Talladega Scenic Drive
Alabama Highway 281 along the ridges of the Talladega National Forest, from near Heflin past Cheaha State Park to Adams Gap.
Also known as Alabama State Route 281
Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation, America's Byways collection (National Archives), Public domain, source
- Length26.4 miles[1]A National Forests in Alabama handout calls it a 29-mile stretch.
- Drive timeAbout one hour to drive the byway[1]FHWA's "time to allow"
- RoadsAlabama Highway 281[3]
- Start and endUS 78 just west of Heflin to the end of the pavement at Adams Gap Road and Forest Road 600[2]
- Fees and passesNo fee to drive the byway; FHWA lists a $1.00 per person fee for the optional side trip into Cheaha State Park.[1]Check the state park for its current entry fee.
- Best seasonSpring flower season and fall color season; the drive is open year-round[4]Peak visits come in the fall color season, October and November.
- SurfacePaved; the byway ends where the pavement ends at Adams Gap[2]
- Vehicle notesAlabama State Parks calls Highway 281 a well-maintained, wide highway that large RVs can drive easily.[3]The park does not recommend the alternate Cheaha Road (County Road 42) for large RVs.
- Seasonal closuresOpen year-round, but an occasional winter storm can close the drive for a day or two.[4]
Before you go
Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Facts last checked against the sources on October 29, 2026.
About the drive
The Talladega Scenic Drive is Alabama Highway 281 through the Talladega National Forest. It starts at US 78 just west of Heflin and runs south along the backbone of Horseblock and Cheaha mountains, the southern tail of the Appalachians, until the pavement ends at Adams Gap.
The main side trip is Cheaha State Park, which sits on Alabama's highest point at 2,407 feet. The park has overlooks, trails, a lake and a restaurant, and it charges its own entry fee.
FHWA suggests about an hour for the drive itself. The state park says Highway 281 is the easy way in for big rigs; the back road from Munford is narrower and rougher.
Stops along the way
-
Heflin
Town near the north end of the drive, at US 78.
Official information · 33.649, -85.58746 · about 2.4 mi from the route line
-
Horseblock Mountain
One of the ridges the road follows through the national forest.
Official information · 33.51017, -85.75962 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
-
Cheaha State Park
Park at the top of Alabama, 2,407 feet above sea level.
Official information · 33.47759, -85.81154 · about 0.1 mi from the route line
-
Adams Gap
South end of the drive, where the pavement stops.
Official information · 33.40401, -85.87441 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).
Food along the way
Farmers markets within about 25 miles
- Main Street MarketOxford, AL · about 7.7 mi from the route
- Calhoun County Farmers' MarketAnniston, AL · about 9.8 mi from the route
- Anniston Downtown MarketAnniston, AL · about 9.8 mi from the route
- Talladega Farmers' MarketTalladega, AL · about 12.9 mi from the route
- Jacksonville Farmers' MarketJacksonville, AL · about 13.8 mi from the route
Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.
In season during the best months to drive
The drive's best months are Apr, May, Oct, Nov. Typical U.S. seasons from our Fresh Market Guide; local harvests vary.
- Acorn squashSep, Oct, Nov
- Butternut squashSep, Oct, Nov
- CarrotsApr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
- ChestnutsSep, Oct, Nov
Keep exploring
Scenic drives nearby
- Ridge and Valley Scenic BywayGA · about 77 mi away
- Selma to Montgomery March BywayAL · about 98 mi away
- Natchez Trace ParkwayAL, MS, TN
- Alabama's Coastal ConnectionAL
More scenic drives in Alabama
Food and farms in the area
Sources
- America's Byways: Talladega Scenic Drive (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Talladega Scenic Drive (Recreation.gov) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Cheaha State Park: driving directions (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) (checked 2026-10-29)
- America's Byways: Talladega Scenic Drive, visitor services (FHWA byways.org, archived copy) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-22.
Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).