The Best Places to Camp in the Talladega National Forest in Alabama

The Talladega National Forest, comprised of two sections that are located in western and eastern Alabama, covers 387,181 acres and is the ideal place for camping in northern Alabama. Throughout the Talladega National Forest there are six developed campgrounds, two that are primitive and four that are developed with hook-ups and facilities.

Visiting the Talladega National Forest allows you to enjoy its beauty, history and to experience its recreation areas along with camping locations and hiking trails. While you are visiting the Talladega National Forest you can also take a drive along the Talladega Scenic Byway (State Route 281) to see the beautiful scenery surrounding the forest and the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Here are just a few of the best camping spots in the Talladega National Forest with the websites included in this article providing directions to these spots.

Payne Lake Nature Trail -

Located on the western half of the Talladega National Forest, Payne Lake Nature Trail and camping area are very popular with backpackers and hikers who want a challenge while exploring the start of the Appalachian Mountains. Payne Lake Nature Trail is located just west of Centreville. The trail itself is a 2.5 mile loop that will take you to the mountains and back out again. The hike is considered moderate in difficulty. You will also find three pavilions near the trail and many tables around the lake for having a picnic. Primitive camping, swimming, fishing and hiking are also available here.

If you are looking for a more established camping spot you can stay at the Payne Lake Recreation Area which is located about 20 miles west of Centreville. The campground is on 110 acres and has a lake for swimming, boating and fishing, a picnic area and miles of hiking trails. There are 77 camping spots here with fire pits and grills at each site. There are also hook-ups for RV's here.

Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area -

Located on 17 acres the Lake Chinnabee Recreation and Hiking trail offer a small camp ground on a peaceful pasture. There are 8 primitive camp sites located on the shores of Lake Chinnabee that include a picnic table, fire pit and grill for each site. Each site is also spread out to give you privacy.

The Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area offers a 2 mile looped hiking trail that is great for beginners and is family friendly. The hike is also very scenic and great for teaching children about nature and the wild. Camping is open by reservation from March 1st - December 1st. You can also fish in the lake which is stocked with Bass, Catfish and other fish. The camping area is also RV friendly but generally can only handle RV's up to 22-feet long.

Cheaha Wilderness -

At the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains the Cheaha Wilderness is a great place for camping in the North Alabama mountains. The wilderness is a part of the Talladega National Forest and includes 7,300 acres and its highest point is Cheaha Mountain at 2,407 feet. Hiking in this area goes from easy and family friendly to difficult for experienced climbers and hikers looking for a challenge.

This area is best known for its elevated terrain and mountain overlooks that offer beautiful, panoramic views. Primitive camping is available anywhere on the trails or in the woods without a permit, unless it is during hunting season. The closest manned campgrounds and motels are over 10 miles away from t he entrance to the Cheaha Wilderness. The Cheaha is famous for the Pinhoti Trail which is a stretch of the trail runs from northeast to southwest across the entire Wilderness, a distance of about 10 miles. The trail follows a ridge system through the Talladega National Forest and crosses the top of Cheaha Mountain. The trail itself is over 100 miles long and eventually cuts through the Dugger Mountain Wilderness area to connect with the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.

For More Information about the Talladega National Forest you can get all of the camps, primitive and manned, from this website. If you plan to hike the Appalachian Trail read about camping in the Pisgah National Forest.