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    Chewacla State Park

    4.2 (40 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Chewacla State Park Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Chewacla State Park

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    Davida B.

    We went camping here in mid June 2023. There was a ton of trash in the fire pit from the last campers. That annoys me. I didn't get a friendly vibe from the staff upon arrival but she did answer basic questions. I'd spoken to a gentleman over the phone prior to arrival that was very nice and helpful. We really enjoyed the trail to the waterfall and definitely recommend that.

    Typical campsite. This is number six site. See grill to cook food over fire and picnic table.
    Karl P.

    Phone reservation was set up because website wasn't working. The guy (park ranger?) was super cool, relaxed and helpful. That was awesome. We had to book two nights primitive camping on the weekend. No problem. Upon arrival, the young lady (college student?) was short of welcoming. Also, she didn't let you pick your spot. There were approximately 4 spots open when we arrived on Friday at 4:30pm. She also informed me they had no firewood. It was about 5 minutes to the gas station that is ready to sell you firewood at $10/bundle. Come on people. These normally go for $5/bundle. We used 4 bundles and that was about perfect for 3 h of campside chat. Bathrooms are super clean with laundry, book drop, showers, lit at night community pavilion. The bathrooms were warm at 45F (outside). Yellow pollen hits here mid to late March if you don't want to avoid that. Wind was fairly loud at night but the hill and trees kept it calm at our site. Biking trails are amazing. Recommend this place.

    Site #4 Full Hook Up
    Les T.

    Very nice park with lots of trails. We hiked but most of trails were for mountain biking. There is a nice walking path just outside the park. The park had full hook ups for an RV, clean shower facilities, tent sites, with picnic areas and a swimming area.

    Geocaching puzzle
    J David H.

    When touring a new area I always try to explore the natural side. This was my first time in Auburn and by far I thought this park would be the highlight of the week. It's the only state park in the area and dates back to President Theodore Roosevelt's time. As a matter of fact it was his "New Deal" program during the depression that put people to work and built many of the buildings you will still see today. Finding Chewacia State Park is not difficult since it is off the main drag of the city and signage is good at Shell Toomer Pkwy. When entering the park you check in at the small stone ranger station. I pulled over to get park info and chatted with park staff. They were wonderful in providing everything I needed to explore the grounds. I knew that I would be coming a few times, so I was not going to hit everything in one day. The price is dirt cheap at $2 for most and this allows you to do everything outside of a few rental items on the water. The most notable sign of improvements was right up front and boy was it really cool. A newer mountain bike obstacle course looks off the hook amazing. I witnessed a few kids doing it and they were having a ball. The park has a total of 16 miles of bike trail and this is something they are hoping to expand even more due to a high level of interest. It does not cost a dime more, so bring your two wheelers and take on their huge 15 foot wall. This is a mountain biker enthusiast dream come true. I checked out the park map to find around a fifteen unique trails to enjoy. All 8 miles is pet friendly if on a leash. I knew there was no way to conquer this in one day, but set off to enjoy what I could over several visits. They were really great. Several of the trails do have serious erosion issues which need to be addressed, I am unsure if anything is currently being done, but a plan should be in place to restore them. I assume there is such a plan with scarce funding for the park being central to the problem. The 26 acre lake is the parks main attraction and sets among beautiful trees. As you enter it will be on your right. Play grounds and a larger building housing changing rooms and restroom are at the top of the hill before descending to the lake. The building is an old 1930's CCC project and is all stone like other construction at the park. It's adequate, but in need of restoration. The playground equipment is old steel type and in poor shape with flaking chips of paint on everything I saw. The two sections are divided by a bridge and both are old. Obviously the recent resources in the bike trail were a higher priority than the play area. In my opinion it needs to be a top priority. Some things you can be nostalgic about, this is not one for me, it just too old and too poor of shape and presents safety concerns. Swimming is permitted on the beach area that is by the playgrounds. Rentals are available to paddle boat and canoe at $5 per hour. The paddle boats I saw docked did not look in great shape, however I am sure functional. Now when it comes to the water quality of this lake I am no expert, but personally I would not let my kids swim in it. It looked even worse in an area by the bridge cross over. Stagnant trash filled algae water is just unsightly. I drove deeper into the park and encountered pavilions that were again original CCC construction. None were dilapidated, but all looked like they needed some amount of renovation.The pavilions are a reasonable rental at just $50 for an entire day. This is money well spend for family gatherings, or group functions. The largest is top of the hill close to the man made waterfall. This would be my first choice. It not only had a stunning view and close proximity to the falls, but it had a gigantic green space for recreation. I did venture down the steep hill to the man made water falls on one of my days at the park. I can tell you it's a lot easier to descend it than climb it. So enjoy your view going down, because it will be a bear coming back up. I would recommend bringing a bottle of water for any type of trail walking, especially in the Summer. The hike down to the falls is worth your effort, they are spectacular. Be careful with a steep incline and high altitude drop once your at the bottom. I loved boulder skipping and taking in the wonderful view. However, what was a complete shock was the amount of debris in the landing area by the rocks. It was a complete eye sore was not all recent. There were even abandon clothing. This moved my opinion from a 4 to a 3 star review in a heart beat. There is a lot Chewacia has to offer with cabins, camping, hiking, swimming and new bike trails. The park holds a lot of history and is a rustic beauty. Funding for a new playground, shoring up eroded trails and water quality need to be a priority. I would recommend this as a must for anyone wanting to explore the natural side of Auburn

    Jayne H.

    This is one of my favorite places in Auburn. The staff are amazing and the park is beautiful.

    Will definitely visit here again, such a beautiful view!
    Selena T.

    Will definitely visit here again. Loved the hike to the waterfall! Tiring but worth it!

    Waterfall
    Danielle S.

    My husband and I had a great time hiking the trails at Chewacla State Park. The waterfall was beautiful and we liked being able to walk alongside the creek. Wish some of the trails were marked better so we could enjoy them in there entirety. There was also a lot of activity on the mountain bike trails, which looked really cool. Definitely would recommend this beautiful escape!

    Mary Beth R.

    Booked a pull through site. How is that going to work with this camper in front of us? Grill is filthy and fire ring needs cleaning. Do they not have camp host here? Virginia State parks are SO much better.

    Enjoyed the views and hiking - beautiful. Only had a problem with cabins TV & Hot water. Im sure that will be fixed before next visitor. Very nice at the office.

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    6 years ago

    Me and my Eomma go walking there. They do need to cut some trees down and the water needs to be cleaned. The trees scare us.

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    5 years ago

    Beautiful park, only $4 to get in. Had a great time while visiting Alabama and planning on coming back if I'm ever back in town.

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    They have camping areas, picnic areas and a little waterfall. I am subtracting a star because the trails are not clearly marked.

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    If you love nature trails, waterfalls, beautiful lawns and scenic views, this place is a must see!

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    Ask the Community - Chewacla State Park

    Review Highlights - Chewacla State Park

    . I absolutely recommend this park if you're into mountain biking

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    Donald E. Davis Arboretum - Coneflower

    Donald E. Davis Arboretum

    5.0(3 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    If you're an Auburn student you know how valuable the Donald E. Davis Arboretum is to the…read moreuniversity and community. Although the primary objective is a living breathing outdoor museum, it is also a university classroom. I will focus on what the Davis Arboretum is best known for, The Founders Oak. I was fascinated by my visit. The native Southern trees and plants is the real gem of the arboretum. The crown jewel would be the "Founders Oak". The tree symbolizes the strong foundation and a deeply rooted history. The tree measures 88 feet tall by 47 inches wide. It's expected to see the start of the next century. The Oak serves as a symbol of the City of Auburn in history and spirit. There is much, more to the 13.6 acre arboretum that you will love to explore. They also rent out their space on the cheap for weddings. I encourage a visit.

    Not that Auburn is a concrete jungle or anything, but the Davis Arboretum is a perfect escape into…read morenature, all while being on Auburn's campus and close to downtown and major roads. There's a parking lot off Garden Drive and some street parking on Lem Morrison Drive. The arboretum is free to all, not just those with university affiliations, and is open from dawn to dusk. If you like trees, especially southern ones, you're in luck. The place has undergone some cosmetic improvements over the years and seems to have expanded. I'm partial to the pond, and the pitcher plant area is super cool, especially when you can hear frogs rumbling. Spanning 13+ acres and home to 300 native plant species, the arboretum is sure to have something for you, whether you just like to wander amidst the trees, need to squeeze in a run, have to study for class, or want to explore with your kiddos.

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    Donald E. Davis Arboretum
    Donald E. Davis Arboretum
    Donald E. Davis Arboretum - Fun artistic touches throughout

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    Fun artistic touches throughout

    Municipal Park a.k.a. Monkey Park - Municipal Park, Opelika

    Municipal Park a.k.a. Monkey Park

    4.5(4 reviews)
    9.0 mi

    The Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge is one of those small, satisfying surprises where the history is…read morereal, the setting is peaceful, and the experience feels a little more special than you expect. The original bridge was built in 1900 to carry traffic over Wacoochee Creek, and even though the structure you walk across today is a careful reconstruction, it keeps the proportions, timberwork, and quiet charm of the old one. Being able to walk the full span is genuinely cool, especially since it's obviously not open to vehicles, and the boards have that soft, weathered sound underfoot that makes a covered bridge feel alive. The park that now surrounds it was created after the bridge was relocated and rebuilt in 2007, giving the structure a new home that feels both respectful and welcoming. There's easy parking right by the entrance, and the short nature walk that loops around the creek adds a nice rhythm to the visit, especially if you like to linger and take in the details. The bridge sits low over the water, framed by trees, and the whole place has that quiet, tucked‑away atmosphere that makes you slow down without thinking about it. It's the kind of stop that doesn't take long but stays with you, a simple wooden span that carries more history and charm than its size suggests. [Review 288 of 2026 - 271 in Alabama - 25477 overall]

    This is a cute neighborhood park. I enjoyed the history of the covered bridge and the picture…read morebackdrop it provided. There seemed to be quite a bit of green space in that area as a large soccer field was across the street. This park is dog friendly, and there is a little creek that runs through it. The wildflower trail was not very flowery as much as it was bushes that sometime flower. Check it out.

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    Municipal Park a.k.a. Monkey Park - Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge at Municipal Park, Opelika

    Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge at Municipal Park, Opelika

    Municipal Park a.k.a. Monkey Park - Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge at Municipal Park, Opelika

    Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge at Municipal Park, Opelika

    Municipal Park a.k.a. Monkey Park - Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge at Municipal Park, Opelika

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    Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge at Municipal Park, Opelika

    Chewacla State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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