Houston Recreation Area Group Shelter
Closed

This is a day-use picnic shelter only, not an overnight campground. The shelter operates seasonally from early May through late September with gate hours 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The nearby Houston Campground remains closed to the public. Day-use parking is $4 per vehicle; shelter rental is $20 for groups up to 50 people.

Heat Advisory issued July 2 at 1:38AM CDT until July 3 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

1:38 AM — 4:00 PM

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 109. * 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 Friday. * 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.…

William B. Bankhead National Forest

Conecuh National Forest Oil and Gas Leasing Availability Analysis

The Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Conecuh National Forest Oil and Gas Leasing Availability Analysis EA was signed by Forest Supervisor Linwood Butler on February 25, 2026. All documents related to this project can be found here:…

About

Houston Shelter is a day-use group picnic site located on the scenic shores of Lake Lewis Smith within William B. Bankhead National Forest in northwestern Alabama. This is not an overnight campground but rather a picnic pavilion that can accommodate up to 50 people on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation. The shelter provides picnic tables, grills, flush toilets, and drinking water. A modern bathhouse with showers is nearby, along with a beautiful sand swimming beach. Lake Lewis Smith offers over 500 miles of shoreline with clear, deep water excellent for fishing (Kentucky Spotted Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass), boating, and water skiing. Hiking options in the area include the 1.4-mile High Rock Loop and the nearly 2-mile Fox Run Loop. The surrounding Sipsey Wilderness, known as "The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls," features abundant streams, old-growth forests, limestone bluffs, and lush canyons.

Directions

About 50 miles southwest of Decatur, take Highway 278 east from Double Springs for 8 miles. Turn south on County Road 63 and continue for 4 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 118 and travel a mile to the recreation area.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $20

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (205) 489-5111

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Houston Recreation Area Group Shelter

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