Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — William B. Bankhead National Forest
William B. Bankhead National Forest in Alabama offers Forest Service recreation at Corinth Recreation Area, Brushy Lake Recreation Area. For a walking or hiking visit, start with Corinth Recreation Area, Houston Recreation Area. Each recreation site has its own facilities and access rules; use the official maps and current site instructions to plan your visit.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official reservation destination for Corinth Recreation Area. Other campgrounds in this forest may have separate reservations, first-come sites or district permits. Read the current instructions for your chosen site.
Corinth Recreation Area ↗
The Corinth Recreation Area is a state-of-the art campground located on the on the shores of the upper part of Lewis Smith Lake in Winston County. Initially built in the 1960s and renovated in 1998 it offers facilities for individual and group camping, picnicking, swimming, and boat launching. Visit Recreation.gov to make a reservation. Camping at this location is by reservation only. For additional information please call 205-300-1513. Check-out time for Corinth is no later than 12:00 pm the day of departure. Check-in time is no earlier than 2:00pm . This 2 hour window allows our staff adequate time to clean and maintain each site. Two camping loops contain 52 campsites, with electrical, water, and sewer hookups. There are four bathhouses, with warm showers, serving the camping areas. A boat ramp is provided for campers. An entrance station with an electronic gate is available to control access to the campground. Corinth also offers eight rustic tent camping sites with nearby community hydrants and a bathhouse. No garbage bins are in the campground; users are required to pack out trash and deposit it in the dumpsters by the dump station. ADA accessible sites are available. The…
Reservations: Single/Tent = $18.00 - $36.00 per night. Day use fee $10 per vehicle.
Brushy Lake Recreation Area ↗
Brushy Lake Recreation Area offers everything from camping, picnicking, boating, and fishing to sanitary facilities including a bathhouse. Brushy Lake is 33-acres and has 13 campsites that accommodate very small recreational vehicles and tents. Campers occupy sites on a first come, first serve basis. Water and flushing is only available March - November.
McDougal Camp ↗
McDougal Camp is a hunt camp available for primitive camping.
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
The Corinth Recreation Area is a state-of-the art campground located on the on the shores of the upper part of Lewis Smith Lake in Winston County. Initially built in the 1960s and renovated in 1998 it offers facilities for individual and group camping, picnicking, swimming, and boat launching. Visit Recreation.gov to make a reservation. Camping at this location is by reservation only. For additional information please call 205-300-1513. Check-out time for Corinth is no later than 12:00 pm the day of departure. Check-in time is no earlier than 2:00pm . This 2 hour window allows our staff adequate time to clean and maintain each site. Two camping loops contain 52 campsites, with electrical, water, and sewer hookups. There are four bathhouses, with warm showers, serving the camping areas. A boat ramp is provided for campers. An entrance…
No forest-wide permission to camp is implied. Check the district’s current dispersed-camping rules, designated areas, fire restrictions, stay limits and seasonal closures before choosing an undeveloped site.
Activities, hiking & trails
Corinth Recreation Area ↗
The Corinth Recreation Area is a state-of-the art campground located on the on the shores of the upper part of Lewis Smith Lake in Winston County. Initially built in the 1960s and renovated in 1998 it offers facilities for individual and group camping, picnicking, swimming, and boat launching. Visit Recreation.gov to make a reservation. Camping at this location is by reservation only. For additional information please call 205-300-1513. Check-out time for Corinth is no later than 12:00 pm the day of departure. Check-in time is no earlier than 2:00pm . This 2 hour window allows our staff adequate time to clean and maintain each site. Two camping loops contain 52 campsites, with electrical, water, and sewer hookups. There are four bathhouses, with warm showers, serving the camping areas. A boat ramp is provided for campers. An entrance station with an electronic gate is available to control access to the campground. Corinth also offers eight rustic tent camping sites with nearby…
Houston Recreation Area ↗
Houston Recreation Area Day-use and swim beach bathhouse is open. Houston Campground remains closed to the public. Houston Recreation Area offers 14 picnic sites, a group shelter for up to 50 persons, showers, drinking water, swimming, hiking trails, and a boat launch. Dayuse Parking $4 per vehicle May 5th. - September 30th. Day users can enjoy a beautiful sand swimming beach and a modern bathhouse. Houston Boat Ramp $4 per vehicle and is open all year. Houston Pavilion is $20 (1-50 people) and $4 day use per vehicle May 7th - Oct 31st. Call 1-877-444-6777 or visit on-line at www.recreation.gov to reserve group picnic shelters. Title: Houston Recreation Area
Sipsey River Picnic Area and Trailhead ↗
Sipsey River Picnic Area has a beautiful river trail, tables, and a canoe launch.Visitors can enjoy an environment of solitude while surrounded by natural settings. The Sipsey Wilderness is approximately 13 miles and suitable for equestrian riding.
Maps & road access
- Official visitor maps, trail maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) ↗
- Bankhead National Forest Recreation Map ↗
- Owl Creek Non-motorized Trail Map Flint Creek Multiple Use Trail Map ↗
Consult the current Motor Vehicle Use Map for permitted motor routes, vehicle classes and seasonal designations. A route on an MVUM is not a guarantee that it is maintained or passable. Check current road closures and conditions with the district; carry an offline map.
Use the official directions for the exact named campground or trailhead; forest boundaries and administrative offices are not campsite entrances. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
Check the forest’s current alerts, seasonal services, fire orders and campground rules. Download the relevant official maps before entering areas with limited reception.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. USDA Forest Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Brushy Lake, Bankhead National Forest
Almost There - Bankhead National Forest in Alabama Did some hiking with my son at Brushy Lake Dam (Bankhead National Forest). It began raining almost as soon as we got started. We ended up getting absolutely soaked. It wasn't the best day for taken…
Credit: Jody Claborn. Original source ↗ · Public domain ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Sipsey Fork, Bankhead National Forest
2005XXXX-FS-William B. Bankhead National Forest-Sipsey Fork1-TP-001 Sipsey Fork river, ar CR 60, West of Rt 33. William B. Bankhead National Forest, Alabama. (Forest Service photo by Tim Palmer)
Credit: Tim Palmer / Forest Service, USDA. Original source ↗ · Public domain ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.