Bankhead National Forest dispersed camping offers free primitive sites in designated areas outside developed campgrounds. The forest encompasses 180,000 acres of wilderness terrain at elevations ranging from 700-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 88-92°F during the day, dropping to 68-72°F at night, while cell service remains spotty throughout the forest with AT&T generally providing better coverage than Verizon.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access Thompson Creek Trail for multiple waterfall views. "The hike in is not difficult. You do have to cross a stream, which was not as difficult for my 6'2 husband as it was for me at 5'2. The water was clear. The waterfall was beautiful and we found a quiet spot up the creek to camp," notes a Thompson Creek Trail Campsites visitor.
Night sky viewing: Find prime stargazing spots away from light pollution. "The stars were incredible after the moon went down a bit. Lots of bird sounds especially in the morning," reports a camper at Boondock Dispersed Camping.
Canoeing and kayaking: Explore the 33-acre lake at Brushy Lake Recreation Area. "Brushy Lake is a lovely spot in the beautiful Bankhead National Forest. The 33 acre lake is perfect for canoeing or kayaking. The fishing is excellent," shares a visitor.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy between sites. "The sites were beautifully wooded and spacing between each site was adequate, but you can definitely see from one site to the next. The perimeter lake lots in the Hoot Owl Loop all had steps or path access from the site to the shore," notes a Clear Creek Recreation Area camper.
Quiet atmosphere: The relative seclusion creates a peaceful camping experience. "This was by far one of the most quite COE campground we have been to. Like is said, peace and quite was the theme of the weekend. The camp was full but you would have thought the opposite based on how quite is was," writes a visitor to Corinth Recreation Area.
Diverse wildlife: Early morning and evening wildlife viewing opportunities abound. "You will see deer in the morning and are likely to have a visitor, raccoons, during the night," mentions a Clear Creek camper.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Prepare for minimal connectivity. "Verizon cellphone coverage didn't work here. AT&T cellphone coverage good enough for working from Trailer," reports a Corinth Recreation Area camper.
Road conditions: Access roads can become difficult after rain. "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes," notes a visitor to Thompson Creek Trail Campsites.
Water levels: Stream crossings and waterfall views depend on recent rainfall. "As the trail follows Thompson's Creek, it is next to all of the campsites. Water levels tend to be higher during the winter. The water is a beautiful turquoise," explains a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Brushy Lake Recreation Area offers kid-friendly water access. "They have a basketball and volleyball area in a nice green space area near the boat launch. We will definitely be back!" shares a visitor.
Playground access: Smith Lake Park provides multiple play areas. "Awesome place with a beautiful lake! Lots of playgrounds for the kids and some very nice camping spots!" notes a camper.
Beach preparation: Bring water shoes for rocky shores. "The beach area had a lot of rocks! Probably due to water level low had to go buy some water shoes, but then it was all good," advises a Smith Lake Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose locations based on available facilities. "They are only keeping open one bathroom at a time, so you have to pick and choose your site when you don't have a built in bathroom. It is still a nice campground, lots of space, quite, big spots," advises a Clear Creek Recreation Area visitor.
Leveling considerations: Prepare for varied site conditions. "Our site was level and easy to back into. There is a nice overlook and plenty of hiking trails. We were on the yellow loop," notes a Corinth Recreation Area camper.
Off-season advantages: Consider camping in spring or fall for more comfortable conditions. "Loved this park! It was our first trip in our new Travel Trailer and it couldn't have gone better. We stayed at Yellow Hammer site #9 easy pull through with plenty of room. Not only did all the sites have amazing scenery but the roads were well maintained," shares an RVer at Corinth.
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