Karen C.
Traveler
TravelerFlorence Marina State Park
Level sites under the pine trees. Lots of shade, some sun. Near the Chattahoochi River. Quiet, 10 miles from Providence Canyon State Park, aka Grand Canyon of GA.
Tent Camping near Smiths Station, AL
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Tent campsites near Smiths Station, Alabama offer a mix of established campgrounds and primitive options across Alabama and neighboring Georgia. Kings Pond at Fort Benning provides a peaceful tent camping experience despite its military post location, while Pine and Oak Campsite offers a single tent site with basic amenities. Several other options like JAM Mission and Hideaway Cove provide additional tent camping opportunities within driving distance.
Most tent campgrounds in the Smiths Station area feature minimal amenities, with varying levels of facilities. Kings Pond lacks drinking water but allows fires and has toilets available. Pine and Oak Campsite permits alcohol, fires, and pets, with toilets and trash service provided. Hideaway Cove offers drinking water, fire rings, and trash disposal, though it requires a fee and is accessible only by boat, hiking, or walking in. Campers should verify seasonal availability and reservation requirements before arrival, as policies differ between sites.
The tent camping experience around Smiths Station provides opportunities for nature immersion with varying levels of seclusion. A review mentioned that at Kings Pond, "Although it's on post, and you can still hear training some nights, you feel as if you're a million miles away." Several campgrounds offer walk-in tent sites, including JAM Mission with 25 sites and Star Point Reserve with 6 sites. For water-based adventures, Hideaway Cove and Heard WMA Campground No. 3 provide boat-in access for tent campers. Most locations allow pets, though Southern Harbor specifically prohibits them. The region's mix of established campgrounds and more primitive tent sites accommodates different camping preferences and experience levels.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Smiths Station (10)
1. Chewacla State Park Campground
"Sewage is nicely placed in a low spot so you won't need a hose lifter (a rarity in our experience). Out spot is across from the bath house, but also the dump station."
"Chewacla was a favorite to visit for a few hours a a local college student and now it’s an excellent location to take the family on an RV trip."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when available2. Kings Pond/ Fort Benning
"I have a 5th wheel and its pretty flat gravel roads, no electric or sewage or water; only a pit toilet) must be self sufficient to stay here."
3. Lakepoint Resort State Park Campground
"The campsites are spacious and thoughtfully laid out, providing just the right amount of privacy while still feeling connected to the natural surroundings."
"Safe for kids to ride around on bikes for hours. Site are big and the one we were at backed up on woods. Great view of the lake and sunset. "
137 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
4. Pine and Oak Campsite
Check Availabilityfrom $23 - $30 / night
5. Piney Hills Campground
6. Southern Harbor
7. JAM Mission
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $25 / night
8. Hideaway Cove
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $50 / night
9. Heard WMA Campground No. 3
10. Star Point Reserve
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $60 / night
Drive Time
- 23 min from Columbus, GA
- 29 min from Auburn, AL
- 1 hr 2 min from Montgomery, AL
- 1 hr 33 min from Warner Robins, GA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Smiths Station, AL
17 Photos of 10 Smiths Station Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Smiths Station, AL
389 Reviews of 10 Smiths Station Campgrounds
- DDavid P.Traveler
Rood Creek Park Camping
Beautiful, quiet camping by the water. There’s about 12-15 spots. We arrived on a Tuesday and spent 2 nights. No problem finding a great spot for our camper van to set up camp and enjoy the views. Very peaceful. Price is right too, its free!
Lisa M.
ScoutFranklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Site 204 Sep 9 to Sep 14
Site is a good size located on the shore of Lake Delano under trees. Great view. Fire ring and picnic table equipped. The temp is still hot and humid but there is a breeze which makes it bearable in the daytime, nights are cooler and comfortable. Plenty to explore with Pine Mountain Trail close by. Would stay here again. This site is water and electric only with dump station at entrance.
- BBroc G.Scout
Bluff Creek Campground at COE Walter F George
Wasted potential
This campground has so much potential to be great. The volunteers were awesome and helpful. They checked on us multiple times during out stay. The grounds were poorly maintained. The gravel area in most sites were overtaken with grass and ants. The water line at our site leaked and the concrete slab was flooded. The road to the boat launch was closed due to a downed tree limb that looked to have been there for weeks. Laundry services had been removed.
On a positive note, deer were plentiful and a great bonus. Wife, infant son, and I left a day early as our tent and bedding had been infested with ants.
Verizon coverage was spotty. Data speeds were very slow if available at all.
Nancy W.
LegendR. Shaefer Heard Campground
Nice COE Campground
This is a typical park where not all sites are created equal. Some are paved, some are gravel. Some have 50 amp, some are 30-amp. Some are perfectly level and some have really steep grades. Some sites are pull-thru, some are back-in. Some are really long, some are much shorter. The roads in the campground are paved, free of potholes, and fairly easily navigable for big-rigs. All sites are pet-friendly and have water and electric. There are no sewer sites. Campsites 1-27 and 85-106 have 50-amp electric while the others are 30-amp. Some sites (40, 47, 50, 52, 65, 80, 84, 87, 89, 101) are “double-unit” (or buddy) sites which is reflective in the $60/night price. There are bathrooms scattered throughout the campground in each loop but there are only two shower houses in the entire campground. Sites 1-16 are perfectly level as are a few others. Reservations can be made online and the website has pictures and descriptions as well as length of site. The campground is very dark at night with the only lights being at the bathrooms. We love dark campgrounds where the moon and stars are bright. Unfortunately, numerous campers left their lights all night which we find really annoying. Our Verizon phone was very spotty and not reliable. We were able to use our portable Dish satellite to get television. There is a dump station located conveniently on your way out which is quite busy on Sundays at check out.
Renea O.ScoutPiney Hills Campground
Step back in time
What a charming little place. Great showers houses, propane filling station, laundry on site and lots of tails to hike or ride ATV’s but my favorite part is the farm animals and the host. They are super sweet.
Phillip H.
GuideFlorence Marina State Park Campground
Small but nice
Site 22 full hookup. Small campground with nothing around in terms of town or business. Bathhouses were very well kept. Laundry was $1! Went to Providence Canyon SP. Very interesting hikes and sites. Watch those log trucks they move!
Rusty R.GuideAuburn RV Park at Leisure Time Campground
Great Faciliites
A little hard to find but the facilities are very clean and the spots are well laid out. The pool is part of a water park which is only open seasonally, so check the dates if you are wanting to take a dip
Rowland L.ScoutFranklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Great Getaway
I have been to FDR 3 times in the last 3 years and I hope to come more frequently. I came here multiple times over 50 years ago and I find it as enjoyable now as I did then. The check in is always easy. It is quiet there and there is so much to do. The trails are great for hiking. The facilities are always clean.
Georgia state parks are always nice but this is my favorite.
Guide to Smiths Station
Tent campsites near Smiths Station, Alabama primarily serve visitors seeking seclusion within the eastern Alabama-western Georgia border region. The area features moderate humidity with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 200-500 feet above sea level, with terrain characterized by rolling hills, mixed pine-hardwood forests, and proximity to waterways.
What to do
Fishing access: Kings Pond at Fort Benning provides fishing opportunities in a natural pond setting. While training exercises may create background noise on certain nights, the pond offers relative quiet for anglers seeking bass and bream.
Boat launching: Hideaway Cove features direct water access for small watercraft. Campers can launch canoes or kayaks directly from campsites to explore Lake Martin. The property requires a fee for overnight stays but includes amenities like drinking water and designated fire rings.
Wildlife viewing: Local campsites offer opportunities to spot white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. Morning hours typically provide the best wildlife viewing conditions at most primitive camping locations around Smiths Station.
What campers like
Military base proximity: Kings Pond at Fort Benning earns appreciation despite its location. According to one visitor, the combination of accessibility and natural setting creates an unexpected retreat experience.
Private settings: Pine and Oak Campsite features a single tent site, providing complete privacy for campers. The site includes toilet facilities and allows campfires, creating a secluded experience without requiring deep backcountry travel.
Multiple access options: Water-based camping locations like Heard WMA Campground No. 3 offer boat-in access, allowing campers to reach sites inaccessible by road. This creates opportunities for watercraft owners to access more remote camping experiences within the region.
What you should know
Military training impacts: Fort Benning campgrounds experience periodic noise from training exercises. While generally peaceful, occasional artillery or aircraft noise occurs, particularly during evening hours.
Limited facilities: Most tent campgrounds near Smiths Station provide minimal amenities. Many lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supply or utilize water treatment methods for natural sources.
Walk-in requirements: Several locations like JAM Mission require walking to reach campsites from parking areas. The 25 tent sites require foot access, making equipment transportation a consideration when preparing for overnight stays.
Tips for camping with families
Safety planning: Establish clear boundaries for children at water-adjacent sites. Most pond and lakefront camping areas lack designated swimming areas or lifeguards.
Entertainment options: Bring nature identification guides appropriate for children. The mix of forest and water environments provides opportunities for wildlife spotting and plant identification activities.
Site selection: Star Point Reserve offers toilet facilities across its 6 walk-in tent sites, making it more suitable for families with young children than completely primitive alternatives. Consider proximity to restrooms when selecting specific campsites.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Most tent campsites near Smiths Station cannot accommodate RVs due to narrow access roads, limited parking, or walk-in requirements. Research vehicle restrictions before attempting to reach tent camping areas with larger vehicles.
Alternative options: Campers seeking RV accommodations should consider established campgrounds farther from Smiths Station that offer electrical hookups and larger parking spaces not typically available at primitive tent sites.
Equipment transport: For RV owners planning to tent camp, consider bringing collapsible wagons to transport gear from parking areas to walk-in tent sites. This allows utilizing RV storage capacity while accessing tent-only camping locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Smiths Station, AL?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Smiths Station, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Smiths Station, AL is Chewacla State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Smiths Station, AL?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Smiths Station, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Smiths Station, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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