though a few sites along the edge of the area slope down considerably. There are several sites along the picnic area at the top of the mountain. These spots give you a good view of the surrounding mountains to the west, but radio and television antennas across the road to the east, next to the fire tower, detract from the view. Additionally, these campsites are right up against the road so evening traffic could be a nuisance. Community water spigots are available in this campground.
The second campground is Mountain Top (also called the Upper Campground). While the sites are a bit close together, they aren’t close enough to take away from your camping pleasure. The pads are light-packed gravel, and all sites include water, power, a picnic table, a fire ring, and a grill.
The two bathhouses in the loop are exceptional. Hand-built by the CCC, these stone structures house clean restrooms and hot showers. Best of all, they have excellent heating if you find yourself on the mountain on a frosty winter morning. There isn’t really a best site in this campground. Each one is exceptional with plenty of shade. The thick forest obscures any views. If you have kids or don’t like walks to the bathhouses on cold mornings, then your best bets are sites 3, 8, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, or 25, which are each adjacent to one of the two bathhouses.
The final two campgrounds are not in the main state park but down the hillside on a side road just off of AL 281. The Lower Campground is popular with folks who want to be near Cheaha Lake (the lake is across the road from the campground). There are 30 sites in the Lower Campground, all with power, water, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campsite has its own coded entry gate, which is closed 24 hours a day.
The Primitive Campground, which was the original CCC campground and just reopened spring 2013, was Cheaha’s first campground. Each of the 30 sites has a fire ring, and a community water spigot is available. The campground has restrooms, but the closest bathhouse is in the Cheaha Lake (Lower) Campground.
Whichever campground you choose, you’ll either register at the country store or reserve by phone. When you arrive, visit the country store and get a code to enter the gated area of the park or the Cheaha Lake (Lower) Campground. And speaking of the country store, it has a pretty good selection of supplies in case you forgot to pack something.
For a diversion from camp meals, the park includes a restaurant with the best view around; the restaurant is also adjacent to the swimming pool.
:: Getting There
From Lineville head north on AL 49 14.2 miles. Turn left onto AL 281. Travel 3 miles. The park entrance is on the right.
GPS COORDINATES N33° 29.172' W85° 48.794'
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Coleman Lake Recreation Area
“A beautiful and peaceful campground with large, shady sweet gum trees and a sprinkling of lakeside campsites”
:: Ratings
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:: Key Information
ADDRESS: Forest Route 500, Piedmont, AL 36272
OPERATED BY: US Forest Service
CONTACT: 256-463-2272; tinyurl.com/lakecoleman
OPEN: March 15–December 1
SITES: 39
SITE AMENITIES: Gravel pad, fire ring with grate, water, power
ASSIGNMENT: First-come, first-serve
REGISTRATION: Self pay at kiosk
FACILITIES: Flush toilets, showers, playground, lake swimming, fishing
PARKING: At each site
FEE: $12
ELEVATION: 1,142'
RESTRICTIONS:
Nestled between mountains in the northern portion of the Talladega National Forest, Coleman Lake Recreation Area offers a beautiful and peaceful campground with large, shady sweet gum trees and a sprinkling of lakeside campsites that make it another great US Forest Service campground.
Coleman is located just outside the town of Heflin. If you’re looking at a map, you’ll see that the Talladega National Forest splits into two large units totaling more than 380,000 acres. To the west of the state is the Oakmulgee Division, where you will find the Payne Lake Recreation Area. To the east is the main Talladega National Forest, which is further subdivided into two smaller districts. In the south there is the Talladega District, where you’ll find Cheaha State Park and Lake Chinnabee, and to the north is the Shoal Creek District, where the Coleman Lake Recreation Area is located.
Although fairly close to Atlanta and Birmingham, Coleman feels a world away from big-city hustle and bustle. This is an area to simply come out and unwind.
As with most of the state’s US Forest Service recreation areas, Coleman is anchored by a lake, this one covering 21 acres. Nonmotorized or trolling motor-powered boats are permitted, and there are plenty of sloughs and inlets to explore by paddle. Plus, there’s fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. An Alabama freshwater-fishing license is required.
The campground offers prime viewing for wildlife and birds. It’s not uncommon for white-tailed deer, as well as foxes, squirrels, and raccoons, to meander through
