Sipsey Wilderness

Wild-flowing creeks in northwestern Alabama converge to become the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, 61 miles of which has been designated Wild and Scenic. Running below sandstone bluffs that rise 30 to 100 feet above the water, through a forest of often imposing second-growth trees and occasional small stands of virgin timber — some of the last virgin timber in the state — the Sipsey Fork and its tributaries slice neatly through the Wilderness. Sinkholes, small caves, and scenic overlooks are plentiful. Less plentiful is the rare flattened musk turtle. Twelve established trails, all rated easy to moderate, crisscross the Wilderness. Several depart from the Sipsey River Recreation Area on the southern boundary, which has sanitary facilities and no developed campsites. From there, Trail 209 follows the river north and joins Trail 206 after about eight miles, ending about 2.5 miles later at a parking lot on the northern boundary. Trail 200 runs north along Borden Creek to meet an old road that gives access to the heart of the Wilderness, and it too ends at a parking lot on the northern boundary. A 13-mile loop is possible by taking Trail 204 from the old road and following Trail 209 back to the recreation site. Sipsey trails receive moderate to heavy use year-round. Wilderness camping, building campfires, hunting, and fishing are permitted, and horsepackers are allowed on designated trails. The Wilderness is in Alabama, is managed by the Forest Service, and was designated in 1975.