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Talladega National Forest — Camp Southeast Guide ProfileNATIONAL FORESTSSOUTHEAST CAMPING & TRUCK CAMPING GUIDEFederal GuideDevil’s Den, Talladega National ForestNATIONAL FORESTTalladega National ForestAlabamaTalladega National Forest in Alabama offers Forest Service recreation at Coleman Lake Recreation Area, Pine Glen RecreationArea. For a walking or hiking visit, start with Coleman Lake Recreation Area, Pine Glen Recreation Area. Each recreation sitehas its own facilities and access rules; use the official maps and current site instructions to plan your visit.AT A GLANCECAMP / VISITRECREATIONOFFICIAL MAPSPLAN AHEADWaterfall in Talladega National ForestWaterfall in Talladega National ForestQUICK PLANNINGCampingColeman Lake Recreation Area, Pine Glen Recreation AreaRV / truck campingDesignated sites only; confirm size and approachTrails / recreationColeman Lake Recreation Area, Pine Glen Recreation AreaBefore you goCheck current alerts, weather and exact site accessReservationsOfficial booking or site-specific instructions belowMaps / roadsOfficial trail, visitor and road-map resources ↗TRUCK-CAMPING NOTEThe newly renovated Coleman Lake Recreation Area is peacefully nestled into the Talladega mountains. For recreationists who want toget away from the crowds, but want a few modern conveniences, Coleman Lake Recreation Area is your place to be. There are 39…Verify current access, permitted sites and fire rules. More planning details below the guide.OFFICIAL PARK DETAILS ↗CHECK DATES / BOOK ↗PHOTO SOURCES & REUSEBANNER | Devil’s Den, Talladega National ForestRick from Alabama · CC BY 2.0Photo source ↗License ↗Resized; cropped display. Full credit in planning details.SECOND PHOTO | Waterfall in Talladega National ForestLahti213 · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo source ↗License ↗Resized; cropped display. Full credit in planning details.
Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Talladega National Forest

Talladega National Forest in Alabama offers Forest Service recreation at Coleman Lake Recreation Area, Pine Glen Recreation Area. For a walking or hiking visit, start with Coleman Lake Recreation Area, Pine Glen Recreation Area. Each recreation site has its own facilities and access rules; use the official maps and current site instructions to plan your visit.

Camping & reservations

The booking button opens official site-specific camping instructions for Coleman Lake Recreation Area. Check current reservations, first-come arrangements and any permit requirements there.

Coleman Lake Recreation Area ↗

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.

Pine Glen Recreation Area ↗

Pine Glen Recreation Area offers camping sites for 21 campsites, cooking grills, sanitary facilities, fishing, hiking, and access to the Pinhoti Trail. Use of Pine Glen Recreation Area is on a first come, first serve basis. It’s a favorite with hunters because it is centrally located in the Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area.

Payne Lake Recreation Area ↗

Payne Lake Recreation Area offers the outdoor enthusiasts solitude, a scenic lake, and picturesque campsites. Payne Lake Recreation Area has one swimming beach and two bathhouses for users of the recreation area. Each bathhouse has restrooms and showers. Camping is permitted at 26 developed sites along the shoreline of the 110-acre Payne Lake. Each site has a picnic table, cooking or fire circle, and tent or trailer pad. Payne Lake Recreation Area is open year-round and offers boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming opportunities for Forest users. A trailer dump station is located in the campground. NEW! Scan & Go Activity Pass

Truck-camping & permitted overnight use

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.

No forest-wide permission to camp is implied. Check the district’s current dispersed-camping rules, designated areas, fire restrictions, stay limits and seasonal closures before choosing an undeveloped site.

Activities, hiking & trails

Coleman Lake Recreation Area ↗
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.

Pine Glen Recreation Area ↗
Pine Glen Recreation Area offers camping sites for 21 campsites, cooking grills, sanitary facilities, fishing, hiking, and access to the Pinhoti Trail. Use of Pine Glen Recreation Area is on a first come, first serve basis. It’s a favorite with hunters because it is centrally located in the Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area.

Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area ↗
Not far from Cheaha State park is Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area. This 17-acre lake is tucked into a pastoral valley of peacefulness. Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area offers sanitary facilities, hiking, picnicking, fishing and the Chinnabee Silent Trail connects the campground to Cheaha Wilderness. Lake Chinnabee is an ideal spot to enjoy nature for daytime recreation.

Maps & road access

Consult the current Motor Vehicle Use Map for permitted motor routes, vehicle classes and seasonal designations. A route on an MVUM is not a guarantee that it is maintained or passable. Check current road closures and conditions with the district; carry an offline map.

Use the official directions for the exact named campground or trailhead; forest boundaries and administrative offices are not campsite entrances. Official directions / site access ↗

Before you travel

Check the forest’s current alerts, seasonal services, fire orders and campground rules. Download the relevant official maps before entering areas with limited reception.

Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. USDA Forest Service official information ↗

Photograph sources & licensing

Banner: Devil’s Den, Talladega National Forest
"Devil's Den" Talladega National Forest
Credit: Rick from Alabama. Original source ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.

Second large photograph: Waterfall in Talladega National Forest
Waterfall in Talladega National Forest
Credit: Lahti213. Original source ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.

Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.