Cheaha State Park

The highest point in Alabama is 2,407 feet above sea level. Cheaha Resort State Park is located on top of Cheaha Mountain in a 2,799-acre mountaintop retreat, named by the Creek Indians “Chaha” meaning high place.

In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corp began construction of Cheaha State Park as parks across the nation were built. President Franklin D. Roosevelt provided jobs and stability as well as parks for future generations. The 2,799 acre Cheaha State park is surrounded by the Talladega National Forrest.

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating river, but as fountains of life”  -  John Muir

The three CCC companies that built Cheaha State Park were Co 465, Co 468 and Co 2420. They built numerous parts of the park; including: the road to the park, cabins, the tower, Bald Rock Lodge, the lake pavilions, the lake bathhouse, and trails. These boys became men as they worked on public lands, created parks, planted trees, fought forest fires, and helped to stabilize a nation. Cheaha is proud to carry the honor of being the oldest state park in Alabama; an honor made possible by the CCC.

View walking to Bald Rock.

Walkway with trail on the left to Bald Rock and view of the valley. This walkway was not built by the CCC.

One of the stone cabins built by the CCC.

View from the cabin.

Located in the middle of the Talladega National Forest, the park is ideal for access to the Kentuck ORV-ATV Trail. Additionally, the park is home to the Cheaha Trailhead of the Pinhoti Trail, which connects with the Appalachian Trail and accesses the Odum Scout Trail, and the Chinnabee Silent Trail. 

Moss and lichens in the park.

Support our state and federal parks.

Photos by Jan Riser with copy from park signage.