Winding rivers, cascading waterfalls, caves, and canyons combine to intensify the mystery and beauty of Bankhead's dense hardwood forests. Bankhead is the site of Alabama's first National Wilderness Area and first Scenic River. The 25,000 acre Sipsey Wilderness Area and the Wild and Scenic Sipsey River that were established in 1975. The Sipsey is the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi and offers outstanding opportunities for remote hiking, camping, and fishing.

The Sipsey River is ranked among the "top five" most scenic natural waterways in the Southeastern U.S. Especially the 30 mile canoeable stretch from Kinlock Falls to Smith Lake (Class I & II waterway) where sandstone bluffs rise up to 100 feet above the water. Note: Summertime depths can be very shallow and much of the river dries up. The best time to canoe is in the winter or spring with milder temperatures and higher water levels.

The Bankhead National Forest has four scenic campgrounds that include the Houston (88 sites, $10) and the newly renovated Corinth (50 sites, $20) and Clear Creek (102 sites, $15) Campgrounds. These three campgrounds are open April through October. Two of the three campgrounds, Corinth and Clear Creek offer electrical and water hookups. The fourth (Brushy Lake) is the smallest but most rustic and tranquil of these campgrounds. It has only 13 sites and no hookups ($5). The Brushy Lake Campgound is located on Brushy Lake (from Wren take Rt 33 N. 5 mi to Rt 70, then left on Rt 70 five mi to Brushy Lake). Wildlife found surrounding the camping areas include turkey, white-tailed deer, and fox. William B. Bankhead National Forest, 1765 Highland Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36107 (205) 832-4470 (photos courtesy of the USFS) www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/alabama/bankhead