Cheaha State Park: Bald Rock Overlook (Winter Edition❄️)

Last updated: September 27, 2023

As we explored Cheaha State Park, Bald Rock Overlook was a definite on the list, along with Talladega Forest’s High Falls and Pulpit Rock.

During my visit, I learned that Bald Rock Trail is Alabama’s oldest trail and was created in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a voluntary government work relief program that ran from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men ages 18–25 and eventually expanded to ages 17–28. The CCC was a major part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal that supplied manual labor jobs related to the conservation and development of natural resources in rural lands owned by federal, state, and local governments. They spent their time building many parks we enjoy today! The CCC was designed to supply jobs for young men and to relieve families who had difficulty finding jobs during the Great Depression in the United States. The work they did is honestly quite impressive and there’s even a whole museum dedicated to them at Cheaha State Park. For Bald Rock specifically, they surveyed Cheaha Mountain for areas of natural beauty to showcase to the public. They felt that the overwhelming view from Bald Rock were so breathtaking it needed to be accessible to park guests. A 0.6-mile loop path was created to access Bald Rock Overlook.

In 1999, Senator Doug Ghee initiated the next chapter of the Bald Rock Overlook trail by securing funds to create the 0.3-mile boardwalk to Bald Rock. This boardwalk, on the highest mountain in Alabama, is utilized by over 57,000 park visitors annually and is ADA accessible, which is why it’s named the Doug Ghee Accessible Trail.

Access points are available along the boardwalk so guests can step down on to the original trail and explore the forest floor which is what I utilized. I skipped the boardwalk because I wanted it to feel more of a hike and experience the original trail that was carved out in 1933. Also, I had the dogs with me and the boardwalk was crowded with people and other dogs. I assume most dogs are friendly but you never know how other dogs will react to another dog so I tend to play it safe. This was much more enjoyable for the dogs as it allowed them more sniffing and marking opportunities. Here’s a photo of the boardwalk I took while walking the trail:

Along the way, there is a path to an American Flag retirement vault that holds the ashes of flags that have been damaged by the weather so much, they are no longer able to fly. This was a really unexpected and unique find! I liked discovering this a lot.

The plaque reads:

I am the ashes from our American Flag that has flown over a home or business in Alabama. I can no longer fly! The sun, winds and weather have caused me to become tattered, torn and faded. I am no longer fit for proper display, but I have served my purpose. Lord, please look out for this beautiful place, respect it and love it as I do. Protect it from further development that I may never be disturbed. MY NAME IS OLD GLORY!

Once we reached the outlook, there were plenty of opportunities for some great photos and the view of Alabama was beautiful. Normally I have to work really hard to see these kinds of views, so it felt like I cheated with the short walk to have such an awesome payoff, but I’ll take it!

We completed the original loop that was created almost 100 years ago and made our way to the next adventure for the day, Pulpit Rock. Normally, I would skip this because I’d consider it too easy, but given the beautiful view, I recommend taking time to do this with a caveat to enjoy the original walking trail if you’re able.