Sipsey Fork
🌿 Wilderness
Lawrence / Winston Co. · 35 mi · Class I–II
43.8CFS/ 3.36 ft
Below Optimal→Stable
Water temp: 60°F
Optimal: 200–1,500 CFS · USGS #02450250
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Sipsey Wilderness · Bankhead National Forest
Flowing through the heart of Bankhead National Forest and past the Sipsey Wilderness — Alabama's only federally designated wilderness — the Sipsey Fork offers some of the most remote and pristine paddling in the state. Canyon walls, waterfalls on tributaries, and old-growth forest create a true backcountry experience.
Trip sections
Upper — Sipsey Wilderness, hiking-access only, Class I
Lower — Below Lewis Smith Dam, 20 mi, Class I–II tailwater
Outfitters
Sipsey Fork Outfitters
Kayak rentals and shuttle service for Sipsey Fork paddling
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.