William B. Bankhead National Forest Forest Road 245 Mulberry Fork River Bottom Circuit
Sandy river bottom route through pioneer ruins.
Forest Road 245 drops into the Mulberry Fork river bottom where Alabama’s prehistoric river carved deep channels through limestone bluffs. This sandy track follows old logging roads from the 1920s, passing crumbling stone chimneys of pioneer homesteads swallowed by decades of forest regrowth. The route threads between massive cypress trees and seasonal wetlands, with the highlight being the abandoned Corley Mill ruins at mile 3.1—stone foundations and rusted machinery tell the story of Alabama’s timber boom.
Easy to moderate difficulty suitable for stock high-clearance vehicles, though spring floods can make sections impassable. The sand gets deep in summer, and you’ll want aired-down tires and momentum for the soft spots. Best tackled in fall through spring when water levels are manageable. Dispersed camping is allowed, and the isolation here is genuine—you’re deep in Alabama’s last big wilderness. Bring extra water and expect zero cell coverage.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 720 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Double Springs, Alabama |
| Land manager | US Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle FR 245, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD gets it done here. The challenge is soft sand in the river bottom, not rocks or ledges, so airing down to 15-18 PSI matters more than lift height.
When is this trail passable and what makes it impassable?
October through April is the sweet spot — summer heat bakes the sand loose and afternoon thunderstorms can raise the Mulberry Fork fast enough to trap you. After heavy rain any time of year, the river bottom sections can flood without warning.
Do I need a permit to run FR 245 or camp in Bankhead National Forest?
No permit required for day use or dispersed camping in Bankhead. Dispersed camping must be at least 100 feet from water, roads, and trails per USFS standard rules — no fees, no registration.
What's the hardest section and what makes it sketchy?
The deep sand stretches in the Mulberry Fork river bottom are where rigs get stuck — it's not dramatic, just relentless soft ground that swallows tires if you stop moving or forget to air down. There are also unbridged water crossings that read differently depending on recent rainfall.
Is there any gas or supplies near the trailhead, and how far is the nearest help if I get stuck?
Double Springs is your last real stop for fuel and supplies, roughly 15-20 minutes from the trailhead. Cell service is zero on this trail, so go in with a full tank, a recovery kit, and someone who knows your itinerary — there's no calling for help once you're in the bottoms.
Trail track
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