Cheaha State Park – Highest Point in Alabama

Length: 0.5 miles Difficulty: Easy

If you follow me on Twitter you may have noticed my post regarding a petition encouraging people to support Alabama parks. The state legislature in Alabama has proposed a budget that would close 15 of 22 Alabama state parks. Several of the parks are already set to close on May 1st, 2015. Cheaha State Park is one of the parks considered for closing within the next year. We had the chance to visit Cheaha State Park earlier this year. The park holds the highest point in Alabama, and it is home to a lake.

If these parks are shut down it puts Cheaha and other parks in danger of further foresting, development, and fracking. Not only does it have potential to effect the environment, but many people will lose their jobs. To put it into perspective imagine how many people might be staffed at Cheaha? You have people running the gift shop, the restaurant, the hotel, and a lodge.  Along with people who perform housekeeping and maintenance services on the chalets and cabins. There is also a lake and other resources that need to be looked after by personnel. There might even be more positions I’m not even thinking of. On top of these crucial considerations, you have tourists and citizens who enjoy the parks. It provides a way for people to get outside and enjoy their surroundings. For people like me state parks are a huge part of exploring a state. If you have a moment at least let your voice be heard through the petition, or by contacting the governor or legislature of Alabama.

 The first time we drove through Cheaha State Park, in Delta, Alabama, it was covered by fog. That time we were headed to Cheaha Falls, but this time we were headed to the highest point. The day was beautiful, clear, crisp, and warm. I don’t think we’ve had a brighter day since this one in March.

Before arriving at the peak there is a gate to pay at. You can also pick up information in the store. The entrance fee to the park is $4 per person 12 and up, and $1 for kids 6-11. There are also options for camping or staying at the hotel, cabins, or chalets. You have the opportunity of checking out museums, geocaching, hiking trails, or biking trails as well.

The highest point in Alabama, Cheaha Mountain, is 2,401 feet. At the peak there is also what appears to be other facility buildings at the top besides the lookout tower.

If you’ve been to a highest point before you might have noticed one of these markers. This is the first time I took of photo of one because I happened to just stumble on it. This marker indicates the highest peak for the state, and when the survey was done to make it official.

There is an old bunker tower at the top that serves as a lookout. You can walk up the stairs to have an outlook from the highest peak.

The lookout was gorgeous from up there. The day was a bright, blue day with few clouds in the sky. We weren’t done exploring this just yet though. We had plans to head to the trail at Bald Rock for more outlooks.

The trail at Bald Rock is noted as being an accessible trail for those who need wheelchair access. It’s a boardwalk built all the way to an overlook at the end. You can leave the boardwalk at any point as well if you want to hike in the woods.

Along the boardwalk there are various points you can stop and learn about the people who used to work or live here. You may have noticed in stops as far as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park how pivotal the Civilian Conservation Corps were in conserving many of the natural landmarks we still enjoy today. The CCC was involved with conserving Cheaha Mountain as well by building cabins, Bald Rock Lodge, and an old trail. These jobs established by Franklin D. Roosevelt would not only help with giving millions of men jobs over time, but also making these places still around today as they were then.

Once arriving at the end of the boardwalk there are benches to sit. You also have a great outlook over other hills and towns in the surrounding area. This was the view from the platform on the boardwalk, but you can also walk down to Bald Rock.

Once arriving at the ledge you can take a seat on one of the rocks and grab some cool photos. I actually have vertigo, so you won’t find any great photos of me usually at mountain peaks.

Cheaha State Park is one of the parks I would recommend if you’re in Alabama. There is a beautiful waterfall, Cheaha Falls, not located too far outside of the park as well. There are also other recreational opportunities in the area.