Alabama’s four national forests—Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, and Tuskegee—span some 667,000 acres and 17 counties, packing in plenty of spectacular scenery along the way. Outdoor adventures come in all shapes and sizes, with miles of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle trails taking you from the Appalachian Mountains to the East Gulf Coastal Plain. Campers have plenty of options, including primitive tent campsites and five recreation areas, all with electric hookups. Escape the sweltering summer heat at a lakeside campground or venture out into the three wilderness areas and pitch your tent in the heart of the woods.
North Alabama
Sweeping gorges and rambling streams cut through the Cumberland Plateau in northwest Alabama, where the Bankhead National Forest covers more than 198,000 acres. Hike through old-growth forests to waterfalls and fishing lakes, take your pick from six recreation areas and three developed campgrounds, or seek out remote hike-in or canoe-in tent sites in the vast Sipsey Wilderness.
Central Alabama
Within an hour’s drive of Alabama’s largest cities, Birmingham and Montgomery, the sprawling Talladega National Forest encompasses three districts (Oakmulgee, Shoal Creek, and Talladega), two wilderness zones (Cheaha and Dugger Mountain), and a more than 100-mile stretch of the Pinhoti Trail. Further south, the Tuskegee National Forest is the smallest national forest in the United States, but still offers scenic trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, as well as primitive camping.
South Alabama
The southernmost national forest in Alabama, Conecuh, is an expanse of pine forests, bogs, and lakes that stretch down to the Florida state line. Look out for rare red-cockaded woodpeckers and 23 species of carnivorous plants as you hike, bike, and boat in the park, then head to the Open Pond Recreation Area to camp by the lakeside.
National Forest campgrounds in Alabama.
Enjoy wildlife watching, woodland hikes, and wilderness camping in Alabama’s four national forests.
Alabama’s four national forests—Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, and Tuskegee—span some 667,000 acres and 17 counties, packing in plenty of spectacular scenery along the way. Outdoor adventures come in all shapes and sizes, with miles of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle trails taking you from the Appalachian Mountains to the East Gulf
Read more...Alabama’s four national forests—Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, and Tuskegee—span some 667,000 acres and 17 counties, packing in plenty of spectacular scenery along the way. Outdoor adventures come in all shapes and sizes, with miles of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle trails taking you from the Appalachian Mountains to the East Gulf Coastal Plain. Campers have plenty of options, including primitive tent campsites and five recreation areas, all with electric hookups. Escape the sweltering summer heat at a lakeside campground or venture out into the three wilderness areas and pitch your tent in the heart of the woods.
North Alabama
Sweeping gorges and rambling streams cut through the Cumberland Plateau in northwest Alabama, where the Bankhead National Forest covers more than 198,000 acres. Hike through old-growth forests to waterfalls and fishing lakes, take your pick from six recreation areas and three developed campgrounds, or seek out remote hike-in or canoe-in tent sites in the vast Sipsey Wilderness.
Central Alabama
Within an hour’s drive of Alabama’s largest cities, Birmingham and Montgomery, the sprawling Talladega National Forest encompasses three districts (Oakmulgee, Shoal Creek, and Talladega), two wilderness zones (Cheaha and Dugger Mountain), and a more than 100-mile stretch of the Pinhoti Trail. Further south, the Tuskegee National Forest is the smallest national forest in the United States, but still offers scenic trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, as well as primitive camping.
South Alabama
The southernmost national forest in Alabama, Conecuh, is an expanse of pine forests, bogs, and lakes that stretch down to the Florida state line. Look out for rare red-cockaded woodpeckers and 23 species of carnivorous plants as you hike, bike, and boat in the park, then head to the Open Pond Recreation Area to camp by the lakeside.