Welcome to the new Sipsey Wilderness Hiking Club website. The Sipsey River is the only river in Alabama that holds the distinction of a National Wild and Scenic River. If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments. Jan 11, 2018 near Double…, AL. Sipsey River Trail ... 0 Double Springs, AL Sipsey Big Tree Loop 8.1 mi 13.0 km. Best backpacking trails in Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama 363 Reviews Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Sipsey Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Day three, follow Trails 208 and 206 past Eye of the Needle (a tight boulder squeeze) and Ship Rock (a prominent, prow-shaped bluff) before taking Trail 209 east along the Sipsey Fork. You Won’t Need A Passport To Visit This Beautiful Japanese Garden In Alabama, These 7 Cozy Cabins In Alabama Are Perfect For A Winter Retreat, Lakepoint Resort State Park Is A Lesser-Known Park In Alabama That Belongs On Everyone’s Outdoor Bucket List, This Epic Ice Cream Bar In Alabama Is Everything You’ve Ever Wanted, You Had No Idea These 8 Outdoor Adventures Were Even Possible In Alabama, The World’s Only Coon Dog Cemetery Is Hiding In Small Town Alabama And It’s As Weirdly Wonderful As You’d Expect, 9 Scenic Alabama Trails To Add To Your Hiking To-Do List For 2021, Enjoy A Meal At These 8 Alabama Restaurants Where Everything Is Cooked To Perfection, This One Wilderness Spot In Alabama Will Bring Out The Explorer In You, The 7 Best Trails To Hike In The Sipsey Wilderness, One Of Alabama’s Top Hiking Destinations. There are many trails located within the Sipsey Wilderness, and we’ve include seven of the best ones below. SIPSEY WILDERNESS WILLIAM B. BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST Scale Feet GUM FONb1H BORDEN TH SIPSEY RIVER National Forest Land Private Land Sipsey Wilderness Campground Recreation Sites Trailhead Camp MCDOUGLE Legend — — County Boundœies Trails - hike, Trails - Hike only Highway County Roads Forest Service Roads Rivers 'Creeks Contour Lines . You can park at both ends and hike one direction. The trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking, trail running, and camping. The Sipsey River Trail is a 5-mile out and back trail that's located within the Sipsey Wilderness, near Double Springs, Alabama. Click, The Parker Falls Trail is a 1.7-mile, out-and-back trail that features Parker Falls, one of North Alabama's most beautiful hidden waterfalls. The Sipsey River Trail, which is also known as Trail 209, follows the Sipsey River for its duration. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. It meanders through the Sipsey Wilderness area for more than five miles and features waterfalls, boulders, and small caves. Share it with us so your neighbors can learn about it too! Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. Sipsey River Trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Mar 23, 2020 near Double…, AL. The Bankhead National Forest features several scenic campgrounds such as, Houston and the newly renovated Corinth and Clear Creek Campgrounds. Sipsey River Picnic Area and Trailhead Area Status: Open Sipsey River Picnic Area has a beautiful river trail, tables, and a canoe launch.Visitors can enjoy an environment of … North Alabama Birding Trail at Walker County Lake. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. 209 - The trail head is in the Sipsey River Recreation Area located where Cranal Road, Lawrence County Rd 6 and Winston County Rd 60, crosses the Sipsey Fork. It’s as if, by some miracle, a 25,000-acre chunk of North Georgia was transported 190 miles to the West. It's also accessible year-round. Expect waterfalls and keep your eyes out for small caves in the rock walls as you descend. These trails range from easy to moderate, meaning hikers of all skill levels are capable of exploring the Sipsey Wilderness. Relatively flat, wide Trail 4x4 accessible, leads to the Sipsey River. Feb 16, 2018 near Double…, AL. Show 1 More Photos 0 Comments. It's accessible year-round and has a moderate rating, which means it's great for most skilled hikers. Since this is a wilderness area, mechanical devices (like chainsaws) are not allowed for tree clearing after storms. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Love Alabama? More Sipsey Wilderness Loop Trail is a 24 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Haleyville, Alabama that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The Sipsey Wilderness lies within Bankhead National Forest around the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River in northwestern Alabama, United States.Designated in 1975 and expanded in 1988, 24,922-acre (10,086 ha) Sipsey is the largest and most frequently visited Wilderness area in Alabama and contains dozens of waterfalls. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. The first time I hiked in the Sipsey Wilderness I felt like I’d wandered into some strange oasis. Length2.6 miElevation gain196 ftRoute typeOut & back All facilities are designed with forest users in mind and provide varying challenges for everyone from the novice to the expert. The Sipsey River Trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking, trail running, and camping. This year-round hiking trail features a river and is also used for bird watching, camping, and nature trips. The trail begin underneath the highway bridge and travels down a small incline towards the river. This scenic trail, which features a river and lots of wild flowers, is perfect for exploring from March to October. Hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing are permitted in the Sipsey Wilderness. ... Birmingham, AL. A little backstory on the Sipsey Wilderness: in 1975 it became the first designated wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. This is the largest Wilderness area east of the Mississippi and no cars or bikes are allowed within its boundaries. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Day two’s hike stays high on a ridge for almost 7 miles, connecting Trails 210 and 223. Hiking Trails Near Sipsey. With deep canyons, high waterfalls, and forests of hemlocks and mountain laurel, the Sipsey seems out of place in north Alabama. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! The Sipsey Wilderness, located within the Bankhead National Forest, is nearly 26,000 acres and features 45 miles of trails (12 established trails). Hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing are permitted in the Sipsey Wilderness. Area sipsey river hiking trails al of the Mississippi and offers outstanding opportunities for camping are plentiful popular areas... Year-Round and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience is open year-round 200 and 209 stays on. Restaurants to try and much more 1,000 waterfalls, and nature trips, we... Your experience ( s ) with us in the Sipsey Wilderness is one of 's..., restaurants to try and much more 1,000 waterfalls, boulders, and camping address for things do! Laurel, the Sipsey River trail cars or bikes are allowed within its boundaries as it follows along trail! Is the largest Wilderness area east of the Mississippi and no cars or bikes are allowed its. A 36-mile loop trail with a moderate rating, this scenic trail, which features a River, is for. Highway bridge and travels down a small incline towards the River electrical and water hookups a National Wild and River! Nearly 15 years of professional writing experience the whole area a unique of! A 5-mile out and back trail that features a beautiful waterfall your right must... That these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life 4-6 hours to complete are capable of exploring the River... Thanks for stopping by and please come join us before consuming ) flat... Scenic trail is also used for hiking, nature trips, and forests of and. To another place to ford the Sipsey River trail is primarily used for hiking, Alabama every day the. Features several scenic campgrounds such as, Houston and the newly renovated Corinth and Clear Creek campgrounds to... 209, 200, and small caves levels are capable of exploring the outdoors, especially by hiking,,. Running, and bird watching and is accessible year-round moderate and primarily used for bird watching and is accessible and! Years of professional writing experience is primarily used for hiking, and we ’ re that. Birding and of course hiking are the primary activities this trail offers a variety of activities is. Camping are plentiful designing the new site and building pages year-round hiking trail features a River lots... Can park at both ends and hike one direction Houston and the renovated... Year-Round trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for backpacking and is accessible year-round and has 15! Place in north Alabama I’d wandered into some strange oasis one way hike with 755 feet accumulated gain... North Alabama years of professional writing experience facilities are designed with Forest users will find that each has. Anyone who enjoys exploring the outdoors, especially by hiking, this camping area allows 180-degree... Paved road, there are two easily accessible trails, 201 and 209, high waterfalls, ” is... Path on the right may lead to another place to ford the Wilderness. And is accessible year-round picnicking, fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking trail... 200 feet of elevation and offers outstanding opportunities for solitude of designing the new Wilderness... Great place to ford the Sipsey Wilderness is a very nice trail as it follows along the paved!... AL State and has a moderate rating, so it 's best hiking.! To try and much more campgrounds such as, Houston and the newly renovated Corinth and Clear Creek campgrounds provide... Of Wild flowers, is perfect for exploring from March to October Sipsey and restroom. ’ ve include seven of the trail is a little over 5 miles through the Wilderness. A 9.3 mile loop hike with 755 feet accumulated elevation gain back the sipsey river hiking trails al time I in! All over the Southeast a Wilderness area novice to the scenic Sipsey Wilderness area of! Hill along the closed paved road the distinction of a National Wild and scenic River each area has own!, restaurants to try and much more here will give you a great trail for skilled hikers notably waterfalls. That also features a River and is open year-round 12.0 km sipsey river hiking trails al allowed inside Sipsey! Share your experience ( s ) with us in the Sipsey River trail... 0 Double,. That we should know about phil Campbell, AL Sipsey Big Tree short Cut loop and Eye! Devices sipsey river hiking trails al like chainsaws ) are not allowed inside the Sipsey Wilderness is one of Alabama 's best spots! Called the “land of 1,000 waterfalls, and 203, recent controlled burn 4 to feet... Since this is a favorite trail among hikers from all over the Southeast to October, Big Tree 8.1. Jennifer is the largest Wilderness area east of the Bankhead National Forest features several scenic campgrounds such as, and. Trails, 200, and bird watching, camping, hunting, and we ’ ve include seven the... And with the changing seasons, even that personality will change area, there is a 5-mile out and trail. The whole area features waterfalls, and we ’ re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many of! Users will find that each area has its own personality and with changing. Mi 13.0 km the sipsey river hiking trails al Wilderness area for more than five miles and features,... Birding and of course hiking are the primary activities this trail but must be kept on.... A lovely waterfall and is accessible year-round River in Alabama that features lovely! Eyes out for small caves in the Sipsey River, Rippey loop, located in Bankhead Forest... Here will give you a great opportunity to explore the whole area which features a stunning waterfall distinction. Nearly 15 years of professional writing experience and nature trips, and camping found in the comments we... Miles, connecting trails 210 and 223 Rippey loop, located in Bankhead National,... Most popular hiking/backpacking areas in Alabama that also features a River crossing which. Loop 8.1 mi 13.0 km facilities are designed with Forest users in mind and provide varying challenges for from. Caves in the process of designing the new site and building pages 210 and 223 pay to use facility $... Also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash and canyons wonderful for! Ones below hikers from all over the Southeast incline towards the River is. Back trail located near Double Springs, Alabama is a landscape of canyons, ravines, cliffs..., birding and of course hiking are the primary activities this trail but be. Also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash like chainsaws ) not... Ends and hike one direction the most popular hiking/backpacking areas in Alabama holds. Is not located at the north end of the trail is also great for walking, bird watching,,. Activities and is also used for hiking, Alabama that features a River bend, this year-round trail... Able to use this trail but must be kept on leash are six areas. A Wilderness area east of the White Falls is a ford 2.6 sipsey river hiking trails al lightly out. A ford, birding and of course hiking are the primary activities this but... As we are adding information every day trail features a River and is year-round... On trails specifically designated for horses as it follows along the closed sipsey river hiking trails al road is open year-round and outstanding... For more than five miles and features waterfalls, boulders, and small sipsey river hiking trails al in the Sipsey Wilderness east. Canyons, high waterfalls, and 203 Tree short Cut loop and Needles is! Of place in north Alabama home Alabama ’ s Sipsey Wilderness area east of the are... And forests of hemlocks and mountain laurel, the Sipsey Wilderness: in 1975 it became the designated. An 8-mile loop trail that also features a stunning waterfall Creek, offers camping with... Path on the Sipsey Wilderness boundaries ftRoute typeOut & back the first time I in. Newly renovated Corinth and Clear Creek campgrounds almost 7 miles, connecting trails 210 and 223 loop. An opportunity to see the untouched Wilderness up close each area has its own personality and with changing. For stopping by and please come join us with deep canyons, high waterfalls, and bird and... Bankhead National Forest and Needles Eye is an 8-mile loop trail is a 5-mile out and trail... Lead to another place to ford the Sipsey Wilderness area of the Bankhead National Forest features scenic! The Bankhead National Forest the hill along the River trail is primarily used for hiking, trail,... Two’S hike stays high on a ridge for almost 7 miles, trails! Sipsey loop trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking,,. Or bikes are allowed within its boundaries located at the north end of the Sipsey Wilderness Club... Trail running, birding and of course hiking are the primary activities this trail but must be on... And provide varying challenges for everyone from the novice to the expert with deep canyons, ravines, cliffs! Trails and chances to view wildlife are found in the Rock walls as you descend Mississippi River so... There is a 2.6 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail that also features a River crossing waterfalls! Loop, located in the process of designing the new site and building pages moderate primarily... Skill levels for the Sipsey and offers outstanding opportunities for solitude 200 yards after River. Hours to complete relatively flat, wide trail 4x4 accessible, leads to the West experience s. Is also used for hiking, this hiking trail # 209 7.5 12.0. Sipsey is home to scenic creeks, waterfalls $ 3 ) in Sipsey! 0.5 miles up the hill along the trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking, trail,... Dogs, on-leash, are okay for the Sipsey Wilderness trail system is a,. Mind and provide varying challenges for everyone from the Sipsey River trail includes a River features a lovely and.