See all 2 routes on Sipsey Fork
Alabama | Bankhead National Forest / Winston County
Sipsey ForkCounty Route 60 (Sipsey Recreational Area) to W.T. Mims Family Public Access at Alabama Highway 33
A 9.5-mile Sipsey Fork float through Alabama’s only federally designated Wild and Scenic River corridor, with wooded canyon scenery, shoals and the named 100 Yard Dash feature.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A scenic Wild and Scenic Sipsey Fork day float with a direct gauge and a source-backed runnable band.
Access map
Put-in
Sipsey River Recreational Area / County Route 60Remote Forest Service roads and access conditions can change after storms.
Take-out
W.T. Mims Family Public Access / Alabama Highway 33Do not use private banks or unmarked pull-offs as access or camping.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Remote Forest Service roads and access conditions can change after storms.
- Do not use private banks or unmarked pull-offs as access or camping.
- The downstream Smith Lake transition is outside this route; take out at Highway 33.
Watch for
- Shallow shoals below the runnable band
- Rapid rain-driven rises and accumulating wood
- 100 Yard Dash and other current features
- Remote roads and limited bailout options
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Sipsey Fork near Grayson, AL. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Sipsey Fork near Grayson, AL |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 200 cfs to 350 cfs |
| Low threshold | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | 600 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Sipsey Fork reach and gauge notes |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named reach and accessCounty Route 60 to State Route 33; 9.5 miles
American Whitewater names the exact reach and Riverfacts publishes both endpoint coordinates. Outdoor Alabama identifies County Route 60 and W.T. Mims at Highway 33 as the most popular upper-Sipsey float access chain.
- Scoring band200–350 cfs optimal; 150 cfs low guard; 600 cfs high guard
American Whitewater publishes 200–350 cfs as optimal for this exact reach. The outer guards are conservative product planning bounds and should be rechecked against current local reports.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 02450250 near Grayson
USGS provides current discharge, stage and temperature telemetry for the Sipsey Fork corridor.
- Safety and campingWild and Scenic river; day-use route with nearby Forest camping
Rivers.gov documents rapid rain response, low-water drought conditions and the designated corridor. Outdoor Alabama documents primitive camping and the named upper-Sipsey access sequence.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Sipsey Fork paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the County Route 60 (Sipsey Recreational Area) to W.T. Mims Family Public Access at Alabama Highway 33 route on the Sipsey Fork?
Paddle Today watches Sipsey Fork near Grayson, AL and treats 200 cfs to 350 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the County Route 60 (Sipsey Recreational Area) to W.T. Mims Family Public Access at Alabama Highway 33 route on the Sipsey Fork start and end?
This route starts at Sipsey River Recreational Area / County Route 60 and ends at W.T. Mims Family Public Access / Alabama Highway 33, about 9.5 river miles on the water.
Is the County Route 60 (Sipsey Recreational Area) to W.T. Mims Family Public Access at Alabama Highway 33 route on the Sipsey Fork suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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