The Oxford area sits where the southern Appalachians meet the Alabama piedmont, with elevations ranging from 900 to 2,400 feet across nearby camping areas. The region contains pine-hardwood forests interspersed with notable rocky outcroppings and waterfalls. Primitive backcountry sites tend to be more plentiful at higher elevations, while developed campgrounds cluster along major access roads and near trailheads.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 1-mile from Chinnabee Silent Trail parking lot to Cheaha Falls Campground, with multiple campsites alongside the cascades. "This walk in campsite is right next to the waterfalls. Tons of exploring can be done around camp or you could extend the trails and explore Devils Den Falls as well!" reports camper Shana D.
Gem mining: Available across from Cheaha State Park store for families seeking less strenuous activities. "Right across from the store they have a gem mining area that is also great fun for the children," notes Bethany M., who visits Upper Improved Campground year-round.
Plane crash exploration: Historic wreckage accessible via hiking trails in the Talladega Forest. A camper at McDill Point noted: "Just past McDill, there is a side trail that takes you to debris from a 1972 plane crash site." This unusual hiking destination appears on several reviews as a point of interest.
Kayaking: Creek access available at several campgrounds with smaller waterways. One visitor to Choccolocco Creek Campground stated they "Walked down to the Beautiful Creek Lot and Kayaked for a while in the Creek."
What campers like
Affordability: $5 nightly fees at several primitive sites. A Turnipseed camper commented, "Beautiful camp sites well maintained and only 5$ a night," while another called it "the best bang for your buck I've seen yet!!!"
Well-established fire rings: Many backcountry sites feature stone fire pits. A visitor to Pinhoti Trail Backcountry Campground observed "a very well built rock fire pit which would work great for large groups that wanted to cook or just sit around a fire."
Privacy between sites: Spacing between campsites varies by location. At Turnipseed Campground, "Each site is spaced a good distance from the other," according to one review. Another noted, "We were there April 25-28, 2019. During Thursday and Friday it was mostly empty. Saturday night it was half full."
Swimming options: Lakes and pools provide cooling options during warmer months. A family staying at Cheaha mentioned, "My kids loved the diving platform. Bathrooms were nice. It was super refreshing and awesome view!"
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity gaps exist throughout the region, particularly at higher elevations. "No wifi or cell service; but we loved being disconnected," reported a camper at Cheaha State Park.
Water availability: Plan accordingly when backcountry camping. A McDill Point Backcountry visitor advised, "Make sure to carry in water though since there are no good streams nearby to get water from."
Terrain challenges: Rocky paths on many trails and campsite areas. "The trail to McDill Point was rocky, but clear, well marked, offering several scenic mile," noted a grandmother taking her 12-year-old grandson backpacking.
Weather variation: Higher elevations experience different conditions than lower campgrounds. A Cheaha visitor mentioned spending time in "the secluded Campfire area" during November when temperatures at lower elevations remained mild enough for kayaking at the same campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Multiple options available for children during summer months. A family at Cheaha noted, "The kids love the lake and the pool, and there is an easy walk on a boardwalk with amazing views at the end on days when the kids don't feel like hiking."
Rock climbing opportunities: Natural features provide recreational options. "Pretty quiet. We drove up (or down?!) to the lake and my oh my was it gorgeous!!!!!!!! Bring soap for hand washing in bathroom," shared Jenni O., who also mentioned "some awesome rocks for kids to climb (5 yrs and up or good climbers)."
Short hiking options: Family-friendly trails of varying difficulty. A camper at Turnipseed Campground remarked, "We are the only 1s up here for the time being but there's some good walking trails that we hiked on was easy to make a hot meal with the fire ring was able to eat in peace."
Multiple day activities: Sufficient variety to keep children engaged. A family at Cheaha explained their multi-day itinerary: "We hit the lake again early the next morning. 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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research pad types before arrival. An RVer at Scenic Drive RV Park noted, "Sites vary. There is adequate space between them. Some have electric some don't. Some have rock beds, some have grass beds (but there are hidden big rocks in the grass making it hard to find a good smooth spot)."
Proximity considerations: Highway noise affects some campgrounds more than others. A reviewer at GrandStand RV Park advised it was "very close to highway 20 and multiple gas stations. I'm not a big Nascar guy, but its literally right next to Talledega Speedway, so ideal for racedays as well."
Hookup options: Full connections available at several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Oxford. "Nice campground with full hookups. Short hikes to fantastic views. Also a pool and playground. Top of my list to visit again," shared Dianna B. about Cheaha's RV sites.
Leveling challenges: Mountain terrain means some sites require adjustment. "Pad was level with full hook ups," noted an RVer at GrandStand, though this isn't universal across all campgrounds in the region.
