The park opened to the public in 1933. From 1933 to 1939, the Civilian Conservation Corps was active in the park creating Cheaha Lake and building numerous structures including a stone bathhouse, eleven stone cabins, two stone pavilions, Bunker Tower, the Bald Rock Group Lodge, and several hiking trails.[4] A hotel, restaurant, and five chalets were added to the park in 1973.[2]
On January 4, 1944, a P-38 Lightning warplane, piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Chester R. Gunkel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was flying from Love Field, Dallas, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia and crashed into Bald Rock. A machine gun was recovered from the crash site and was subsequently donated to the park museum in 2023.[5]
In September 2020, Cheaha State Park was one of eleven Alabama State Parks awarded Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award, which recognizes businesses and attractions that earn consistently high user reviews.[7]
Activities and amenities
Day-use: The park has day-use areas for picnicking, swimming, and fishing.
Scenic overlooks: Cheaha Mountain is topped with Bunker Tower, a stone building with an observation deck on top. A wheelchair-accessible wooden walkway on the Bald Rock Trail provides another overlook of the surrounding region.[8]
Overnight stays: The park has 73 modern campsites and a smaller number of semi-primitive campsites. Accommodations also include a 30-room hotel, chalets, and cabins.[3] The Bald Rock Group Lodge is used for conferences and weddings.[10]
