Established Camping
McDill Point Backcountry — Cheaha State Park
About
State Park
Start hiking at Cheaha Trailhead, located at the far end of a parking area just before you get to Cheaha State Park on Highway 281. Follow the Cave Creek Trail until you reach the Pinhoti connector, and hang a right to take the Pinhoti Trail northbound. Look for a sign that points to McDill overlook, and follow a side trail for the last quarter mile. Along this side trail you’ll pass the wreckage of a small plane that supposedly crashed back in 1972. Look for blue and white pieces of the plane off the trail to your right. Keep going and you’ll eventually come to a campsite that would comfortably fit 3 or 4 tents, only about 100 yards shy of the overlook. Camping in this area is a great option because you’re close to the cliffs, but protected from the wind. There are also a few spots right at the cliffs that are big enough for a small tent or hammocks and have better views, but are a bit breezier. The boulder cliffs are an awesome place to hang out at sunset or for stargazing, just remember to keep a headlamp on you! The next day, backtrack the quarter mile and continue on the Pinhoti back towards Cheaha State Park. Several rocky outcroppings provide some good views along the way.
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Pets
- Fires
LegendBeautiful
This is an incredible site with an amazing view that is not far from McDill Point. This site is really best for someone who will be hammock camping since it does not have a great flat area to set up a tent. It is also fairly exposed so may not be the best option in winter when it can get on the colder side at night. However, for spring and fall camping I would highly consider staying the night here since you will get some incredible views, particularly at sunset and sunrise.
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LegendA room with a view!
When searching the top backpacking sites in AL, I came upon this location. I wanted an amazing place to take my 12-year-old grandson for his first backpacking trip. I hoped he would fall in love with it. This site delivered. The trail to McDill Point was rocky, but clear, well marked, offering several scenic mile. At McDill Point, there is a lot previous storm damage, but that did provide plenty of firewood. The site is on the ledge with just enough room for one tent and a hammock. We had georgous long range views on a crystal clear day. After building a fire, making dinner and roasting marshmallows, we sat to enjoy the most beautiful sunset and then the stars emerging into a brilliant light show. The wind was howling, so after the fire burned out, we hit the hay. Overnight, the clouds, fog and gentle misting rain rolled in, obscuring the view. Hiking out the next morning, I could tell that this would not be our last visit. This site was everything I wanted for him. Pro tip: Just past McDill, there is a side trail that takes you to debris from a 1972 plane crash site.
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ScoutBeautiful spot
Visited this site on a one-nighter trip. We parked at the Cheaha trailhead; the trail splits a couple of hundred feet from the parking lot. Going right will take you to the Pinhoti Trail, which is the most direct route to the camp site. Once you reach the turn off, there are multiple places to camp along the 1/4 mile trail to the overlook. The best area is on the west side at the end of the trail. It offers a beautiful view of the sunset, but it is a little to sloped for tents.
Location
McDill Point Backcountry — Cheaha State Park is located in Alabama
Coordinates
33.454614728182406 N
85.8215011901461 W