Explore two classic Alabama rivers that converge in Demopolis, a historic small town where refugees from Napoleon’s fallen empire once gathered to grow grapevines and olives. North of the fork, on the Tombigbee arm, Forkland Park Campground has showers and campsites with views of Rattlesnake Bend, a 12-mile ox-bow loop of flat water on an arm of the river that is free of barge traffic. South of the confluence and nearer historic Demopolis, Foscue Park Campground has RV sites, bathhouses, playgrounds, laundry facilities, as well as a boat ramp and dock.

You can paddle upstream to the fork and choose your own adventure. Go right, and aim for the hauntingly beautiful swamps of Runaway Branch (just past the Hwy 43 bridge if paddling downstream) and Backbone Creek. Go left on the Tombigbee and aim for Spidle Lake, a magnificent flat-water paddling, bird-watching adventure.

Plan your trip

Camp at Forkland and paddle the calm, 12-mile loop of Rattlesnake Bend. Or, put in at Backbone Creek and head downstream to take out at Demopolis City Park and Ramp. Don’t go without a birding book of your choice. Courtesy, Alabama Scenic River Trail