William B. Bankhead National Forest, National forest in Walker County, United States.

William B. Bankhead National Forest covers 181,230 acres (733 km2) on the Cumberland Plateau at the southwestern edge of the Appalachians, in Lawrence, Winston and Franklin counties. Its terrain of steep bluffs and descending ridges drops into gorges, streams and waterfalls, and old-growth hardwoods of oak, maple and beech stand in the forest, including a tulip tree near Bee Branch about 500 years old and some 46 metres tall.

The forest was established as Alabama National Forest on January 15, 1918, with 66,008 acres. It was renamed Black Warrior National Forest on June 19, 1936, and received its current name on June 6, 1942, to honor William B. Bankhead, a U.S. representative from 1917 to 1940. In 1959, Executive Order 10850 removed land from its boundaries.

The land holds evidence of ancient peoples who lived here, with rock carvings visible at certain locations within the forest. These marks show how indigenous communities connected with this place over hundreds of years.

The forest is managed by the United States Forest Service with local offices in Double Springs offering visitor information. Multiple entry points and trails allow you to explore different parts of the woodland at your own pace.

The Sipsey Fork River flowing through the forest holds a special distinction as Alabama's only river designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. This protection ensures the waterway and its surroundings remain in a natural state.