Cherokee Rock Village provides camping options for general outdoor enthusiasts near Steele, Alabama, though it lacks dedicated horse facilities. The campground offers 125 primitive tent and RV sites with access to drinking water, showers, and toilets. Each campsite features a fire ring and picnic table, with multiple water spigots available throughout the grounds. While popular among rock climbers and hikers, Cherokee Rock Village does not have horse corrals or designated equestrian camping areas.
Lake Guntersville State Park Campground, located approximately 25 miles from Steele, offers more developed camping options with electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer connections for RVs. The park provides tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Trail systems throughout the park allow for outdoor recreation, though specific horse trails or equestrian facilities are not indicated in the available information. Campers seeking equestrian-friendly options may need to contact these parks directly about their horse policies or explore other areas with dedicated horse camping facilities.
$0 - $35 / night
"We attended North Alabama trails and recreation’s Rock and Rig event here. The park is beautiful with amazing views."
"the locals) since 2011, starting back when it was still largely undeveloped and free…totally worth paying for these days - they’ve made it such a great place: showers, bathrooms, dumpsters, plenty of walk-in"
"The campground is right on the banks of Lake Guntersville and it has a beach area so it's great if you want to play in the water."
"This is a nice state park in a small town in north Alabama. The lake is really pretty and the campground has a nice view of it."
"But regular RV campers are allowed at the Equestrian center. We are close to the farm/petting zoo. Also the horses are next to the campground. Very quiet and reasonably priced."
"These first few sites have no electrical hookup or water, but are located a short walking distance from the front bathhouse (bathroom and shower)."
"Coleman Lake is in the Talladega National Forest and very remote. There is no cell phone service at all. We have been camping here all my life. It is one of my favorite campgrounds."
"This can certainly be seen as a positive."
GuideVery happy at this campground. But there aren't many campers here. I think they are at the main campground. But regular RV campers are allowed at the Equestrian center. We are close to the farm/petting zoo. Also the horses are next to the campground. Very quiet and reasonably priced.
TravelerColeman Lake is in the Talladega National Forest and very remote. There is no cell phone service at all. We have been camping here all my life. It is one of my favorite campgrounds. Sites are first come, first serve, water and electric. There is a campground host on duty. A campground for equestrians is near the main campground. The Pinhoti Trail that extends from south Alabama to north Georgia goes right beside the lake and is a great section hike.
LegendThis state campground in the Birmingham AL metro area is a quick getaway for city and suburban dwellers. We were looking for continued warm fall weather on a slow trip north; this met the warmth and fall criteria in late October. The proximity to the city made it a good choice for exploring Birmingham.
Campground as Hotel
We left in the morning and came back in the evening. Using the campground strictly for accommodations worked out well; it wasn't a place where we would have wanted to hang around the campground all day. The large RVs crammed on sites that weren't very large gave us a closed in feeling. We pulled down the shade in our teardrop to avoid the light pollution from the campers who leave ground lights and other decorative lights on all night. (Do they leave their outdoor holiday lights on all night at home?)
Tent Only Sites
The tent only sites are the best feature of this park. You can pitch your tent among the trees away from the RVs packed together in the rest of the park.
There's no power or water at these sites.
These sites are listed as tent only, but the park office attendant told us there were a few where we could fit our vehicle and teardrop. We declined because we thought we'd be too close to the road although we later saw several that would have been fine
Site 42B is the BEST SITE IN THE PARK! You walk down to the site from the parking area, and then there's a great view of the water. I took a photo looking back at the site from the beach area.
Other Sites
All sites not designated tent only have electricity and water. There are some sites with sewer hookup as well as 50 amp power. See site map photo.
Loop A's sites are more spread out than sites in Loop B.
Loop B: B33 was ok. I recommend sticking to the outside of this loop because there are two roads down the center where you'll have sites on both sides, across the road and behind you. Inside the loop seemed crowded because there were large RVs.
Restrooms
Several restrooms are spread throughout the park. They each have a couple toilets and a shower along with hot and cold water in the sinks. Restrooms are clean and a checklist indicates they're inspected 2 or 3 times per day. Everything works fine, but they could use an update inside. If the usage at the end of October is any indication of overall usage, this park is heavily used. It's close to Birmingham which has over a million people, one-fourth of Alabama's population. The state of Alabama should step up and do some renovation.
Site Taxes are HIGH
Be prepared for a significant jump to the cost when taxes are applied. Our campsite fee was a reasonable $22.65/night which included a 15% senior discount. Regular price is $26.65. Taxes and a $4.50 one-time fee were added for a grand total of $85.62 for 3 nights. If you're counting, that's 20+% in taxes.
Things To Do In The Park: boating, fishing, swimming, hiking. You can purchase a detailed hiking map for $1. If you aren't from the area and want to take in some Birmingham history, there are options.
Red Mountain Park has hiking trails along with old iron ore mines. There's an adventure park with zip lining, climbing, etc.
The base of Vulcan, Alabama's entry in the 1904 World's Fair, is the best place to see Birmingham. The museum next to the statue was well done; it provides a history of this steel city.
The park across from the 16th Street Baptist Church (site of the bombing on 9/15/1963 that killed 4 young girls) is a window into the sad part of Birmingham's history. There's also a civil rights museum nearby.
The craft breweries (Good People and Avondale) were good. And great barbecue at Saw. Pizza was good at Post Office Pies but they need to put more basil on a pizza advertised as a white basil pizza, not 5 little scraps.
Guide*It's been a while since my last visit, but since I camp there every year, several times each summer, I figured I'd go ahead and do a quick review anyway.
Every summer for the past few years I've traveled to Oak mountain, typically going several times each summer (July and August) to run the Southeastern trail series. Although there are numerous back country camp sites, I've always stayed at the campground due to its convenient location, and always stay at the same campsite (B6) each visit. The campground is divided into two sections (A & B) and each campsite has parking right at the site itself.
Although the first few tent sites on the B-side are located right off the road, they're set back far enough that they feel pretty secluded with plenty of trees to give a slight sense of privacy. These first few sites have no electrical hookup or water, but are located a short walking distance from the front bathhouse (bathroom and shower). The bathhouse directly across from my site is rarely busy, and the single shower is clean with plenty of hot water.
Each site has a cinderblock retaining wall, a picnic table, and a steel fire ring with a flip-top cooking grate. If you're tent camping, the pad is dirt with a layer of pea-gravel, so a sleeping pad is a must. Firewood is easy to find in the surrounding woods if there hasn't been a lot of people thru the area. Otherwise, wood is available at the store at the entrance to the campground. The campground is easily accessible from the parks back gate entrance, which is only a short driving distance to pretty much anything you could need (restaurants, gas, groceries, etc). There's even a small beach area at the back of the campground exclusive to campground guests. The staff is always friendly and reserving a campsite online is easy.
One of the great things about Oak Mountain State Park is that there's plenty to do aside from the camping; hiking, mountain biking, horse stables, a BMX track, an archery range, canoeing, paddle boats/ paddle boarding, several lakeside beaches with playgrounds, a wakeboarding course, a wildlife rehabilitation center, and a treetop nature boardwalk which features several enclosures where you can view birds of prey up close. Also, if you're into trail running or mountain biking, there are several race series held at the park each year.
All in all, I love this park and already have my reservations made again for this summer!
ScoutOak mountain state park has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. There's so much to do; and its always growing. It's the largest state park in Alabama. Theres lakes, waterfalls, nature trails, basket ball court, volley ball, a petting zoo, horses back riding, water sports, dirt bikes trails, BMX course, archery, cabins, primitive camping and rv's , a beach, a wildlife rescue center and so much more. If you're in the area do yourself a favor and check it out.
GuideWhat an amazing campground! Alabama knocked this one out of the park. From the first time you enter the park, which isn’t too far from BHam or the interstate, you’re transported to a different place where things move much more slowly just the way we like it. The campground is a 5 mile ride from the main entrance. A beautiful winding road takes you all the way, deep into the property. If you’re lucky, you will see plenty of wildlife (we saw 7 deer and one rabbit). The campsites are very spacious, we stayed in site A30 which was great! But if you want a view, try A26 which overlooks the lake. There is a general store on property that even has propane. If you’re active, they offer bike and hiking trails, horse riding, kayak and paddle boat rentals, and a couple of beaches. Don’t wait, book your stay here ASAP!
ScoutI've been wanting to visit Oak mountain and we booked last minute May 1st-3rd. They were booked completely except for an equestrian pull through site. I had already made plans with my family and another (both first timers with our own young families). I asked about pitching tents on the gravel and they said people do it. We had two tents on complete gravel and had enough tarp and mats that it really didn't bother us. The stables were right in front of our eyes, and we could hear the peacock next door, which was lovely actually. Their horses on their farm were roaming around and it was beautiful! Bathrooms were absolutely perfect and cleaned what seemed twice a day from the cleaning logs. They were maybe 300 feet from us and since the RVs all have hook ups we seemed to be the only ones using them, really. Everything else was basically closed down, but when we went to hike the water fall trail, it seemed so crowded that I wasn't surprised when we saw the ranger show up to send people out of the falls, so we didn't waste our time. I'd go back to enjoy the beach and trails, with a bike definitely!
GuideWe needed a one night stopover Campground. Aesthetics are important, so we chose Oak Mountain State Park for its mountain beauty. We thought we’d reserve the campsite (B36) based on its being at the end of the area and near the shower/restroom. Major pros to the campground would be an apparent lot of things to do: what looked like a zip line water skiing place, lots of major inflatable stuff in the beach swimming area, equestrian trails and stalls for horses, hiking trails... and our site was near one of the playgrounds in the campground. The staff in the office and host folks were wonderful and friendly. But, our site was an asphalt pad ( perfectly level) with no grass around it. While the campground is surrounded by forest, There were some trees, and some shade, but not enough space around us to sit back ( on our asphalt) to enjoy them. The shower was perfectly hot and adequate water pressure, but there is one shower in each shower house/restroom, and it was right inside the restroom door with a bend in the wall and one plastic shower curtain. My daughter felt exposed, but there weren’t so many people using the showerhouse to be problematic. The two toilet stalls were also enough for the number of people that needed to use them. (There are other similarly sized showerhouse/restrooms not too far away.) This campground met our needs well, but we weren’t overwhelmed and didn’t rush to book a return overnight after our trip. There are many reasons to love this place ( and the tent camp spaces looked fantastic!!!) but for what we needed I’d have to say it was just perfectly adequate.
GuideWe stayed at the equestrian campground at Oak Mountain. It was very nice and quiet. Once you go through the gate take your first left and keep driving. We only stayed 2 nights and didn't get to see everything they have at the park. We want to go back!
Cherokee Rock Village and surrounding campgrounds offer developed and primitive camping options within a 25-mile radius of Steele, Alabama. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at elevations between 600-1,200 feet, this region experiences mild winters and hot, humid summers. Most camping areas sit near lakes or rock formations with mixed hardwood forest coverage providing seasonal shade.
Rock climbing: Cherokee Rock Village draws climbers with numerous routes for various skill levels. "I have camped here at least once every season and gone around 7 times. It's my favorite place to camp! There's so many climbing routes that I love," notes Jess C. about Cherokee Rock Village.
Fishing: Lake Guntersville provides excellent fishing opportunities year-round. "We had a great time. Very clean place and great fishing!" states Collin D. about Lake Guntersville State Park Campground, which offers boat rentals and shoreline access.
Hiking: The region features trails ranging from easy lake loops to challenging mountain paths. "Great hike around the lake and boatramp for trolling motors only," says Wendy L. about Coleman Lake, adding that the hiking trails connect directly to camping areas.
Lake access: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites for swimming and boating. "Beautiful lake! Super quiet camping area great to just get away for a day or three," notes Steven W. about Coleman Lake Rec Area.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are frequently mentioned in reviews. "The showers are always clean and warm," says Jess C. about Cherokee Rock Village, while another camper highlights that "Restrooms and showers exceptionally clean" at Coleman Lake.
Value pricing: Compared to private campgrounds, state parks offer affordable rates. "You can't beat the price," states Jason G. about Coleman Lake Rec Area, where full hookup sites cost as little as $16 per night according to camper reviews.
Limited cell service: Some campgrounds have poor connectivity. "The only negative is that there is absolutely no cell service at all. The nearest reliable service is literally 6 miles down the road," warns Evan S. about Coleman Lake.
Site selection: Campsites vary significantly in size, privacy, and amenities. "I'd never heard of this place but accompanied a friend here that was doing some climbing. I picked a site away from the bluff near the boulders. Nice and quiet," shares Dan C. about Cherokee Rock Village.
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. "A few years ago a tornado took out a lot of the big pines so it's a bit hot with very little shade. But it's still the best place to camp around Guntersville!" mentions Greg H. about Lake Guntersville State Park.
Playgrounds available: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "There is a playground for kids and a covered picnic area that could be used for groups," notes Asher K. about Cherokee Rock Village amenities.
Kid-friendly events: Coleman Lake hosts special family activities throughout camping season. "This is an incredibly family forward campground. I camped there on Halloween with my grandkids... the camp host saw them and made a point of inviting them for campground trick or treating," shares Evan S. about Coleman Lake Recreation Area.
Multi-activity options: Families appreciate having diverse recreation choices. "Oak Mountain is a big state park with lots to do (golf, biking, archery, lots of trails that are very well marked, petting zoo, very neat trail with rescued owls, turkeys and red hawks, and more)," describes Scott C. about Oak Mountain State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary between campgrounds. "Water and electric, flush toilets and shower. $16/nt. Overflow area has no hookups," explains David M. about Coleman Lake facilities.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. "Make sure you use Highway 78 to enter. Google Maps will send you on a 11.5 mile mountain trail (Dugger Mountain Road) that is a dirt 2 track over the mountain...an interesting trip with a camper," cautions Micheal S. about Coleman Lake Recreation Area.
Space considerations: Site spacing can impact privacy and comfort. "Most spots are very close together so you don't eat much privacy. Super crowded on the weekends," warns Scott M. about Lake Guntersville State Park, which tends to fill quickly during peak seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Steele, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Steele, AL is Cherokee Rock Village with a 4.8-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Steele, AL?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Steele, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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