Located in a quiet area of western Alabama, Chickasaw State Park is a wonderful place for RV lovers who are looking to get away from it all. The 520-acre state park was first developed in the 1930s by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The state of Alabama has owned the property where Chickasaw State Park resides since 1819, and it is located in rural Marengo County.
The terrain found in and around Chickasaw State Park features mature mixed pine-oak woodland that is perfect for exploring. It is a very popular place for Alabama bird watchers as it offers a lovely space for viewing birds year-round, but it is especially great during seasonal migrations. While the park is on the smaller side, there is plenty to do outside of its boundaries. The area surrounding Chickasaw State Park is ideal for hunting since it is adjacent to the Turnipseed-Ikenberry Place Physically Disabled Hunting Area and not far from the David K. Nelson Wildlife Management Area. If you want to kick back and relax, picnic tables and grills are available throughout the park, including three pavilions available for reservation through the park office.
The Chickasaw State Park is not big by any means, but there are three modern RV sites with water and 30-amp electrical hookups that you can choose to call home. Reservations for the campground are recommended since it is so small. Chickasaw State Park is open all year round.
Finding your way to Chickasaw State Park is fairly easy since it is located right off of Highway 43 in Gallion, AL. The park is located in a rural area, but the roads are well maintained, so you should have no problems getting to and from the park. If you need to pick up any supplies or amenities before your visit, there are few places you can stop by to the north and south. These towns include Linden (around four miles away), Demopolis (about 13 miles away), and Thomaston (around 15 miles away). The closest cities to Chickasaw State Park are Meridian (around 65.5 miles away) and Montgomery (approximately 104 miles away).
Since Chickasaw State Park is located right off US- 43, there are no windy roads, switchbacks, or other obstacles that you will have to deal with upon your arrival. You shouldn't have any issues with wild winter weather in the area, but if you are worried about whether the park will be open or not, you can contact the park office prior to your trip. There are plenty of places to park if you are just visiting for the day, and that parking area is located right near the campground.
The Chickasaw State Park Campground is one of the smallest in the state since there are only three completely developed RV sites available at any given time. Being a small campground does have its benefits, including being quiet and tranquil. The available RV sites do feature some great features, including water and 30-amp electrical hookups. Other amenities in the campground include clean restrooms, a playground, a wading pool, picnic facilities, and easy access to hunting areas. Reservations at Chickasaw State Park Campground are highly recommended due to the small number of sites, and reservations can be made by calling the park office. Chickasaw State Park Campground is open all year round.
For guests interested in history and architecture, Waldwic Plantation is an interesting find. Originally built in 1840, Waldwic Plantation, which is often referred to as the William M. Spencer, III House, was renovated in the Gothic Revival Style in 1852 and is located close to the park. Later the home was the residence of William Spencer. Mr. Spencer was an attorney who was elected to the Alabama senate in 1901. This house is significant in that it is one of approximately 20 Greek Revival structures remaining in Alabama. Waldwic is one of the best-preserved structures of the Greek Revival remaining and is listed on the National Register of Historic places and also a stark reminder of the slavery history that is tied to the area.
Chickasaw State Park offers the opportunity for year-round birdwatching. It is an ideal place to relax and watch the seasonal migrations, and it is part of Alabama’s Black Belt Birding Trail. The mature trees and open canopy in the park offer great sightings of migrant, resident, and wintering songbirds year-round. During the summer months, you may get to see white-eyed vireos, indigo buntings, ruby-crowned kinglets, and palm-warblers. Winter brings the opportunity for sightings of slate-colored juncos, chipping, and white-throated sparrows. Remember to pack your binoculars and your checklist to make the most of your birding time at the park.
Chickasaw State Park is an ideal spot for hunters. It is adjacent to the Turnipseed-Ikenberry Place Physically Disabled Hunting Area as well as the David K. Nelson Wildlife Management Area. Since it is so close to these hunting areas, it is a convenient camping destination for hunters looking for their next big find in the Alabama Black Belt region. Deer hunters will have heard of the Black Belt vicinity of Alabama as it is renowned for white-tailed deer. The Black Belt area, so named due to the nutrient-rich soil, is well known to produce large bucks with exceptional antlers. Many trophy-winning deer have been bagged in this area, and maybe you will be the next person to get one!
If you want to learn even more about the history and culture of the area, the Oak Grove School is located nearby Chickasaw State Park. This two-room school was built in 1925 by Julius Rosenwald and the surrounding community for the education of minority children. The school is on the National Register of Historic Places and was designed in the mid-19th century Gothic Revival style. The school is open by appointment, and the private owner may be reached via phone for appointments if you wish to take a tour.
Chickasaw State Park offers over three miles of hiking trails through the mature pine-oak forest. It has access to one of the only virgin pine forests remaining in Alabama. The trails meander through mature forest, offering frequent sightings of native wildlife and native and migratory birds. The trails include footbridges over natural culverts, so you will have some great opportunities to take some scenic photos. Chickasaw State Park also offers 2.5 miles of roads with bridges that can accommodate hiking and biking through the park. The trails and roads were part of the original construction of the park completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935.
The quiet ease of Chickasaw State Park makes it an ideal place for social gatherings. This roadside park in western Alabama touts numerous picnic tables and grills. There is a playground for the kids to keep them entertained, and there is the occasional sighting of native wildlife and great opportunities for bird-watching. The park offers four large pavilions for larger group gatherings. One of the pavilions offers a built-in barbecue pit making it a wonderful site for larger gatherings of family and friends.
