Houston Recreation Area

The Houston Recreation Area is a campground situated on the shoreline of Lake Lewis Smith in Bankhead National Forest. This area is popular among families, tourists, and residents and boasts 3 loops with standard sites, each loop consisting of private lake views. The campgrounds also have picnic areas, including group shelters and boating or swimming facilities.

Bankhead National Forest is situated in northwestern Alabama and its primary feature is the Sipsey Wilderness, an infamous collection of abundant streams otherwise known as “The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls”. The waterfalls are nestled within old-growth forests, limestone bluffs, and luscious canyons.

Lake Lewis Smith lines the 500-mile shoreline with a rocky and slippery cliff-face, and the water is clear and inviting for fishing enthusiasts.

Visitors to the recreation area are treated to a sand swimming beach and boat ramps for people who would like to launch their vessels. There are many activities that this sandy recreation area provides, such as boating, fishing, water-skiing, and jet skiing. Most of the fish caught in the sparkly, clear water are Kentucky Spotted Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass. You could spend a delightful afternoon fishing to get a catch to cook up for dinner. And after a wonderful day resting or exploring, you can go back to the campground, where hot shower stations, water spigots, and flush toilets await you.

The Houston Recreation Area also provides paved parking spurs, tent pads, picnic tables, and firepits. This campground is also available between May and October between the times of 9 AM and 7 PM, although access after these times is permitted with prior approval. Visitors also have access to firewood and ice.

Pets are allowed in this area; however, it is not listed whether they need to stay on their leash or not. We recommend always keeping your pup close by and cleaning up after them to keep this place nice for all visitors.