The Sipsey Wilderness area in Bankhead National Forest offers numerous backcountry tent camping options near Bremen, Alabama. This 25,000-acre wilderness sits at elevations ranging from 700-1,000 feet and contains Alabama's largest virgin forest. Winter temperatures in the area typically range from 30-50°F, while summer months can reach into the 90s with high humidity, affecting tent camping comfort levels.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: The Sipsey River and its tributaries feature numerous waterfalls throughout the wilderness. At Thompson Creek Trail Campsites, campers can access multiple cascades. "The water is a beautiful turquoise. Most of the campsites have giant moss covered boulders all around, and cliffs in the background opposite the river," notes Aaron S.
Creek swimming: Many trails offer access points to wade or swim, providing relief during warmer months. "The hike in is not difficult. You do have to cross a stream, which was not as difficult for my 6'2 husband as it was for me at 5'2. The water was clear. The waterfall was beautiful and we found a quiet spot up the creek to camp," shares Miranda C. from Thompson Creek Trail.
Horseback riding: For those bringing horses, Owl Creek Horse Camp provides access to over 22 miles of connected trails. "This is off the beaten path a bit, but it has its perks. Here you can find potable water from the spickets all year long. It is essentially a large field with some very large loblolly pines. The nights sky is wonderful," writes Gregg G.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many tent campers appreciate the seclusion of Sipsey's backcountry sites. At Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 207 Site B), "Because it is actually slightly removed from the trail that most people take it has an incredible amount of privacy while not being cramped or crowded. Another thing I really loved about this site is that it is right along the water without the need to climb down any steep banks," according to Asher K.
Sandy tent spots: The terrain at many sites provides comfortable surfaces for tent setup. "Finally, the flat tent areas at this site are mostly covered in sand which means you will have a very comfortable surface to sleep on," notes a reviewer about Trail 207 Site B.
Night sky viewing: The remote nature of Bremen area tent camping provides exceptional stargazing opportunities. "The nights sky is wonderful," reports Gregg G. from Owl Creek Horse Camp, while another camper at Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site H) mentions "several waterfalls nearby, is close enough to the river for easy water access, and is secluded from many other sites."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Riverside tent camping locations can experience flooding, particularly after heavy rainfall. "This could be a problem in the spring time when there is a chance of flooding but normally it makes for a wonderful site," notes a camper about Trail 207 Site B.
Variable site sizes: Tent camping areas range from small solo spots to large group areas. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site G) is described as "by far the best site if you have a group of 3 or more tents. It has several firepits and is spread out over a large area. Each individual site has enough privacy while still providing group areas to congregate."
Trailhead access changes: Some access points have relocated in recent years, affecting hiking distances. "The Borden Creek Trailhead where we started our hike used to be down at the bottom of the hill but several years ago they moved the parking to a quarter mile away to help protect some of the areas down by the river. This means that coming into this site will require a short hike down a forestry road which isn't shown on most of the maps," warns a camper at Trail 203.
Tips for camping with families
Short hike options: For families with young children, choose sites with minimal hiking distance. "Me and my 6 year old daughter hiked the trail this past Saturday, July 27, 2019. Had a great time. Definately be back," shares Jimmy R. about Thompson Creek Trail Campsites.
Kid-friendly water features: Many sites offer shallow water access perfect for children. "Also lots of shallow places for the kids to play in the water. Watch for snakes and bring bug spray," advises Trinity W. from Thompson Creek Trail.
Wildlife awareness: Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site F) and other sites require proper wildlife precautions. "It has a firepit built up and several logs arranged for sitting. It also provides relatively easy access to the stream for pumping water," notes Asher K., though families should secure food from wildlife and teach children proper wilderness behavior.
Tips from RVers
Limited options: The Bremen area primarily offers tent camping with few RV-friendly sites. "It's been a while since last review so we took a chance hoping to find a spot for our teardrop and a couple of tents. This area is great for tent camping that you are willing to hike into," reports Crispin S. about Thompson Creek.
Small trailer access: Certain locations can accommodate small trailers with planning. "We fortunately found one clearing near the trail head that was enough space for our teardrop and two tents. The spot is directly on the road but we were able to angel our truck to offer a little privacy," adds Crispin S.
Cellular service considerations: Some campsites provide unexpected connectivity. "We enjoyed staying here after being out of cell service for a few days at brushy lake, so we were able to catch up and coordinate our next destination. Cost is $5 a night or $3 for day use. 2 bars of Verizon 4G LTE," notes Gregg G. about Owl Creek Horse Camp.
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