Cheaha State Park: Pulpit Rock (Winter Edition❄️)

Last updated: July 24, 2023

As I explored Cheaha State Park, I knew I wanted to see Bald Rock Overview and Pulpit Rock, along with Talladega Forest’s High Falls. Since Cheaha State Park is atop Alabama’s highest mountain, it’s all about the views.

The hike to Pulpit Rock is a short one, but my is it steep going back up. Being in HR management doesn’t really keep you primed and ready for hiking trips, so I was winded for sure by the time we climbed back out of there.

However, I will say the views were on point. This .06 mile out and back trail offers a rock jutted out among the rest that’s large enough to lay on. I climbed over boulders and made my way down to the rock to catch an uninterrupted view of the beautiful state I call home.

Once I climbed back onto the path, a fellow hiker commented that it was “awfully brave” of me to climb out there. This statement was so curious to me because not once did I consider myself brave. I chalk my “braveness” up to my husbands observation that I have no sense of fear.

Regardless of your fear level, if you can manage to climb out and enjoy the postcard worthy view, I recommend that you do!

I searched high and low online to find out why it was called pulpit rock and couldn’t find a thing. I finally emailed the park and was pleasantly surprised with not only their quick reply, but that they gave me the information they had and forwarded my request to the park historian who also replied with a detailed response. It is clear the people who work there care about the park and it’s history very much, and that gave me the warm and fuzzies and made me want to visit again soon. Here is their response:

This is something that I have not been able to find a solid answer on just yet, but plan on diving into our oldest records to see if anything pops out. I do know there is some sort of Native American connection. Sadly, any prayer seats or structures built would have been lost over the years of improvement throughout the park. The park has been in continuous operation for almost 90 years, and alot of our information has been lost through staff turnover throughout the years.

There was more information provided, but that is the gist regarding the name. Perhaps it’s because you’re praying the whole time you’re climbing to the rock! 😆

Regardless of how it got its name, Pulpit Rock was fabulous and I plan to go back and time this at sunset and perhaps find and chat with the park historian whose family has lived at the base of Cheaha Mountain for generations.

When you visit Alabama, definitely add this to your list of things to do!