William B. Bankhead National Forest
The USDA Forest Service is closing Open Pond Campground, Open Pond Day Use Area, Blue Lake Recreation Area, and the Conecuh Shooting Range beginning 10/8/2026 until it’s safe to reopen these sites to the public because of anticipated impacts from Hurricane Isaias.Check the latest weather…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The Blue Horse Trail from FSR 500 west to FSR 540 (haul road 545) is closed due to active timber cutting and skidding operations along the trail and adjacent road. For public safety, this area will remain closed for approximately 8–10 weeks. Please avoid the trail until work is complete.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The National Forests in Alabama announce the commencement of the Great American Outdoor Act-funded Tallahassehatchee Creek bridge replacement project. Work on the bridge, located on FSR607, will begin August 31, 2026, and will require a full 24/7 closure to all public access. The road closure and…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
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
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:…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Fire managers have begun prescribed fire operations on the National Forests in Alabama, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through Spring as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities,…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
In Alabama, national forests are great escapes! There’s something for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors, and the fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite. All standard amenity sites, such as day-use and picnic areas, are waived during fee-free days.…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
General rules that are designed to protect the forest and the natural environment, to ensure the health and safety of visitors and to promote a pleasant and rewarding outdoor recreation experience for all visitors. Forest officers are empowered to enforce the federal regulations and rules.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The Leon Brook Hines Lake (Escambia County Lake) on the Conecuh National Forest is closed for restocking and dam inspection. A reopening date will be announced at a later time. Additional information can be found…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
ALERT! National Forests in Alabama (Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, Tuskegee) Shooting Ranges Restrictions - Alcohol Use, Range Area, Target and Ammunition.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING ATVs: All-terrain vehicles and off-highway vehicles are only allowed on two designated trails in Alabama’s national forests. The Kentuck ORV Trail in the Talladega National Forest -Talladega District and Flint Creek Multiple Use Trail in the Bankhead National Forest are…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages and camping without a written permit from the Forest Service is prohibited in the following areas: Kinlock Falls, all lands located within one-half radius of the falls, Kinlock Spring and Kinlock shelter on the Bankhead Ranger District.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Except for the persons camping, there is no entering or remaining in a dispersed recreation campsite between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Owl Creek Horse Camp, Allred Hunters Camp, McDougle Hunters Camp, Wolfpen Hunters Camp and Corinth Overflow Camp which occupies dispersed recreation areas…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The following are prohibited at Coleman Lake, Pine Glen, Warden Horse Camp, Shoal Creek Ranger District as set forth in 36 CFR 261.58: Camping for a period longer than 14 days.Parking or leaving a vehicle outside a parking space assigned to one's own camp unit.Being in the area between 10 p.m. and…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The following are prohibited at Morgan Lake as set forth in 36 CFR 261.58: Being in the area after sundown or before sunrise.Possessing and/or consuming an alcoholic beverage as defined by state law. See full closure order below.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
For the protection of public health and safety, target shooting is prohibited on the Tuskegee Ranger District of the National Forests in Alabama. See full closure below.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The following are prohibited at Blue Lake Recreation Area as set forth in 36 CFR 261.58: Camping within the Blue Pond Recreation Area. Possessing or operating a motorboat within the designated swimming area. Being in the area after sundown or before sunrise.Hunting in a developed recreation…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The following are prohibited at Open Pond Recreation Area as set forth in 36 CFR 261.50: Camping within the Open Pond Recreation Area for a period of longer than 14 days between March 1 and September 30. Parking or leaving a vehicle outside of a parking space assigned to one's own unit and in…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The hunting, possessing, storing, or transporting of Gopher Tortoise and the hunting of any wildlife species by the practice of "gassing" burrows is prohibited on the Conecuh National Forest. See full closure order below.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The taking of fish by any method other than rod and reel or pole and line is prohibited on the Conecuh National Forest. See full closure order below.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
You must properly store food or refuse to prevent access by wildlife. You must not placing, leave, deposit any food, bait or refuse in a manner likely to attract or concentrate any wildlife, whether for purposes of hunting or viewing animals.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Prohibitions in the Wilderness for the Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead Ranger District, of the National Forests in Alabama. See detailed information below.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Hunting is prohibited within the Natural Bridge, Brushy Lake and Sipsey River Picnic Area, Developed Recreation Sites on the Bankhead Ranger Districts.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
There is a 14 day limit on camping in the Houston, Corinth and Clear Creek, and Brushy Lake Recreation Areas of the Bankhead Ranger District of the National Forests in Alabama. See full closure order below.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Going into, or being in caves designated as closed for the protection of endangered, threatened, or rare species of animals. See full closure order below.
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Target shooting or Skeet Shooting,is prohibited except at designated shooting ranges. Also prohibited, is the possession and use of an explosive; "explosive" means any chemical compound mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion; the term includes, but is…
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Camping in developed recreation areas is limited to 14 consecutive days and there is a 24 hour waiting period to return. Camping in dispersed areas (hunt camps) is limited to 21 consecutive days. There is a 10 day waiting period before returning to the same area/location. Don't forget:Leaving…