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Best Dispersed Camping in Alabama

50 Reviews

Alabama's Bankhead National Forest offers several free dispersed camping areas, including Wolf Pen Hunters Camp where level, clear sites accommodate tents and some vehicles. The road through Wolf Pen features multiple clearings for camping, though amenities are nonexistent. A recent camper noted, "If 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."

Blue Creek Public Use Area provides riverside camping with spots overlooking the Tombigbee River and dam. While technically dispersed, this area includes some basic amenities like a latrine and boat ramp. As one visitor described, "Large area overlooking the river that gives you a slight breeze for 85 degrees in mid June." Sky Mtwy Dispersed and Boondock Dispersed Camping offer more remote options, with Boondock featuring three individual sites along a gravel roadway about a mile from the main road. Geneva State Lake requires a $2 per night fee and offers primitive lakeside camping with fishing docks and portable toilets.

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Best Dispersed Sites in Alabama (30)

    1. Blue Creek Public Use Area

    5 Reviews
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    Website

    "Rough road there, but overall easy access and nice view."

    "Has a latrine, no water or electric. Has boat ramp and camping areas are near pacer park roads. Local traffic is mostly folks going to boat ramp."

    2. Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama

    4 Reviews
    Bankhead National Forest, AL

    "Easy 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)."

    "Great spot, close to stores and a lot of trails and such. Nice level clear spot, able to accommodate an overland or few tents setup. Close to the main road."

    3. Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

    5 Reviews
    Bankhead National Forest, AL
    Website
    +1 (205) 489-5111

    "Overall a good free camp site."

    "if 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"

    4. Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Estillfork, AL
    Website

    "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."

    "The Walls of Jehrico trail offers a handful of first-come/first-serve primitive campsites set adjacent to two separate water sources (streams). "

    5. Geneva State Lake

    3 Reviews
    Kinston, AL

    "Beautiful park to camp next to the lake with 2 fishing docks. No bathrooms just port a potty. The camping price is $2 per night, no reservation is needed, and is online payment."

    "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."

    6. Sky Mtwy Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Heflin, AL
    Website
    +1 (334) 832-4470

    "Google maps tries to send you a way that doesn’t exist. Stay on Campbell rd until you are in the park on a gravel / dirt road and then keep driving."

    "Ultimately, Rangers may come by and ask you to move to prepared sites nearby. I think they are concerned about fires as always."

    7. Old Lock 1

    2 Reviews
    Silas, AL
    Website
    +1 (334) 289-3540

    "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."

    8. Chinnabee Silent Trail Backcountry Site 2

    2 Reviews
    Munford, AL
    Website

    "Not far up the trail from the Turnipseed campground, you reach a giant tree standing in front of a small creek."

    "Just up the Chinnabee silent trail from the turnip seed campground heading towards the pinhoti sits this awesome campsite."

    9. Skyway Loop Backcountry Site Near Chinnabee

    2 Reviews
    Munford, AL
    Website

    "The space is in a really beautiful area near the parking area for Lake Chinnabee and a few minutes down the trail from Devil's Den Falls."

    "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."

    10. Pinhoti Campground North of Talladega Scenic Drive 1 — Cheaha State Park

    2 Reviews
    Delta, AL
    Website

    "I also have several videos attached that show some of the more confusing trail components so you don’t get lost."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos in Alabama

22 Photos of 30 Alabama Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews in Alabama

50 Reviews of 30 Alabama Campgrounds

  • Zoey T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Sky Mtwy Dispersed

    Beautiful remote place to set up for the night

    It took us a bit to get here. Google maps tries to send you a way that doesn’t exist. Stay on Campbell rd until you are in the park on a gravel / dirt road and then keep driving. For being a gravel dirt road it’s pretty well maintained. The pull offs for van camping are limited and extremely dispersed off the multiple dirt roads. Some going very deep in the Forrest. We found a great pull through one on the left across from the fire watch tower. Limited to no trash. Beautiful piney woods. Plenty of wood. Completely quiet. Maybe 3 cars pulled past all day. Some cell service. Plenty of trails to hike.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2021

    Painted Bluff Dispersed Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Unique Experience!!!

    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.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Chinnabee Silent Trail Backcountry Site 5

    Large secluded site

    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.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2020

    Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

    Rustic

    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.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2021

    Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    Small boring site

    This site is 3 separate clearings near the trailhead and parking with small fire pits. They work in a pinch if you get here late and don’t want to hike in or if you want to car camp and hike to the falls without gear. Be aware that you will have to go a little ways down the trail to find water.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Blue Creek Public Use Area

    Great private spot

    About a handful of spots, all with ample room and privacy. Rough road there, but overall easy access and nice view.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Chinnabee Silent Trail Backcountry Site 4

    Parking Lot Site

    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.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 20, 2019

    Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    Convenient Trailhead Camping

    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.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2023

    Skyway Loop Backcountry Site Near Chinnabee

    Improved since last visit

    This site has been cleaned up and expanded since I last stayed here. The space is in a really beautiful area near the parking area for Lake Chinnabee and a few minutes down the trail from Devil's Den Falls. It has an established fire pit and several clear flat areas for tents. The creek runs right alongside so there is easy access to water and it provides a peaceful background sound during the night. Another nice feature of this campground is that it sits at the intersection of multiple trails.

Guide to Alabama

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.

Tips for free and dispersed camping in Alabama

  • Wolf Pen Hunters Camp provides level and private sites, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a rustic experience without any fees.
  • Boondock Dispersed Camping Alabama is a remote location where you can enjoy peace and quiet, with easy access via a paved road leading to a secluded area.
  • Blue Creek Public Use Area features spacious sites with electric hookups and water, perfect for those who want a bit more comfort while still enjoying the outdoors.

Scenic attractions for dispersed campers

Dispersed campers should check out unique features

  • Old Lock 1 offers amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, making it a convenient stop for those looking to enjoy a day by the water.
  • Hollins Hunting Camp features open areas suitable for overlanders and tent campers, providing a great spot for star photography due to its clear skies.
  • Pinhoti Backcountry Campground near Odum Intersection is well-protected and has established fire pits, making it a comfortable choice for groups looking to enjoy a campfire under the stars.

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