Thank you for choosing to visit Cheaha State Park!
Here are some insider, know-before-you-go tips!
The Basics:
· Check-in at the Mountain Store: 4pm-5pm for cabins and chalets, Noon-5pm for camping. Arriving later than 5pm? Call The Mountain Store at 256-488-5111 for our late check-in process.
· You will need a valid driver’s license and vehicle license plate number for check-in.
· Check-out: 11am.
· At check-in, you will receive a packet with maps and info. To preview, you can find links for our facility map, a trails map, and Guest Guide at Cheaha State Park | Alapark
· Know the Alabama State Park Rules and Regulations (Our Ranger/Security Team are very good at their job!)
· Quiet hours are 10pm-6am. These are strictly enforced for the comfort of all guests.
· Alcohol is not permitted in public areas of the Park.
· Speed limits are enforced: avoid expensive citations/court costs.
· Currently there is no restaurant within the Park. Lots of snacks and quick meal options are at the Mountain Store, and we have many dining options within 12-24 miles.
· Only one car at a time through the Entrance Gate, and please don’t share Gate Codes. Again, Our Ranger/Security Team are very good at their job, and you don't want to cause someone to get a citation.
· Cancelations must be made outside of 72 hours prior to your arrival for a refund.
· Trails open at sunrise and close at sunset. Plan to be off the trail by sunset, as hiking high elevation trails in low light is dangerous. Always be aware of your surroundings and pay close attention to where you put your hands and feet.
· Watch for wildlife, but it is prohibited to kill or feed any of them.
· WiFi password is 1800ALAPARK.
· Cell service is not good (sometimes NONEXISTENT) in the park. Texting works better than phone calls. The Mountain Store and the Interpretive Center by the Lake generally has the best cell service. Our Park is 2,799 acres of mountaintop surrounded by 370,000 acres of national forest and wilderness. We are almost “off the grid!”
· Firewood and ice available at Mountain Store. Do NOT cut down living trees for firewood, as this will incur a citation and hefty fine. You are welcome to harvest wood that is already dead on the ground with hand implements.
· We are a dog friendly Park, leashes required. Do NOT leave your pet unattended in any RV, tent, camper, chalet, cabin, hotel, or tied up outside. Parks cannot be held responsible for power outages, tornados, meteor landings, or any other terrible atrocity that may occur from your four-legged friends being left alone.
· Golf carts/ATVs are not allowed outside of the improved campground areas unless they are legally registered and tagged.
· Lake is open for swimming/fishing/kayaking March-November.
FOR THE LOVE OF OUR PARK
· FIRE—Precautions. Please be sure to extinguish firepits and grills not being used and please don’t leave them unattended. Also, place completely extinguished cigarette butts safely in waste receptacles. We appreciate everything you do to help us
keep our park safe.
· WATER— Cheaha is supplied by several spring water wells. Please conserve water as much as possible and let us know if you see a leak or the misuse of water.
Events in the Park:
· Events during your visit may include guided hikes, nature and history programs, special holiday events, and movies.
· Visit our Facebook page or Events Page for complete listing. Make sure to select "Cheaha" in the drop-down menu.
Museums in the Park (see website for seasonal hours):
· Interpretive Nature Center (by Lake Cheaha)
· The CCC Museum
· Walt Farr Native American Museum
Directions to Cheaha State Park:
· The Park recommends traveling on the Talladega Scenic Drive from NORTH and EAST (Alabama Highway 281 from I-20 exit 191; AL HWY 431 south to AL281 south) which is a well maintained, wide highway, great for large recreational vehicles.
· From SOUTH of the park, travel on AL Hwy 9 to AL Hwy 49 to AL 281, good for RVs.
· The “road less traveled” is Cheaha Road (Co Rd 42/AL Hwy 21), which winds through the Talladega National Forest. It is not a refined road, and not recommend it for RVs, or those needing frequent bathroom stops.
Emergencies:
- · In case of emergency, always dial 911.
· During storms, high winds, ice, or freak of Nature the POWER will most likely go out parkwide. Pack a flashlight just in case. Refunds are not given due to storms.
· To monitor weather, the Park is in three counties: Cleburne, Clay and Calhoun:
· TV: ABC 33/40 in Birmingham
· Web: abc3340.com
· Apps: ABC 3340 Weather Authority
· Radio: NOAA Weather Radio, WBHM-FM 90.3
· Mountain Store 256-488-5111 8 am – 5 pm (Sun-Thur) and 8am - 9pm (Fri-Sat)
Park Office 256-488-0030 (8:30 am – 4 pm; 7 days per week)
· The Mountain Store has the on-call person posted on the front door for after hours
Please Excuse our Progress!
We strive to be good stewards of the funds that our guests invest in this park. Every dollar spent
in this Park stays in this Park. THANK YOU so much for investing in us!
You may see construction areas around the hotel and old restaurant/pool area. Please pay close attention to signs or flag bearers that are routing traffic. The citizens of Alabama invested in Alabama State Parks and public historical sites through a resounding YES vote to Alabama's Amendment 1 in May of 2022, and we are grateful. Because of this vote, we are in the process of building a NEW hotel! Thank you for your support of Alabama State Parks!
Have a great visit and appreciate our hardworking Team? Tell your neighbor and share pics on social media with us. Have a bad experience? Tell me about it so I can work on fixing it.
Thank you so much for choosing to spend your time with us, and for supporting your State Parks. Our Team Cheaha appreciates you, as do I.
Shonda
Park Superintendent Shonda Borden
Shonda.Borden@dcnr.alabama.gov
