These free sites offer water and pit toilets. After spending the day exploring a section of Alabama's 102-mile Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, I understood why two Native American tribes shed blood over this beautiful land. A more primitive campground is located at Turnip Seed, off the scenic drive. This is the time to keep to the valleys and enjoy the lush new growth. The waters are prime habitat for the Coosa redeye bass, a diminutive cousin of the smallmouth. From the north, take US 278 from Gadsden, Alabama, to Piedmont. In spring, the dogwood and redbud are equally beautiful ~ and the crowds are smaller. From Atlanta, take I-20 west for about 80 miles. In fall, this drive bursts with color as the oak, maple, hickory, and persimmon change color. A hiker's oasis in the hills and valleys of the Midwest. This range breaks off into the Talladega Mountains and the much vaunted Cheaha Mountain, the highest peak in the state. Alaska's premier area for fish and wildlife. Talladega is in eastern Alabama, about 50 miles east of Birmingham and 70 miles west of Atlanta, Georgia. Talladega Mountains This is a low-lying portion of the Appalachians extending into Clay, Talladega and Cleburne counties. Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Alabama. Some quick drops and throw you into the berms and some bumps to air out The hardwood forests, scalped cliffs, and sandstone caves of northern Alabama are good any time of year. Bring your own water. The hiking is a little easier, but still challenging. On August 1, 1935, The Cleburne News reported that the Forest Service was constructing a 75-mile scenic road running along the crest of the main ridge of mountains in the Talladega National Forest. Located in the 217,000-acre Talladega National Forest between the southern metropolises of Birmingham and Atlanta, the Pinhoti (meaning "turkey home" in the Creek language) Trail stretches from Dugger Mountain on the north to the hospitable community of Friendship on the south. This forest is headquartered in Montgomery, as are all four of Alabama's National Forests. Some trail sections are dry for up to 8 miles. USGS maps of Borden Springs, Piedmont, Piedmont SE, Heflin, Choccolocco, Hollis Crossroads, Oxford, Cheaha Mountain, Ironaton, Clairmont Springs, and Talladega SE cover the area. Subfreezing temperatures occur only on an average of one to four full days each winter. The Talladega National Forest is physically separated into two areas, and divided into three Ranger Districts: The forest covers parts of eleven counties in Alabama. A Project funded in part through the Alabama Tourism Department. Cheaha Mountain, the highest in the state of Alabama at 2,405 feet above sea level, rises to the southwest of Horseblock Mountain. The Talladega Mountains Natural Resource Center (a partnership between Jacksonville State University, the Cleburne County Commission and the Talladega National Forest) opened in November, 2012. Tiny Gibson Lake will take you out of Denver in a hurry with its big-wilderness feel and smirking brook trout. A lush mixture of oak, hickory, redbud, maple, sweet gum, sycamore, dogwood, mountain laurel, and mature pines blankets the landscape. The drive climbs to Cheaha Mountain and Cheaha State Park ~ the highest point in Alabama. Little Known Fact: The Creek and Cherokee tribes fought a war over the area that is now Talladega National Forest. Company 3477 began their portion of this construction project north of Cheaha State Park and worked northwards towards Piedmont. A number of S-curves take SR 281 (Talladega Scenic Drive) southwest from the second overlook 2.5 miles to I-20. The forest's second wilderness area, the Dugger Mountain Wilderness protects the area around Alabama's second-highest mountain peak. The pine forests of these hills have been specially managed to provide badly needed nesting areas for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The annual rainfall is 53 inches. Although spring and fall are the best times to view flora and summer can be on the hot side, any time of year is good. The mountain is also the geographic center of the Talladega Forest and the highest point in Alabama. The tiny 7,400 acre (30 km2) Cheaha Wilderness preserves a portion of this natural wealth on Talladega Mountain. It winds along the backbone of the southern Appalachian mountains and offers spectacular views of the Talladega National Forest. Talladega is home to the Talladega National Forest and Talladega Superspeedway. But in autumn, take the ridge trails and absorb the colors. The Talladega Scenic Byway winds approximately 26 miles along the backbone of the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. Spring arrives early (mid-March) and colorfully. The four forests are home to a number of threatened, endangered and sensitive species including the gopher tortoise, flattened musk turtle and the red-cockaded woodpecker. The mountains are graced with several small creeks that twist and tumble through the valleys. In descending order of forest land area they are Cleburne, Clay, Bibb, Talladega, Perry, Hale, Calhoun, Chilton, Tuscaloosa, Cherokee, and Dallas counties. Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge, Coleman Lake: Talladega National Forest, Shoal Creek.