New $25M hotel to be built at Cheaha State Park

A new hotel is set to be built at Cheaha State Park, replacing the 50-year-old building at one of the park’s overlooks.

The update to the lodging at the park is estimated to cost up to $25 million and scheduled to be complete by late 2025.

Keep reading to see what is planned for the new hotel.

Atop Cheaha Mountain

The new hotel will be perched at one of the park’s highest points, sitting near the southern tip of the Appalachian range.

Construction of the new lodge will use materials found or sourced in the area as a way to showcase how to sustainably build with local natural materials.

“We will demolish the old hotel. We’re building an entirely new lodge right beside the restaurant, so it will all be on the edge of the mountain. All the rooms will overlook the valley. In the old hotel, half the rooms looked over the parking lot. The new lodge will have fantastic views from every room.”

~ Greg Lein, Alabama State Parks Director

According to documents on the State Parks website, the four-story, 26,000 square-foot hotel is set to include:

• 32 rooms
• Conference room
• Rooftop bar
• Observation deck

Hotel reservations have been cut off as work is set to begin soon. Those reservations are expected to re-open in Spring 2026.

Renderings have been made by Chambless King Architects.

Projects to begin in FY2025

The state recently announced a list of projects that are set to begin in the next fiscal year. That list includes:

• $23M for Gulf State Park Campground and Amenities
• $15M for Lake Lurleen State Park Total Rebuild
• Rickwood Caverns State Park Pool House, Cave Entrance and New Playground
• Rickwood Caverns New Entrance Road from I-65
• Chewacla State Park Meeting Facility, New Bath House, Day Use and Playground Upgrades
• Cathedral Caverns State Park New Bath house for Campground and New Playground
• Desoto State Park Lodge Room Renovation

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