Tent camping near Pisgah, Alabama offers access to diverse terrain from the limestone formations of Little River Canyon to the dense forests around the Walls of Jericho. At elevations ranging from 600-1,500 feet, campers experience moderate temperatures with highs reaching 90°F in summer and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Most primitive sites require visitors to navigate forest service roads that can become muddy after rainfall.
What to do
Explore limestone caves: Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA's Blue Hole Dispersed campground provides access to Ellison Cave and the distinctive blue swimming hole. "It has a blue hole and caves... the camp sites are pretty good," notes Michael M., though visitors should bring water filtration equipment as no drinking water is available.
Mountain biking: Little River Adventure Company offers rental bikes for exploring the canyon parkway. "They also rent out pedal and motor bikes for exploring the parkway along the canyon," according to Asher K., who recommends this location specifically for tent campers rather than RV users.
Waterfall hikes: Foster Falls Campground serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the 12-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail. "It is a great spot to camp if you want to feel like you aren't really at a campground because all sites are rustic," writes Jessica L., who notes the trail is "one of the most beautiful trails in Tennessee, possibly the country!"
What campers like
Riverside camping: At Walls of Jericho - Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite, campers appreciate the strategic location. "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 towards the Tennessee trailhead and exploring many of the hidden gems and side trails along the way," reports Asher K., who recommends visiting after rainfall when water levels are higher.
Private tent sites: Many visitors seek out campgrounds that prioritize tent camping over RVs. "While other camp grounds all over are focusing on RV & pull behind trailers this place is specific to tent and RTT," notes Brannon about Little River Adventure Company, appreciating how the sites are "spaced out good enough and had privacy."
Seasonal swimming: TGL Adventures campsites offer immediate river access. "We ended up fishing til daylight because the river was physically only 10 steps from our tents," reports Heather B., who appreciated the "steps to take down to the river where we were able to get in and splash around."
What you should know
Site selection strategy: At Foster Falls Campground, site location significantly impacts your experience. "The sites in the center of the loop--especially sites 1-13--are very open, with little privacy between sites, although they are still shady due to the extremely tall trees. The outer loop sites have more underbrush between them providing a buffer," explains Stephanie J.
Access challenges: Many campgrounds require high-clearance vehicles or hiking. At Sawmill Lake Campsite, "The road leading up to the campsite is extremely rough and washed out. We were in a Subaru Outback, and it was a very slow-going, bumpy ride — we bottomed out several times," warns Abigail P.
Water availability: Most primitive sites require water filtration or carrying water in. At Hurricane Creek Campground, there's "nowhere to camp inside of the park" with water access, according to Jake C., who still rates it "a great spot for those looking to disconnect."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly locations: Whippoorwill Woods Nature Retreat offers amenities tailored for families. "Kristine was very communicative and hospitable. She provided plenty of water complimentary along with a s'mores gift bag," reports Katie, who adds the property "has much to offer for campers of all types with views for days."
Bathroom considerations: When camping with children, proximity to facilities matters. At Little River Adventure Company, one camper notes, "I do recommend bringing your own toilet accommodations since you'll probably pick a site further from the bath house," though they confirmed the facilities were "very clean and maintained."
Child-appropriate trails: Foster Falls offers trails suitable for young hikers. "Our 2 and 5 year old walked from our campsite down to the falls and back up easily, and enjoyed having a trail that led to the falls overlook for nightly post-dinner walks," shares Stephanie J.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Sawmill Lake Campsite can accommodate smaller RVs but without amenities. "I came from the west and had no problems getting my 23ft camper up the mountain. There were a few people that stayed in a tent for a night or two here and there, but I didn't see any other RV/Campers so every spot was open," reports Sierra Y., who stayed 13 days despite the primitive conditions.
Directional access: When approaching campgrounds with larger vehicles, direction matters. For Sawmill Lake, Mitchell M. advises, "If you have a trailer or rv I recommend coming in from the west direction... The east way had 180 degree sharp turns up the mountain, so may be difficult."
Permit requirements: Many campgrounds require land use permits. "You do need a land pass to be here, the website is on the sign coming in and it was around $60," notes Sierra Y. about Sawmill Lake Campsite, an important consideration for RVers planning longer stays.
