Closed

Houston Campground remains closed to the public with no overnight camping available. The Houston Recreation Area day-use facilities and swim beach bathhouse are open seasonally from May 5 through September 30. The boat ramp is open year-round.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 1 at 1:02PM CDT until July 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

1:02 PM — 8:00 PM

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 430 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ALABAMA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 31 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL ALABAMA AUTAUGA BIBB BLOUNT CALHOUN CHAMBERS CHEROKEE CHILTON CLAY CLEBURNE COOSA DALLAS ELMORE ETOWAH FAYETTE GREENE HALE JEFFERSON LAMAR MARENGO MARION PERRY PICKENS RANDOLPH SHELBY ST. CLAIR SUMTER TALLADEGA TALLAPOOSA TUSCALOOSA WALKER WINSTON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALABASTER, ALEXANDER CITY, ALICEVILLE, ANNISTON, ASHLAND, BIRMINGHAM, BRENT, CARROLLTON, CENTRE, CENTREVILLE, CLANTON, COLUMBIANA, DEMOPOLIS, EUTAW, FAYETTE, GADSDEN, GREENSBORO, HALEYVILLE, HAMILTON, HEFLIN, HOOVER, JACKSONVILLE, JASPER, LANETT, LINDEN, LINEVILLE, LIVINGSTON, MARION, MILLBROOK, MOODY, MOUNDVILLE, ONEONTA, PELHAM, PELL CITY, PRATTVILLE, ROANOKE, ROCKFORD, SELMA, SULLIGENT, SYLACAUGA, TALLADEGA, TUSCALOOSA, UNIONTOWN, VALLEY, VERNON, WETUMPKA, AND YORK.

Heat Advisory issued July 1 at 1:07PM CDT until July 2 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

1:07 PM — July 2nd, 1:00 AM

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 108. * WHERE...Bibb, Blount, Cherokee, Chilton, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Perry, Pickens, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

William B. Bankhead National Forest

IMPORTANT - No New Updates to Digital Maps in Avenza

Beginning April 2026, the Forest Service can no longer update or add new digital maps to the Avenza Map Store. When a paper map is updated, the previous digital version will be removed from the store and not replaced. Digital maps that have not yet been updated will remain available on the store.…

About

Houston Campground sits on the scenic shores of Smith Lake within the William B. Bankhead National Forest in northwestern Alabama. The campground is currently closed to the public, and no overnight camping is permitted at this location. The adjacent Houston Recreation Area continues to operate as a day-use facility from early May through late September. Visitors can enjoy a sand swimming beach with a modern bathhouse featuring showers and flush toilets. The area offers 14 individual picnic sites and a group shelter that accommodates up to 50 people and can be reserved through Recreation.gov. A boat ramp provides year-round access to Smith Lake for boating, fishing, and water sports. Two hiking trails are accessible from the recreation area: the High Rock Loop (1.4 miles) and Fox Run Loop (approximately 2 miles). Day-use parking costs $4 per vehicle during the operating season, and the boat ramp is available year-round for the same fee.

Directions

From Double Springs, take Highway 278 east for 8 miles. Turn south on Winston County Road 63 and continue for 4 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 118 and travel 1 mile to the recreation area.

Amenities

Water
Fires Allowed
Toilets Yes
Dump Station
Wifi
Pets Allowed
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly
Pull Through Sites

Contact

Email SM.FS.pa_alabama@usda.gov
Phone +1 (205) 489-5111

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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