ashley R.
Guide
GuidePrairie Creek Campground
Truly a stunning campground! The waterfront site we stayed in was beautiful. Well kept park, easy to maneuver. Would love to come back.
Tent Camping near Selma, AL
1 campground with availability this weekend
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The Selma, Alabama region provides limited tent camping options within a 30-mile radius. Jones Bluff, also known as Bob Woodruff Park, offers access to the Alabama River with opportunities for swimming, hiking, and fishing, though dedicated tent camping is not available at this specific location. Nearby Prairie Creek Park Campgrounds and Gunter Hill Park, both managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, provide established tent camping alternatives for visitors to the area.
Tent campsites in the broader region typically offer basic amenities with varying levels of development. Runaway Branch in Forkland features picnic tables, toilets, and drinking water with permission for campfires, making it suitable for primitive tent setups. Payne Lake Spillway near Moundville includes toilets, drinking water, and sanitary dump facilities, though actual tent camping appears to be limited in this recreation area. Most backcountry tent camping locations maintain seasonal operations, with Murchison Farm in Pine Apple specifically noting a March-October season.
Sites farther from Selma offer more diverse tent camping experiences. Murchison Farm provides both drive-in and walk-in tent camping options with amenities including drinking water, showers, toilets, and trash service. The property allows pets and alcohol, with firewood available on-site. A review of the Payne Lake area noted, "The Payne Lake spillway is a nice place to have a picnic and view the lake. There is a pavilion with four picnic tables underneath it and then there are isolated picnic tables around the area." While dedicated tent camping may not be permitted in all recreation areas, the region offers several locations where primitive tent setups can serve as a base for exploring historical sites including the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Selma (6)
1. Jones Bluff
"Also known as Bob Woodruff Park, located right on the Alabama River, there's access to swimming, hiking, fishing and of course boating."
2. Roland Cooper State Park Campground
"last couple of months on my motorcycle you see I have recently got into Hammock camping… as I was looking for a destination I wanted to go somewhere out-of-the-way so I found this little state park in Alabama"
40 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
3. Payne Lake Spillway
"Picnic tables at the sites have wasps. BRING WASP SPRAY! ATT had zero service."
"The Payne Lake spillway is a nice place to have a picnic and view the lake. There is a pavilion with four picnic tables underneath it and then there are isolated picnic tables around the area."
4. Runaway Branch
"Well maintained with public restrooms. You cannot camp here, but there is nearby camping facilities in both Forkland and Demopolis."
5. Murchison Farm
from $37 / night
6. Lock 5
Drive Time
- 53 min from Montgomery, AL
- 1 hr 29 min from Birmingham, AL
- 1 hr 39 min from Auburn, AL
- 1 hr 39 min from Tuscaloosa, AL
Tent Camping Reviews near Selma, AL
195 Reviews of 6 Selma Campgrounds
Walter E.GuideFoscue Creek
Foscue
Level sites clean restroom nice host
- AAlan C.
TravelerSherling Lake Park and Campground
Good Overnight Stop
Good place to stop overnight. Got a pull through site # 18 and didn’t have to disconnect. Sites have full hookups. Con is that the next morning I had small black ants streaming along my front & rear door frames. Be sure you spray or do something to keep them off your equipment.
Hello K.
ScoutYellowHammer RV Campground
Significant Upgrade from a rest area
This immaculate campground/manufactured home seller is easy off I65 and easy back on. Has laundry, playground, dog park, showers, restrooms, tv lounge vending machines, wifi, AND FULLhookup. Enjoyed one night.
Would definitely stay again.
David W.GuideChilton County Minooka Park
Nice Campground (bathrooms need attention)
Stopped in late for an overnight on our way to Gulf Shores. Nice level concrete sites Seems secluded…for a non dispersed campground. The bathrooms however were terrible. One non -functional One over flowing and clogged One has a line as if you were at a rock concert with only porta johns.
Pretty sad for a $45 fee.
Hopefully they get that figured out and we can make it a regular stop when headed south
Nancy W.
LegendGunter Hill
Always a favorite.
We stop here often and love how easy it is to get to from route 80 and not too far from I-65. There are two sections– Catoma Creek and Antioch Loop– both of which are very different. The Catoma Loop is full hook-up (50 and 30 amps) with a nice, level paved driveway and gravel patio. Sites in this loop have more space between campsites so you don’t feel like you are right on top of your neighbor. This loop is more open and less treed but there are a few shade trees. The waterfront sites are really nice with great views of the sunset. The only problem with this section is that it is more desirable and therefore more crowded. The Antioch Loop is the older more dilapidated section of the park. The roads are old concrete that are now full of potholes and loose gravel. The area is heavily treed so there is lots of shade but very little grass in between and around sites. Trees and shrubs have not been trimmed for a long time and overhang the roads and campsites. The sites are gravel with large gravel patios. Many of the sites are not level and have pretty bad slopes to them. Bathrooms are located towards the front of the section so pick your site accordingly if you want to be close to the restrooms. The bathhouse was extremely old and looked like it belonged in a state prison. The doors on the bathroom stalls where falling apart and I needed my shoulder to get out of the stall. This section is very unkept and old– definitely get a site in the Catoma Loop if you can. There is a boat launch, each loop has a playground, and group shelter. Dump stations are located in each loop. Garbage dumpsters are located near the entrance of the park so you either have to drive your garbage or take a fairly long walk. Check in is 4 and check out is 3 so make sure you don’t plan on coming very early as your site may be occupied until 3.
Bryan S.GuideGunter Hill
Absolutely gorgeous! Definitely staying again.
The park was beautiful and well maintained. The sites were big and the prices were low. The only downside was we couldn’t stay longer due to my wife’s allergies and it was too hot. We’ll visit it again during fall or spring when the temperatures allow us to in joy it more.
Barry G.ScoutPayne Lake Spillway
Amazing experience
We stayed here for a few days. Grass is beautiful and mowed, facilities were about normal. The beach is nice and fishing was uneventful. Overall a super quiet place that is a true diamond in the rough. 18$ a night for full hookups. Picnic tables at the sites have wasps. BRING WASP SPRAY! ATT had zero service.
Bobbie S.
RangerKountry Air RV Park
Natural & Beautifully Wooded
My husband's job requires constant travel. We stayed here for five weeks for a job in Selma. I absolutely LOVED this campground! GiGi and Don work tirelessly six days a week. If there were 8 days in a week, they would work 7. Beautiful flowers, more trees than I have ever seen in a campground, fenced dog park, seasonal pool, bathrooms with a shower, large laundry room/sitting area at the front of the park, book/DVD swap, second laundry room being renovated at the back of the park, propane filled on site and safe walking within the park (hills). Some road noise but not obnoxious. Will absolutely stay here again if we are in the area.
Guide to Selma
Tent camping near Selma, Alabama offers limited but viable options within a 30-mile radius of the historic city. The central Alabama Black Belt region features a mix of river access points and established campgrounds primarily managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
River recreation: Jones Bluff provides access to the Alabama River for swimming, fishing, and boating activities. While Jones Bluff itself doesn't offer camping, nearby Prairie Creek Park Campgrounds and Gunter Hill Park provide established alternatives.
Historical exploration: Campers staying at Murchison Farm can use it as a base for exploring regional historical sites. Located in Pine Apple, this campground operates seasonally from March through October, making it ideal for spring visits to nearby civil rights landmarks.
Picnicking opportunities: Payne Lake Spillway offers designated picnic areas with cooking facilities. Hannah C. notes, "There is a pavilion with four picnic tables underneath it and then there are isolated picnic tables around the area. They have fire pits and grills nearby for cooking."
What campers like
Basic amenities: Runaway Branch in Forkland provides primitive camping with essential facilities including drinking water, toilets, and picnic tables. Fires are permitted at this location, making it suitable for traditional tent camping experiences.
Wildlife viewing: The waterways near Lock 5 attract various bird species and aquatic wildlife. The surrounding wooded areas offer habitat for white-tailed deer and small mammals common to central Alabama lowlands.
River access: Many camping areas in the region provide direct access to waterways for fishing. Local anglers target catfish, bass, and crappie in the area's rivers and lakes, with early morning and evening hours typically producing the best results.
What you should know
Limited availability: Tent camping options within immediate proximity to Selma are sparse. Most established campgrounds require driving 20-30 miles from the city center.
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat and humidity can be challenging for tent campers without electricity for fans or cooling. Insect activity increases significantly during warmer months, particularly near water sources.
Primitive conditions: Most tent sites near Selma offer basic amenities. Jones Bluff (Bob Woodruff Park) primarily serves as a day-use area. Sarah C. explains, "There isn't camping located in the immediate vicinity, however you can camp just down the road at either the Prairie Creek Park Campgrounds or back toward Montgomery a bit at Gunter Hill Park."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Position your camping trip around visits to civil rights landmarks. The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail offers interpretive stops that can be incorporated into a family camping itinerary.
Day trips: Use established campgrounds as a base while taking day trips into Selma. The city's historic downtown and bridge are approximately 30 minutes from most camping areas.
Safety considerations: Payne Lake Spillway has designated recreation areas separate from camping zones. Hannah C. clarifies, "No camping is allowed in this area of the campground," referring to the spillway picnic area, which helps families understand allowed usage areas.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Most camping areas near Selma lack full RV hookups. Tent camping is the primary accommodation type at sites like Runaway Branch and Lock 5.
Alternative options: Murchison Farm accepts both tents and RVs with drive-in access, though without electric, sewer, or water hookups. The campground does provide drinking water, showers, and toilets for basic comfort.
Dump station locations: While most primitive camping areas lack sanitary dump facilities, Payne Lake Spillway provides this service for RVers needing to empty holding tanks before or after their stay in the Selma region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Selma, AL?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Selma, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Selma, AL is Jones Bluff with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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tent camping near
Selma, AL?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Selma, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Selma, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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