U.S. Forest Service

Closed bridge in Bankhead leading to new concerns

Randy Campbell, who frequently rides horses in the Bankhead National Forest, has noticed a safety concern caused by the old wooden bridge closed at the Sipsey Recreation Area.

Randy Campbell, who frequently rides horses in the Bankhead National Forest, has noticed a safety concern caused by the old wooden bridge closed at the Sipsey Recreation Area.
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - Safety concerns for both hikers and motorists in the Sipsey Wilderness area due to an old wooden pedestrian bridge being closed after severe storm damage has been brought to the attention of both the Winston County Commission and the U.S. Forest Service.

Prescribed burns planned

The Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker shows planned prescribed burns and their status. (Courtesy photo)

The Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker shows planned prescribed burns and their status. (Courtesy photo)
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - The USDA Forest Service began its annual season of prescribed burns in the Bankhead National Forest this month.

Forest officials looking at options regarding damaged Sipsey Rec Area bridge

The pedestrian lane of the bridge in the Sipsey Picnic Area was smashed by a falling tree during the high winds of March 3. The entire bridge is unsafe for all forms of traffic. With the lower parking lot and trailhead inaccessible, the U.S. Forest Service is assessing how to proceed.

The pedestrian lane of the bridge in the Sipsey Picnic Area was smashed by a falling tree during the high winds of March 3. The entire bridge is unsafe for all forms of traffic. With the lower parking lot and trailhead inaccessible, the U.S. Forest Service is assessing how to proceed.
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - The fate of the nearly 90-year-old bridge in the Sipsey River Picnic Area, which has been closed since it was damaged by a wind-felled tree on March 3, will not be known for some time.

Bat Blitz returns to the Bankhead

A big brown bat caught during the 2022 Bat Blitz. While bigger than other area cave bats, it is tiny at less than two inches long.

A big brown bat caught during the 2022 Bat Blitz. While bigger than other area cave bats, it is tiny at less than two inches long.

CAMP MCDOWELL - Last week, the bats of the Bankhead National Forest had their moment in the sun—or rather, the moonlight.

Nearly a hundred bat experts and others from at least ten states, plus Norway, converged at Camp McDowell for the 2022 Bat Blitz, an intensive survey of the bat population. Bat Blitzes are organized every year by the Southeastern Bat Diversity Network (SBDN) and a state group, in this case, the Alabama Bat Working Group (ABWG).

County petitions to close access to Caney Creek

Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes explains the county will not tolerate illegal parking on the county right-of-way.

Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes explains the county will not tolerate illegal parking on the county right-of-way.
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - The Winston County Commission has petitioned the U.S. Forest Service to temporarily close access to the area of the Bankhead National Forest off County Road 2 leading to Caney Creek Falls due to parking, overcrowding from visitors and other related dangers.
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