Lodging at the
Also the Southern States 100
Photo from John’s Mountain Overlook Aid Station by Pete Schreiner
Southern States 200
March 19th through 23nd, 2025
Will you ride the shuttle to the start?
IF YOU ARE RUNNING THE SOUTHERN STATES 200 WITHOUT A CREW, YOU WILL NEED TO LEAVE YOUR CAR AT THE FINISH. WE DO NOT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION BACK TO THE START IN DALTON.
Those leaving their car at the Cheaha State Park:
We are doing things differently in 2025. Runners must stay somewhere the night before the SS200 so we are simplifying things. If you are running the 200 without a crew, you will need to ride the shuttle to the race start and leave your car at the finish in Cheaha State Park. The shuttle will leave Cheaha State Park Tuesday about noon and take runners to Dalton, GA. Those riding the shuttle will need to reserve a room for Tuesday night at the host hotel on College Dr. near the convention center. The hotel will be announced later. You will be dropped off Tuesday afternoon at the host hotel. Wednesday morning, we will transport you to the race start location in Mill Creek, about 4 miles from the hotel.
Those not riding the shuttle:
Runners not riding the shuttle may choose to stay at the host hotel or elsewhere. There are 14 major hotels within 5 miles of the start of the Southern States 200. Prices range from $70 to $200. We will select a hotel that’s more reasonable and includes a hot breakfast. We will likely have runner check-in Tuesday afternoon at the host hotel. It will probably be optional but could be mandatory depending on the number of registered runners.
The Rustic Cabins in Cheaha State Park - built in the 1930s
Camping at Cheaha State Park Improved Camping for Tents, Small RVs, Large RVs, Rustic Camping & Glamping.
Lodging Along the Southern States 200 Course
Your crew may want to reserve lodging along the course near where you expect to be each day. Although there are no large towns near the course after Dalton, there are several small towns that do have lodging.
Dalton is close to the first 3 aid stations, Snake Creek Gap, John’s Mountain and Dry Creek Equestrian Trailhead.
Calhoun, Georgia has 18 hotels and is 25 to 28 miles from Dry Creek Aid Station and 31 miles from Mack White Gap.
Rome, Georgia is 24 miles from the Georgia Highs Point Aid and Sleep Station, 12 miles from Huffaker Aid Station and 16 miles from Cave Spring Aid Station.
Summerville, GA has one small hotel and is 7 miles from the Georgia High Point Aid and Sleep Station at Rolater Park.
Cedartown, GA has one hotels. The town is 10 miles from Cave Spring and 9 Miles from Old Jackson Chapel Trailhead, 15 miles from High Point, Alabama Trailhead, and 17 miles from Low Point Aid Station.
Piedmont, Alabama There is one hotel in Piedmont. Piedmont is 9.7 miles from Alabama High Point Aid Station and 16 miles from Low Point Aid Station. Google Maps shows you can reach Low Point AS by Vigor Rd, CR 70, but Vigor road is closed. You must reach Low Point coming in from the east via Hwy 278 and CR 227.
Heflin, Alabama is close to Coleman Lake and Fray’s Blowdown Aid and Sleep Stations. Heflin one hotel and an RV park. The hotel actually has good ratings. Heflin is 22 miles from Hilltop Blue Aid Station, 20.3 miles from Coleman Lake Aid Station, 7.7 miles from Highrock Aid Station and 7.8 miles from Fay’s Blowdown.
Camping at Coleman Lake Campground - There is a very nice campground at Coleman Lake across from the Coleman Lake Sleep and Aid Station. There is NO cell reception at the campground.
Oxford, Alabama is located on Interstate 20, 18 miles from Cheaha State Park. There are a number of major hotels at the intersection of I-20 and Hwy 431. The hotels are 12 miles from Fay’s Blowdown and 18 miles from Highrock Aid Station.
Cheaha State Park is just 17 miles from Fay’s Blowdown and 24 miles from Highrock Aid Station. The park is also 18.4 miles and 30 minutes from Hotels in Oxford, Alabama, on Interstate 20.
Lodging near the start of the Southern States 100 Race
Rome, Georgia has many hotels that average about 12 - 15 miles from Cave Spring Trailhead.
Summerville, GA has one small hotel and is 7 miles Cave Spring.
Cedartown, GA has one hotels. The town is 10 miles from Cave Spring
The information in the section above applies to 100 runners and crews as well as 200 runners.
Lodging in Dalton, Georgia, 4 Miles From the Start (A Few Examples)
Courtyard by Marriott 785 College Drive, Dalton, GA, 30720 (706) 275-7215
Room - 1 King Bed with Sofa bed - Sleeps 3 - The price is $152 total - includes taxes & fees
Room - 2 Queen Beds - Sleeps 4 The price is $152 total - includes taxes & fees
Fairfield Inn & Suites - 786 College Dr, Dalton, GA 30720 (706) 529-4634
Room - 1 King Bed - Sleeps 2 Price - $163 total - includes taxes & fees
Room - 2 Queen Beds - Sleeps 4 Price - $186 total - includes taxes & fees
Best Western Plus - 715 College Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30720 - (706) 272-9099
Room - 1 King Bed - Max Occupancy: 2 - $ 164.59 Night includes taxes & fees
Room - 2 Queen Beds - Max Occupancy: 4 - $ 164.59 Night includes taxes & fees
Comfort Inn & Suites - 905 West Bridge Road, Dalton, GA, 30722, US (706) 259-2583
Room - 1 King Bed- Max Occupancy: 2 - From $114 Total includes taxes & fees
Room - 2 Queen Beds - Max Occupancy: 4 - From $123 Total includes taxes & fees
Lodging in Cheaha State Park
The Cheaha Inn at Cheaha State Park is not available in 2025. It is going to be torn down and rebuilt. It will not be finished until 2026.
The Chalets in Cheaha State Park
Additional lodging at the Pinhoti Ridge Retreat is available 20 miles southwest of Cheaha State Park
The retreat has 5 new cabins available to rent through Airbnb. They range from two to four bedrooms. The retreat is just steps off the Pinhoti Trail. (Not on the sections the SS200 uses.) This would be an awesome place to rest a few days before the run or spend a couple of day recovering afterwards.
