Cheaha State Park: Bald Rock Overview (Summer Edition☀️)

Last updated: September 27, 2023

In January 2023, I went to Cheaha State Park for the sole purpose of visiting Alabama’s highest point, but it was shut down due to a recent storm. While this was a major disappointment, I still enjoyed other features of the park by visiting Pulpit Rock, Bald Rock Overlook and even explored the neighboring Talledega National Forest by hiking to High Falls.

Fast forward to July 2023 and I’m back again (this time with my parents) to finally make my way to Alabama’s highest point. While there, I took the opportunity to introduce them to Pulpit Rock, Bald Rock Overlook, and Leave No Trace Bigfoot Challenge Trail. Afterwards, we headed to Talledega National Forest to hike Devil’s Den Falls! Below are some photos of our Bald Rock Overview adventure.

I have some history on Bald Rock Trail in my post from January 2023, but as a reminder, it’s Alabama’s oldest trail and was created in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC 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. I did that last time I visited, so this time I took the boardwalk.

I’m honestly glad I redid this trail as I think we got much better photos this time around. Check it out below!

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.

You’ll have to climb your way down to get to the rock below the boardwalk.

As we walked back, a deer came running out from under the boardwalk. This was a beautiful sight to see it running through the forest. We were able to see it for quite some time as we continued walking. I believe this happened because we were the only ones on the board walk and spent quite a bit of time at Bald Rock which means the boardwalk was quiet for a while. Poor deer… we probably scared it half to death.

I think this concludes my time at Cheaha State Park. I’ve been twice now and while there are still things to do and explore, it has served it’s purpose for me as I can now say that I’ve been to the highest point in Alabama. Plus, it’s almost a three hour drive and I have so many other options that are close, include Bankhead National Forest which is only 30 minutes away from my house. You’ll be seeing posts about that very soon! I say all of that, but it wouldn’t take much to talk me into going again. 😀

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment below!