Map showing campground location near Moundville, Alabama

Camper submitted image from Payne Lake East Side

Payne Lake East Side

Water enthusiasts will find direct lake access at Payne Lake East Side, a primitive campground within Talladega National Forest that charges $6 per night for basic sites. The east side operates with minimal amenities—pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site—while campers can access showers and full hookups by driving to the west side of the lake.

The campground maintains a notably quieter atmosphere than its western counterpart, with reviewers consistently noting fewer crowds even during peak seasons. Sites offer views of the lake and include ample space for parking two vehicles, with additional car fees of $3 per day. Trees provide good spacing for hammock setup between sites. Ali Z. notes the area has "a large amount of late afternoon sun, but minimal sunshine until later in the morning."

Water gets shut off seasonally on the east side, though it remains available at the dump station year-round. The campground operates on a self-registration system using cash payments in envelopes. Firewood is abundant on the ground, though no bundles are sold on-site. A blue hiking trail starts from the east side but requires bushwhacking due to limited maintenance.

For additional options across the lake, Payne Lake West Side provides full hookups and more developed facilities just a short drive away.

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Location

Public Campground

Payne Lake East Side is located in Alabama

Address

9901 Highway 5
Greensboro, AL 36744

Coordinates

32.88400066 N
87.44 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/31/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 3/31/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 3 users
Last on 3/31/26

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/31/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 3/31/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 3 users
Last on 3/31/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 7 min from Birmingham, AL
1 hr 8 min from Tuscaloosa, AL
1 hr 38 min from Montgomery, AL
2 hrs 4 min from Anniston, AL

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Many visitors appreciated the scenic primitive lakeside sites and peaceful atmosphere at an excellent $6/night value. Basic amenities like clean pit toilets and picnic tables meet most needs, though campers should bring firewood and expect seasonal water limitations on the east side.

Ali Z.

Scout

Reviewed Jan. 14, 2024

Hidden Gem Close to Campus

We had a great time visiting Payne Lake this weekend! We stayed at a primitive campsite with a beautiful view of the lake.

My biggest advice is to bring. your. own. firewood. As far as we could tell, there was nowhere at the campground to purchase bundles of firewood, and even the local grocery stores/gas stations weren't stocked with any either. We spent quite a bit of time using a hatchet to cut up down trees to fuel our firepit.

The campground is organized well and we were able to have our pick of campsites (mainly due to the fact that it was 30 degrees the whole weekend). The primitive campsites all had picnic tables and fire pits. Our group also uses hammocks and there were plenty of trees near enough together for hammock hanging.

When we got to the campground, the check in area is quite simple. There is a box with envelopes/forms to fill out that ask for your payment (in cash!), car information, and site number. Once you fill out your information, you simply drive and park at your campsite. As far as we could tell, each site had ample room for parking 2 cars within 15 feet or so. We paid $6 a night for the site, as well as an extra $3 fee/day because of a third car.

The area is quiet and peaceful, and the lake is a beautiful spot to catch the sunrise. On the East Side of the lake, we got a large amount of late afternoon sun, but minimal sunshine until later in the morning. The West Side saw a lot of sun early in the morning.

We got the chance to meet the Camp Host, who was very gracious and also introduced us to his dog, Reecie. He even offered to take our trash out for us!

We took a walk around the entire campground, and it is clear that the West Side of the lake sees more visitors and is generally kept up with more. The blue hiking trail on the East side required quite a bit of bushwhacking and didn't seem to have much upkeep at all. On our hike, we ended up walking the roads of the campsite and seeing the whole grounds.

SiteSite 34

Month of VisitJanuary

Aladrian M.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 30, 2023

First Camping Trip

It was beautiful, quiet, and the lake was perfect. Would definitely go back!

Site33

Month of VisitOctober

Sue B.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2022

Love this place

Primitive campsite by the lake. Quiet (except for occasional jets), private, perfect frog lullabies after dark, many species of wildflowers (due to a good burn regimen), nice breeze most of the time.

Sitenot marked

Month of VisitJune

Jen C.

Traveler

Reviewed Dec. 31, 2021

East side is beautifully rustic

Stayed 14 days and loved the quiet, beauty and birds. The pit toilet seems new and there is firewood everywhere. What else do you need? Oh, the showers on the West side are clean and hot!

Site50

Month of VisitDecember

Gregg G.

Ranger

Reviewed Feb. 11, 2021

Remote, Affordable USFS campground with Cell service

Payne Lake East is primitive camping that costs $6 dollars a night. From here you can access the amenities on the west shore. We are here in mid February and all but one of the full hook up sites on the west side are occupied. However, on the east side there is only one other camper. The lake is very pretty and has an area for swimming and a boat launch. On the east side the water is shut off this time of year, but it is available at the dump station. The east side offers a pit toilet, picnic tables and lantern post at each site. Apparently there are alligators here, but they are seldom seen this time of year per the campground host. Two to Three bars of Verizon 4G LTE

Month of VisitFebruary

(11) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Payne Lake Campground in Alabama?

Payne Lake East Side offers primitive camping with basic amenities. The campground features pit toilets that appear to be well-maintained. While the East Side is more rustic, campers have access to the amenities on the west shore, including clean, hot showers. The camping fee is $6 per night for primitive sites. Firewood is generally abundant throughout the area, making campfires easy to enjoy. The natural setting provides beautiful lake views and plenty of privacy between campsites. Note that there doesn't appear to be firewood for purchase on-site, so bringing your own is recommended.

Are there good fishing opportunities at Payne Lake?

Payne Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities. The lake is accessible directly from the campground, with the East Side primitive camping area providing shoreline access. The calm waters create a perfect environment for fishing, and the quiet atmosphere enhances the experience. Multiple campers have noted the lake's beauty and suitability for water activities. While specific fish species aren't detailed, the lake's popularity among campers suggests good fishing conditions throughout different seasons.

What do Payne Lake Campground photos show about the camping experience?

Photos of Payne Lake East Side showcase primitive campsites with beautiful lake views. The camping area features natural settings with good privacy between sites. You'll see the scenic shoreline access that makes this location special, particularly at sunset and sunrise when the lake is most picturesque. Images also highlight the abundance of wildflowers (thanks to controlled burns in the area) and the natural wooded environment that provides ample shade. Many photos capture the peaceful atmosphere that makes this spot ideal for those seeking a quiet retreat with water access and natural beauty.

How do I get to Payne Lake Campground near Moundville, Alabama?

Payne Lake Campground is located near Moundville, Alabama. The campground is divided into East and West sides, with the East Side offering primitive camping options. For specific directions, it's recommended to use GPS coordinates or contact the campground directly. The location is relatively quiet and secluded, making it worth the journey. Once you arrive, you'll find the East Side camping area along the shoreline with good access to the lake.

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