Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Alabama? We've got you covered. The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. These scenic and easy to access Alabama campsites are perfect for dispersed campers.
Permit required
Fishing, Trail riding, Hiking, and Primitive Camping Fishing is available in the 100-acre lake. Primitive roads throughout the forest provide a scenic view for trail rides. The longleaf forests provide ample habitat for viewing many native wildlife species including: deer, turkey, quail, rabbit, fox, bobcat, squirrel, and non-game species as well. The Alabama Hiking Trail Society has established and maintains a hiking trail around the lake. Each of these recreational activities requires a daily permit which can be obtained at Geneva State Forest Lake.
Guide
I believe this campground is known as the Wolfpen Hunt Camp on the Bankhead National Forest website. This was basically a forest road with dispersed camping. If there are toilets and water we never saw them. Just off the main road there is a loop and people were camping in the clearing of the loop. We drove further down the forest road and found a clearing near the dead end and set up camp. It was lovely and peaceful but no amenities at all. It is free though and no issues with other people.
GuideSites were level and clear. A little muddy but it had been raining. No utilities or restrooms but thats to be expected with a free site. Sites are spread out and pretty private. Overall a good free camp site.
TravelerThis is a great place for a stopover. Tent spots lined the waterside and they allowed boondockers. Clean restrooms. Boat ramp that the locals frequent often. There is a friendly and helpful host from October until April. He locked the gate at night. We have stayed at the host site in late spring with FHU for free.
Legend
Check out my other reviews of this trail to get a better picture of the backpacking options in the area. Talladega national forest has some amazing trails and campsites available.
This particular site is located a short way into the woods from the parking area for the Chinnabee silent trailhead and not far from the Turnipseed campground. It is at the intersection of two trails leading down from the main road. It could work for several tents in the dry season but we somewhat waterlogged when we were there in the spring. Not the worst last-minute place to set up camp but there are much better sites further along the trail.
Legend
The trailhead campsite is a short walk from the parking lot, but makes for a great basecamp for exploring the area. The campsite is level and large enough to accommodate many tents. There are also trees that would be suitable for hammock camping. The site is on the edge of an overlook of the canyon and has multiple fire rings if there are multiple groups there. This site and trailhead serves both the Walls of Jericho trail and the Bear Den Point Loop Trail.
This is primitive camping so no bathhouse, but there is a porta-john in the trailhead parking lot. The site is a good distance from any convenient stores or grocery stores so plan accordingly. We found good cell phone service with Verizon at this site. Trash cans are located in the trailhead parking lot. Please pack out your trash from the campsite.
Guide
I assumed for a long time that you weren't allowed to camp on the TVA trails, because while there are many hikers and birdwatchers who enjoy the trails, you rarely see anyone camping out there. I learned recently, and confirmed through their website, that you can camp for free on TVA land. It just isn't well advertised. This particular trail is a great area, and there are many little side trails to explore. Plenty of places to make a primitive campsite. Many of the side trails lead to the river. There is even a small beach area down the one that leads along the river to the old train bridge. This trail is rich in history, and there are a lot of plaques telling about certain natural and man made features along the trails. The trails are clean, well-kept, and well-marked. At the trail head and parking area, there is a nice well-kept, clean restroom building with flush toilets. Behind that building, they recently put in a very nice playground and a pavilion with picnic tables. There are not really any ready made campsites with tables or firepits or trash cans, but there are plenty of benches and trash cans along the trails. I highly recommend going to the train bridge. There are also small plaques around some of the plants telling what they are and a little about them. If you want a beautiful, primitive camping area, with nice, fairly modern facilities nearby, this is a great place to go. Also, keep in mind there are several trail heads along this road, and you could potentially start out at any of them, but the particular trail head I mentioned has the best restroom facilities and a wonderful playground. Most of the others only have a parking area.
Guide
This camping spot is at the top of the bluff overlooking the river and dam. There are some wooded spots across the street, but I prefer the overlook area. Big enough for several overlanding rigs or tents. There is some traffic on this boat ramp road and the occasional ATV will come through. Still, I like this spot. There is also a large spot just a little further down. It’s more private, but view is not as nice.
TravelerThe Walls of Jehrico trail offers a handful of first-come/first-serve primitive campsites set adjacent to two separate water sources (streams). Any equipment must be carried in and out which makes for a perfect backpacking experience.
Your campsite offers little privacy due to trail proximity but that should not distract from a wonderful experience.
There are minimal places to stock up on necessities along the road so be sure and come equipped. There is also no cell service so make sure you plan accordingly and have an emergency system in place.
Legend
This campground is located at a point where the trail splits and either goes to the Lake Chinnabee recreation area or turns and continues on the skyway loop south. This is an important point because if you miss the turn you will get lost and not make it around the loop. Make sure to first read my review of the entire loop here. This site is really wonderful because of how easy it is to access, its location on the water, and its large level areas for setting up tents. You can get to the site from any of the 2 skyway loop starting points or you can park at Lake Chinnabee and walk a short distance to get to the campsite. It is still a backcountry site but could theoretically be used by groups who want to just hike in the short distance with more gear. If you are a backpacker completing the loop this is a great place to rest and have lunch or this would be a good night option if you do the loop over 3-4 days. (For a 2 day loop I suggest starting at the southern point and camping at either Turnipseed or Cheaha Falls). This is a great place to visit in Spring or early summer before it gets too hot and while the water levels are still high. You can see some amazing wildflowers and if you make the hike to the top of the ridge nearby the views are spectacular.
Legend
This is by far my favorite campground to stay at if you are planning on spending the night on the ridge while doing the Skyway loop trail. Make sure to check out my review of Cheaha Falls Campground where I discuss the entire loop and the best times of year to visit. While completing the loop with friends recently we chose this campground for our mid day break to have lunch and relax a little since it was the one with the best view and the most area to hang out right on the edge of the ridge. There is ample room for multiple tents and the firepit is large with logs set around for sitting on. There is also some really great spots right near the edge that you could set up a hammock and enjoy the view while you fall asleep if that is your kind of thing. My friend actually brought along his hammock and took a nap while we sat and ate lunch and relaxed. The only downside I would have to say to staying at this campground is that it has almost no option for filling up water. If you are coming from the north you should pass a few places to fill up after you climb up the mountain and hit the large group campsites. Don’t wait through cause especially in the winter or mid summer the water levels can be low and you wont find any other option till you get to this site. Then it is a nice long walk back to fill up which is not what you want to do at the end of the day after all that hiking (it happened to us :/ ). So overall my suggestions are to fill up at your first chance with water and get here early so you can claim the site and enjoy it. Last of all check out those views and enjoy being out in the beautiful Alabama wilderness.
Legend
Check out the video included to get a full review of the site. In summary, this is a nice backcountry campsite a short walk in from the chinnabee silent parking area. It has a nice large flat area for setting up several tents. The only negative is that it doesn't have as easy water access as some of the other sites in the area.
RangerRead that there was a drive-in camp site at this location. Upon arrival, we found a parking lot with a fence all around it. There were a few fire rings in the parking lot.
I was not tempted to stay. There was nothing here but a place to park when you go hiking. The only thing here was disappointment and the realization that I needed to go somewhere else.
Travelerif you can get there quick enough there are some pretty good spots to camp and it's free not to mention right down the road from some of the best hiking trails I have ever seen open year round
Traveler
Just up the Chinnabee silent trail from the turnip seed campground heading towards the pinhoti sits this awesome campsite. A nice open area in a pine thicket, this large site has 2 fire rings and is big enough for even large groups to spread out. It’s also right next to a creek for an easy water source and about 50 yards down a side trail so it’s nice and private. A few people walked down to see the site but nobody disturbed me. I will definitely camp hear again.
Legend
Camping here is a very unique experience and completely different than most other campgrounds so I will try and make sure to include enough details to repeat our trip. This"campsite" is really just a large embankment along the Tennessee River on land owned by the TVA. They have a policy that on certain parts of their land along the Tenessee River you are allowed to camp following leave no trace rules. Make sure to follow the link for the campsite to learn more. Although you can use any of their lands there are limited areas that are flat or large enough to comfortably set up a tent. This particular site(GPS coordinates above) is a great space and was perfect for a night along the river. We parked our car on the southern side of the Guntersville dam and put in our boats at the loading ramp. we then kayaked with our gear in dry bags up the river past the amazing views of the painted bluff. We parked our boats for a quick swim(with life vests, the current was really strong) and hiked around the shore where there is a cave. We continued on upriver and finally found this particular site where we set up for the night. The banks of the river are pretty steep so finding a large enough site can be challenging. Be prepared to have extra time to search for another site if the river level is high. On the whole, this was one of the most amazing camping experiences I have ever had and I highly recommend it.
ScoutThe only decent spot for hammocks is the little campsite that is right in front of the parking lot. We went over to the clearing just north of the parking lot, but there were no good spots. The clearing was extremely overgrown, as was the tree line all around the clearing. At the site directly in front of the parking lot, you can really only get two hammocks, unless you want to stack your hammocks vertically. You'll have to tie both hammocks to the same tree at one end, and then use two trees on the other side. There is no water near this site. This site is OK if you need to be near the parking lot or don't want to hike your gear in and out. Otherwise, you're way better off going down to one of the other sites.
Legend
As I noted in several of my other reviews check out my review of the Sipsey falls campground for a comprehensive account of my favorite hiking and camping in the area.
This campsite in particular is located on a small ridge after passing the Sipsey falls area. It is fairly large with two established firepits and multiple cleared areas for tents. It also has plenty of trees for setting up hammocks. I like this site in particular since it is one of the less crowded spots. I only give it 4 stars however since if available some of the best sites are right next to Sipsey falls a little further along where you have access to water for pumping and swimming when the weather is right.
As always make sure to leave no trace and make the site cleaner than when you found it.
LegendThis is a free hunters campground located in Sipsey wilderness. The hiking in this area is incredible and makes you feel like you are in another world. We have taken several trips to this area and it is well worth it. The camping is rustic but the sights are worth it. This site is not heavily traveled but has restrooms and water which is nice. Be cautious though to check the hunting seasons if you are planning on hiking though since you want to make sure you can be seen. I would also come prepared with essentials in case the campground itself is closed down for the season and the amenities are not accessible.
Legend
This is a nice sized campsite alongside the river right off of the Chinnabee Silent Trail. Check out my video below for my take on this site. It is definitely one of the larger and more developed backcountry sites along the trail and is far enough back from the river to not have to worry about flooding. I also liked how close it is to the waterfall so you could set up camp and go for a nice evening swim before cooking dinner. It's probably not the best option if you only have a hammock to sleep in but for a tent it is perfect. If you are not an early riser be aware that this site is right alongside the trail so you may hear people who get out on the trail in the morning. Overall, there are many sites to choose from along this trail and most of the year you will have your pick. If you are backpacking in the busy season though this is a great site if you can get it early.
Legend
This is a nice little campground right along the river that is one of the few of its size at this point in the loop. I would suggest starting by reading my review from Cheaha Falls Campground which gives a good synopsis of the backpacking loop. This site has a large campfire ring with level space for a couple of tents and plenty of trees for hammocks. There is water here year round though that also means it can get buggy in the summer. We were here in the really early spring and it was amazing! Water levels were high and everything was just starting to bloom. The signage along these trails is also good and they are well traveled though there are a few stream crossings that can get confusing so keep an eye out for turns in the trail, especially in the fall or winter when there are leaves on the ground. If you plan to camp in this site but it is full there are other options in the area so just travel a little further down the trail.
LegendNot far up the trail from the Turnipseed campground, you reach a giant tree standing in front of a small creek. The trail continues across the water and begins climbing towards the intersection with the Pinhoti atop the ridge. However, if instead you turn right and wander into the woods a short distance you come across an enormous clearing under the tree canopy perfect for a large group to set up camp. Not only is it well protected and have an easy freshwater source but it has not one, not two, but three built of fire rings for all the bonfire fun. This area is one of my favorites to hike in Alabama and this site works great as either a base camp to leave your gear and hike for the day or a stopping point to sleep for the night if you are attempting the entire loop. If you want more details on some of the trails in the area check out my other reviews but if you have more than just a single tent I highly recommend checking this particular site out. A final feature is that if you have any younger campers joining along it is not such a far trek in from where you park so they will have an easier time hauling gear.
Guide
Note - I drive a 20’ van - so non level is ok for me but these sites were not level - but I spent 2 nights sat/sun - and it was gorgeous especially for sunrise. Wish I could have stayed longer but I didn’t want to get stuck there in the rain - it was about 5 miles of dirt roads to get in there and they were well maintained but I didn’t want to risk it.
There are 2 hiking trails - more like atv trails that go to either side of the lake from the campground. You can go further into the forest but it was deer hunting season so I didn’t explore.
It was so peaceful and the sunrises over the lake were breathtaking.
$5 a day and there is a QR code on the board to pay, or you can by an annual pass for $40 if you plan on staying at least 9 days it’s worth it. It doesn’t hold your place on the form unless you create an account which is why the dyrt link doesn’t work.
Overall if I’m passing through again I would go back.
Also appreciated the free trash cleanup, clean porta potties and picnic tables. No fire rings really but you can tell where people burn campfires.
It’s a well maintained park and you can tell a lot of love has gone into it. Even had a ranger come through!
Traveler
We camped here for one night on a road trip in December. We stayed in the second "middle" spot. It had been raining so the last spot at the end was all muddy. We missed the first spot. The second was perfect. We had to improve the fire ring a bit. Plenty of kindling around. Closest stores are in Moulton. Heard some foxes at night.
ScoutAbout a handful of spots, all with ample room and privacy. Rough road there, but overall easy access and nice view.
Scout
This spot is where the lookout tower office used to be. It burned years ago but the concrete pad is still here. Ultimately, Rangers may come by and ask you to move to prepared sites nearby. I think they are concerned about fires as always.
ScoutHeel leuk, zonder stroom, geen voorzieningen; terug naar de basic natuur
GuideEasy drive on paved road until you reach the GPS coordinates (I wouldn’t have seen the little gravel road if I hadn’t been looking for it). Take the little road for a mile or so until you reach the circle at the end. We loved it because there was no chance of hearing any cars and the animal noises were fantastic. We were glad to have a bug net — probably a necessity for this site!
Alabama offers a wealth of opportunities for dispersed camping, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of amenities, these spots are perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
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