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Houston Shelter
FSU.S. Forest Service — DOUBLE SPRINGS · Alabama · National Forests in Alabama
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | National Forests in Alabama |
| Location | DOUBLE SPRINGS · Alabama · National Forests in Alabama · 34.12444, -87.29806 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group shelter nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 1 sites Water hookups at 1 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | The Houston Recreation Area Shelter is non-reservable but available on a first-come, first-served basis. The use fee is $20.00 per day, plus $4.00 per vehicle deposited in the fee tube at the Houston Recreation Area entrance. |
| Check-in / out | In 7:00 AM · Out 10:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 205-489-5111 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Houston Shelter is a group picnic site nestled on the shore of Lake Lewis Smith in Bankhead National Forest. This is a popular recreation area offering a variety of activities.
Shelter is first come first served.
Site is walk-up only. Recreation Day users can enjoy a beautiful sand swimming beach. Other activities include motorized and non-motorized boating and water skiing.
Anglers can fish for Kentucky Spotted Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass. There are also hiking trails in the area, including the 1.4 mile High Rock Loop and the nearly 2 mile Fox Run Loop. Facilities The picnic facility offers tables, flush toilets, grills and drinking water. A boat ramp and showers are nearby. Natural Features Bankhead National Forest is located in northwestern Alabama. The prominent feature of the area is the Sipsey Wilderness.
Known as "The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls," the Sipsey Wilderness encompasses an area of abundant streams, old-growth forests, limestone bluffs and lush canyons.
Lake Lewis Smith boasts more than 500 miles of shoreline marked by high rock bluffs. The water is clear and deep and provides excellent fishing.
Directions, from the listing
About 50 miles southwest of Decatur, take Highway 278 east from Double Springs for 8 miles. Turn south on County Road 63 and continue for 4 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 118 and travel a mile to the campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · DOUBLE SPRINGS AlabamaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCorinth Recreation Area
2 mi straight-line · DOUBLE SPRINGS AlabamaFSU.S. Forest ServiceClear Creek (Al)
7 mi straight-line · Jasper AlabamaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersBurchfield Branch Park
47 mi straight-line · ADGER AlabamaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersRocky Branch Day Use Park
59 mi straight-line · Brookwood Alabama
Trip Card — Houston Shelter
DOUBLE SPRINGS · Alabama · National Forests in Alabama
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | DOUBLE SPRINGS · Alabama · National Forests in Alabama |
| Fees | The Houston Recreation Area Shelter is non-reservable but available on a first-come, first-served basis. The use fee is $20.00 per day, plus $4.00 per vehicle deposited in the fee … |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | No electric reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231991 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.