Alabama’s Chewacla State Park offers close to 700 acres of recreational outdoor space in the near the Auburn-Opelika area of Eastern Alabama.
Chewacla State Park is home to the 27-acre Lake Chewacla, perfect for swimming and fishing. With no boat ramp, traffic is limited to small craft such as canoes and kayaks, and the lake is home to bass, bream, catfish and crappie. A small lakeside beach area is used for swimming. The dam’s spillway, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930’s creates the picturesque Chewacla Falls. Three covered open-air pavilions are located throughout the park. The Beachside Pavilion is located adjacent to the lake. The Lower Pavilion is the most secluded of the three, and is adjacent to the playground, while the Upper Pavilion, the only one with electricity, is located next to a small field perfect for a game of kickball or soccer.
Hiking for all levels runs through the park’s varied terrain. Visitors can hike through the short interpretative Sweet Shrub Trail, which runs alongside the Moore's Mill Creek from the Lower Pavilion, or challenge themselves with longer hikes such as the Troop 30 Boy Scout Trail, a longer trail that follows Moore’s Mill Creek to the park’s boundary, and then loops back to it’s starting point at Murphy Drive. Eagle Scout Trail is a wide, easy to follow trail that follows the shore of Lake Chewacla in some parts. The Deer Rub Trail follows Chewacla Creek to Walnut Shelter. The trail takes hikers past large gneiss boulders that are estimated to be billions of years old.
Mountain biking trails throughout the park are maintained by the Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP). CAMP is an official member of the International Mountain Biking Association and is committed to improving the lives of visitors to the park by maintaining a network of safe, well maintained trails, and educating the public on mountain biking and its benefits. Close to twenty miles of cycling trails in the park include everything from flat loops around the campgrounds to intermediate single-track trails and advanced technical trails with jumps, dips and vertical climbs. The NORBA National Trail is a historic trail and home of the first ever NORBA National mountain bike race to be held east of the Mississippi River.
Accommodations at the park include six stone cottages built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The recently renovated cottages now have modern kitchens and bathrooms, hardwood flooring, stone fireplaces and central heating and air conditioning. The cottages are available for rent year round, and linens are provided. Additional camping options include thirty-six RV hookup sites, and ten primitive camping sites. Each campground is equipped with shower and toilet facilities.
Wildlife at the park includes chipmunks, squirrels, red foxes and deer. Among the park’s birds are wild turkey and waterfowl such as Kingfishers and Blue Herons. In the spring, native Rhododendron and mountain laurel are in full bloom along many of the park’s trails. Chewacla State Park is one of a handful of Alabama State Parks that allows falconry as a method of hunting during squirrel and rabbit season.
History: In the late 19th century visitors were flocking to the water surrounding Wright's Mill for swimming and recreation. By the 1930’s the Civilian Conservation Corps had built the park’s six cabins, along with a network of trails and additional facilities, including a stone arched bridge, and the dam that created Lake Chewacla. In 1939, the state of Alabama took possession of the area, and designated it a public park.
Ongoing Programs and Education: Alabama State Parks offer an online video series on outdoor skills. Videos include information on selecting the proper footwear for outdoor recreation, and basic gear needed for camping.
The iNaturalist program is a downloadable app that helps visitors identify native flora and fauna in the parks. Visitors can also record their observations by uploading photographs of wildlife they see in the parks, which helps contribute to the species list for each of the parks.
The Alabama State Park system is part of the Alabama 100 Miles Challenge, a non-profit initiative designed to encourage Alabama residents to walk, hike, bike, boat or swim 100 miles each year. Participants log their mileage via the 100 miles app and share their progress on social media platforms.
What’s Nearby: Chewacla State Park is located just 5 miles from Auburn University, and just 15 miles from Opelika’s historic downtown.
124 Shell Toomer Parkway Auburn, AL 36830, Phone: 334-887-5621