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Recreation

Cherokee County is known for its beautiful landscape and geographical features, attracting visitors from around the region. The county's attractions span from Weiss Lake and Little River Canyon National Preserve to a historical drive-in movie theater, a sailing club, and other outdoor adventures. For more information about area attractions, visit the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce website or call the Chamber at 256-927-8455.

Canyon Mouth Recreation Area

Located in the Little River Canyon National Preserve, this park includes a day-use facility for swimming, hiking, and picnics. In certain parts of the park, visitors can fish, hunt, and ride horses.

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Weiss Lake

Weiss Lake covers 30,200 acres and is fed by the Little River, Coosa, and Chattooga rivers. There are four free public access areas and 37 privately run marina services around the lake. Weiss Lake is known for its fishing, having been named the "Crappie Capital of the World". In addition, to the crappie, fisherman can catch bass, sunfish, and catfish. Weiss Lake also offers plenty of other water activities, including water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, and swimming. There are many campgrounds, rental cabins, and other lodging around the camp.

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Cherokee Rock Village

Located near Leesburg and Sand Rock, Cherokee Rock Village is a 200-acre county-owned park that contains limestone and quartz boulders, rising to 200ft and measuring 70 feet wide in some places. The place is a popular destination for avid rock climbers and also has walking/hiking trails.

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Cornwall Furnace Park

Located in Cedar Bluff, Cornwall Furnace Park contains the first cold blast furnace in the country to be powered by water. The furnace, which was used to supply iron for the Confederacy during the Civil War, now serves as a centerpiece for the park. Visitors can take advantage of the nature trail and picnic pavilion located in the park. Cornwall Furnace Park is a National Historic Site.

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Jacksonville State University Field Schools – Little River Canyon

The JSU Little River Canyon Field School provides classes, tours, and events that are open to the public. Some of the programs offered have included themed hikes, paddling clinics, storytelling events, archaeology tours, workshops, and K-12 field trips and outreach programs.

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Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River Canyon is the deepest canyon in Alabama and one of the most extensive canyon and gorge systems in the eastern United States. Little River, which runs through the canyon, begins at 1,900 feet above sea level on top of Lookout Mountain and ends at 650 feet above sea level into Weiss Lake. There is a 23-mile scenic rim road, which offers views of the canyon vista. The preserve includes hiking trails, picnic areas, swimming areas, and more.

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Pratt Memorial Park

Pratt Memorial Park in Centre is dedicated to the memory of John Jonathan Pratt, who is credited as being the inventor of the first typewriter. Pratt, who built his original machine in part from knitting needles, was a resident of Centre in the late 1800s. His grave is located in the Pratt family cemetery in Pratt Memorial Park.

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Yellow Creek Falls

Yellow Creek Falls, located in Leesburg, makes a 100 foot drop into Weiss Lake. The falls create a great place for fishing. There are camping, RV hook-ups, and other lodging options nearby.

Cherokee Country Club

This 18-hole golf course was constructed in 1969. The course features a mix of tight fairways and water traps and the facility includes a putting green, and driving range. The country club is located near Centre.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Silver Lakes, one of the locations on the world-famous Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Golf Trail, is located just south of Cherokee County in Glencoe, AL. Silver Lakes includes three championship nine-hole courses and a short nine-hole course. Other nearby RTJ golf courses are near Huntsville and Birmingham, AL.

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Civil War Sites

Cherokee County was the site of several historical moments during the Civil War. A 67-mile historical trail runs through the county and depicts the ride of John Henry Wisdom, who rode his horse and buggy from Gadsden, AL to Rome, GA to warn of an impending raid on a Confederate cannon factory by Union troops. The county was also the site of "Streight's Raid", during which Confederate General Nathan B. Forrest forced the surrender of troops from Union Colonel Abel Streight's army. Many of the historical markers are located along State Route 9.

411 Drive-In Theatre

Built in 1953, the 411 Drive-in Theater in Centre is one of eight remaining theaters of its kind in Alabama. The theater has two screens, showing the latest in Hollywood films.

Cherokee Historical Museum

Established in 1987, the Cherokee Historical Museum highlights important events and people in the history of Cherokee County. The museum is located in an 18,000 square foot historical building in Centre and has 15,000 artifacts, including photographs, antique farm equipment, and Native American artifacts. The museum is located at 101 East Main Street in Centre.

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Contact Us

801 Cedar Bluff Road
Centre, AL 35960 USA

256.927.1805
256.927.1811
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