4.54177 reviewsPrice
$10 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
39 campsites
Season
March 15th - Decembe...
Cell
No Service
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$10 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
39 campsites
Season
March 15th - Decembe...
Cell
No Service
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Coleman Lake Recreation Area
33.7841, -85.5620
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Fall weekends with a kayak and a fishing rod are the sweet spot here. Bass, bluegill, and crappie in the lake, the 2-mile Coleman Lake Loop Trail right there, hardwoods going gold and crimson, and restrooms reviewers call 'Pine-Sol clean.' RVs fit up to 35 feet on paved pads.
Avoid Forest Road 500 unless your vehicle handles potholes and narrow roads, GPS will send you there anyway, so research the correct route first. There's no cell service at all, water outages happen enough that bringing backup supply is genuinely necessary, and a handful of revie
Camper Report Card
Rated higher than 46% of graded campgrounds
Graded on what 78 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.
Strengths
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Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.
Reference information about Coleman Lake Recreation Area sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>The newly renovated Coleman Lake Recreation Area is peacefully nestled into the Talladega mountains. For recreationists who want to get away from the crowds, but want a few modern conveniences, Coleman Lake Recreation Area is your place to be. There are 39 campsites with water and electrical hookups, bathhouses, 29 picnicking units, a 21-acre lake and access to the Pinhoti Trail. Two new comfort stations and seven camping sites are fully accessible for the physically challenged. Most sites will accommodate recreational vehicles up to 35 feet in length. A picnic shelter that seats 40 is available on a first come, first serve basis, or it can be reserved for $15.</p>
The elevation is 1,200 ft. The campground, with two unnamed loops, is located above Coleman Lake in hardwoods including large Sweetgum. Heavy vegetation limits view of water but offers ample shade and Fall color. All campsites, in both loops, have electric and water hookups. The campground is conveniently located as a base camp for a variety of activities while offering campers a relaxing, forest camping experiences. Possible day trips are Cheaha State Park, Talladega Scenic Drive (State Route 281), Shoal Creek Church (GPS - N33 46.540,W85 33.848), Cole Cemetery (GPS - N33 43.800,W85 35.880), and Talladega Raceway.
Open March 10 through November 26
Wheelchair friendly showers
Coleman Lake is 21 acres. Power boats limited to trolling motors. The boat ramp is primitive.
Parking aprons are paved.
In Heflin, AL, at the intersection of State Rts. 46 and 78, take Rt. 78 east for 5.7 miles to Coleman Lake sign (County Rt. 61). Turn left onto Rt. 61 and go 7.6 miles to another Coleman Lake sign (Forest Rt. 500). Turn right onto Rt. 500 and go 0.4 miles to Coleman Lake campground sign. Turn right and continue on Forest Rt. 500 and go 1.8 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground.
Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.
Fall is prime time. Daytime highs run 50-70°F, nights drop into the 30s-40s, and the hardwood ridges put on their color show from mid-October to early November. Hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing all benefit from cooler temperatures and active animal movement. Crowds pick up on weekends during peak color but stay moderate compared to big state parks. Summer brings warmth and afternoon showers that keep the forest green. Spring offers comfortable temps and good fishing conditions, according to camper feedback.
Fall is 'prime time' with vibrant hardwood color, moderate temps and top recommendations from users.
Coleman Lake Recreation Area offers a range of amenities tailored for campers seeking both modern conveniences and a tranquil forest setting. The campground features 39 campsites, each equipped with water and electrical hookups, as well as concrete parking aprons suitable for RVs up to 35 feet long. Bathhouses are available with flush toilets and hot showers, and seven sites are accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. A picnic shelter accommodating up to 40 people can be reserved for $15 or used on a first-come basis. Additional amenities include a playground, waste station, and two comfort stations. Some reviews highlight the cleanliness of facilities, describing restrooms as 'Pine-Sol clean' and 'super clean.' Firewood is sold on-site for $6 per bundle, according to one user review.
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