LakeWater Properties

Bankhead National Forest

www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/alabama

Bankhead National Forest is in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains with 180,000 acres of forest land. The forest is a delight for anyone who enjoys nature, waterfalls, gorges, nature trails and miles of little creeks, rivers and waterfront on Smith Lake.

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Three large campgrounds, all on Smith Lake all offer tent sites for those who enjoy camping and RV sites with electric hookups for people who enjoy the outdoors and own an RV. There are public swimming areas roped off with colored buoys, showers, bathrooms and amenities.

There are 100 miles of wilderness hiking trails for hikers and you are allowed to camp in the forest overnight.  

There are thirty five miles of trails for trail riding horses in Bankhead.

The Sipsey Wilderness Area, 13000 acres, a special area with waterfalls, streams with crystal clean water, “one of the largest trees in Alabama”and so much more. The wilderness area is truly something special.

 The Upper Sipsey Fork starts in the wilderness area and then it becomes the main river in Smith Lake. This portion of the Sipsey is one of few waters in Alabama classified for experienced canoers.

The sportsman have year around fishing on Smith Lake, Alabama has a very long deer season and Bankhead allows deer hunting and hog hunting but you must acquire a permit from Bankhead before you do any hunting in the Bankhead Forest.

Bankhead is working with the Natioal Wild Turkey Federaation to improve several hundred acres for better turkey habitat.

There are many species of birds in the Bankhead Forest and a portion of the North Alabama birding trail is in Bankhead Forest.

Bankhead National Forest web site has lots of information plus pictures from the forest,lake, amenities.

www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/alabama

The prospective hikers need to look at  The Sipsey Wilderness Hiking Clubs ,

Web Site  http://www.sipseywilderness.org/