Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park
Reviewed Dec. 7, 2022

Alabama's highest mountain!

General: Two improved campgrounds (Upper and Lower), two primitive campgrounds, chalets, cabins, and a motel. We camped in the improved Upper campground, so this review is focused on that. I would recommend you arrive during daylight hours as it was challenging for us to find our site in the dark! There is very limited cell service in the park and none in the campgrounds. 

Site Quality: Gravel and pavement; most looked level. They are all rated tent/RV and small- medium– large and they mean it! We have an 18-foot campervan, and we were pretty snug in Site 19. Also, it was hilly and the angle to back into the site was somewhat challenging. All of the sites are FHU. We were warned that freezing temperatures were expected during our stay and that we could not stay connected to water or the spigot would break if not drained and that we would be charged a $125 repair fee. Each site has a metal picnic table, a BBQ grill, and a fire ring with a grate. 

Bathhouse/Shower: Basic but clean. No hooks to hang toiletry bags but it looks like there used to be some. The showers looked a bit sketchy but since it was so cold during our visit, I didn’t feel the need to check them out. Plenty of toilet paper but hubby reported that in the men's room, there always seemed to be toilet paper unraveled all around the restroom! 

Activities/Amenities: Several short hiking trails and longer forest service ones nearby. Mountain biking, although I read on the All Trails app that the trails are extremely challenging for biking. I agree that with so many leaves covering the roots and rocks, the trails were more challenging (hubby slipped and fell on one hike). There is a small store and a pool for in-season. Rappelling is also popular in this park but requires a permit. There was a small informative CCC museum (there was significant evidence of the work of the CCC in the park). There was also a small “fairy garden” near the entrance that was quite adorable. There was a postcard in the store that showed an impressive waterfall but it was completely dried up in November! There used to be a restaurant/bar but it has been closed indefinitely due to staffing issues. 

Cheaha State Park prides itself on being a Leave No Trace Park (one of about a dozen in the US) but while there were two large dumpsters by the campground, there were no recycling bins.

Site19
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Upper Improved Campground — Cheaha State Park by Lee D., December 7, 2022