DeSoto State Park — Primitive Campground (walk-in tent)
Alabama State Parks — DeSoto State Park
The quiet way to sleep at DeSoto — 18 walk-in tent sites in the woods with fire rings, a vault toilet and water, no RVs and no hookups. Same 15-minute drive to the canyon, and you can still use the showers at the improved loop. Two backpacking shelters (Never-Never Land, 0.75 mi from the Lost Falls trailhead, and CCC Quarry) if you want a true hike-in night.
Location
Research the approach roads and terrain here. When you're ready to drive, open directions in your preferred app below.
Research map · not turn-by-turn nav
34.49930, -85.62050 · ~1,700 ft
Get directions
Opens in the app you already use — we don't replace Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze.
Tip: download offline maps before you lose cell service in the woods.
Trip-ready check
Live · National Weather Service · updated 9:58 AMWhat to check the night before you leave — forecast, alerts, and daylight for Fort Payne, AL.
Today
69°F
Mostly Sunny
wind 5 mph
Tonight
45°F
Partly Cloudy
wind 0 mph
Tuesday
72°F
Sunny
wind 0 to 5 mph
Tuesday Night
47°F
Partly Cloudy
wind 0 mph
Wednesday
69°F
Partly Sunny
wind 0 to 5 mph
Wednesday Night
47°F
Partly Cloudy
wind 0 to 5 mph
Forecast: weather.gov point forecast. Conditions change — re-check the morning you leave.
Pair it with
Camp here, then go see these.
- ~15 min
- ~15 min
- ~10 min
Everything you need to know
- Drive time (approx. from metro Atlanta / Conyers)
- ~3h 4m
- Access
- Any vehicle · paved road
- Hike-in
- 0.1 miles
- Pass required
- None to camp
- Parking
- Included — short walk in from the primitive lot; gate key issued at check-in
- Camping fee
- Rates vary by season — call 256-845-5075. Plus the $5.25 reservation fee and 4.25% resort fee per night.
- Max stay
- 14 days
- Reservation
- Required · Alabama State ParksWindow: Reservable, but your specific site is chosen at check-in. The two backpacking shelters are by phone or first-come.
- Elevation
- 1,700 ft
Schedule this trip
This place books through Alabama State Parks, not Recreation.gov — so there is no live calendar here. Save your planned dates, then reserve on Alabama State Parks (link below) so the site is actually yours.
Planning DeSoto State Park — Primitive Campground (walk-in tent)
Must-sees & highlights
- ▸Little River Canyon National Preserve — 15 min south
- ▸Lost Falls and Laurel Falls trails from the park
- ▸DeSoto Falls day-use area
Amenities
Sample 2-night immersion plan
A starting template — not a booked itinerary. Adjust once you lock dates on Alabama State Parks or with a host.
Day 0 — Departure
- Leave with buffer for the ~3h 4m + grocery / ice stop
- Arrive, set up camp, short walk to orient
- Simple dinner + early night if traveling after work
Day 1 — Main immersion
- Explore: Little River Canyon National Preserve — 15 min south
- Explore: Lost Falls and Laurel Falls trails from the park
- Longer hike or creek time in the afternoon
- Campfire, quiet evening
Day 2 — Morning + departure
- Slow morning, coffee, short walk
- Pack out (Leave No Trace)
- Optional stop on the way home
Share your adventure
Link a YouTube video from your trip so others can see what the land feels like — and so parks can see real people loving their places.
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