Clay County: Lakes, Trails and Regional History

Clay County combines outdoor experiences with places where you can discover the region’s history. Parts of Cheaha State Park in Talladega National Forest are located in the county. There are also the Clay County Lakes: the complex consists of three lakes measuring 13, 23 and 38 acres. Which vacation rental suits your plans also depends on whether you mainly want to hike, enjoy lakeside scenery, explore routes or include cultural attractions.

This lets you choose a place to stay based on your travel preferences rather than just a single type of landscape.

Lakes, Walking Trails and Nature Watching

Canada geese and mallards live at the Clay County Public Fishing Lakes. Wood ducks nest nearby and are regularly spotted there. Restrooms are available, and small boats can be rented. As operating details may change, it is advisable to check on boat rentals before your visit.

The parks also offer different ways to spend time outdoors. Lineville City Park provides access to two lakes, one of which is used for fishing. Flat Rock Park is a day-use park with a short nature trail; fishing is also possible there. Ashland City Park has a well-maintained walking path. The park preserves 27 acres of mixed hardwood and pine forest along a tributary of Horsetrough Creek.

The lakes and parks offer different experiences: birdwatching is also a focus at the Public Fishing Lakes, while Flat Rock combines fishing with a nature trail. The path at Ashland City Park is a specific option for a walk. These differences can help you plan your days around your travel group’s interests.

Hiking Trails with Different Destinations

At Cheaha State Park, Laurel Falls is a seasonal waterfall. The Mountain Laurel Trail follows a creek bank through a laurel grove to Rock Garden Outlook. The park’s trails close at sunset, so plan your hikes to make sure you return in time. Two trails lead to Bald Rock Outlook: a boardwalk and an unpaved path.

At Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area, the Lake Shore Trail forms a two-mile loop around the lake. The Chinnabee Silent Trail connects the campground at Lake Chinnabee with Cheaha Wilderness. Turnipseed is a USFS trailhead for the Pinhoti Hiking Trail; Turnipseed Campground has eight primitive campsites. For horseback riding, the Shoal Creek Horse Trail System includes almost 37 miles of trails. These details can help you decide whether to include a loop around the lake, a trail connecting two areas or a longer riding trail network in your plans.

Driving Routes and Regional History

Cheaha State Park recommends taking Talladega Scenic Drive via Alabama Highway 281 as an access route. The TSALAGI Trails system includes four driving routes through Clay County. The Gana Trail is 58 miles long, consists mostly of unpaved roads and crosses streams at fords. The A WI Trail, by contrast, is a 76.5-mile motorcycle route with 242 curves. The routes therefore differ in their described character; the Gana Trail also includes unpaved sections and stream fords. As road conditions can change, check current conditions before setting out.

The Clay County Courthouse, built in 1906 and listed on the Historical Registry since 1976, is part of the region’s history. The Clay County Museum displays Native American projectile points, historic clothing and textiles, photographs, and musical instruments. The historic Ashland Theatre was originally built in 1914 and opened as the New Ashland Theatre after an expansion in 1943. The City of Lineville Museum is devoted to the town’s history and displays documents, artifacts, clothing and other objects.

Clay County Veterans Memorial Park combines a memorial with other park features, including a pavilion for larger gatherings, a playground and historic military vehicles, among them a World War II tank and a fighter aircraft. In Lineville, Alabama Heritage Day is an annual fall event with food vendors. The Alcarzar Car Show and Swap Meet takes place annually in November. Check current event dates when planning a specific trip.

Discover More Destinations

Delta, Lineville, Barbour County, Greene County, Colbert County, Jackson, Tallapoosa County, Dekalb County.

For the main travel overview: Alabama.