creek loop hike," shares Asher K.

Island camping adventures: Adventurous campers can paddle to backcountry sites at Evans Loop Backcountry Site on Tims Ford Lake. "We visit here every summer, great paddling, few cliffs to jump off of, awesome old cemetery right beside campsite," according to Buddy G. The island sites require watercraft access but reward campers with complete seclusion.

What campers like

Easy river access: TGL Adventures places campers exceptionally close to water. "We ended up fishing til daylight because the river was physically only 10 steps from our tents," writes Heather B. The convenient water proximity allows for spontaneous swimming and fishing directly from campsites.

Privacy between sites: Whippoorwill Woods Nature Retreat offers well-spaced tent sites. "The campsites are pretty spread out and well hidden from one another. The property has much to offer for campers of all types with views for days," Katie explains. The retreat maintains just four campsites across its acreage.

Natural swimming opportunities: Seasonal water features enhance many Paint Rock area campgrounds. "There were even steps to take down to the river where we were able to get in and splash around," notes a TGL Adventures camper. Water levels vary significantly by season, with spring offering the most reliable swimming conditions.

What you should know

Bathhouse locations: Bathroom facilities at Little River Adventure Company require planning. "The 'bathhouse' advertised was a freezing shed with a horse trough as a shower that was a quarter mile from all of the sites," mentions Sam O. Another camper suggests: "I do recommend bringing your own toilet accommodations since you'll probably pick a site further from the bath house."

Weather preparation: Summer heat impacts comfort at exposed sites, while spring brings higher water levels. "Springtime is the best time to be here especially after a big rainstorm since the water levels are higher making everything more dramatic," advises an experienced Walls of Jericho camper.

Road noise considerations: Some campsites experience traffic sounds despite feeling remote. "My one quibble would be that, although the site definitely feels secluded, there was a little bit of road noise at night from the main road," notes John S. at Little River Adventure Company. Sites further from main roads typically offer quieter experiences.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Hurricane Creek Campground provides basic facilities suitable for families new to primitive camping. "Hurricane Creek Campground is a great spot for those looking to disconnect and enjoy some time in the southeast," notes Jake C. The walk-in sites include picnic tables and designated trash collection.

Safety considerations: Islands at Tims Ford require extra precautions with children. "The boat traffic and lack of respect for kayakers was concerning," warns a camper at Evans Loop Backcountry Sites when describing paddling to Leatherwood Island. Morning paddling typically encounters less motorboat traffic.

Playground availability: Some campgrounds include dedicated children's areas. Chris B. reports that TGL Adventures is "really nice. The folks that run it are caring and inviting. It is a great experience. Nice playground for the kids as well."

Tips from RVers

Military camping options: Easter Posey MWR Military on Redstone Arsenal offers long-term options for eligible military personnel. "Easter posey is mainly populated with people who live long term in their RV and work on base," explains Gloria G. Facilities include bathrooms and showers, though maintenance occurs weekly rather than daily.

Wildlife awareness: Local campgrounds recommend vigilance regarding native wildlife. "Signs to be careful about coyotes and copperhead snakes abound. We didn't see any when we were there, but still, warnings posted," notes a camper at Easter Posey. Storing food properly and checking tent sites before setup helps minimize wildlife encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Paint Rock, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Paint Rock, AL is TGL Adventures with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Paint Rock, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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