Highest Peak in AL
Trip Details:
Explore Talladega National Forest for Cheaha and visit the wildlife at Oak Mountain State Park.
Trip Type: Weekend to Half week
Destinations: Cheaha State Park, Birmingham Zoo, Oak Mountain State Park, Majestic Caverns
Hotels:
Hampton Inn Birmingham-Colonnade 280
DoubleTree by Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park
Using Google Maps, you can copy and paste the location name or coordinates into the google map search to find them, since most do not have the exact locations listed on their maps. It is recommended to visit the visitor center/main office buildings to obtain a map, and talk with the Rangers about the park.
Can always pick up a souvenir as well.
Cheaha State Park
Link: https://www.alapark.com/parks/cheaha-state-park
Visitor Center: Located within the Cheaha Resort State Park/Park Store: 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258
Park Type: Mountain
Unique Features: Highest point in AL at 2407-ft, Relic & CCC Museum, Cliffside Restaurant, and plenty of overlooks to provide excellent pictures
Park Plan:
Visit the Park Office and Relic Museum, then continue along the one-way road up towards the CCC Museum and Observation Tower, then continue further to Bald Rock Group Lodge to hike the half-mile Bald Rock Trail to the Bald Rock Overlook. After that viewpoint, continue along Bunker Loop Rd until Pulpit Rock Trailhead. (33.484015, -85.814719)
Pulpit Rock Trail: 0.3-mile out and back trail to one of the best views in the park.
Visitors can also hike around Cheaha Lake located further down on Cheaha Rd: 33.474414, -85.821648
Pulpit Rock within Cheaha State Park
Majestic Caverns
Link: https://majesticcaverns.com/
Address: 5181 Desoto Caverns Pkwy, Childersburg, AL 35044
Park Type: Entertainment Park/ Fun Park
Unique Features: Underground cave tours, panning, mini golf, wall climb, water games, laser light shows
Open Weekends only
Birmingham Zoo
Link: https://www.birminghamzoo.com/
Address: 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
Details: Open Tuesday to Sunday 9am-4pm
*Bonus*
Alabama Wildlife Center located 100 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124 | Plenty of Birds of Prey to see.
Oak Mountain State Park
Link: https://www.alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park
Visitor Center: Oak Mountain Park Ranger Station; 33.326489, -86.756182
Park Type: Mountain, Lake
Unique Features: 100 miles of trails for biking, horseback riding, and hiking. The Alabama Wildlife Center for injured native birds, Marina rentals for water sports, golf course, archery range, three fishing lakes…. Everything…this park has everything.
Hiking Trails:
King’s Chair Overlook – Starting from the North Trailhead, take the Red Road up to the Red-Blue Connector, then take the Blue Trial East to the overlook, then continue along the Blue Trail back down to the North Trailhead which completes a loop. Moderate difficulty as this trail climbs up.
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Treetop Nature Trail – located at 33.325040, -86.757461, from a nearby parking lot right by the visitor center. 0.5-mile trail, Easy to Moderate hiking rating as it inclines up through woods. This trail contains a boardwalk with numerous cages housing birds of prey that have been rehabilitated after injuries. After the boardwalk section, the trail continues up the mountain where more animals await.
Sunset at the King's Chair in Oak Mountain State Park