Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area
Fruithurst, Alabama · on Coleman Lake · Talladega National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $16/night
- SEASON
- May
About Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area
Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area is a U.S. Forest Service recreation site on a 21-acre lake in the Talladega National Forest near Fruithurst, Alabama, managed by the Shoal Creek Ranger District. It combines a developed campground and day-use picnic area with an officially designated swimming hole on the lake, giving campers a small lake to swim in right at the site.
The recreation area sits in the Talladega mountains of eastern Alabama's Talladega National Forest, on a small forest lake reached from a developed campground and picnic area. A loop trail (reported as roughly 1.8 to 3.5 miles depending on the route taken) circles the lake through wooded terrain, crossing a footbridge and passing benches, with the area also providing access to the long-distance Pinhoti Trail.
Swimming at Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area
The Forest Service lists Swimming as an official recreation activity at the lake alongside fishing and non-motorized boating, but no source describes a designated swim beach, lifeguard, or water depth/clarity specifics; camper reviews describe it generally as a 'pleasant small lake' rather than detailing the swimming experience itself.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: Campendium reviewers describe ample parking areas at the campground; no separate day-use parking details were found.
The hike in
Coleman Lake Loop Trail (optional, not required to reach the water)
Difficulty: easy (for the optional loop trail; described by campers as well-maintained)
Trailhead: Starts right from the Coleman Lake Campground/day-use area itself; the separate Warden Station Trailhead (about 1.5 mi away per facility listings) is the access point for the long-distance Pinhoti Trail, not needed for lake access.
The lake/swim area is drive-up at the day-use area and campground; the ~1.8-3.5 mile loop trail (distance varies by source) circles the lake for recreational hiking after arrival, crossing a footbridge and passing small waterfalls and benches, and it also ties into the Pinhoti Trail network, but no hike is needed to get into the water.
No source specifies a walk time from the parking areas to the water's edge, but access is characterized as immediate/drive-up in all sources reviewed.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The USFS page lists swimming as an official recreation activity and describes the day-use area, picnic shelter, and ADA facilities in detail, but never mentions a designated swim beach, roped-off area, or lifeguard, so entry is almost certainly informal bank/dock access into an unmonitored 21-acre lake. Supervise kids closely; no official source describes shallow, graded entry.
Parking
Paid
Day-use area parking is first-come, first-served and limited; Recreation.gov's activity-pass listing warns 'parking outside of designated areas is discouraged' with fines/towing possible, and a day-use pass is required (exact fee amount not found in sources checked). Campendium reviewers separately describe ample paved parking at the campground loops, noting sites/spots fill by evening in season.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets at the Coleman Lake Day Use Area (per Recreation.gov activity-pass listing); the adjoining campground has two recently refurbished bathhouses/comfort stations with flush toilets and hot-water showers (per USFS page and Campendium reviews).
Hours
Day-use pass is valid until 11:59 PM on the date listed (Recreation.gov). The adjoining campground operates March 15-December 8, with check-in 2:00 PM / check-out 12:00 PM and quiet hours 10:00 PM-6:00 AM (USFS).
On the water
Restrictions: USFS lists the activity only as 'Boating - Non-Motorized'; no source mentions gas or electric motors being permitted, so treat the lake as non-motorized/carry-in only. No official signage language about specific craft types was found beyond this category label.
No rental or launch-fee information was found; bring your own carry-in craft.
What regulars say
Camper reports from 2021 to 2023 describe the lake itself only as a 'pleasant small lake,' with visitors focused mostly on the campground rather than swimming specifics. Several note that campsites fill up by early evening in season, so arriving early is recommended. Cell service is very limited (several miles of driving needed to get even one bar). May and June are flagged as the best window for good weather and fewer bugs, while cold-weather campers reported nuisance circuit-breaker trips at campsite power pedestals.
Backstory
One camper account mentions a nearby historic wooden Shoal Creek Baptist Church and a Confederate (CSA) soldier's grave in a cemetery near the recreation area, but this is anecdotal from a single review and not corroborated by an official source.
Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area: FAQ
Does Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area charge a fee?
Camping is $16/night for a single site ($10/night with a senior pass), self-pay/first-come-first-served (no reservations taken). A 40-person picnic shelter is available first-come-first-served or reservable for $15.
Is Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area kid friendly?
The USFS page lists swimming as an official recreation activity and describes the day-use area, picnic shelter, and ADA facilities in detail, but never mentions a designated swim beach, roped-off area, or lifeguard, so entry is almost certainly informal bank/dock access into an unmonitored 21-acre lake. Supervise kids closely; no official source describes shallow, graded entry.
Do I need to hike to reach Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area?
Day-use area parking is first-come, first-served and limited; Recreation.gov's activity-pass listing warns 'parking outside of designated areas is discouraged' with fines/towing possible, and a day-use pass is required (exact fee amount not found in sources checked). Campendium reviewers separately describe ample paved parking at the campground loops, noting sites/spots fill by evening in season.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area?
No rental or launch-fee information was found; bring your own carry-in craft.
When is the best time to visit Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area?
The developed facility operates March 15 through December 8; one camper reported May as ideal for good weather and low bug activity, and another noted electrical/circuit issues during cold-weather camping.
What are the rules at Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area?
Quiet hours run 10:00pm-6:00am; check-in 2:00pm/check-out 12:00pm; a Forest Service 'Occupancy and Use Forest Order' is in effect for the Coleman Lake/Pine Glen/Warden Horse Camp/Shoal Creek Ranger District area (specific terms not accessible from the source page); reviewers note a 14-day camping limit that is not always strictly enforced.
What water body is Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area on?
Coleman Lake Campground and Picnic Area is on Coleman Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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