Just Wednesday emergency crews had to rescue five people who had gotten lost at Bankhead National Forest in Lawrence County. It can easily happen.

But there are some things you can do when you come here to prevent wandering off the beaten path.

Captain Tim McWhorter with the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department says, "Make sure they're dressed appropriately to be in the forest. Make sure they come prepared, bring plenty of water to drink, first aid supplies, things of that such. Also, make sure you bring a trail map, a good thing to have and just make sure when they're there, traveling on marked trails."

McWhorter has seen his fair share of rescues in the forest.

He says there is one mistake most hikers make when they come here for a hike.

"Allowing enough time when you're in the forest, get out of the woods before dark. When it starts to get dark in the woods, a lot of stuff becomes kind of...it starts looking the same," says McWhorter.

The best advice McWhorter can give any visitor here is to just use common sense when you're in the forest.

"It doesn't take but just a short time to get turned around and if you don't stay on the trails or marked areas, you can get off just a little short piece off the trail there and nothing will look the same," says McWhorter.

That's why it's so important to pay attention where you're walking at all times.