Our Cheaha Family Adventure

Last Updated on December 18, 2025 by Stacy Averette

When we moved to Jacksonville 12 years ago, we were thrilled to learn that we were just a short drive from Cheaha State Park. It’s the highest point in Alabama at 2407 feet above sea level, and the coolest spot to be in the middle of July in the south. This park has a lot to offer: great camp sites, a large swimming pool and lake, hiking trails, a restaurant, store, and cabins, chalets, and a hotel if camping’s not your thing. (Update: There’s a lot of new construction at Cheaha and I believe the pool was removed.)

In 2003, we kicked off our homeschooling adventure with a day trip to Cheaha. Here we are at the head of the Silent Trail at the Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area.

This weekend, we hiked the same trail to Devil’s Den Falls. They’ve grown up a bit.

The trail to the falls is steep and busy this time of year but it’s well worth the hike.

We had some jumpers.

Some spectators.

And a snake killer. (Sorry for the blurry photo. He kept waving that snake around, and I couldn’t focus.)

We spent some time at the pool.

Here’s the view from the pool.

We hiked to Pulpit Rock.

It’s also the best only place to get phone service.

We watched the Super Moon.

And we spent lots of time just hanging out.

A good time was had by all.