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 a campsite. That’s why you must make sure to 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