See all 2 routes on Sipsey Fork
Alabama | Bankhead National Forest / Winston County
Sipsey ForkW.T. Mims Family Public Access at Alabama Highway 33 to County Road B15 access
A source-documented 4.5-mile Sipsey Fork canoe section from the Highway 33 Mims access downstream to County Road B15.
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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
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A short public-access Sipsey Fork section with a direct gauge and a conservative same-river flow cue.
Access map
Put-in
W.T. Mims Family Public Access / Alabama Highway 33 (water-entry edge)Remote Forest Service and county-road approaches can change after storms.
Take-out
County Road B15 Sipsey Fork access (water-entry edge)Do not use private banks or unmarked pull-offs as access or camping.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Remote Forest Service and county-road approaches can change after storms.
- Do not use private banks or unmarked pull-offs as access or camping.
- The route ends at County Road B15; downstream water requires a separate access and hazard review.
Watch for
- Shallow shoals below the runnable band
- Rain-driven rises and accumulating wood
- County Road B15 parking and landing conditions
Plan this paddle
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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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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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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 |
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| 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 distanceHighway 33 Mims access to County Road B15; 4.5 miles
Alabama Recreation Trails publishes the 4.5-mile canoe section and County Road B15 coordinate; Outdoor Alabama describes the Mims-to-B15 access sequence.
- Scoring band200–350 cfs nearby Sipsey planning band; 150 cfs low guard; 600 cfs high guard
American Whitewater publishes 200–350 cfs as optimal for the adjacent County Route 60–Highway 33 Sipsey reach on direct USGS 02450250. This nearby same-river cue is conservative and must be verified locally.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 02450250 near Grayson
USGS provides current Sipsey Fork discharge telemetry; recheck observation and trend before launch.
- Safety and campingShort Bankhead day-use section with nearby primitive camping
Outdoor Alabama and the Forest access guide document the public access sequence; carry, rainfall, shoals, strainers and private-bank rules remain explicit.
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
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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 W.T. Mims Family Public Access at Alabama Highway 33 to County Road B15 access 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 W.T. Mims Family Public Access at Alabama Highway 33 to County Road B15 access route on the Sipsey Fork start and end?
This route starts at W.T. Mims Family Public Access / Alabama Highway 33 (water-entry edge) and ends at County Road B15 Sipsey Fork access (water-entry edge), about 4.5 river miles on the water.
Is the W.T. Mims Family Public Access at Alabama Highway 33 to County Road B15 access 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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