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Clear Creek Recreation Area
About Clear Creek
The Clear Creek Recreation Area has become one of Alabama's most popular recreation areas and has many repeat visitors. As the Bankhead National Forest's largest recreation area, Clear Creek is located on the shore of Lewis Smith Lake and offers facilities for individual and group camping, picnicking, swimming, boat launching, hiking, and biking.
Four camping loops contain 102 campsites, including single and double units, with electrical and water hookups. Five bathhouses with warm showers serve the camping areas. A boat ramp and children's playground are provided for campers. In addition, there are group camps with two units that can each accommodate 25 persons.
The day-use area contains a swimming beach, bathroom facilities with dressing rooms and warm showers, three group shelters, a large picnic area, and a double-lane boat ramp. ADA accessible sites are available throughout.
Natural Features
The Bankhead National Forest is located in northwestern Alabama, and its prominent feature is the Sipsey Wilderness — known as “The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls.” It's an area of abundant streams, old-growth forests, limestone bluffs, and lush canyons. Lewis Smith Lake boasts more than 500 miles of shoreline marked by high rock bluffs. The water is clear and deep and provides excellent fishing for Kentucky Spotted Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass.
Site Amenities
- Electricity Hookup
- Water Hookup
- Sewer Hookup
- Paved Parking Spurs
- Picnic Tables
- Grills & Fire Rings
- Tent Pads
- Lantern Poles
- ADA Accessible Sites
Ready to Visit?
Reserve your campsite at Clear Creek Recreation Area through Recreation.gov.
Check AvailabilityCamping Loops
102 campsites across four loops, featuring single and double units with electric and water hookups.
Fox Loop
Scenic loop with electric and water hookups, paved parking spurs, and close access to the campground boat ramp.
Hoot Owl Loop
Spacious sites with electric and water hookups, tent pads, picnic tables, and grills. Near the bicycle trail.
Fawn Loop
Family-friendly loop featuring both single and double sites. Convenient access to bathhouses with warm showers.
Bear Loop
Quiet loop at the far end of the campground, ideal for those seeking a more secluded camping experience.
Group Camping
Clear Creek offers two group camping units, each capable of accommodating up to 25 persons. These are ideal for family reunions, scout troops, church groups, and other organizations looking for a shared outdoor experience.
Group sites include tent-only, non-electric accommodations in a more natural setting, perfect for those who want a traditional camping experience with their group.
Day-Use Area
Full-day access to the swimming beach, boat ramps, shelters, and picnic areas on Lewis Smith Lake.
Swimming Beach
Designated swimming area with roped buoys. Swim at your own risk — no lifeguard on duty.
Double-Lane Boat Ramp
Launch your watercraft with ease on Lewis Smith Lake. Day-use and camper boat ramps available.
Group Shelters
Three reservable group shelters — Oak Leaf, Bay Leaf, and Elm Leaf — perfect for reunions and events.
Picnic Area
Large picnic area with tables and grills in a shaded lakeside setting.
Playground
Children's playground, basketball and volleyball courts, and horseshoe pit for campers.
Bathhouses
Five bathhouses with warm showers and dressing rooms serve the camping and day-use areas.
Special Camp Areas
Clear Creek offers unique camping experiences beyond the standard loops.
Bent Twig Camp
A secluded group camping area nestled among the trees, perfect for scout troops and organized groups seeking a more primitive camping experience in the Bankhead National Forest.
Acorn Camp
Another group camping option at Clear Creek, Acorn Camp provides a rustic, wooded setting with fire rings and picnic facilities for organized groups and family reunions.
Fox Loop Entrance
The gateway to one of Clear Creek's most popular camping loops, Fox Loop features electric and water hookups with close access to the campground boat ramp on Lewis Smith Lake.
Resources & Downloads
Download maps and guides for your visit to Bankhead National Forest.
Photo Gallery
Trails
Raven Interpretive Trail
2.5 milesWind through the forest on this interpretive trail that highlights the natural features and ecology of the Bankhead National Forest.
Paved Bicycle & Walking Trail
1.25 milesA paved multi-use trail perfect for biking, walking, or jogging through the scenic campground area.
Nearby Attractions
The Little Natural Bridge
A unique geological formation within the Bankhead National Forest.
Pine Torch Church
A historic 19th-century church nestled in the forest.
Houston Civil War Jail
A preserved Civil War-era jail with historical significance.
Sipsey Wilderness
The largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi — known as "The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls."
Campground Rules
Please review and follow these rules during your stay at Clear Creek Recreation Area.
Quiet hours are 10pm to 7am. Children under 17 must be on campsite by 10pm.
All tires must be parked on asphalt surfaces — not gravel or grass. Parking on vacant campsites is prohibited.
No alcoholic beverages allowed.
All pets must be on a leash at all times. Pets are prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area.
Fires belong in grills only. Ashes must be wet down before disposal. Never put ashes on the ground.
Swimming only in designated areas within roped buoys. No lifeguard on duty.
Single campsites: 6 people, 2 vehicles. Double sites: 12 people, 4 vehicles.
Check-out time is 12:00 PM. Check-in time is 2:00 PM.
Campsites must be occupied the first night and cannot be left unattended for over 24 hours.
Motorized vehicles must be street-legal and operated by a licensed driver.
Golden Age and Golden Access Passports honored for camping fees. Holder must be present.
Seasonal Day Use Pass
A Seasonal Day Use Pass is available for Clear Creek and Corinth Recreation Areas. The pass is valid from the date of purchase through December 31st of the year purchased and covers one vehicle with up to 5 people.
- Valid for day-use activities only at Clear Creek & Corinth
- Non-transferable — valid only for the vehicle it was purchased for
- Windshield sticker must be displayed to be valid
Plan Your Visit to Clear Creek
Reserve your campsite and experience the beauty of Lewis Smith Lake in Bankhead National Forest.