Thousand Trails Hidden Cove Review
A peaceful lakeside setup surrounded by nature, where quiet mornings and relaxing evenings come easy.
Location + Stay Info
Located in the small town of Arley, Alabama, this campground is tucked away in a quiet, scenic area surrounded by Lewis Smith Lake. While it feels remote and removed from the busy world, the lake views throughout the park are what truly make this location stand out.
There isn’t much nearby, with the closest grocery store about 25 miles away, so planning ahead is important before arriving.
📍 Location: Arley, AL
📅 Stayed: 6/8/25–6/14/25 and 10/25/25–10/31/25
⏳ Length: 7 Days (each visit)
🏕 Type: Thousand Trails (Thousand Trails Membership)
This was a short stay for us each time, used as a stopping point while traveling north and south. Being part of the Thousand Trails membership made it an easy and cost-effective place to spend a week and recharge before continuing our route.
Ratings
Overall Rating: 4.0 / 5
Location: 2 / 5
Cleanliness: 4 / 5
Site Quality: 4 / 5
Amenities: 5 / 5
Family Friendly: 5 / 5
Dog Friendly: 5 / 5
Connectivity (Cellphone + Starlink): 3 / 5
Quick Take
What We Loved:
Beautiful lake views throughout the campground
Quiet, relaxing environment
Plenty of amenities and activities
Things To Know:
Very limited cell service
Groceries and gas require a drive
Roads getting in are narrow and require patience
Best For:
Relaxing getaways
Nature lovers and lake activities
Anyone looking to disconnect
Would We Stay Again?
Yes, and we already have twice.
Photos
Full Review
The Campground
Hidden Cove immediately stands out for its natural beauty. The campground is large, spread out across multiple loops, and offers a mix of pull-through and back-in sites that are clean and well maintained.
Check-in was quick and easy, and the staff were friendly from the start. We stayed in Loop C both times, which offered a more open layout with fewer trees and a more spacious feel.
The sites are primarily gravel with small strips of grass between neighbors. They were close to level, had enough spacing, and were easy to get into and out of as long as you take your time.
Level: Close
Spacing: Good spacing between sites
Access: Easy overall, but slow and careful driving recommended due to hills and turns
The campground itself is quiet, relaxing, and scenic. During our first stay, it felt like a peaceful retreat. Our second visit during Halloween brought a completely different energy, with families decorating and kids trick-or-treating throughout the loops. It added a fun, community feel to the experience.
Amenities include:
Swimming pool
Fishing
Mini golf
Restrooms and showers
Laundry facilities
Boat ramp
Playgrounds
Basketball
Billiards / game room
Pickleball
Satellite TV
Picnic / BBQ areas
The standout feature here is the lake. Whether you are walking near the boat ramp or visiting the observation deck, the views are consistently beautiful and give the park its unique charm.
The only real downside is connectivity. Cell service is extremely limited, which may be a dealbreaker for some.
Local Eats
Options nearby are limited, but we did find a great spot worth mentioning.
We visited La Plaza Bonita and ordered fajitas, which were fresh and full of flavor. It ended up being the only restaurant meal we had in the area.
One thing to note is that the county is dry, so alcoholic drinks like margaritas are not available.
For essentials, many people stop at Son’s of Arley, which is more of a convenience store than a full grocery store. If you need a proper grocery run, your best option is heading to Jasper for Walmart or Aldi.
The Drive & Area
The drive into Hidden Cove is scenic but requires attention, especially for larger rigs.
As you get closer to the campground, the roads narrow significantly, transitioning from a standard two-lane road to a wide one-lane road with trees on both sides. Passing other large vehicles can be challenging, though we were fortunate not to encounter that situation.
There are a few key things to watch for:
A steep hill leading into a bridge followed by a climb
A tight turn near the entrance
Narrow roads with limited shoulder space
Taking it slow makes all the difference here. The first trip felt stressful, but the second visit was much easier with more experience.
The surrounding area is quiet with limited town activity, but it shines when it comes to nature. You are surrounded by Lewis Smith Lake, with opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, and exploring Bankhead National Forest.
Connectivity
We tested T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, and all three struggled. Signal was weak across the board, and data speeds were unreliable.
Starlink made a big difference and is highly recommended if you need internet access. Loop C, in particular, has minimal tree cover, which helps maintain a clear connection.
While speeds were not perfect, they were good enough for work and streaming in the evenings. Without Starlink, this would be a very difficult place to stay connected.
Would We Stay Again?
Yes, and we already have.
Even with the challenging drive, limited nearby options, and poor cellular service, the peaceful atmosphere and incredible lake views make this a place we genuinely enjoy returning to.
We have used this campground as a week-long stop while traveling north and south, and it is a place we would gladly visit again if our route brings us back through the area.
Campground Information
🌐 Visit Website and Book Your Stay → https://thousandtrails.com/alabama/hidden-cove-rv-resort
📍 Address: 687 County Rd 3919, Arley, AL
📞 Phone: 205-221-7042
🕘 Office Hours:
Monday–Sunday, 9 AM – 5 PM
💡 Booking Tip:
Open year-round
Good to Know:
Stock up on groceries before arriving
This is a dry county, so bring alcohol if desired
Final Thoughts
Hidden Cove is not about convenience. It is about slowing down, enjoying the views, and taking in a quiet lakeside setting that is hard to find elsewhere.
