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Area Attractions

Area Attractions

McClellan Multi-Use Trails

McClellan’s Multi-Use Trails include the first Phase I trails in Alabama built specifically for the middle and high school bike races. There are a total of three phases of difficulty across 18 miles of forested trails, making them the perfect setting for biking, hiking, walking, and running. Local and state-wide athletic groups also host various biking and running events at McClellan’s Multi-Use Trails throughout the year. Click here to learn more

Camp McClellan Horse Trails

The Camp McClellan Horse Trails are comprised of 900+ acres transferred by the MDA to the Calhoun County Commission with the building and maintaining of the trails being conducted by the McClellan Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of America, Alabama. The trails are open for horseback riders and offer public primitive camping for $10 a night. The trails are open Monday – Sunday with $5.00 per trailer day ride fee. No fee for BCHA McClellan Chapter Members. Click here to learn more

Anniston Natural History Museum

Expect the Unexpected!  Take a journey through one of the Southeast’s most outstanding collections of natural history specimens. Dare to take an African Safari through the LaGarde African Hall.  Soar beyond imagination in a bird-watchers paradise.  Discover Egyptian mummies over 2,000 years old.  Explore “Dynamic Earth” and “Underground Worlds” Open Tuesday – Saturday 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m., and Sunday 1:00p.m. – 5:00p.m. We are closed on Mondays Sept.-May. We also have nature trails and picnic area available. For more information call 256-237-6766

Cheaha State Park

Coming in at 2,407 ft. above sea level, Mt Cheaha is without doubt the highest point in Alabama, and just minutes away from Calhoun County. The park provides majestic views, mountain biking, Indian artifacts museum, modern motel facilities, cabins, chalets, camping, accommodations, fishing, hiking, and swimming. Join us for amazing panoramic views and delicious food at Cheaha Mountain Restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Open Daily. For more information call 256-488-2272.

Chief Ladiga Trail

The Chief Ladiga Trail is Alabama’s first extended rails-to-trails project. It wanders some 33 miles through the countryside of Calhoun and Cleburne counties and connects the municipalities of Piedmont, Jacksonville, Weaver, and Anniston. Seen along the way are beautiful wetlands, streams, forests, farmland, and a horizon filled with mountains. The Trail is a family oriented pathway that provides a safe, non-motorized way to travel, exercise and relax while enjoying the outdoors. For trail maps or information call 256-447-3363.

Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail

Coming in at 2,407 ft. above sea level, Mt Cheaha is without doubt the highest point in Alabama, and just minutes away from Calhoun County. The park provides majestic views, mountain biking, Indian artifacts museum, modern motel facilities, cabins, chalets, camping, accommodations, fishing, hiking, and swimming. Join us for amazing panoramic views and delicious food at Cheaha Mountain Restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Open Daily. For more information call 256-488-2272.

Desoto Caverns Park

Retrace Hernado’s DeSoto’s expedition over 450 years ago through the South. Explore DeSoto Caverns, the Lost Maze and pan for real gold and gemstones that DeSoto never found. The park also features a picnic area, camping, hiking, and playground facilities. For information call 256-378-7252.

Jacksonville State University

“The Friendliest Campus in the South” welcomes you with a number of cultural offerings ranging from theater to music to visual arts. It’s one of Alabama’s largest universities founded originally as Calhoun College in 1869. The campus is located on Highway 21 North. For more information call 256-782-JSU1.

JSU Field Schools

From Alabama’s deepest canyon to its highest mountain, JSU Field School is your source for learning about the unique culture and natural history of Northeast Alabama. JSU Field School programs and events cultivate a comprehension of Alabama’s natural and cultural significance, celebrate diversity, and foster stewardship of the natural world. Our instructors apply immersion-based learning, Natural History interpretation and outdoor adventure to create unique programs that are not only educational but extremely FUN! So whether you join us for a hike, a paddling trip, a nature camp, a campfire talk, an astronomy safari, or an environmental arts workshop, you will be enchanted by our style of teaching.

Noccalula Falls Park

This landmark is named after Noccalula, the legendary Indian Princess, who leaped to her death into the waters below. The main feature of the park is a notable 90-foot waterfall with a gorge trail winding through its basin and past caves, an aboriginal fort, an abandoned dam, pioneer homestead, and Civil War carvings. The park also features a petting zoo, mini-golf course, the Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge (built 1899) and a replica 1863 C. P. Huntington train ride. It was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on May 12, 1976. For more information call 256-549-4663.

Oxford Lake

A great place for friends and family, Oxford Lake has several activities to offer. A .67 mile walking track that encompasses Oxford Lake. Children’s playground, 3 tennis courts, 7 covered picnic pavilions, horseshoe pits and volleyball area, swimming pool, a par 3 golf course with driving range, and 2 separate ball complexes consisting of 4 softball fields and 5 baseball fields along with batting and pitching cages all make up the area around Oxford Lake. Plenty of parking for everyone and everything is within walking distance.

Oxford Performing Arts Center

The Oxford Performing Arts Center is THE performance and concert venue for Oxford, Calhoun County, and the surrounding area in northeast Alabama.   With 1,200 seats and in the middle of historic downtown, Oxford, Alabama, it held its first performance on May 17, 2013.  This exciting venue has state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, a proscenium stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, and ample wing space and storage space.

The Pinhoti Hiking Trail

The Pinhoti Hiking Trail is Alabama’s premiere long-distance recreation trail, spanning 110 miles and traversing the ridges and crests of the Talladega Mountains. It starts in the southern end of the Talladega National Forest and extends through Calhoun County to the Georgia line. For more information call 256-463-2272.

Talladega National Forest

Nestled in the foothills of the Southern Appalachians, the Talladega National Forest offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities within minutes of Calhoun County. The area features three campgrounds, several mountain lakes, a game management area, the Talladega Scenic Byway, and the Pinhoti Trail system.

Talladega Superspeedway

Live life in the fast lane! It’s the fastest closed track in the world with records exceeding 200 m.p.h. The Superspeedway hosts two major stock car races annually; the Winston 500 and the Diehard 500. Open daily 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with bus tours of the track until dark. Fifteen minutes from Calhoun County. For more information call 256-362-2261.

Buckner Event Plaza

The Center has a rich heritage. It is one of the early McClellan buildings designed and constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style.  Buckner Events Plaza offers a 250-seat theatre, an exhibit hall/conference center, arts studio/workshops and a cafe/lounge for your dining pleasure. Designed to attract artisans and craftspeople in drama, music, dance, painting, film and associated arts, and perfect for receptions, conferences and social events in a variety of architectural spaces to be found here. Buckner Events Plaza is located at 412 Buckner Drive in the heart of the Spanish Colonial Historic District.