Sunday Hike - Chewacla State Park

Join members and guests for this optional hike to Chewacla State Park on Sunday, June 14th 1:00-3:30pm. The group will gather at 1:00 pm in the hotel lobby to carpool to the park.

Location: 124 Shell Toomer Parkway, Auburn, AL 36830
Distance from Hotel: 4 miles (10 minutes)
Entry Fee: $5 per person
Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/chewacla-state-park

Overview & History

For nearly 85 years, Chewacla State Park has been a favorite outdoor retreat in Auburn. The park was officially established in 1939, though the land had long been used by workers from the nearby Wrights Mill sawmill in the late 1800s.

In 1935, the federal government purchased the property and a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp developed much of the park’s original infrastructure during the Great Depression. The CCC constructed the arched stone bridge, dam, roads, foot trails, and six stone cottages—many of which still stand today. The dam created the park’s centerpiece: Lake Chewacla, a 26-acre lake with a picturesque waterfall now known as Chewacla Falls.

The name “Chewacla” comes from the Hitchiti (part of the Creek tribe) phrase sawackla, meaning “raccoon village.”

Park Highlights

• 696 acres of protected forest and recreation space
• 26-acre Lake Chewacla for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and fishing (bass, crappie, catfish)
• 30+ miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking
• Six renovated CCC-era stone cabins
• Modern RV sites, glamping and primitive campsites
• Sandy beach area and accessible playground

Wildlife sightings often include deer, foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, turkeys, and diverse native plant life.

Suggested Hike Route: Chewacla Lake Trail

Distance: 2.3-mile loop
Time: 30–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

This scenic loop follows the shoreline of Lake Chewacla, offering shaded paths, lake views, and access to Chewacla Falls. It’s a well-suited option for a relaxed Sunday hike with multiple connecting trails for those wanting to extend their route. Downloading the park map or offline trail map is recommended due to intersecting paths.