pack away food at night. Bird-watchers will be treated to red crossbills with their distinct “jeep-jeep-jeep” calls and the rare red-cockaded woodpecker, named for the color of its plume. You are most likely to spot it in the early morning or just before dusk. Look for the birds in the tops of the tall pine trees.
The famous Pinhoti Trail runs through the recreation area. Pinhoti is an American Indian word meaning “turkey home,” another bird often spotted in the area. The US Forest Service and a group of volunteers with the Youth Conservation Corps began trail construction in the early 1970s. Since then, the trail has expanded to more than 130 miles in Alabama, from near the town of Sylacauga to the Georgia state line. From there, the Georgia trail section meanders over mountaintops until it connects to the Appalachian Trail. While you’re in camp, keep an eye out for Pinhoti through-hikers. You’ll enjoy meeting them and hearing their stories.
The campground contains two unnamed loops. Sites 1–16 are in loop A, and sites 17–39 are in loop B. All have crushed gravel tent pads, a fire ring, water, and power. Between the two loops, you’ll find a very nice handicap-accessible bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets.
You’ll find the best sites lakeside in loop B with some nice views of the water, but these are hard to come by since there are only a few.
The Lake Coleman campground does not have a locking access gate, but the US Forest Service rangers do patrol it regularly. The campground is closed in the winter.
Occasionally the forest service performs what is called a prescribed burn, a controlled fire to remove duff building on the forest floor and to stimulate forest growth. Naturally, the campground will be closed during those times. You can check on planned burns at the US Forest Service website at fs.usda.gov/alabama.
Then, of course, there are unscheduled wildfires. Please make sure that all fires have been completely extinguished before leaving camp. Fire risk increases during the hot, dry summer or other times when humidity is extremely low.
:: Getting There
At the intersection of AL 4 and US 78 in Heflin, turn right onto US 78 East and travel 7.8 miles. Turn left onto County Road 61 and drive 4.3 miles, and turn right onto CR 548. Travel 4.6 miles and bear left onto Forest Route 500. The entrance is on the right in 0.1 mile.
GPS COORDINATES N33° 47.392' W85° 33.378'
5
Deerlick Creek Campground
“Peace and tranquility are the norm at Deerlick Creek Campground.”
:: Ratings
BEAUTY:
PRIVACY:
SPACIOUSNESS:
QUIET:
SECURITY:
CLEANLINESS:
:: Key Information
ADDRESS: 12421 Deerlick Rd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
OPERATED BY: US Army Corps of Engineers
CONTACT: 205-759-1591; reservations 877-444-6777; tinyurl.com/deerlickcreek
OPEN: March–November
SITES: 46
SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire ring with grill, lantern post, water, power
ASSIGNMENT: By reservation
REGISTRATION: At gatehouse or by reservation
FACILITIES: Flush toilets, hot showers, laundry, playground, lake swimming, beach, fishing piers
PARKING: At each site
FEE: Tent-only site with water and power, $14; site with water and power, $18; waterfront site with water and power, $20
ELEVATION: 456'
RESTRICTIONS:
The Black Warrior River has played an important role in Alabama for thousands of years. The river was the lifeblood of American Indians who lived in this area as far back as 1000 A.D. It provided drinking water, fishing, and irrigation for farming, and it also served as a major trade route connecting villages.
The river became an important trade route for Europeans as well after they settled in this region in 1540 and began moving goods and personnel. The waterway eventually flows into the Tombigbee River and ends at the Gulf of Mexico in Mobile.
To this day, the river holds the same importance for these very same reasons. It provides drinking water to the city of Birmingham, and it is a shipping route to the Gulf of Mexico. With the construction of a lock and dam by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1966, another important role was added to the river’s résumé—miles and miles of recreational opportunities, including those found along the banks of Holt Lake.
Holt is a 3,200-acre lake that stretches some 18 miles from end to end, providing amazing fishing and boating opportunities—and of course camping.
I can’t say enough about the campgrounds operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Each provides a wonderful mix of beautiful landscapes and equally beautiful facilities. And one of the best is Deerlick Creek Campground.
It’s tucked away in a towering hardwood forest. Here you’ll be sleeping under beech trees, oaks, and pines, mainly loblolly; however, the loblolly pines may not be around for long. A nonnative species, loblollies are prone to disease and not resilient to storms. Slowly, many state
