The Bald Rock Boardwalk, also known as the Doug Ghee Accessible Trail, is the accessible route to Bald Rock Overlook inside Cheaha State Park in east-central Alabama. The elevated wooden walkway runs for about 0.3 mile one way, making the boardwalk trip approximately 0.6 mile round trip. It passes through hardwood forest before reaching an accessible overlook above the surrounding ridges and valleys. Unlike many short mountain viewpoints, visitors can reach Bald Rock without using the rough dirt paths that run through the same trail corridor.
Public Street View coverage may stop near the road and Bald Rock trailhead rather than continuing onto the pedestrian boardwalk itself. The view below is centered on the trailhead area inside Cheaha State Park.
| Official trail name | Doug Ghee Accessible Trail |
| Common name | Bald Rock Boardwalk |
| Destination | Bald Rock Overlook |
| Park | Cheaha State Park |
| Location | Near Delta, Alabama |
| Boardwalk length | About 0.3 mile one way |
| Approximate round trip | 0.6 mile |
| Published walkway measurement | About 1,520 feet |
| Route type | Out and back |
| Surface | Elevated wooden boardwalk |
| Accessibility | ADA-accessible boardwalk and overlook |
| Wheelchairs | Boardwalk route is designed for wheelchair access |
| Strollers | Boardwalk is commonly used with strollers |
| Rest points | Benches along the walkway |
| Interpretation | Signs covering local nature, culture and mountain history |
| Parallel route | Natural-surface trail options run beside portions of the boardwalk |
| Trail hours | 7:00 a.m. to sunset daily |
| Day-use admission | Ages 0–3 free; ages 4–11 $2; ages 12+ $5; ages 62+ $2 with ID |
| Military admission | Veterans and active military free with ID under the current Parks for Patriots policy |
| Overnight guests | Separate day-use admission does not apply to park overnight guests |
| Parking | Bald Rock Trailhead Parking Lot, Cheaha State Park |
| Park address | 19644 Hwy 281, Delta, AL 36258 |
| Park elevation | Cheaha Mountain reaches 2,407 feet, Alabama’s highest natural point |
| Dogs | Leashed dogs are listed as an allowed use for the Doug Ghee trail; check current park rules before visiting |
| Cell service | Limited in parts of Cheaha State Park |
| Trailhead restrooms | Dedicated facilities at the Bald Rock parking area are not clearly documented; use park facilities before starting if needed |
| Typical visit time | About 30–60 minutes for the boardwalk, overlook and return |
| Manager | Alabama State Parks |
| General information | 256-488-5111 |
What the Bald Rock Boardwalk Route Is Like
The route is short, but its purpose is different from a conventional mountain hiking trail. The wooden boardwalk creates a continuous developed path through terrain that would otherwise require travel over soil, rocks, roots and uneven forest floor. Railings line the elevated sections, benches provide places to stop, and interpretive panels are placed along the route.
Cheaha State Park lists the Bald Rock Trail at 0.3 mile. A separate Alabama Birding Trails description gives the elevated walkway a measurement of approximately 1,520 feet, which is just under 0.3 mile. Park programming has described the trip to Bald Rock and back as approximately 0.6 mile total. These figures refer to the short boardwalk access route rather than a longer hike assembled from nearby trail connections.
Natural-surface paths also occupy the Bald Rock corridor. They let hikers travel through the forest beside portions of the constructed walkway, but those dirt routes should not be treated as having the same accessible surface as the boardwalk. Visitors choosing the Doug Ghee route can remain on the developed walkway all the way to the overlook.
Accessibility on the Doug Ghee Trail
The defining feature of this trail is its accessible boardwalk connection to Bald Rock Overlook. Both the Doug Ghee trail profile and regional trail information identify the walkway as wheelchair accessible, and the overlook at the end is reached by the developed route rather than by a final flight of steps or a required rock scramble.
That distinction matters at Cheaha. Much of the surrounding mountain landscape is naturally rocky, and several other park trails include steep grades, roots and uneven footing. The Doug Ghee boardwalk provides a different visitor experience: a short woodland route built specifically to reduce those barriers.
Accessibility can still be affected by temporary repairs, wet boards, storm debris, ice or other maintenance conditions. Visitors who need certainty about current surface conditions should contact Cheaha State Park before making a long trip. The boardwalk has required periodic maintenance during its service life.
Bald Rock Overlook at the End of the Boardwalk
The boardwalk terminates at Bald Rock Overlook, where the forest opens to a broad mountain view over the wooded landscape surrounding Cheaha. The transition is part of what makes the short route distinctive: most of the walk is enclosed by trees, while the final area looks outward across the ridges and valleys of east-central Alabama.
The developed overlook is the appropriate stopping point for visitors relying on the accessible route. Rocky terrain beyond developed walking surfaces should be treated separately from the boardwalk itself. Conditions at exposed rock can be very different from conditions on the constructed trail.
Bald Rock is not the exact summit of Alabama. Cheaha Mountain contains Alabama’s highest natural point at 2,407 feet, but Bald Rock is a separate overlook on the mountain. Descriptions that call Bald Rock itself the state’s highest point blur two different locations inside the same park.
Parking and the Bald Rock Trailhead
The practical destination for a boardwalk visit is the Bald Rock Trailhead Parking Lot inside Cheaha State Park. Official park event notices have used this parking area as the meeting location for accessible Bald Rock hikes. Regional trail directions place the parking area near Bald Rock Lodge along the park road.
For navigation, search for Bald Rock Boardwalk / Doug Ghee Accessible Trail, Cheaha State Park, Alabama. The park’s main published address is 19644 Hwy 281, Delta, AL 36258.
Cheaha State Park recommends reaching the mountain via Alabama Highway 281, the Talladega Scenic Drive. The park describes this road as wide and suitable for larger recreational vehicles. Cheaha Road/County Road 42 from the Munford direction is narrower, curvier and has uneven pavement, and the park does not recommend that approach for large RVs.
Trail Hours and Cheaha State Park Admission
Cheaha State Park currently lists the Bald Rock Accessible Trail as open from 7:00 a.m. until sunset daily. The park also states that admission stops 30 minutes before sunset and that day-use areas and trails close at sunset. Visitors should therefore treat sunset as a closing time rather than planning to remain at the overlook after dark.
Current day-use entrance fees are $5 for visitors age 12 and older, $2 for children ages 4–11, and $2 for visitors age 62 or older with ID. Children age 0–3 enter free. The Parks for Patriots program provides free admission for veterans and active military members with ID. These are park-wide admission charges rather than a separate Bald Rock Boardwalk fee.
Hours, admission rates and temporary trail access can change. Visitors traveling specifically for an accessible outing should check the Alabama State Parks Cheaha page on the day of travel, especially following severe weather or during maintenance periods.
Boardwalk Surface and Mountain Conditions
A wooden boardwalk removes many of the rocks and roots associated with mountain hiking, but it does not remove weather exposure. Wet leaves, rain, frost or ice can reduce traction on wood, particularly during cooler months and shaded conditions beneath the forest canopy.
Bald Rock is also an exposed overlook on a high mountain. Wind and temperature can feel different at the overlook than in the sheltered forest or lower elevations. Thunderstorms, high winds and winter weather are good reasons to postpone the walk rather than rely only on conditions observed before driving up the mountain.
Cheaha State Park reports limited cellular service in parts of the park. Saving the park map, trail location and return directions before arrival is useful even for a short route such as Bald Rock.
Why the Trail Is Named for Doug Ghee
Cheaha State Park dates to 1933 and retains a strong Civilian Conservation Corps legacy. Bald Rock was identified early in the park’s development as a viewpoint worth connecting to the visitor trail system, and a natural-surface route served the overlook before the modern accessible boardwalk existed.
The National Recreation Trails profile for the site records that Alabama Senator Doug Ghee secured funding in 1999 for a 0.3-mile boardwalk to Bald Rock. The resulting trail carries his name while “Bald Rock Boardwalk” remains the more descriptive name many visitors use when searching for the route.
Interpretive signs along the walkway add context about Cheaha Mountain’s natural and cultural history. The combination of interpretation, rest areas and a developed overlook means the structure functions as more than a shortcut to a viewpoint; it is an accessible interpretive trail through the mountain forest.
Forest Setting and Low-Impact Use
Cheaha State Park sits within a much larger public-land landscape surrounded by Talladega National Forest. The boardwalk keeps visitors on a defined surface through the hardwood forest, which helps concentrate foot traffic while still allowing close views of the mountain vegetation.
Visitors should remain on established surfaces, leave plants and rocks where they are, carry out trash and avoid feeding wildlife. Cheaha State Park follows Leave No Trace principles and specifically asks visitors to control pets, respect wildlife and keep travel concentrated on established routes in heavily used areas.
Bald Rock Boardwalk Questions
Are Bald Rock Boardwalk and Doug Ghee Accessible Trail the Same Trail?
Yes. Doug Ghee Accessible Trail is the trail name, while Bald Rock Boardwalk describes the wooden accessible route leading to Bald Rock Overlook. Both names are used for the same boardwalk.
How Long Is the Walk to Bald Rock Overlook?
The boardwalk is about 0.3 mile from the trailhead to the overlook. Returning by the boardwalk makes the outing approximately 0.6 mile.
Can a Wheelchair Reach Bald Rock Overlook?
The Doug Ghee route is identified as an ADA-accessible boardwalk, and the developed overlook is reached from the boardwalk. Visitors who depend on particular surface or mobility conditions should confirm current maintenance status with the park before traveling.
Is Bald Rock Alabama’s Highest Point?
No. Bald Rock is an overlook on Cheaha Mountain. Cheaha Mountain’s highest natural point is 2,407 feet, but the exact summit and Bald Rock Overlook are not the same location.
Is There a Separate Fee for the Bald Rock Boardwalk?
No separate boardwalk ticket is listed. Day visitors pay the normal Cheaha State Park entrance fee. Overnight park guests are not charged the separate day-use admission.
Visitor Information Sources
- Alabama State Parks — Cheaha State Park — park address, access routes, current day-use admission, operating notes and park contact information.
- Alabama State Parks — Cheaha Hiking Trails — Bald Rock Trail distance, boardwalk route and trail-closing guidance.
- Alabama State Parks — Interpretive Center — current 7:00 a.m. to sunset operating hours for Bald Rock Accessible Trail.
- Alabama State Parks — Entrance Fees and Annual Passes — published day-use admission categories.
- Alabama Birding Trails — Cheaha State Park Bald Rock Trail — 1,520-foot walkway measurement, accessibility, trailhead location and regional GPS information.
- National Recreation Trails — Doug Ghee Accessible Trail — boardwalk naming, route classification, interpretation and trail history.
Visitor hours, admission prices, maintenance closures and park rules were checked against current park information available in August 2026 and should be verified again before travel.