Kings Chair, Cahaba River Travel Guide

4.9 (118)

Hike to King's Chair in Oak Mountain State Park for breathtaking views of Alabama's natural beauty. A moderate trail with a rewarding panorama.

King's Chair Overlook, located within Oak Mountain State Park, offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Alabama landscape. A moderate 4.2-mile hike leads to a unique rock outcropping resembling a chair, where visitors can sit and soak in the beauty of the Talladega National Forest and the park's rolling hills.

A brief summary to Kings Chair

Birmingham, Alabama, 35242, US
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Monday 10 am-12 pm
Tuesday 10 am-12 pm
Wednesday 10 am-12 pm
Thursday 10 am-12 pm
Friday 10 am-12 pm
Saturday 10 am-12 pm
Sunday 10 am-12 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Kings Chair.

Wear appropriate footwear for a moderately challenging hike with steep inclines and rocky terrain [3, 14].
Bring water and snacks, as the hike is approximately 4.2 miles round trip [12].
Visit during the week to avoid weekend crowds [11].
Bring $5 cash for the park entrance fee [2, 7, 10].

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Explore Kings Chair on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Kings Chair, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From I-65, take exit 246 for Valleydale Road. Head east on Valleydale Road for approximately 7 miles. Turn right onto Terrace Drive. Follow Terrace Drive for about 1 mile to reach the park's main entrance [11]. Once inside the park, follow signs to the North Trailhead parking lot [3]. Note that there is a $5 per adult entrance fee to the park [2, 7]. Parking is available at the North Trailhead [3].
Public Transport

Take the MAX Transit line 280 bus from Birmingham to the Valleydale Road and Inverness Corner Shopp stop [5, 11]. From there, it is approximately a 7-mile taxi or ride-share to the park entrance. A taxi or ride-share from the Valleydale Road stop to the park entrance will cost approximately $15-$25 [11]. Once inside the park, follow signs to the North Trailhead parking lot. Note that there is a $5 per adult entrance fee to the park [2, 7].

Discover more about Kings Chair

King's Chair Overlook is a highlight of Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama's largest state park, encompassing nearly 12,000 acres [11, 15]. The overlook is reached via the King's Chair Loop, a moderately challenging 4.2-mile hike that begins at the North Trailhead [3, 14]. The trail follows the blue-blazed South Rim Trail, ascending through diverse terrain with both steep inclines and declines [3, 14].As you hike, keep an eye out for the blue rectangular blazes that mark the South Rim Trail [3, 14]. Along the way, you'll find other trail offshoots, including one leading to the Scenic Creek Overlook and another to the Eagle's Nest overlook [3]. The main trail eventually leads to the King's Chair Overlook, marked by a sign pointing towards the final destination [14].The King's Chair itself is a natural rock formation that resembles a chair, offering a comfortable spot to sit and admire the view [4, 14]. From this vantage point, you can see for miles, with the Talladega National Forest visible in the distance [4, 14]. The panoramic vista makes the hike well worth the effort [3, 14].