William B. Bankhead National Forest Brushy Lake OHV Trail System
Alabama's premier rock crawling destination
Brushy Lake OHV area serves up some of Alabama’s gnarliest terrain across 35 miles of marked trails winding through Winston County’s rugged landscape. The system ranges from easy forest roads to expert-only creek beds carved through Pennsylvanian sandstone, with the notorious “Rock Garden” section featuring ledges that’ll have you walking your line twice before committing. Trail 6 follows Brushy Creek itself for nearly two miles of constant rock-hopping and water crossings, while the hill climbs on Trails 8 and 9 will smoke your clutch if you’re not careful with momentum.
This is Alabama’s proving ground for serious 4×4 builds—stock rigs will struggle on anything beyond the green trails. Lockers, skid plates, and 33-inch tires minimum for the technical sections. Open year-round but best avoided during winter when creek levels rise unpredictably. $5 day-use fee required, camping available at nearby Lewis Smith Lake. You’ll get legitimate rock crawling without traveling to Moab, plus the satisfaction of conquering terrain that humbles plenty of mall crawlers.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 35 mi / 56.3 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1400 ft |
| Best season | March-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Double Springs, Alabama |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service Bankhead National Forest |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Jeep JK run Brushy Lake OHV trails?
No. The land manager and trail conditions both demand a modified 4WD with lockers at minimum. Stock rigs will get hung up on the sandstone ledges and steep creek exits — lift, skid plates, and at least rear locker are realistic baseline requirements.
Is Brushy Lake OHV open in winter?
The best season runs March through November. Winter access is unreliable — Alabama clay gets greasy and creek crossings can blow out after heavy rain, and the Forest Service may close sections temporarily after storms.
Do I need a permit to run the Brushy Lake OHV trail system?
Yes, a permit is required. Contact the Bankhead National Forest directly or check the official USDA Forest Service page at fs.usda.gov before you show up — show up without one and you risk a fine.
What's the hardest section actually like?
The sandstone canyon ledges and steep hill climbs are where rigs get sorted out. Expect exposed rock shelves with no line corrections available, off-camber exits from creek beds, and climbs where a miss means a rollback — have a spotter and a recovery kit rigged and ready.
Is there any cell service at Brushy Lake if something goes wrong?
Service is spotty at best and essentially nonexistent in the canyon sections. Download offline maps before you leave, carry a satellite communicator, and tell someone your itinerary — Double Springs is your nearest town for fuel and help if you limp out.
Trail track
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