Piedmont, Alabama sits along the Chief Ladiga Trail in the Appalachian foothills with elevations ranging from 600-700 feet. Located near the southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail system, this area offers visitors both recreational trails and access to the Talladega National Forest. Weather can be quite humid in summer months with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for outdoor activities.
What to do
Trail biking: The Chief Ladiga Trail connects directly to many campsites in the region. "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. My wife and I decided to try out bike camping on this trail since the wide flat paved path makes it easy to carry a bunch of gear on the back of your bike," says Asher K. from Chief Ladiga Trail Campground.
Hiking: The Pinhoti Trail system offers day hikes ranging from easy to challenging. "Pine Glen is my favorite campground in this region of Alabama. It is fairly remote and has few amenities. 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. from Pine Glen Recreation Area.
Water activities: Many campgrounds feature swimming, fishing, and boating options. "The nice thing is though the sites are along a little stream that is large enough to go swimming in and helps to cool off after a long day of biking," remarks Asher K. about cooling off at Chief Ladiga Trail Campground.
What campers like
Peace and seclusion: Campers consistently mention the quiet atmosphere away from busy tourist areas. "Insanely peaceful and quiet. Even with a full campground the sites are all spaced far enough from each other that you won't hear your neighbors," writes Sarah M. about Pine Glen Recreation Area.
Stargazing opportunities: The limited light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. "Dark at night for star gazing. Friendly folks," mentions Frank W. about his experience at Chief Ladiga Trail Campground.
Natural water features: Many campers enjoy the creeks and streams running through camping areas. "Shoal Creek runs right past the campground, giving a pleasant white noise at night, and it is situated in a glen of pine trees. It is open with little underbrush, but the sites are spaced out enough to have some privacy," Alex K. notes about Pine Glen.
What you should know
Primitive amenities: Many campsites near Piedmont offer minimal facilities. "Nice primitive sites... No water or electric. Pit toilets that can get ripe if not emptied in a while. Small creek beside campground. Pinhoti trail comes through this area. $3.00 per night or $1.50 per night with access pass. You will have to drive on dirt road to get here," explains PawPawDrew1 about Pine Glen Recreation Area.
Weather preparedness: Flash flooding can affect some sites after heavy rain. "First of all, a lot of sites were underwater. Not the campgrounds fault it had been rainy, just saying. However, the fact that all the water faucets were inoperable is another thing," notes Frank M. regarding Pine Glen Recreation Area.
Cell coverage: Service can be spotty throughout the region. "There is no cell service for AT&T & Verizon - For Verizon, I had 1 bar pop up twice for a few minutes. No lighting at night- be sure to bring plenty flashlights," advises Bailey M. about their experience at Chattahoochee Bend State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly glamping: For luxury camping near Piedmont, Alabama, several options include kid-friendly amenities. "If you have little ones this is for them. A little bit of everything from pools to zip lines. Very detailed itinerary list of times for activities for the kiddos," explains Joseph C. about Yogi Bears Jellystone Park.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas suitable for children. "My kids loved the open activities at Jellystone! They bounced on the jump pad, went down the new bounce slide, enjoyed the playground, and the pools," shares Kasey M. about their family trip to Yogi Bears Jellystone Park.
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "There are two playgrounds that were open. Playgrounds are brand new or at least they look brand new. I am 225 lbs and I played on all the equipment with my daughter," mentions Joey P. about his experience at Chattahoochee Bend State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RVers should check specific site amenities before booking. "We parked our 22ft travel trailer at site 30 which was bounded to the north and east by the tent camping area. While the RV sites aren't very private, there is plenty of space to escape your neighbor," notes Chris C. about Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center.
Site selection: Some sites require leveling equipment. "We loved our spot especially #103 in Campground 1, lots of privacy for our 21ft Lance TT. Backing in was not difficult even though we had to raise the right tire 3" to be level," explains Erin C. about Chattahoochee Bend State Park.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "For $3 this campground was worth it all in all. Points to consider: 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. We were in a Ford Explorer. Everybody else was in trucks. Good for them," warns Taylor about Pine Glen Recreation Area.
