Talladega National Forest covers more than 392,567 acres at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. This national forest has three distinct areas that do not connect. The Oakmulgee District, headquartered in Brent, Alabama, consists mainly of broad sloping ridges in Hale, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Perry, Chilton, and Dallas counties. The other two park sections are in Alabama’s northeastern part and feature upland hills and low mountains. The Shoal Creek section is headquartered in Shoal, Alabama, while the Talladega section is at Talladega, Alabama. Talladega National Forest is a great place for fishing, hiking, and nature watching, among other activities.
Camping in Talladega National Forest
A great way to explore all that the three areas of Talladega National Forest have to offer is in an RV. This allows you to easily visit all three sections. Since most of these areas are very secluded, the night sky is often beautiful, and it is often easier to spot wildlife at dawn and dusk. If you do not own an RV, rent one from RVshare.com.
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Payne Lake Campground
Located near Centreville, Alabama, the heavily wooded Payne Lake Campground offers two different camping areas divided by Payne Lake. The west side of this campground near the Oakmulgee section of Talladega National Forest is much more developed than the east side. Rates start at $18 per day at this gated campground.
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Coleman Lake Campground
Coleman Lake Campground is near Heflin, Alabama. The campsites located around two loops are near huge sweet gum trees overhanging them. Rates start at $16 per night at this campground that is open from mid-March to early December.
How to get to Talladega National Forest
Address: 9901 Highway 5, Brent, AL, 35034
Fee: Per vehicle $3.0
The entry fee ranges from $3-$5 per vehicle
Many adventures await you at Talladega National Forest, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and swimming. There are outstanding attractions to visit in the forest and at nearby locations. Since this forest has three different areas, you will want to spend time exploring each one. The best way to do that is to bring your RV or rent one on RVshare.com. There are fantastic vehicles in all classes available, so one is sure to meet your needs perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Talladega National Forest
Is there a fee to get into Talladega National Forest?
There is no fee to get into the Talladega National Forest as a whole, but the Payne Lake Recreation Area which includes part of the forest does have a $3 day use fee. The Kentuck ORV Trail requires a permit of $5 per operator.
Does Talladega National Forest offer free camping sites?
Yes, there are free camping sites at Talladega National Forest. Dispersed camping is allowed in various areas of the forest. There are also many developed, paid campgrounds within forest boundaries.
Is there a limit to how long you can camp in Talladega National Forest?
There is a limit of 14 days within a 30-day period for dispersed camping and in developed campsites within Talladega National Forest.
Is Talladega National Forest open all year round?
Yes, Talladega National Forest is open all year round. There are various activities visitors can enjoy in the forest all year as well.
What is the closest town to Talladega National Forest?
Talladega, Alabama is the closest town to Talladega National Forest. RV campers will find campgrounds and other amenities in town, there are restaurants and shops, and the famous Talladega Speedway is just north of town.
