Conecuh National Forest
Encyclopedia
The Conecuh National Forest in southern Alabama
covers 83,000 acres (340 km²), along the Alabama - Florida
line in Covington
and Escambia
counties. Topography is level to moderately sloping, broad ridges with stream terraces and broad floodplains.
The Conecuh Trail winds 20 miles (30 km) through Alabama's coastal plain. The trail was built by the Youth Conservation Corps. Each year, beginning in 1976, the young people of the Corps extend the trail through park-like longleaf pine stands, hardwood bottomlands, and other plant communities of the Conecuh National Forest.
The name Conecuh is believed to be of Muskogee
origin. It means "land of cane," which is appropriate because the trail runs through canebrakes in several sections.
Situated just above the Florida panhandle
, the forest has a distinct southern flavor of mist-laden hardwood swamps, pitcher plant bogs, and southern coastal plain pine forest. These hilly coastal plains are also home to longleaf pine
, upland scrub oak, and dogwood, as well as an aquatic labyrinth of winding creeks and cypress ponds.
Clear-cut in the 1930s, the Conecuh was reforested with slash pine that reduced the number of nesting trees for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The forest is currently undergoing a reforestation from slash pine to the native longleaf. In time, this should increase the number of red-cockaded woodpeckers as the trees mature.
The forest is headquartered in Montgomery
, as are all four of Alabama's National Forests. The other National Forests in the state are Talladega
, Tuskegee
, and William B. Bankhead
. There are local ranger district offices located in Andalusia
.
north of the community of Wing.
The "A Loop" is primarily for tent camping, and water is available at spigots in the loop. There are no electric hookups in the A Loop. Restrooms and showers are available in the nearby "C Loop" a short walk away.
The "B Loop" is a group camping area. There are no hookups, restrooms, or showers in the "B Loop". The group camping area generally consists of a large field surrounded by woodlands, clearly separated from the developed camping loops. A trail connects to water supplies in the "A Loop". Restrooms and showers are a short hike away in the "C Loop".
The "C and D Loops" are both similar in that they provide recreational vehicles (RV) water electric hookups. 15, 30, and 50 Amp receptacles are available. Each site consists of a fine gravel pad for an RV, a pad for a tent, picnic table, and lantern hangar. Several sites are entirely concrete and are primarily for use as handicapped accessible. These loops contain modern restrooms and bath houses with hot showers.
An RV dump station is located at the entrance to the Open Pond Recreation Area.
Trails connect the "D Loop" of the campground to additional small sinkhole ponds and the day-use picnic areas. By using the roadway that begins at the picnic areas, hiking and bicycling around Open Pond is possible.
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
covers 83,000 acres (340 km²), along the Alabama - Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
line in Covington
Covington County, Alabama
Covington County, Alabama, is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Brigadier General Leonard Covington of Maryland. As of 2010 the population was 37,765...
and Escambia
Escambia County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.1% White*31.9% Black*4.4% Native American*0.2% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*1.9% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
counties. Topography is level to moderately sloping, broad ridges with stream terraces and broad floodplains.
The Conecuh Trail winds 20 miles (30 km) through Alabama's coastal plain. The trail was built by the Youth Conservation Corps. Each year, beginning in 1976, the young people of the Corps extend the trail through park-like longleaf pine stands, hardwood bottomlands, and other plant communities of the Conecuh National Forest.
The name Conecuh is believed to be of Muskogee
Creek language
The Creek language, also known as Muskogee or Muscogee , is a Muskogean language spoken by Muscogee and Seminole people primarily in the U.S. states of Oklahoma and Florida....
origin. It means "land of cane," which is appropriate because the trail runs through canebrakes in several sections.
Situated just above the Florida panhandle
Florida Panhandle
The Florida Panhandle, an informal, unofficial term for the northwestern part of Florida, is a strip of land roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide , lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia also on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is...
, the forest has a distinct southern flavor of mist-laden hardwood swamps, pitcher plant bogs, and southern coastal plain pine forest. These hilly coastal plains are also home to longleaf pine
Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris, commonly known as the Longleaf Pine, is a pine native to the southeastern United States, found along the coastal plain from eastern Texas to southeast Virginia extending into northern and central Florida....
, upland scrub oak, and dogwood, as well as an aquatic labyrinth of winding creeks and cypress ponds.
Clear-cut in the 1930s, the Conecuh was reforested with slash pine that reduced the number of nesting trees for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The forest is currently undergoing a reforestation from slash pine to the native longleaf. In time, this should increase the number of red-cockaded woodpeckers as the trees mature.
The forest is headquartered in Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
, as are all four of Alabama's National Forests. The other National Forests in the state are Talladega
Talladega National Forest
The Talladega National Forest is located in the U.S. state of Alabama and covers 392,567 acres at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains....
, Tuskegee
Tuskegee National Forest
The Tuskegee National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in Macon County, Alabama, just north of Tuskegee and west of Auburn. The topography is level to moderately sloping, with broad ridges with stream terraces and broad floodplains....
, and William B. Bankhead
William B. Bankhead National Forest
The William B. Bankhead National Forest is Alabama's largest National Forest, with , and is home of Alabama's only National Wild and Scenic River, the Sipsey Fork. It is located in northwestern Alabama, around the town of Double Springs; it is named in honor of William B. Bankhead, a longtime U.S...
. There are local ranger district offices located in Andalusia
Andalusia, Alabama
Andalusia is a city in and the county seat of Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 8,794.According to the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 8,705...
.
Recreational Facilities
There are two developed National Forest recreation areas in Conecuh National Forest. Both are located along Alabama State Road 137Alabama State Route 137
State Route 137 or SR-137 is a state highway that serves as a north-south connection between the Florida state line near Wing and Andalusia through southwest Covington County...
north of the community of Wing.
Open Pond Recreation Area
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110801&ttype=recarea&recid=30113&actid=31&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110130000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=FSE_003705&pname=National+Forests+in+Alabama+-+Open+Pond+Recreation+AreaOpen Pond Recreation Area] is a 450 acre area set aside for hiking, fishing, bicycling, and camping. It is located about eight miles north of the Alabama/Florida State line along Alabama State Road 137. At the center of the recreation area is Open Pond, a natural sinkhole lake. Several other lakes are in the immediate vicinity of the facilities and can be reached by trail or on unpaved roads. Open Pond itself is available for freshwater fishing. A pier is available, and non-motorized or electric motorized boats are permitted on the lake (two boat ramps are available for launching). An Alabama fishing license is required. Also available is a large picnic shelter for group gatherings. No swimming is allowed at Open Pond.Fees
Day use fees at Open Pond are USD$5 per vehicle. This allows for all recreational uses (picnics, hiking, bicycling, fishing, etc.). These fees may be waived if someone in the vehicle possesses a valid Federal Interagency Recreation Pass. Camping fees for non-electric sites are USD$6, and USD$12 for electric/water sites. Fifty percent discounts are available for camping fees when using the Federal Interagency Recreation Passes. Those paying for campsites do not have to pay day use fees.Camping
Sixty-five campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Open Pond Campground. Campsites are found on the waterfront as well as in woodlands. There are four campground loops (A, B, C, and D). Roadways along all loops are paved.The "A Loop" is primarily for tent camping, and water is available at spigots in the loop. There are no electric hookups in the A Loop. Restrooms and showers are available in the nearby "C Loop" a short walk away.
The "B Loop" is a group camping area. There are no hookups, restrooms, or showers in the "B Loop". The group camping area generally consists of a large field surrounded by woodlands, clearly separated from the developed camping loops. A trail connects to water supplies in the "A Loop". Restrooms and showers are a short hike away in the "C Loop".
The "C and D Loops" are both similar in that they provide recreational vehicles (RV) water electric hookups. 15, 30, and 50 Amp receptacles are available. Each site consists of a fine gravel pad for an RV, a pad for a tent, picnic table, and lantern hangar. Several sites are entirely concrete and are primarily for use as handicapped accessible. These loops contain modern restrooms and bath houses with hot showers.
An RV dump station is located at the entrance to the Open Pond Recreation Area.
Trails connect the "D Loop" of the campground to additional small sinkhole ponds and the day-use picnic areas. By using the roadway that begins at the picnic areas, hiking and bicycling around Open Pond is possible.
Blue Lake Recreation Area
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110801&ttype=recarea&recid=30109&actid=82&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110400000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=National+Forests+in+Alabama+-+Blue+Lake+Recreation+AreaBlue Lake Recreation Area] is located about nine miles north of the Alabama/Florida State line off of Alabama State Road 137. This day use area, located along the north shore of Blue Lake, provides the only official location in Conecuh National Forest where swimming is permitted. A bath house is provided, along with picnic tables and a sandy beach. Limited non-motorized boating is permitted, and two boat launches area available.Fees
There is a day use fee of USD$5 per vehicle. This allows for all recreational uses available at Blue Lake. These fees may be waived if someone in the vehicle possesses a valid Federal Interagency Recreation Pass.Adjacent Land Use
The south, west, and eastern shores of Blue Lake are privately held by the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church under the name "Blue Lake Methodist Assembly".External links
- Forest Service website for Alabama National Forests
- http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQoY6IeDdGCqCPOBqwDLG-AAjgb6fh75uan6BdnZaY6OiooA1tkqlQ!!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjJNMDAwMDAwMDA!/?navtype=&cid=fsbdev3_002554&navid=170110000000000&pnavid=170000000000000&ss=110801&position=Not%20Yet%20Determined.Html&ttype=detail&pname=Alabama%20National%20Forest-%20HomeForest Service website for Conecuh National Forest]