Cheaha Mountain Top to Poverty Point

As we left South Carolina we made a couple of stops for outlet shopping in Commerce, Alabama. The Lodge Cast Iron and Coleman stores helped lighten our wallets a little. We then made our way on to Cheaha State Park. On the map it looked like a short distance off the interstate, but in reality it is a long and winding road that leads to the highest point in the state. Forty-five minutes later we arrived at the top and checked in. We didn't get to spend a lot of time exploring there, as darkness was approaching, but there was plenty to see and do. We built a fire using the ample supply of dead wood around our campsite. I took a look at the restrooms, and they were adequate. Not great, but OK. There was a swimming pool and playground and a lot of other things to enjoy in warmer weather. Cost was $22 per night.

The next morning we were greeted by a fog so thick it restricted visibility to less than 100 ft., so we decided to wait a while before beginning the downhill trip. After waiting for 2 hours we decided to try our luck (even though it was still foggy). Within a quarter mile of leaving the park we were in the clear. We had been waiting in a cloud on the mountain top all that time.

Our late departure from Cheaha put us a little behind schedule. We made it on into Louisiana and decided to try our luck at a State Park with a discouraging name. On our way through there the previous week we had noticed the signs for Poverty Point Reservoir State Park. "What a sad name for a park" we remarked. Well, now it was time to find out. Were we ever surprised! This was by far the nicest park we had been in on this trip. All the roads and campsites were paved and level. The grassy areas around the campsites were mowed. The restrooms were fairly new, clean and it looked like someone took pride in them. There was a laundry room as well with washer and dryer facilities. A playground for kids had the usual playground equipment as well as a water fountain feature for kids (or adults) to play in. The fee for this park was $16 per night plus a one time "reservation" fee of $6. You pay the $6 whether you make a reservation or not, so perhaps it should be called an entrance fee.

Poverty Point National Monument
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)

The park is located just a couple miles north of Interstate 20 at Delhi, Louisiana. It is home to ancient earthworks and is a significant archeological site in North America. It was named after a nearby plantation in the early 20th century.