Cheaha State Park: Head For The Mountains Without Leaving The State

By T. Jensen Lacey

If you want to escape the heat and humidity of Lower Alabama in August, consider heading to the mountains—the Alabama mountains, that is.

Just adjacent to Talladega National Forest, about a 4 ½ hour drive north from Baldwin County, you will find Cheaha State Park, which is the highest point in the Yellowhammer State (the Creek-Muskogean- word translates to mean “high place”). With its elevation being 2,407 feet above sea level, even in August, temperatures range an average of 10-15 degrees cooler than “back home,” and the humidity is much lower. The rolling hills and steep, two-lane highway the last hour of the drive (State Road 9 is like one long roller coaster) offer visual refreshment and a delightful change of pace.

The oldest state park in Alabama, Cheaha State Park offers its visitors a welcome array of activities. There are more than a dozen trails to hike, with panoramic views and several ending in waterfalls. Within its boundaries, there is a swimming pool (adjacent to the motel), and Cheaha Lake itself has a beached swimming area. There is a new hotel under construction, with plans for it to have a rooftop bar and a bistro, which is expected to open in the Spring of 2026 according to Events Director Sarah Gilbert.

There are more than a dozen cabins, ranging in size from one-bedroom, open-air-plan cottages to charming A-frame chalets. All come equipped with basic kitchen cooking tools (pots, pans, cooking and eating utensils, plates, cups, and glasses). The Cheaha cabins are wonderfully rustic, furnished with hand-hewn wooden furniture, and made using local stones quarried from what is called Cheaha Quartzite. They all have gas logs and TV sets, both of which come with remote-control devices.

The cabins look old because they are: they were built in 1930 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, an organization that arose out of the need for employment in the wake of the Great Depression. The Cheaha Lodge will sleep 32 people and is perfect for family reunions or special events, such as destination weddings. For those planning a wedding or family reunion, the Lodge’s dining hall will accommodate roughly 100 guests. 

Several of the cabins are pet-friendly, which means for a small extra daily fee, your fur baby can enjoy the park with you. Of course, there are rules for your canine companions (such as keeping them leashed and with you at all times and picking up after them). 

The park offers a variety of hiking trails, with various levels of physical challenge. One of the most popular trails is Bald Rock, which is near the group Lodge and is wheelchair accessible. While hikers can take the trail that parallels the boardwalk, those with limited mobility will enjoy the short walk/roll to the boardwalk’s end, which offers a spectacular view.

For angling enthusiasts, Cheaha Lake offers great fishing. The lake is full of bass, catfish, bream, and crappie for those with a freshwater fishing license. The well-stocked Mountain Store offers t-shirts, gifts, picnic items, fishing bait, and more.

For those rainy days, there are several places to explore. On the lake property, there is an Interpretive Center which tells more about the flora and fauna to be found within the state park’s boundaries. The CCC Museum houses artifacts and relics first used by the Civilian Conservation Corps workers and has many old photos showing them hard at work, building the park. The Native American Relic Museum contains relics from the Creek-Muskogean- era that have been found in the park. The collection includes arrowheads, pottery shards, and rudimentary tools.

The busiest season at Cheaha is when the fall foliage is at its peak, roughly from mid-September through October. Park staff tell me that many people book their accommodations a year in advance for this popular time of year.

For more information and to make reservations, check out Cheaha’s website or call (256) 488-5115.