Bikers will enjoy the Chief Ladiga Trail (Alabama’s first extended rails-to-trails project) which runs from Piedmont through Jacksonville, Weaver, and Anniston along its 32-mile path to the Georgia border where it connects with the Silver Comet Trail.
The Calhoun County area is located in northeast Alabama at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. The county offers breathtaking scenery year round. The area’s natural beauty has made it the ultimate haven for outdoor recreation.
Cheaha State Park is located atop Mt. Cheaha, the highest peak in Alabama at 2,407 feet, and is just a few minutes from Calhoun County. The park and the mountain take their name from the Creek word “Chaha,” which translates roughly to “High Place.” Cheaha State Park is located in the middle of the 280,000-acre Talladega National Forest. The park is handicap accessible and provides majestic views, motel facilities, cabins, chalets, and camping accommodations as well as fishing, hiking and swimming.
The Dugger Mountain Nation Wilderness Area, located in the Talladega National Forest & Calhoun County, is the second highest peak in Alabama and home to hundreds of plant and animal species. Its natural beauty and breathtaking scenery make it the perfect place to camp, hunt, hike, fish or ride horseback through the trails.
Talladega Superspeedway, known as the fastest, most competitive motorsports venue in the world, is located close by. Records for the most lead changes, most leaders, fastest qualifying speed and fastest average race speed have been established at Talladega. Talladega hosts the NASCAR Spring Cup Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). Several driving schools regularly visit the speedway including the Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure, Richard Petty Driving Experience and the NASCAR experience. The facility is also used for various automotive testing purposes.
The International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the history of motorsports. The facility is located next to the Talladega Superspeedway and houses a collection of racing vehicles and memorabilia from 1902 to the present. The annual International Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is held each year on the grounds of the museum to honor those men and women chosen for induction from among the greatest names in all of motorsports.
Golfers have access to several golf courses including Silver Lakes, one of the 10 courses making up the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Other popular area golf courses include Anniston Municipal Golf Course, Cane Creek, Cider Ridge, Indian Oaks, Pine Hill and the private Anniston Country Club course.
The North Alabama Birding Trail encompasses 50 viewing sites in 11 counties. All sites can be accessed by vehicle, and many also have associated walking and hiking trails. Canoeists and boaters will enjoy the waters of Piedmont’s Terrapin Creek.
Anniston is home to the Anniston Museum of Natural History and the Berman Museum of World History, both located in LaGarde Park. At the Anniston Museum of Natural History, one can explore the wilds of Africa, the wonders of the North American wilderness and the mysteries of 2,000 year-old mummies in the museum’s seven exhibit halls. The museum is home to one of the country’s oldest exhibits of birds in their habitats.
The Berman Museum of World History houses a unique collection of 8,000 artifacts from throughout the world and the weapons collection of the late Farley Berman, a Calhoun Countian who worked for military intelligence during his career. Included in the collection are hundreds of bronzes, paintings by European and American artists, historically significant artifacts, ethnographic material, art from Asia, weaponry, and historical documents. The museum has rotating displays as well, showcasing some of Alabama’s best artists and/or collections of interesting artifacts.
Since 1946 the Knox Concert Series has brought world-renowned musical and dance productions to the area.
Jacksonville State University’s Drama Department presents 5-6 productions each year. JSU is one of only four theatre departments in the state of Alabama to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
Community Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), a local theatre group, hosts three plays and one musical each year.