The Heart of Dixie
Alabama
Deep river gorges, longleaf pine savannas, and the southern end of the Appalachian foothills.
Alabama at a Glance
Longleaf Pine
Talladega National Forest is actively restoring longleaf pine savannas, a habitat that once covered 90 million acres of the South
Appalachian Tail
Cheaha Mountain marks the southern end of the Appalachian chain, and Cheaha State Park sits within the national forest boundary
Wild Rivers
The Cahaba River, one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America, flows through the Talladega Hills
Rare Species
Alabama has more freshwater fish, mussel, and crawfish species than any other state due to its unique river systems
Pinhoti Trail
The Pinhoti Trail runs 172 miles through Talladega National Forest, serving as a connector to the Appalachian Trail in Georgia
Old Growth
The Talladega-Cheaha Wilderness protects some of the last old-growth forest in Alabama, with trees over 300 years old
When to Visit
October through May for the most comfortable hiking. Summer is hot and humid but manageable in the higher elevations of the Talladega Hills. Fall brings mild temperatures and foliage along the ridgelines.
Top Activities
Gateway Cities
Anniston
The closest city to Talladega National Forest's Talladega division, with access to Cheaha Mountain and the Pinhoti Trail system.
Tuscaloosa
Gateway to the Oakmulgee division of Talladega National Forest, with access to the Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area and local outfitters.
Did You Know?
Talladega National Forest is the only national forest in Alabama, split into two units: the Talladega and Oakmulgee divisions.
The Pinhoti Trail's name comes from the Creek word meaning 'turkey home,' and wild turkeys remain abundant throughout the forest.
Cheaha Mountain's summit tower, built by the CCC in the 1930s, is still used as an observation deck and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Alabama's Sipsey Wilderness was the first wilderness area east of the Mississippi River to be designated under the Wilderness Act of 1964.
The forest contains remnants of the Civilian Conservation Corps camps from the 1930s, including stone structures that have survived nearly 90 years.