Cheaha State Park, Alabama
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Standing tall over the sprawling Talladega National Forest is Mount Cheaha, home to the highest point in all of Alabama at 2,407 feet above sea level. There at the mountain’s peak, Cheaha State Park offers family fun and the most breathtaking views anywhere in Alabama. The park itself is nearly 2,800 acres and is home to museums, restaurants, excellent RV campgrounds, and beautiful nature perfect for your family’s favorite outdoor activities. As you plan your next vacation, this guide will help you plan an unforgettable vacation to Cheaha State Park by rented RV—the best way to see everything the park has to offer within the comfort of your own private hotel-on-wheels.
There are six scenic trails in Cheaha State Park you won’t want to miss out on during your visit. Unlike some sprawling state parks with so many trails you don’t even know where to begin, Cheaha’s trails only total a little more than three miles, which means you’ll get a chance to see them all. Trails like Pulpit Rock and Mountain Laurel lead along streams through beautiful woods and reward hikers with scenic overlooks where you can sit and take in the view from up high.
The park is also home to five trails designed specifically for mountain biking. While those trails also allow hikers, pedestrians must yield to bikes—making this a perfect destination for mountain biking enthusiasts. Additionally, there are several Cheaha State Park waterfall trails very near the park with tours available. Check out the park’s hiking and biking webpage for more info on trails and all opportunities in and around Cheaha State Park.
A hike or a bike ride aren’t the only ways to take in the beautiful landscapes of Cheaha State Park. The park is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, offering activities from the tame to the extreme. Looking to relax and take it easy on your vacation? You’ll love swimming at the park’s swimming pool which is filled with cold mountain spring water and offers great view of the forest below. Cheaha Lake is another swimming destination, a seven-acre lake complete with beach made by the Civilian Conservation Corp.
Geocaching is another popular activity in the park. Before you go, make sure to visit geocaching.org for a list of caches you can seek out on the mountain with your GPS receiver—most smart phones have GPS capability that doesn’t require a strong cell connection if you’re hunting by GPS coordinates. For the more adventurous visitors, a mountaintop like Cheaha is a great place for rock climbing. With your own gear and a paid guide to take you out to Rock Gardens and Pulpit Rock, you can climb and rappel to your heart’s content. Learn more about these outdoor activities here.
If you’re bringing the whole family along for your trip, you’ll be glad to know that Cheaha State Park offers two great playgrounds kids won’t be able to wait to explore. The large playground at the Lake Day-Use Area is close to both of the improved campsites where you may choose to stay with your rented RV. The playground is the centerpiece of the area, which also includes picnic tables, grills, a beach and swimming area, and hiking trails. This is a great place for a family to spend an entire active day outside.
For kids between the ages of two and twelve, the Imagination Tree Playground is the main play attraction at Cheaha State Park. Located in the education village, which is right between two of the park’s main trails, this tree-themed playground is full of secrets to explore. There’s a hidden slide escape, plus treetop forts for imaginative play sessions. The playground’s “expression swings” are fun for younger kids under five to swing face-to-face with an adult to share in the fun!
Cheaha State Park is unique in that it offers not just one but two special museums for visitors to explore—and they’re both completely free! The Walt Farr Native American Museum is located just outside the pay gate across from the park’s store and bears witness to the land’s Native American occupants from an era long gone. Check out the museum’s collection of artifacts including arrowheads, drills, pottery, and more.
The creation of Cheaha State Park itself is documented at the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, located inside of Bunker Tower at the very top of Mount Cheaha. The museum’s collection includes real tools and items used by the C.C.C. in the building of the park’s dam, cabins, observation tower, and more. For information about both of these museums, including operating hours, visit the park’s museum webpage.
Because Cheaha State Park is located within Talladega National Forest, you’re close to the forest itself plus all of the other great attractions in the Talladega area. Talladega National Forest offers miles of hiking and biking trails, opportunities for hunting, and more. For a great adventure away from the RV, consider heading into the Forest for a night of primitive backcountry camping for incredible night sky views deep in nature.
An exploration of Talladega would be incomplete without a mention of the Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR’s biggest track and a gearhead’s playground. Of course, you could choose to visit Cheaha State Park during a race weekend and make the park your home base for an unforgettable NASCAR experience. The speedway is also home to exciting adventures like the Talladega Garage Experience and driving experiences which are available with advance reservations.
Cheaha State Park is home to two recently upgraded campgrounds, the Upper Improved Campground and Lower Improved Campground. Between the two, there are 77 improved campsites, each with full hookups and electric service ranging from 20 to 50 amps plus access to modern and clean bath facilities. Learn more about camping at these developed sites at Cheaha here.
Nearby in Anniston, Alabama is Scenic Drive RV Park, which offers 30 and 50-amp electric hookups, great shower facilities, and an on-site laundromat. The park is right off I-20 on the same exit as Cheaha State Park, meaning you’ll be close to all of the fun and adventure awaiting you each day as you explore the park.
Also in Anniston, Alabama, Gander RV’s Campground of Oxford is a reliable option with 59 RV campsites, 39 of which offer full hookups up to 50 amps. Most of the sites are 30-foot by 72-foot pull-through sites, so even the largest RV rental will fit comfortably here. You’ll be comfortable, too, with the horseshoes, playground, Wi-Fi throughout the park, and excellent shower facilities.
It’s a bit of a drive, but Noccalula Falls Campground in Gadsden, Alabama is a destination in its own right well worth folding into your Cheaha State Park trip. The facility has high ratings with great views of the famous falls themselves, plus mini-golf, a petting zoo, fish feeding area, and easy access to the Black Creek Trails for hiking, running, and biking.
Finally, Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center in Cave Spring, Georgia is worth the trip over the state line to Georgia for the Good Sam discount and excellent amenities. The park offers full hookup RV sites plus canoe and kayak rentals, shuttles and float trips, excellent fishing along the riverfront, plus a driving range.
Inside Cheaha State Park, the Vista Cliffside Restaurant offers upscale cuisine and breathtaking views of the Talladega National Forest from up high. Learn more at the Alapark website.
Alabama is known for its great catfish and southern comfort food, and Lynnie Bo’s Seafood and Wings in Lyneville is a great spot to grab some of both. If you’re more in the barbecue mood, check out Young House BBQ.
Delta might be a small town, but there is plenty to eat throughout the Talladega area. For a list of restaurants in and around Talladega, visit Alabama’s tourism website for the area.