Cheaha State Park
State park · Alabama
Alabama's highest point at 2,407 feet anchors this Talladega National Forest park, where stone-built Bunker Tower's observation deck overlooks the state's best mountain fall color, usually peaking in early-to-mid November along the Pinhoti Trail's ridgelines.
Don’t miss
Peak: November 9–November 13
Color builds from October 27 · mostly bare by December 5
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at Cheaha State Park’s own coordinates and elevation (737 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
Cheaha State Park on the map
More things to do in Alabama
DeSoto State Park
State parkPeak November 10
Little River Canyon's upper reaches cut through this Lookout Mountain park, where 104-foot DeSoto Falls drops into a rhododendron-lined gorge and trails color up through late October and into November, later than most of the state.
Don’t miss: DeSoto Falls · Little River Canyon access · Late-season color
Old Baker Farm
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks November 14
A Shelby County farm with over 200 years of history, opening its pumpkin patch southeast of Birmingham on September 26, 2026. Visitors ride a hay wagon out to the field, walk a corn maze and pick cotton straight from the row.
Don’t miss: Hay wagon out to the pumpkin field · Corn maze and hay maze · Pick-your-own cotton
Atrox Factory
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 13
Fifty thousand square feet of indoor haunt east of Birmingham, billed as the largest all-indoor haunted house in the Southeast and ranked among the top 10 in the country. Over a quarter-mile of hallways; the 2026 season opens Friday, October 2.
Don’t miss: 50,000 sq ft, quarter-mile of hallways · Lights Out nights Oct 31 and Nov 1 · Child-friendly actorless night Oct 14
Hidden Rivers Farm
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks November 11
A Morgan County farm halfway between Birmingham and Huntsville, open late September through Halloween for a pumpkin patch and corn maze. Kids launch pumpkins from an apple cannon, ride the zip line, dig for gems, and visit the animal pens, while parents claim a spot at the tailgate tent for Saturday football.
Don’t miss: Pumpkin patch and corn maze · Apple cannon and zip line · Gem mining and animal pens
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does Cheaha State Park peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 9–November 13 (best estimate November 11). Color starts around October 27 and is mostly bare by December 5.
- What is Cheaha State Park best for?
- Alabama's best fall overlook.
- How do I get to Cheaha State Park?
- The closest city is Birmingham, about 58 mi away. It's part of Alabama's fall lineup.
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