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. 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
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:
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-dominated an …
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 …