Piedmont Plateau | Clay | Best Seasons: Fall | Spring
Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area offers first-rate resources for nature-loving visitors: A beautiful lake, interesting plants, numerous birds, along with essential amenities. This is perhaps the “birdiest” site in this entire unit of the Talladega National Forest. Watch for a variety of woodland birds, including Red-eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Parula, and Yellow-throated and Hooded Warblers.
The 17-acre lake and small, heavily forested recreation area are tucked into a pastoral valley of peacefulness, suitable for hiking, picnicking and fishing. The lake has marshy areas good for shore birds, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and Wood Ducks. Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks nest in the area, and a variety of ducks are routine visitors in winter months. Osprey sometimes hunt the lake. The Recreation Area provides access to several hiking trails:
CHINNABEE SILENT TRAIL, which connects to the 7,245-acre Cheaha Wilderness Area, is 6-miles and goes by waterfalls near the Lake Chinnabee Recreation area and the Talladega Scenic Byway.
LAKE SHORE TRAIL is a two-mile trail around Lake Chinnabee. All part of the Talladega National Forest.
Be sure to visit nearby Cheaha State Park when visiting.
GPS: 33.4600939 -85.86664
Talladega Ranger District
Mailing Address:
1001 North Street
(Highway 21 North)
Talladega, AL 35160
256-362-2909
Site Accessibility
Though not fully accessible, there are ample opportunities to bird from the paved parking lot. A paved road that leads to a separate picnic area at the far end of the lake is also sparsely traveled and could be birded with caution. The lake itself can be viewed from your car.
Leave Cheaha State Park and turn right. At 1.4 miles, turn right. See signs that you are leaving Cheaha State Park and entering Talladega National Forest. Go 5 miles, and turn left to Lake Chinnabee.
Amenities Available: Boat Launch, Gravel or Dirt Trails, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Wheelchair Accessible
Nearby Sites
Ashland City Park
Ashland City Park preserves 27 acres of mixed hardwoods and pines along a tributary of Horsetrough Creek, with a well-maintained walking path as well as children’s playground, picnic tables, and a skateboard park. The land to the left (east) of the e …
Cheaha State Park
Mount Cheaha is Alabama’s highest point, and it is one of the southernmost locations to find a number of the state’s more interesting breeding birds, such as Blue-headed Vireos, Cedar Waxwings, and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Additionally, Cheaha State Park …
Clay County Public Fishing Lakes
The Clay County Public Fishing Lakes are attractive and open, with waders and Wood Ducks present year-round. Expect waterfowl in winter; look for Ospreys and Bald Eagles over the lakes all year. Fields near the entrance have Northern Bobwhites, Easte …
Crooked Creek Watershed Site #3 Nature Trail
The nature trail leading through the densely-forested tract at Crooked Creek Watershed Site #3 is remote and has limited access, but the potential for finding good birds here is quite high. The habitat around the 53-acre lake is hardwood-dominat …
Lineville City Park
Lineville City Park provides access to two lakes, one of which is used for fishing. As one enters the park, the lake is surrounded by a walking trail bordered by woods, and featuring views of the highest point in Alabama, Mt. Cheaha. The lower lake i …
Turnipseed Camp
Located in the Talladega National Forest, Turnipseed Camp is an excellent addition to birding in nearby Cheaha State Park. It provides a nice stop for woodland songbirds, and is easily reached via the Talladega Scenic Byway. This small, rustic cam …