Cheaha State Park
| Cheaha State Park | |
|---|---|
|
A view from Cheaha Mountain. | |
  Location of Cheaha State Park in Alabama | |
| Type | State Park |
| Location | Clay and Cleburne counties, Alabama |
| Coordinates | 33°29′8.0874″N 85°48′33.2274″W / 33.485579833°N 85.809229833°WCoordinates: 33°29′8.0874″N 85°48′33.2274″W / 33.485579833°N 85.809229833°W |
| Area | 2,799 acres (1,133 ha) |
| Elevation | 2,116 feet (645 m)[1] |
| Created | 1933 |
| Operated by | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Cheaha State Park is a 2,799-acre (1,133 ha) state park in Alabama, located in northern Clay and southwestern Cleburne counties. The park, which is Alabama's oldest continuously operating state park, encompasses Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state.[2] Park facilities include a lodge, restaurant, general store, campsites, hiking trails, and other amenities.
History
The park opened to the public in 1933, after the state acquired the property. The park's first six years saw a joint effort by the state and the National Park System that allowed for construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps of Cheaha Lake and its stone bath house, eleven stone cabins, two stone pavilions, Bunker Tower, and the Bald Rock Group Lodge. The first phase of construction was completed in 1939. A new hotel, restaurant, and five chalets were added in 1973, and restored and renovated in 1997.[2]
Activities and amenities
- Day-use: The park has day-use areas for picnicking, swimming, and fishing.
- Scenic overlooks: Cheaha Mountain is topped with Bunker Tower, a stone building with an observation deck on top. Near the peak, Bald Rock has a wheelchair-accessible wooden walkway that provides an overlook of the surrounding region.
- Hiking: The park features the Cheaha Trailhead of the Pinhoti Trail system which weaves its way through the Talladega National Forest and connects to the Appalachian Trail.[3][4]
- Overnight stays: The park has 73 modern campsites that include water, electric, sewer hookup, a picnic table, grill, and bathhouses. It has 11 semi-primitive campsites with picnic tables, grills, and a bathhouse. Cheaha Lodge has 30 hotel rooms with a swimming pool. Accommodations also include chalets and cabins. The stone Bald Rock Group Lodge is used for conferences and weddings.[5]
References
- ↑ "Cheaha State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Cheaha State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
- ↑ "Waterfalls Located in the Talladega National Forest". Cheaha State Park. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
- ↑ "Pinhoti Trail System". PureBound.com. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ↑ "Bald Rock Conference/Group Lodge". Cheaha State Park. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
External links
- Cheaha State Park Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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