Map showing campground location near Moundville, Alabama

Camper submitted image from Payne Lake West Side

Payne Lake West Side

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Within Talladega National Forest, Payne Lake West Side provides established camping with full hookups for RVs up to 22 feet alongside sites with water access only. The US Forest Service manages this lakefront campground where multiple bathhouses serve campers across sites that vary from basic water hookups to full utility connections.

The lake draws visitors for its no-motor boating policy and designated swimming area with sandy beach access. Campers report lily pads blooming across the water surface during spring and early summer visits. Multiple reviewers mention the campground's proximity to water, with several sites offering direct lake access and short walking paths to the shoreline. Fishing remains popular from boats, while a nature trail extends past the campground boundary, though recent visitors note overgrown conditions on portions of the loop.

Bathhouses receive consistent mentions for cleanliness standards, and a camp host typically stays on-site to assist with questions. Pollo L. notes the campground is "quiet and isolated" with "plenty of firewood to use around the property." Cell service varies by carrier, with limited coverage reported for most providers. The campground operates on an honor system when staff are unavailable.

Campers seeking different amenities can explore nearby Payne Lake East Side, which offers primitive tent camping when open seasonally.

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Map & DirectionsPayne Lake West Side is located in Alabama near Moundville

Public Campground

Address

9901 Highway 5
Moundville, AL 35474

Coordinates

32.88900038 N
87.44400097 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 7/11/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 7/11/26
AT&T
No Coverage
Verified by 3 users
Last on 7/11/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 7/11/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 7/11/26
AT&T
No Coverage
Verified by 3 users
Last on 7/11/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 7 min from Birmingham, AL
1 hr 9 min from Tuscaloosa, AL
1 hr 38 min from Montgomery, AL
2 hrs 3 min from Anniston, AL

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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Payne Lake West Side

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned the quiet, secluded setting with well-maintained sites offering good lake access. Clean facilities and peaceful atmosphere were common highlights, though seasonal water levels and limited cell service should be expected.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Donald J.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 23, 2023

Peaceful

Very well kept clean relaxing campground been going here for years.

Site9

Month of VisitMay

Hannah C.

Legend

Reviewed Mar. 18, 2022

Could have been better

I have driven through this campground before and thought it was beautiful, but this time it was not at all. The lake was down to the mud and stumps and they had just done a prescribed burn on the forest. Maybe this is how it looks every March. If that’s the case I would suggest going at a different time of year. This park has wonderful campsites and nice bathrooms. Definitely worth going to when you can enjoy the water as well!

Month of VisitMarch

Pollo L.

Traveler

Reviewed Dec. 23, 2020

Hidden Gem

What else can you ask for, quiet and isolated. Restroom was nice and clean and camp host was available for any questions. Plenty of firewood to use around the property.

Amber B.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 28, 2020

Nice!

Very quiet and secluded, there is a beach area for swimming and bathhouses are large and clean. Plenty of shade and picnic areas!

Christopher P.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 8, 2019

Beautiful and quiet

This place was amazing. Watching the sun come up on this lake was so calming. We camped in site 16 and had a good view and a little walk way to the water. I wasn’t impressed with the bathrooms or showers but they were at least clean.

Missy W.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2018

Great for a weekend

I've been several times. I recommend this place because it's not crowded and the sites are a nice size with many being on the water. There's a swimming area, you can kayak, fish and hike. Unless you have Verizon you probably won't have cell service (which is why it's not crowded) but that can be a good thing. The water and sites are very nice and it's reasonably priced. There's not much information online but there's an honor system if there's no one at the front desk. The closest store is a long drive away so it's best to bring everything that you need initially. No outlets in the bathroom but they do have showers. There's plenty of firewood to gather. They have RV sites and primitive tent sites.

Month of VisitJune

Mo F.

Guide

Reviewed May. 21, 2018

Peaceful spot on the lake

It is really beautiful here. The lake was full of lily pads in bloom when we arrived mid-morning. We looked at every single site upon arriving and narrowed it down to a few great ones, but ultimately chose based on the "neighborhood." While there were only 5-6 other occupied sites, the camp host said it was completely full last weekend. Since we had our choice, we splurged $18 for a full hookup RV site just because we liked it best. There are no primitive sites open at this time (the Eastern Side Campground is closed) but about half with just water. There are multiple bath-houses and they're on the clean side of standard. There are also several trash receptacles in the campground, so you don't have to trek to a dumpster. There are lots of trees for hammocks, but I would say that the sites aren't very private if it were to be crowded. The host also let us know we could scavenge any fire pits or pick anything brown off the ground for a fire.

Payne Lake is a pretty popular destination for locals, but it wasn't packed. The lake has a sandy beach and a roped-off swimming area. It's full of lily pads and fed through a marsh so it feels really clean.

There's a nature trail past the campground. It's a trek uphill if you walk, but you can drive/bike to the the trailhead as well. The trail itself is not long, but it's pretty overgrown. A lot of it is planked, some rotten. Y'all. It's kinda creepy, definitely swampy. We turned around about a third of the way around the loop when the trail became hard to find. I would not consider this for a hiking-centered trip.

We got an afternoon rain shower and, afterward the bugs were gnarly. Eaten alive. Be prepared for biting things, for sure, not just mosquitos. Didn't get any ticks. Also, there are supposedly alligators here but we didn't see any. The bird watching here is probably great, I heard lots of less common bird calls. Several people were fishing from boats but no motors are allowed on the water, which is great.

All in all, this was a great site and we'll likely come back for a day trip from Tuscaloosa. It's clean and well pretty well maintained. It's close to home for us but feels very remote. Great for just getting out of town.

Site9

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos available of Payne Lake Recreation Area?

Yes, photos of Payne Lake Recreation Area are available through various online resources. The USDA Forest Service website likely features official photos of the campground and facilities. Visitor-submitted photos can be found on camping websites and apps like The Dyrt, where campers share images of their experiences. The most photogenic features include the lake with seasonal lily pads, waterfront campsites (like the popular site #16), the swimming beach area, and surrounding forest scenery. Keep in mind that the area's appearance varies seasonally, with spring and summer typically showcasing more vibrant landscapes than winter or early spring when water levels may be lower.

Where is Payne Lake Campground located in Alabama?

Payne Lake Campground is located in west-central Alabama within the Talladega National Forest's Oakmulgee Ranger District. The campground sits alongside Payne Lake, a serene body of water known for its peaceful setting. It's situated near Moundville, Alabama, in a quiet and secluded forest environment. The remote location offers a true escape from urban areas, with limited cell service adding to its isolated charm. The surrounding area features typical southern forest landscapes with seasonal variations in water levels and vegetation.

How do I make reservations at Payne Lake Campground in Alabama?

Payne Lake Campground operates primarily on a first-come, first-served basis, which explains why it typically doesn't get overly crowded. For the most accurate and up-to-date reservation information, contact the Oakmulgee Ranger District of the Talladega National Forest or check the USDA Forest Service website. The campground's secluded nature and limited cell service (primarily only Verizon works) contribute to its peaceful atmosphere, making it worth planning ahead to secure a spot, especially during peak seasons.

What amenities are available at Payne Lake Recreation Area?

Payne Lake Recreation Area offers several amenities for campers. The campground features clean bathhouses with showers, spacious campsites with many situated along the waterfront, and picnic areas with plenty of shade. There's a designated swimming beach area for cooling off during hot days. The lake is perfect for fishing and kayaking, with beautiful lily pads blooming seasonally. Hiking trails are available for exploring the surrounding area. Campfire rings are present, and there's typically abundant firewood available around the property. A camp host is on-site to assist with any questions.

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