Between its mountains in the north, Gulf Coast in the south, and the largest city Birmingham in the center, Alabama is a great place for RVing. If you’re searching for free camping in Alabama, you’ll find some great boondocking options in every region of the Yellowhammer State.
Boondocking offers a wonderful chance to connect with nature in Alabama’s most amazing forests and parks. Here are some of our favorite boondocking spots in this southern state.
Boondocking Sites in Alabama
Pine Glen
Talladega National Forest is a massive national forest that covers 392,567 acres in eastern Alabama. Pine Glen, which is a section set aside in the forest for dispersed camping, provides visitors with boondocking opportunities in a densely wooded environment. Pine Glen is practically designed to feel undermaintained. If you enjoy “roughing it,” this is the place for you. You’ll see hardwood trees, and the campground is near Shoal Creek, so there are fishing opportunities as well. The nearest community to Pine Glen is Heflin, AL.
Blue Creek Park
Blue Creek Park is a boondocking haven in Northport, which is just outside the college town of Tuscaloosa. There are 18 sites available for RVers to use, and there are restrooms available at the location as well. Anglers will love that Blue Creek Park provides access to the creek for fishing. Since there’s a boat ramp on-site, you’ll have no trouble getting out on the water. Pets are also permitted in this park, so your furry friends are welcome to stay here while you’re camping.
Silver Creek Park
Silver Creek Park, which lies along the Alabama River Lakes, is nestled in the small town of Whatley. Since there are only eight free-to-use campsites at this location, guests are only permitted to stay here for up to 14 days. There are two boat ramps that you can use to access the water, and there is a lovely bank that is ideal for fishing. The campsites all have a picnic table and a fire pit that can be used as well. Located in the southwestern part of Alabama, Silver Creek Park is less than two hours from the Gulf Coast.
Tuskegee National Forest
Tuskegee National Forest has 13 dispersed camping locations that are accessible by RV. This national forest can be found in Tuskegee, Alabama, and the majority of sites are slide-in and rest at an elevation of over 300 feet. The highest of the 14 boondocking sites rests at 500 feet, and keep in mind that some of these sites recommend a high-clearance vehicle. Usage of any of these sites requires a no-charge permit.
Claiborne Lake
Located in the rural southeastern town of Franklin, Claiborne Lake offers a primitive campsite that is good for those looking to go fishing as they boondock. Claiborne Lake, which is part of the Alabama River, has a beautiful dam that was completed in 1971. If you have a toy hauler and a boat, this is a great spot for enjoying water activities.
Where to Boondock in Alabama
- Talladega, Conecuh, Tuskegee, and William B. Bankhead National Forests have many campsites.
- The cities of Talladega and Montgomery are also great for those looking for boondocking in Alabama.
- Lakeside locations such as Sweetwater Lake and Silver Creek Park also tend to have boondocking opportunities.
- If you want to check out the Gulf Coast, areas near Mobile have a few boondocking opportunities as well.
Boondocking Alabama will expose you to a simpler way of life where you provide your own water and mostly live off-grid. From Tuscaloosa to Talladega, there’s plenty of free camping in Alabama to enjoy, and an RV makes the whole process simpler.
To boondock, you don’t need to own a travel trailer or motorhome; renting an RV is easy with RVshare. You can even rent a vehicle from someone in the area where you want to boondock.
