Cleburne: Hiking Trails, Lakes and Viewpoints

Cleburne combines scenic heights, lakes and expansive natural areas with a variety of trails. Cheaha State Park in particular shapes the character of the region: It is located at an elevation of up to 2,407 feet above sea level, and parts of the park are in Cleburne County. This creates a diverse range of options for planning your trip, from viewpoints, hikes and water activities to excursions along scenic roads.

Heights, Viewpoints and Special Trails

One notable highlight is the Bald Rock Boardwalk. It ends at Alabama’s highest point, at a viewing platform with a 180-degree view. The Mountain Laurel Trail also reveals another side of the park: The trail follows a creek bank through a laurel thicket to the Rock Garden Outlook. The 1-mile Lake Trail connects Cheaha Lake with Rock Garden and has an elevation difference of 1,000 feet. If you are looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Cleburne, you can therefore consider when planning your trip whether viewpoints, lakeside trails or a significant elevation difference should be the focus of your days.

Cheaha State Park also offers accessible and challenging hiking trails, a lake, a dog park and museums. Special conditions apply to rappelling and climbing: Both activities are permitted in the park only with a permit; Pulpit Rock is a popular rappelling location. You should take this requirement into account if you are planning an active stay with these kinds of activities.

Hiking, Nature and Horseback Riding Trails in Cleburne

The Shoal Creek Ranger District of the Talladega National Forest covers a large part of the western half of Cleburne County. There are viewpoints as well as opportunities for hiking, camping and horseback riding. The final section of the 102-mile Pinhoti Trail ends in Cleburne County. A separate spur is the 3.5-mile Heflin Spur of the Pinhoti National Recreational Trail. Its trailheads are located at Heflin City Hall and on Forest Service Road 500.

Natural areas with a particular focus are also part of the regional offerings. The Choccolocco WMA in Cleburne County near Heflin covers 56,838 acres and allows hunting of big and small game. The Choccolocco Bobwhite Quail Emphasis Area covers approximately 680 acres. If you would like to explore landscapes like these, you can choose your accommodation based on whether you want to focus on extended days in nature, hikes or a variety of excursion destinations.

Lakes, Parks and Road Trips

You can reach the Coleman Lake Recreation Area from I-20 via Exit 199 near Heflin, continuing on US 78 E to Edwardsville and then via County Roads 61, 532 and 500. On site, there is a boat ramp, tent and RV camping, gravel and paved roads, picnic tables, restrooms and accessible access. This makes it possible to combine time by the water with walks and a picnic break without limiting the outing to a single activity.

Heflin is home to Cahulga Creek Park. It covers 176 acres and includes a 100-acre watershed lake. Cahulga Creek runs through the Talladega National Forest. The park offers hiking opportunities, disc golf, a boat ramp, a viewing platform, picnic facilities and restrooms. It is also home to the 18-hole Lake Point Disc Golf Course. The annual Outdoor Jamboree held in early fall by the Heflin Parks and Recreation Department features live music, a beauty pageant, food, arts and crafts, an archery tournament and a children’s carnival.

The Right Base for Your Trip

For travel with large RVs, Cheaha State Park recommends taking Talladega Scenic Drive via Alabama Highway 281. Talladega Scenic Drive is well maintained, wide and easy to drive. The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway runs through Cleburne County and connects Interstate 20 near Heflin with Interstate 59 near Fort Payne. These two roads give your trip planning different focuses: You can choose accommodation as a base for nature experiences or incorporate Cleburne into a longer drive through the Appalachian Highlands. What matters is which combination of hiking trails, lakes, viewpoints and excursions you would like to experience.

More destinations for trip planning: Autauga County, Barbour County, Chilton County, Elmore, Clarke County, Cullman County, Washington County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Alabama.