Chewacla State Park Reviews

It's a quiet, peaceful spot if you're on the way to Auburn and you have a couple hours to chill out. It's nice being along the river.

We love Chewacla and we try to visit every summer! I usually take my girls and my nieces (now ages 11-16). We enjoyed the park as usual- waterfall, hiking, and climbing on rocks. The lake seemed clean, too. Only complaint- the diving board was “out of order”. It was not there. My girls were sad about this- they have always loved diving in the lake! Hopefully, this is a very temporary problem.

Clean and nice enough with plenty of well marked trails. Diving board also looked fun. It does cost per person to get into the park.

Didn't see much on the visit but the waterfall from the dam was very nice. Good photo ops! Will do more hiking another time.

Nice walking trails, and views of the lake and waterfall. Also a shallow creek for wading or fishing. Cabins & campsites were available.

Stay in a cabin or picnic and swim by the waterfall. Easy trail walks and close to Auburn and Interstate 85.

What a great resource! Hiking, biking, camping, cabins, cook-outs.... You name it, it's there. Check out the amazing cabins. A real bargain and they are wonderful!1

Chewacla is a fun way to spend a day. They have cabins for rent and a campsite, but it was a day trip for us, three adults and three teenagers. Went hiking on one of the several trails, some of which double as biking trails. The trails were nice, but there was a good bit of trash from disrespectful visitors. After hiking, went to Chewacla Lake to swim. It wasn't too crowded for a Saturday in the summer, though the water was murky and muddy. Has a platform for diving which the kids liked. Cost was only $4 for adults and kids over 12, so not too expensive. You can rent paddle boats and canoes, not sure the price. Overall, it was a good day at Chewacla State Park.

We had no idea we would find a waterfall in Auburn. This is a very nice park. They have camping, playgrounds, water sports, pavilions, and hiking trails. My family loved exploring around the water fall.

This was such a fun day of hiking. The views are beautiful!! The waterfall is gorgeous. A must for people that like the outdoors. The hiking is easy too.

My family of four-2 teens went to hike. We each had to pay $4.00 to enter. I was surprised they accepted Visa. We were a little disappointed in the "hills" or lack there of. Still it was a nice place to get exercise. Well kept. There are several different trails to take; each with different lengths. There is boating available. It's dog (on a leash) friendly. The waterfall was really pretty but to get a good shot at it you have to climb a few rocks that are somewhat slippery. Still enjoyed it there. We will go back

I've been here two times and will come again. I just like the view of the lake while reading books (so peaceful especially when the sun goes down!)

Admittance charge was $2 per person. Enjoy a very picturesque drive through the park. To get to the waterfall follow the road all the way straight through the park. You will get on a one way loop - there are no signs on the road that say "waterfall", but there is a sign noting a pavillion. Head towards the pavilion and you will see a trail marker heading toward the waterfall. It is only a couple of minutes walk down to the falls, and very much worth it.

The hiking here is decent and the waterfall is very fun to play in and climb. The time before when we came I had about five kids and they played in the waterfall all day. They also enjoyed the high diving board. I rate this park as average because the changing rooms are horrible, and the swimming area is so muddy and gross that my teenagers would not even get in.

We really enjoy this nature park in Auburn. It is close to many things to do in Auburn and sometimes I even just pop into the park to eat a nice picnic lunch while I'm in town and don't feel like sitting inside a crowded loud fast food resturant.
The cost of getting in is very low and there's alot to do here. It is $2 on the weekdays and $3 on weekends per person. We paid and drove all the way up to the very top of the mountain, parked, and took the walking trail down to the gorgeous waterfalls area. It is so beautiful and quite picturesque. This hike is a mindly intense one down a hill so please make sure you wear good supportive shoes and once you get there giant boulders and rocks become part of the trail. Great fun.
This is not the only trail to hike here but only one of many and each has its own personality and senery to match. Somedays we like to stay on the lower side of the park and try different water scenes to picnic by or even just drive up to the lower pavillion and eat at one of those.
There is a small playground area near the lake for the kids to swim and play at and it has a great tall diving board on a floating dock to keep the teenagers entertained. In conclusion I would have to say that our family wishes that we'd have found this place a decade ago because it is a great alternative for people who like a 'Callaway Gardens' setting for a day out but can't affoard the long drive nor the high entrance fee every weekend. Chewacla is just great!

While many people come to Auburn for a gameday or other collegiate activity, Chewacla State Park is an awesome park just on the outskirts of the city. Lots of tables for picnics. Definitely make the trek to the falls.

Chewacla State Park is a nice place to go for a hike or for a family picnic. The woods are beautiful and the lake is very pretty as well.

I love Chewacla and my family goes often for picnics and outdoor play. While you cannot improve on the natural beauty of the place, the facilities need a little work. The playground equipment has been the same for 30 years. The "beach" is almost completely overgrown with grass. The boats are in a sad state, as well as the wooden benches and wooden picnic tables. You can still have a great time, but the place just seems a little run down.

This park is worth the trip. The hiking isn't too rigorous for the novice with great scenery. There are picnic areas, cabins you rent to stay in a lake and even an area with small waterfalls. All and all you'll love your day spent here!

We spent five days camping at Chewacla State Park and loved it so much, we're ready to make another trip! The campsites are large and private with lots of hardwood trees growing all around for shade. Some of the pull-through sites are a little more in the open, but we had a back-in site and it was awesome! Each site has water, sewer and electricity, but there are primitive areas that would be great for tent camping. Every site also has a firepit and a grill, as well. There are two main camping loops, each with a bathhouse, and walking trails that connect everything together. The bathhouses were very nice and clean. We didn't use them for showers, but the shower stalls looked nice as well. The park also has a swimming beach on a nice little lake, canoe and paddle boat rentals and tons of biking/hiking trails. If you are into geocaching, there are about 60 geocaches hidden in the park by a very talented geocacher. One of the main features of the park is a beautiful waterfall and stream. A great place to picnic, hike, bike, camp or just get out and enjoy nature. This park has it all!

The cost to enter is $4.00 per person but that is well worth it see this park. There are plenty of hiking trails for all levels of hikers, bike trails with ramps and jumps for those who are into mountain biking and the waterfall is a short hike down that is easy for most people. Plenty of shelters and restrooms throughout park also. The waterfall is located at the back of the park and though there is no seating there, you can sit and relax on the rocks and enjoy listening to the water as it falls over the man made damn. There are plenty of rocks to climb across the water to get to the other side also. The hike back up is not hard so most people can see this, regardless of their skill level.

My husband and I visited Auburn for a football game and decided to visit this park to canoe as a Sunday excursion before we headed home.

First and most importantly this park is four dollars per person to enter the park. Not four dollars to park your car. Not four dollars per car. Four dollars per person to even enter. I am not from Alabama, so maybe this is a standard rate for this area, but in the state I am from there are rarely park fees, and if there are, they are simply parking fees. On top of that park fee you have to pay per hour to use the canoes, paddleboats, or kayaks. This is extremely expensive for a park that clearly has not been updated in any way since the 1950s.

The staff was extremely disorganized and couldn't seem to come to a conclusion about how we should pay for the canoes. The first person we spoke to suggested we had to pay at the booth, but when we came to the booth to pay, a very disgruntled State Park Law Enforcement officer acted like we were crazy to suggest paying there and made it clear he was inconvenienced by us.

The staff were having a birthday party for a coworker when we came, so they were all busy having cake and singing, which I understand, it's a casual working environment - but you should still make an effort to serve paying park visitors. It would seem to me that a small park such as this one would value tourist dollars more than they did.

The people visiting the park honestly were not much friendlier. There were so many people smoking and cursing, I do not feel this would be a great place for families.

The positives are that the person renting the boats was very friendly, and once you actually get out on the lake it is very pretty.

I guess it's something to do if you want to extend your time in Auburn, but there are probably better ways to spend your time. We had such a great experience in Auburn with this one exception.

Wandered down a few trails & sat on the rocks near the falls. Great peaceful place to soak up the afternoon sun, people watch, or curl up with a book!

Good trails (hike & bike), lake, waterfall, cabins, campground (full hookup & primitive), boats, canoes, paddle boats, etc.

My wife and I hiked some trails, saw the waterfall, drove through the campgrounds, saw the cabins, beach, and the swimming platform with diving board.

The park is pretty well maintained and the trails were great. The waterfall is nice although man made by the dam that created the lake.

Took a break on a long road trip as it was convenient to stop and hike some trails.The Spring wild flowers were beautiful. It is a 1930's CCC construction project and the buildings and facilities are still rather quaint.The Park has expanded its user base supporting significant bike trails. This is good making the Park more relevant to a younger demographic. But the downside is that it has led to noticeable erosion and will create future problems for the lake and anyone living downstream. I wish I had a solution.

I really enjoy coming here. When in I was in college, I would go with my frat. I also like going just to enjoy some nature.

camped here for the weekend. Very quiet park with mega-trails for bikers and hikers. The campground was suitable for big rigs (with a little hair-raising driving at the entrance). The first loop is mostly shaded with outside sites that are great. The pull-throughs on the inside are less shaded and a little slopey. Fairly close to our home so it may become a regular camping stop for us.

If you have a mountain bike or hiking boots this is where to use them!

Brought back from the brink of closure (well maybe not that bad but it was getting dumpy) Chewacla Park has found new life as a mountain bikers destination. Thousands of hours of volunteer work largely by supporters of CAMP, has not only resulted in many miles of excellent bike trails but it has attracted the attention of state and local officials who have partnered with the AL State park system to create an outdoor recreation nirvana. Just this week they've received another infusion of $100k to add more trails and upgrade facilities. And if you aren't the biker type take a hike!

This is a lovely state park with cabins on the lake, challenging bike trails, hiking trails, picnic pavilions, and a large lake. The lake has swimming areas and boat rentals. It is dog friendly. The cost is $4 per person for entry.

I went to Chewacla State Park with my parents and my son. Hike to the falls was steep and rocky...it had just rained too! We took the wrong path (not the official one) which was really hard, but we did it. We found the path you are supposed to take going up...much easier. Be sure to take water with you on the hike. It is a good vigorous hike down and up. Look for the path with railroad ties. Love the mountain bike mounds they have built off the main road. Lots of fun hills! The supposed tough mountain bike trail by the lake that loops around was not so tough, but slow way down for the platform bridges and ramps. If you don't slow down you will wipe out! I saw someone completely wipe out and fall in the little creek there. Beautiful falls - very peaceful!

I work in Auburn from time-to-time. I also drive on I-85 pretty frequently. Chewacla Falls is a great place to stretch you legs for couple of hours. I will sometimes stop here before or after visiting a construction project. The falls are beautiful, and there are numerous cascades as the creek tumbles down the rocks to the valley below.

Its a park! Not much to say. Enjoyed a day at the lake, but the paddle boats and canoes look worn. The lady at the shack to register for the equipment seemed a little upset. The playground area could use newer equipment. Poor children were burned sliding down the run-down metal slides. Overall, the park and trails seemed average, but the equipment, benches and picnic tables were old and worn out.

We had a gorgeous sunny day and hiked on the Falls View trail. This took us over to the dam and down by the river. We climbed around on the rocks all day and had a blast. Very pretty park. Took the dogs with us. It wasnt packed with people and there was a lot to walk around and see.

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

The fee to enter is $4 for adults $2 for children. There is s swimming area, picnic area with grills, walking trail, camping site, and waterfall. We didn't get to the see the waterfall, but I heard that it is beautiful. The swimming area is not that good to me. The water is too dark. The campsite is very very beautiful. They have a diving board area in the middle of the swimming area. Bathrooms are available. They also have paddle boats. They also have a small playground area.

Pros: Nice quiet park, seems well laid out, clean bathroom.

Cons: $37/night for a tent is ridiculous. If you are coming in after the gate closes, & you don't have a prior reservation, be prepared to pay full board.

This park doesn't take same day reservations for primitive sites ONLY. At $18, I don't see what the problem is......However, they'll be happy to take your money for an RV site, which is what I had to pay in order to get the code to come in after the gate closes.

What a racket.

When you are on a car camping trip, sometimes you run behind in your schedule & have to find alternate places to camp. This was one of those times.

Never again. Spend a little more & get a motel.

Take a little time to get away from it all. This park is excellent for hiking and mountain biking and there is a waterfall to boot! What a lovely place to spend a few hours or a weekend.

Park and lake area are always well kept. Picnic are is clean as well as the beach. It’s a great family gathering place

The park is nice, not very big indeed. On eek ends is a little bit crowded to my test. There is a man made lake for canoeing and swimming.

Beautiful little lake. Tons of trails for running or biking. $4 per person entry fee for the day. Saw several people fishing. Nice little falls on the backside of the lake.

We found this place while in town for a football game. It costs $4 per person to enter the park and it is well worth it. We just hiked and took in the views but we saw others on the bike trails and it looked super fun with all the dirt jumps and wooden bridges. I would definitely go back with my mountain bike!

Nice hiking with marked trails and maps. There are camping locations and a playground for kids as well. Great place to run and bike or just relax listening to the waterfall.

The park it's self was great. Nice lake for swimming, beautiful waterfall and playground for the kiddos. We rented a primitive campsite for 2 nights & the fee covered admission to the park. This is really nice, a lot of places still charge to get in or a parking fee. We rented a paddle boat & had a great time. The staff was super friendly, the campsite was nice & the bath house was nice & clean. It was a great experience!

While this is convenient to the lovely college town of Auburn, the hiking trails are not well maintained and they are barely marked. There are no trail blazes to guide your way. Would not recommend for novice hikers as it would be easy to get lost. Also, this park is very popular with mountain bikers and you may be overtaken by a fast moving biker - be cautious.

Beautiful and scenic park with plentiful picnic areas, walking trails, waterfalls, and playgrounds. Enjoy a wonderful day in this bit of paradise!

Tons of trails but not marked or easy to follow as many intersected each other. The foliage was beautiful and the hikes were mostly easy to moderate. The falls were beautiful and very close to the trailhead so you don't have to go far to see the falls. Also it is literally in the town of Auburn so very convenient. Also, the bathrooms were closed at the main area but there are some available very close by in the camping areas. There are picnic tables and swings right there near the parking lot and some paddle boats but they were not available when we were there.

If you enjoy hiking, this is the park to do so. Has many trails and a great waterfall. RV areas and picnic areas.

My sister, my nephew and I went camping at Easter last year. We had so much fun. It was cool at night and warmed up during the day. We rented a canoe and paddled in the lake, hiked, cooked on the camp fire, roasted marshmellows and sat around the fire and drank coffee. On Easter morning the camping neighbors kids were up hunting eggs. It is a great way to spend a holiday.

The scenery here is pretty nice, I'd recommend going during the fall. There are plenty of trails to take advantage of as a runner/biker. I also loved jumping along the rocks, but that's not a good idea after a storm.

The park has lots of walking and biking trails as well as a beautiful lake to enjoy. There are restrooms available on site and it was easy to navigate the park using the map that we received at the front gate.

We went there for hiking. The trails are largely shared with bicycles. If you are a trail bike enthusiast you will no don't like this park. I am sure we were in the way of the bicyclists and vice verse. The trails are well worn in and clearly marked.

An amazing place to camp with the family or spend the day on a walk. Chewacla is an important part of the United States's geologic history and its diverse and beautiful landscape has long been a gathering place for the Auburn community. Don't miss playing on the big rocks next to the fall!

We rented canoes, paddleboats and went hiking. Lots of fun but still has the same playground equipment form 35 years ago.

This is a great park for all ages. It only cost $4 per person and we spent hours climbing on the rocks and taking pictures by the falls. It also has great trails for running, biking or walking. There is plenty to do.

The Chew used to be the same po-dunk experience as any other Alabama State Park, but the committed biking community in the area has made it one of the greatest attractions in the southeast. Lots of trails - from beginner to white knuckle teeth grinding - makes for a great day trip or camping weekend.

My son and husband are really into the mountain bike trails at Chewacla! Very nice!!! Purchase the annual pass for the best value!

Just a few minutes outside of Auburn, AL - Chewacla is a park with multiple trails suitable for hiking and biking. We hiked to the waterfalls, and found lots of great photo opportunities there, plus areas along the river to get our feet wet.

Although Alabama charges you for admission to their state parks, the parks are well-maintained and offer a little something for everyone. The day we were there the park was full of Auburn University students in various stages of dress enjoying the creek, the lake, the waterfall, and the overlooks. There is ample hiking, and, if you like mountain biking, there are some excellent biking trails in the park. There is also ample parking and the usual assortment of picnic shelters, tables, grills, etc. They also offer camping.
My favorite place here is the Waterfall. You have to hike down to it, which means you have to hike back. If you're not in great condition, and if it is not warm and sunny, you probably don't want to go. The trail is slippery when wet, and a fall there might mean a long wait for help. Definitely take your cell phone and go with a friend.
Oh, and no matter how bad your spelling is, no, Chewbacca does NOT live here.

Stay there in the camp ground for three days and two nights. Excellent back in site for our 30 foot camper. Electric, water, and sewer hookups were in great shape. Bathhouse with Landry was close by. Bathrooms and showers were exceptionally clean. Camped there to take advantage of the mountain bike trails. All were well marked and in good condition. Rain had some of the features closed. Wooden feature and bridges had slick coating of alge so be careful. Very nice park and would stay there again. Very close to Auburn and restaurants and services.

Chewacla mountain bike riding has been transformed into a playground for mountain bikes. It is a lot of fun. Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers has created a mountain Bike Mecca of fun for riders all over the South. I invited friends from Tuscaloosa and Pensacola to ride with me the other day and they were amazed at the park and the quality of mountain biking in the park.

We visited the last weekend of April. The weather was perfect and we went to see the 'falls.' It was a beautiful, little 'hike' to the falls. Definitely wear shoes that have good soles! The rocks are slippery. Beautiful area and definitely worth an hour or so of your time. At $4/adult it ended up being a great, cheap afternoon.

I was there in 1983. There were leeches there then and from what I've heard they still are. They were numerous and voracious. There's nothing like pulling leeches off your legs and butt with streaks of blood running down. Fun times!

Excellent family oriented park. This park has gone to the extremes with off road bike trails; to include wooden BMX Tracks, Bump Tracks, and Single Track trails. Swimming in the lake takes on a new dimension with its floating diving board island. However, the waterfall and large boulders below the lake are picturesque and worth the hike.

I LOVE the outdoors which is why I LOVE Alabama. Chewacla is quite nice though very small. It is not far from my front door and the hikes are decent. I have not tried renting a cabin yet, but I hear they are great but you MUST reserve one EARLY during football season!!! The few staff I have come in contact with are super, friendly and helpful. Buy a annual pass if you plan on biking or hiking regularly...you will save money.

We stayed here 20 years ago and revisited the waterfall and beach. The trail was not well marked and the falls had lots of trash around them. I know people are slobs but they need to put a trash can in to encourage better behavior.
The old beach bathrooms are in terrible disrepair. It's a great old building that desperately needs TLC and updating or kept clean. All bathrooms were dirty that we used.
The cabins seem to be maintained at least and we did not go anywhere near the campgrounds.

We've been to Auburn many times and for some reason had never heard of this park. There was a nice picnic and playground. Unfortunately, it started to rain so we didn't get to walk down to the lake. We'll have to go back soon.

I lived in Auburn for 4 years and visited Chewacla many times. I love the river and the short hikes to the waterfall. There are lakes on the upper level for swimming, though I enjoyed the waterfall the most. I would hike down and study there. On a hot day, it's perfect. On the weekends, it can be very crowded. So, if you can, visit on a weekday to have a quieter and more peaceful visit. There are pavilions throughout the park for picnics (they can be rented, I believe) and it's a lovely escape close to the city.

The park is nice as far as parks go. We went for the waterfall and were not told at the gate that the waterfall was nonexistent due to the water level in the lake. So we traipsed down a steep hill to see a bunch of rocks. The park attendant should warn people if the waterfall is not falling because the pictures in the brochure looks like a real treat. Disappointed.

It is a beautiful park! If u love to hike or walk then this is the place for you! Don't forget to checkout the awesome waterfall!

My husband and I go to Chewacla to hike at least three or four times a month. It's beautiful and the trails are well maintained. The lake is lovely, and so is the waterfall. Great example of things built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

If you are in Auburn and looking for a pretty park for hiking, this place is lovely. The trails were well labeled and maintained. The waterfall and little mini canyon below it were very pretty. I saw deer, lots of birds, chipmunks, squirrels and lovely fall leaves. My son goes to school in Auburn and next time I visit him there I plan to go to this park again. I'd like to see it in spring and summer also.

Chewacla is one of the best hidden secrets of Auburn. I spend many days on the trails, paddling the lake, and relaxing on the rocks. It's so close to town, but a great way to "get away" for a little while!

This is a fantastic park to visit for the day or to camp for the weekend. Lots of things to see and do...especially for the 🚴! Cabins are neat and the primitive grounds are fun too.

My husband and I rode through this lovely park in Auburn. There is a short walk to the falls but we did not walk it due to time. This is a lovely park to spend some time in that is really close to the Auburn campus.

We like State Parks and this one was no exception. Hook-ups could have been a little better placed. They assign your site but you can choose another. So just be sure to check before taking site. Apparently a great place for mountain biking. Convenient from the interstate.

The trails and scenery are very nice. The only bad thing I have to say about the park is that the lake is loaded with leeches. The falls area has a few pools to swim in that are pretty safe. But if you go in the lake, bring a bottle of vinegar!

Me and my family love Chewacla during the summer. There is a really cool diving board in the lake that we challenge eachother to do tricks off of. My wife and I were married by the waterfall. This is a great place for a romantic date as well.

We went to attend my Son's wedding. From what I could see you could swim, rent a paddle boat, picnic, hike or take a nap. Very nice park!!!

A wonderful oasis very close to the Auburn University Campus. I haven't done the bike trail but it looks awesome. The hike to the waterfall is fairly easy and short.

If you are looking for a nice state park with camping or lodging this is the place for you. It has a nice little lake to enjoy along with a wonderful bike course through the woods. The creek behind the lake is outstanding with a waterfall and great hiking trails.

We had a great time staying at the park. We rented one of the larger cabins and was quite pleased with our stay. The cabins are semi-secluded as opposed to other state parks where they are right alongside all the camping and campers. Our cabine was in a cluster of 3 and each had plenty of space between them for privacy. Our cabin sat atop a small grassy hillside and looked over the lake. You could walk down the hill and be at the lake in a minute or two. Also, you had access to a rowboat anytime you wanted (included in the cost of cabin)
The cabin had 3 beds, 2 of which were in a separate bedroom, a kitchen and dining nook and living room area which housed the other bed. There was a full kitchen for convenience. The bath had only a shower and no tub (which was ok for us) The cabin was very rustic looking (stone on the outside and lots of wood on the inside) The inside of the cabin was rather dark with all that wood even with the blinds open (the only down side to the cabin). There was even a fireplace. All the linens and towels were furnished as well as kitchen utensils, cups, plates and cookware.
We got to enjoy a fire in the firepit and let our children roast marshamllows. Totally relaxing experience at the cabins.
The hiking trails were of various degrees of difficulty. There was some nice trails that ran along side the small streams where you could actually stop and play in the clear cool water.
The lake itself was a bit muddy and murky and it is not very small child friendly. There are cement steps into the lake at the beach area and the water level is instantly ~4 feet deep at the steps. Our littlest could only play at the steps since she couldn't swim.
The staff was nice and helpful.
Lots of local restaurants and conveniences within a mile or two of the park just in case.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this little park just down the road from the University that we decided to visit. Upon entry of the main gates you pay $4 a person and get no map or guide. Drive in following the signs to parking near the lake. Parking was easy enough and then just guessed from there on where to go (no map). Just kind of followed the crowds of people and then eventually see a sign stating falls trail.
On another note, lots of bikes on the paths, I thought they had a designated bike path, but apparently that wasnt the case. Was I scared, no. Annoyed, slightly. Just every two minutes you hear from behind "ring-ring" "bike" or maybe even none.
Wirth that being said, the falls were really nice to see and well worth the bicyclist riding rampant... additionally if you are fearful of dogs, many were off of their leash, running through the falls spillway.

Fun place to visit on a hot day during football season. I have fond memories going back to college days on the Plains.

Sites were okay, but nothing extraordinary. The bathhouse was no up to par. Didn't seem to get cleaned the entire time we were there (3 nights/4 days).

Spent the day here during the July 4th weekend. Very few people at the beach area. Quiet and peaceful. BBQ pit available for cooking also. Good tree cover to get in the shade. shower houses and restroom is "old-skool", but probably what is on-par in the deep south. Nothing like in Ohio. Plenty of parking close by.

I love this park - we go on the weekend just to hike the trails. The waterfall is a fun place to hang out. Expect all - families to students. Helpful and friendly staff. We haven't stayed in the cabins b/c we live in Auburn but they look nice from the outside and are spread apart. Some have nice views of the lake (pond). The sloping yards in these cabins have grass and go down to the water's edge and come with a John boat.

Chewacla park is a nice park that is very close to Auburn . The park has a lot of hiking trails around a man made lake. There is a waterfall on the back side of the park that is pretty neat. We went in the sprig time so the the falls were flowing very strong. One down side is you have to pay a little to get into the park .

Chewacla offers either a relaxing place to picnic, play frisbee, or get your feet wet, or you can hike, cookout, or have family reunions, etc. Pretty setting, water, rocks to climb.

You can hike 1.5 miles or drive close to walk five minutes to waterfall. Great little honey hole! Would love to come back in summer!

This a typical State owned park. Beautiful natural setting but is in serious need of upgrade . Staff was very pleasant and helpful . Lake and waterfall is the drawing card and it's worth the time and effort to see this part of the park. RV campground needs some serious work.

this park has been updated for biking needs new bathrooms at lake way out of date bad.
everything else is good for state park

I discovered Chewacla a few months after I moved to Auburn from a friend and am so happy I did. There aren't a whole lot of large outdoor options in Auburn however Chewacla has something for pretty much everyone. The waterfall is a short hike from the front gate with a small lake/pond above it for some rec swimming, paddle boarding, or kayaking. They've recently redone the mountain biking trails so if that's your thing this is the place to go. Also plenty of camping spots and hiking trails to take advantage of.

The cabins are some of the best you'll experience in any state park in the country. Though the staff seems disconnected at times, they will address your needs in the end. For instance, our a/c was out when we checked in. They soon had us in another cabin in no time. Great alternative lodging when playing the RTJ golf courses. Lots of trails to hike too.

We rented a cabin for Fathers Day weekend. It was so relaxed and offered just the right amount of activities. Hiking, spring fed lake with a diving board on a platform, the boys took off to do surprisingly difficult mountain biking trails (one leg is still healing!!) Auburn students often drive to the High Meadow and lay out in the sun. There are plenty of trees to hang ENO hammocks. You Can hike down to the waterfalls from the high meadow area but it is a little strenuous for older folks.. The cabin was well appointed and lined with wood paneling. We will be back again!!

I you love the outdoors; getting out in the nice weather of spring or fall or if you are built like a Greek-god as I am and want to show off those pecs in the summer when all the sweeties are out sunbathing, this little secluded park south of the interstate and surrounded (now) by Auburn, is a wonderful place to go! Nice little lake with a unique little dam we once traversed in the day! Lots of good girl watching if you are so inclined and it's summer! Splendid place for a outdoor day in lovely Auburn, Alabama, The Loveliest Village on The Plains!

Chewacla State Park is a great time for everyone,‘awesome facilities, beautiful atmosphere, safe and fun for the entire family, must place to visit when you’re in Auburn

Stopped here as an unplanned alternate and was not disappointed! Nightly RV sites were a little high (about $36), but there's a playground overlooking the lake, which has a small dam/falls 'round back that can be reached by hiking, driving, or both. Neat swimming spot by the falls too!

In addition to hiking trails, there's plenty of bike trails, and not just the leisurely type -- these can accommodate the serious off-road mountain biker.

Apparently there's an advantage to being so close to Auburn University and Football season rates vary accordingly.

This is a laid-back easy-going campground where plenty of locals and passers-through like to stay. For us, it was close enough to the GA Renfair to make the trip of 90 miles.

My family and dogs enjoy hiking to the water fall and kayaking in the lake. Lots of mountain biking trails, as well. Staff is friendly. Annual pass is a good purchase for us.

We visited this park today while in town for a short spell and it was very lovely. Bathrooms were clean and the lake was serene. We took the short but challenging hike to the falls and relaxed for a few minutes. It was a nice fall day and we enjoyed it very much. The trail was somewhat difficult and there are many rocks and tree roots so keep that in mind when going.
Many other large rock formations along the trail and waterfall. The sound of rushing water is soothing. I would go back again when in the area. The admission charge is 4.00 per person but there are many things to do there. We enjoyed our short trip here.

First visit back in Feb, 2014. Stayed in a near-by hotel for the weekend. This time we came for 2 days & rented a cabin in the park. Cabin was perfect. Clean, spacious & well stocked. Our interest is hiking the trails & finding geocaches along the way. We managed to find a dozen or so & left a few for a future visit. A day trip or a weekend this is a great bang for the buck. Have to admit the only rerason I didn't give it a 5 was the trail markings. We got turned around twice and had to back track. Never lost but confused as to which way to go. After reviewing several maps in the weeks beforehand, I never found a good current map. Even the handout at the Ranger station is a bit outdated. For what it's worth, FDR State Park has all trails marked with different colors of spray paint on the trees, stones, etc. You always know where you are based on the colors. Already planning another stay in the fall. Just not during an Auburn home game.

The water is so crisp and clean and beautifully cascades over the rocks. One of the lookouts is THE BEST place to take sunset pictures. Great hiking for the area, one of my favorite places to visit when in Auburn. It's a great place to go to "unplug" from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Enjoyed our hike under the shady trees, then, had a nice swim in the lake.

Lots of camping and picnic areas, a playground, and a small store near the park entrance.

Went to the park on a Sunday with children and grandchildren. We hiked, fished, played in the water, and did a little geo caching. Lots of hiking and mountain bike trails. Park also has a campground with cabins to rent or places for tents, campers or RVs. Next time we are going to pack a picnic lunch since we seen a lot of tables, and shelter areas. We spent most of our time at the waterfalls and stream below fishing, climbing and playing. There is also a large lake with a swimming area and playground.

We has some time to kill so we went to the park. The $4 per person admission was well worth it. We hike several trails, including the waterfall trail. You can swim or fish in the lake and there is plenty of camping available.

This is the place to go for geocaching fun. The caches at this park have had a lot of effort and creativity invested in them. Our daughter loved every minute we were able to search. The puzzle of figuring out how to open them once we found them just added to the enjoyment.

Most of the people we dealt with while we were there were very friendly. We felt like the one exception was just busy and didn't intend to be unfriendly - maybe they just didn't realize it.

We stayed in the McVay campground loop. Site 11 was great. Not too close to the neighbors but close enough for the kids to play. The only drawback was the bathhouse. One of the two stalls in the women's side would not even close. The shower area had an open dressing area with very little privacy if anyone else was there. This will hopefully be redesigned with the next renovation since the bathhouse in the other loop seems much nicer. The other issue we had was that the showers didn't appear to be cleaned from the time we arrived late Wednesday until sometime late Saturday night (it was clean in Sunday morning). Maybe that was just because it was a busy weekend.

Overall the park was great with lots of trails and other activities to enjoy.

Visiting Auburn with teens and adults and wanted to get the family outdoors. This park was perfect. There is the $4 per person charge (which is unusual since parks are usually per car...but hey) - however we did enjoy the hiking. Lots of trails for mountain biking - and being a mountain biker myself, I was elated to see the variety that was offered! Will go back for those!
hiking trails were good for the family and if my kids were little, it would also be a great place for them - a great variety of trails.

My only concern - the map and trail markings were a bit difficult to follow. We did change trails often - easy to medium to hard - but found it tricky to follow the map and trail markings were a little scarce to my liking. Though - I will definitely be back!

For a token amount they have great hiking, especially down to the rocks on the river. They also have trails through the woods and places for picnics. My daughter likes to camp out there. Swimming in summer is fun if you like lakes.

Went for a walk in memory of our daughter who died in an automobile accident in March of this year. This was Taylor’s favorite place to visit!

Stopped off the interstate to geocache this park! The hiking and mountain bike trails are awesome! Caches are plenty! Every terrain you want is here for you! Will be back!

My boyfriend and I go here all the time with our 2 dogs. It is really big and there are trails everywhere so even if there are a lot of people there you never run into that many because it is so big. In the summer it does tend to get pretty warm but there is water almost anywhere you go so we will swim with our dogs to cool off. Beautiful park and would recommend to anyone that loves to do outdoor hiking.

You need to take a hike to understand the title, but the park provides a lot of hiking and the lake and waterfall is lovely. I have visited it several times and every season is enjoyable.

We camped in Chewacla for nearly a month from mid - May and were pleasantly surprised. The park has two small camping loops that offer various types of sites, most with shaded tree cover. Nothing to brag about with the bath houses, but didn't affect us as we are a self contained unit. The park itself is pretty with a large lake, numerous trails of varying degrees, and two small waterfalls. All the trails are multi-use for hiking AND biking, so beware. In addition, the park has really great bike trails, bike parks with ramps, jumps, course, etc. We were lucky enough one day to meet one of men who started the bike trails and he told us all about dragging the old power poles back for the bridge...trail names for him is Pete's Sake. If you are a biker or have kids, this is a great park to let loose on a trail bike!! Staff were all friendly. This is a busy park as the locals all seem to enjoy it as well.

Visited from the Caribbean. Went to the park in the afternoon. Hiked to the water fall. Difficultly level was 2 on a scale of 5 with 5 being the highest. There is a play area for kids and an area for swimming and boating. If we had time maybe occupying the picnic space would of been nice. There were also cabins for camping.

Fun thing to do while visiting Auburn. Family had a great time walking around the lake to see the waterfalls and then swim and jump off the (probably dangerous) diving board in the lake. Well manicured trail with interesting wildlife - banana spiders, birds, frogs, butterflies. Very peaceful and folks on the trail and at the lake were friendly.

Will return to explore more at our next visit.

I have not been camping here, but there are camping sites. The kids love to go hike, put up their hammocks, and have fun in the water. They stay for hours. This is a large park, and it also has magnificent bike ramps throughout the woods that are newly constructed and quite impressive if you are into that. They do charge you to get in, but it is only a few dollars. They close at dark.

I always go for the little waterfall they have there. The trail down to it is nice and easy to navigate with small children. It is beautiful and I love to take photos there, they always turn out beautifully.

The park is beautiful and has hiking and biking trails. The trails go by the lake and waterfalls. There is a great little swimming area where you can also rent paddle boats and canoes, and even a diving board on a wooden 'island'. My kids had a fantastic day and so did we. We started at the Upper Pavilion and hiked to the falls. Then got back in the car and parked at the swimming spot.
*There is no food for purchase, so take your own!!*
We will definitely be going back:)

A small park that's nice for gentle hiking, picnicking, and simply getting in touch with nature for awhile. Pretty in the fall when the leaves are changing and in spring when new life is bursting-out. Unfortunately, this state park, like all of the others, suffers from the reduction in funding imposed by the legislature: It needs sprucing-up and improvement in facilities to accommodate the large numbers of visitors, many students, that come on nice days when Auburn University is in session.

Old WPA state park. Kept neat with a few exceptions. Very courteous staff! The man-made falls at the dam and the creek below are super!

Just a few minutes (5-10) off the interstate, or from campus. Fantastic moutain biking trail, nice creeks and falls to rock hop and hike. Good place for a picnic. Camping sites are also well maintained. Have been visiting this place for 40 years.

This state park has some awesome hiking trails and some the one to the Waterfall trail is a hike! Its straight down the mountain with a lot of roots and rocks. There is resting areas alone the trail to stop at. But the trail to the waterfall is only longer then 5 mins long. .25 a mile. But it is worth the hike down hill to it. There is a lot of parking and the college students go here a lot, but there was no partying going on, just students doing homework and relaxing. Very peaceful. The waterfall is man hand and the lake is on the top of the waterfall. The trail to the water fall is in the very back of the park and the beach is at the very front of the park. The beach has a sandy front to lay out and relax. Tons of picnic tables all over the place to relax and eat. There was tons of bikers out when we went and they have tons of trails for bikers! Also, I notice a lot of the college students bought hammocks and tied them between trees and was relaxing over the side of the mountain by the waterfall trail. It looked fun and relaxing!

Husband and I came down for a football weekend trip to visit with our girls. With the ridiculous hotel and AirBNB rates we thought we would give the campground a try. If it was the perfect little getaway. Only a short 3 mile drive from our tailgating area, our little cabin was a quaint peaceful getaway. We loved relaxing in the cool breeze as we listened to the rippling lake water and birds singing. The crisp morning weather and evening campfires is exactly what we needed. The cabin was clean, stocked with basic essentials, and provided strong water pressure for showers. The bed was a little soft & lumpy, but a foam full topper was an easy fix.
We are already planning our next trip with mountain bikes and hiking gear!

Some good hiking, and relaxing places to chill out. I have found myself in Chewacla many times over the past 20-years. It's always a nice place to visit.

We walked about 4 miles...beautiful scenery. We went when it was cool, so no swimming, but a great place to hike and see a waterfall.

Went to the falls.....was beautiful and a perfect day. The water was warm and we swam in lots of the openings. It’s quite a hike to the falls but well worth it.

Park has bike dirt riding trails that can be used for walking. No paved trails. There is small lake that is quite pretty. It does have swimming area but seemed to be too dirty for swimming. On the backside of lake there is man-made waterfall that is quite pretty but requires going down steep slope to get to. It is visible from top of trail. Park has an overlook but in spring it is grown up and not much of a view. Has some nice cabins for rent on lake. Includes cnoes to explore lake. Picnic tables are though our the park.Nice place to spend an afternoon. They do charge per person.

Nice place to do a quick hike if you have less than an hour. If drive or bike all the way around the road, you'll come to a parking lot with a pavilion there. You can follow the sign for the falls and it's less than a 5 minute easy downhill hike to get to them. You'll see lizards, tiny frogs, and other small wildlife under the canopy of trees. It's very pretty. I would not recommend someone who has hip/knee or mobility problems so this hike. There are many tree roots protruding on the path and it is steep.

Located a short drive off I-85, this state park offers some nice, shaded hikes. Many of the trails are shared with mountain bikers as well. We started off with the easy walk along the lake and down to the waterfall, and then we walked across the creek and up the hill to join up with trails on the others side. Trails are well-marked, but ask for a trail map when you pay the entry fee.

The lakeside bathrooms and changing area could use some attention, but the buildings are from the CCC era. There's also a campground, which gets very busy on football weekends due to the proximity to Auburn University.

If you don't bring a picnic, it's a short drive back across I-85 to many restaurants along College Street in Auburn.

Great trails for walking, running, or biking. Cool views of multiple waterfalls. It's perfect for an afternoon getaway and to get some exercise.

Nice place to swim and enjoy the outdoors. Lots of challenging bike trails. Haven't tried out a cabin, but they look nice and rustic.

It is a nice place to go for a hike or for a picnic.
Nice lake and great waterfall, wish there were more restrooms and I didn't see any drinking fountain in all the park so bring enough water with you!

I love Alabama it's the most beautiful of all the states and this state park is the most beautiful and stunning of all.
Come to Alabama it will change your life.

Beautiful park with hiking, biking and swimming. Great place for a day in the woods. Family friendly and well worth the admission price.

Chewacla is a little jewel in Auburn. Lake, cabins, camping, hiking, but the best thing they have is mountain biking. Various levels of biking from mild to challenging. Be prepared for some fun and a good workout.

Close to Auburn so easy travel to trails for hiking and mountain biking. Lots of options for trails including a hike to a waterfall where the rocks are fun to explore. The lake allows fishing, swimming, and kayaking.

We were pleasantly surprised at the beauty of this park right off I85 in Auburn. Hiking trails, swimming, stone cabins to rent for about the same as a hotel. Boats for fishing and a campground and picnic area. Staff is mostly volunteers but everyone we encountered was friendly. Park is well kept and clean. Would most definitely recommend you visit.

great place for hiking. A little bigger, lots of things to explore. Good clean park, worth visiting whenever

Located near Auburn University this Park has excellent trails and very secluded setting. There is a trail that takes you to a waterfall. Great getaway from the busy Auburn scene. Dog friendly.

I recently revisited Chewacla after a few years, and aside from the omnipresent mountain bikers, not much has changed. The park is clean and has an abundance of trails for hiking and biking at many levels of intensity. Getting to the bottom of the falls can be a bit tricky and requires some dexterity but is well worth it. This is well worth the 40 minute drive from Montgomery and the low cost of admission for a day of exercising in nature.

This is a beautiful park with great hiking trails and is a great place for families to spend a relaxing afternoon.

Visited the main pavilion area for a birthday party. Basic trails and facilities. Overall small park with area for camping/RV's. Allot of bike trails and track for mountain biking.

Stayed two nights last of Oct. Had the park to myself. It was the best night's sleep, sooo comfy was the bed. Had a fire going. The trail to waterfall was great as was the walk around the lake. Beautiful colors. Saw a raccoon and a few chipmunks, lots of birds chirping. Weather was perfect. People in office were friendly. Cooked outside on an open fire in the pit. Had the dog along with me and he enjoyed all the trails, too.

I had not been to Chewacla since I was a college student in the early '90s. Since then, they have added some fantastic mountain biking trails! I was very impressed! The lake area looked a little run down, but there were folks there cooling off from the heat.

We camped for a few days in our RV with middle school and high school aged grandkids. Our site was great- nestled in among trees. There are not any sites in the lake, which is fairly small, so we didn’t end up kayaking which we had intended to do. The swim area at the lake was not well taken care of. The bathhouse was definitely old, rundown and not clean. The door to the toilet stall wouldn’t lock and was so short someone could see from below when you sit down to use the toilet. A little bit of maintenance and regular cleaning would do wonders to make this a better experience.

My husband and I spend mornings here clearing our heads and reconnecting with nature. This is a great place for hiking, camping, and there are even a few swimming holes other than the beach area. If you're into mountain biking (we aren't), they also have really cool biking trails. We love hiking down to the waterfall and letting our dog swim in the creek that runs along a lot of the trails.

Chewacla is off the beaten path, but well worth discovering. The price is reasonable too. The short and easy hike to the falls is fun for all ages and levels of fitness. There are plenty of shady spots for picnics as well.

Took Grandchildren on warm February day picnic. Not crowded and beautiful, clean facility. Will go back.

This place is great. I've been going here since I was a baby. They have great campsites. Its so beautiful and nice here. Its great for all ages. The beach is so pretty and the water is so nice. For those who are interested in hiking, they have many options. They're is also a secret swimming hole that's very secluded. Ask a park ranger for directions.

I'm a visitor from the northwestern U.S. and was looking for some trail running close to Auburn. Chewacla fit the bill. Lots of relatively well-marked trails. You can mix and match to get over 5 miles on trails 1 - 9. I also ran 12 and 15 another day. Pretty fun, but weird - you'll understand when you see the map. Definitely worth a visit or two if you like trail running. Facilites are somewhat worn out, but pretty area. Staff is nice.

Would not have known about this place except that found a brochure when we stopped at the Alabama visitor center on I 85 for a rest break and a break from the driving rain. Rolled on down the road to the Auburn exit, found the park entrance, and paid our fees. We were about the only ones in the park as we drove around the lake and passed mountain bike trails and a surprisingly deep canyon that comes out of nowhere on the way to the end of the road. Walked down to the waterfall (man made) at the lake outlet. Got some good pictures and went a little ways down the creek. Saw more wildlife than people. Wanted to head over to Hidden Falls (natural) but the rain storm caught up to us just before we got back to to the car so that will have to wait until next time.

We enjoyed the day here. My daughter 8 and friend paddle boarded and kayaked here. It was nice, relaxing and fun..they have lots of trails and biking.. there dud seem to be a lot mountain bikers and they went pretty fast though the area so use caution.

On a long road trip we booked this park for a 1 night layover. Wow. We totally wish we could’ve stayed longer.

As we were driving there the boys were searching for a basketball court nearby. Well, amazingly we pull into our spot and there is a court right there! Well the games were on. We dragged them away from the game for a walk across the street to the pond and all of a sudden they see a dock in the middle of the pond with a high dive! BTW, the only one left in Alabama. Well the shirts went flying off and they were diving in. So fun!

We got there kind of late so dinner was a concern. Big Tip - Use Tiger to Go service. They deliver to the park if you give them the gate code. Lots of good restaurant options.

The next morning went on a great hike to beautiful waterfall, pretty short hike. Unreal. And if you can, check out their beautiful cabins for rent right on the water.

Next time bringing our bikes and staying longer. Must see stop!!

Chewacla is a great place for families to go enjoy a picnic lunch and some fun outdoors or if you're just looking for an easy hike. I loved seeing all the beautiful fall leaves. The waterfall is a great place to just sit and relax. Great place for a couple of hours or the whole day.

great way to kill a few hours, nice park

beware of college students!

Cabins face the lake, which is wonderful. Many trails to hike, long or short. Playground area nice for kids. Cabins are rustic and comfortable. We visited in fall and the trees were gorgeous.

Chewacla is definitely a hidden gem in Auburn. Located within maybe 10 miles of Auburn and the University, this park has a lot to offer. For day use, it's only a $3 fee per car for the day. There are various campgrounds and cabins that you have the option of using. If you go all the way to the farthest parking lot within the park, there's several sheltered picnic areas and trailheads. The trails go in several directions and continue for miles. I've gone down there to fish with friends and catch any variety of carp, bass, and catfish. There's a primary swimming rec area where you can rent paddle boats and move around what looks like a small lake. The swimming area is a buoyed off area with a diving platform out in the water that you can swim to and jump off of a couple diving boards. In another area, is the main waterfalls. The small lake above eventually funnels off to this waterfall. It's beautiful multiple-tiered falls with lots of giant boulders to climb around on and places to jump in the water. It can be slightly dangerous to climb around on, but if you're careful, you can have a lot of fun here.

They have grills, a nice lake, and pretty trails. Great place to go with the family or friends. If you go towards the back of the park, you even get a bit of a mountain-like scenery.

It is so nice to come here during spring, summer and fall! There is a lot of hiking/biking trails and places to swim. There is also a geocache which gives us a reason to explore the park more.

I always loved coming to this park to hike or run around. Such a lovely place to hang out with friends or to just enjoy nature. Trails are great and the value is too.

Lots of trails! A variety of features and always a line around anything that was too challenging. Great for a couple or group with varying skill levels. The map provided was very helpful as were the maps posted at various trail junctures. Will be back with friends and family!

I have two sons that attend Auburn University. We have enjoyed many trips over the years to Chewalca, both camping and in recent years, staying in their wonderful cabins. We have always rented the smaller cabin.

Very scenic, and lots to explore. Would definitely recommend checking out this location if you want a good adventure!

It's a quiet and serene place for hiking. We saw deer, turtles, different mushroom varieties, lizards, and skinks. The trails are connected in many ways, and they are not marked well, so it's very easy to go on an unintended trail even with a map.

Chewacla is a great place for a family day out of town, but if you live in Auburn AL you don't need to travel far.....maybe a mile. Yes right here in the middle of SEC football is a wonderful State Park, with bike trails, hiking trails, cabins to rent, whatever you desire. So load up the car, bring the dog and have a day out of the house.

Honestly didn't expect too much in regards to hiking in Alabama, but this little Star Park is a gem. Given that most trails are for mountain bikes, we were still able to get a scenic 3+ miles in. Mostly along river, with various elevation changes throughout. Very pretty along the rivers, creeks and waterfall

Hike to the falls and you will be glad you did. Bring some food and liquids but don't leave your trash like too many others have done.

Chewacla is well work a visit when in The Plains. It is a relatively rustic park yet has excellent picnic spots, waterfall view, and short hiking trails.

Restrooms are readily available, clean, and well stocked.

Didn't have time to explore all of the park, but did find a few geocaches - pleased to see that the park supports this activity and even mentions it in their guide. The walking trails were good and the rest room facility we used was much better than those typically in a state park.
Note that seniors only have to pay $2 entrance fee - that's a bargain!

Beautiful little 1930s park, everything built out of stone. Pretty lake, dirt bike trails for the adventurous, waterfall trails for those who just want a great walk. Campsites are large, wooded, peaceful. Bath houses clean even though they are old. And lots of things to go and see and do in the Auburn area. Definitely a campground star.

This place is great - and has been for decades - as a place to get away from studying inside a building and getting outdoors for fresh air and sunshine! Great place for a day out walking and hiking. Good for walking dogs.

We visited to kick off our 4th of July weekend with a picnic. The park was nicely shaded, had tons of bike and walking trails. We went to the waterfall to picnic. Wasn't too many flat places to picnic down there but we found a good size boulder to set up on. Not a huge waterfall but beautiful nonetheless. Even though the area was a little busy, it was still peaceful and the people friendly.
We really enjoyed our day and would definitely go back with the kids and experience more of the park.
Only nature lovers or aspiring nature lovers would appreciate this park for the jewel it is!

I often hike here on the trails with my 2 dogs . they love it . there are so many options for activities here.

Gorgeous location for a quiet stroll...love the woods and the waterfalls. Easy access but very private ambiance.

Take the time to enjoy the nature of the park, ride your bike, walk, car your choice. I plan on camping next time, we were not prepared this visit, can't wait.

The new hiking and bike trails are a hidden gem at Chewacla. Convenient access from I-85 but within 3 miles of AU Campus plus camping space.

I love doing short hikes in this park. It has a small waterfall and very hilly trails to hike on. You will really work out your legs after you go down to see the waterfall then walkin back all uphill. There is a nice lake there as well and camping options.

Chewacla state park is a serene and beautiful place to hang out anytime, with its lush green landscape and lakes. It makes a great picnic for people in and around Auburn

We really enjoyed this park. $12 to get in but in summer you can swim. Lots of picnic areas and trails plus mountain bike paths. We took our dog and walked several trails. The waterfall is pretty and the hike is short but very steep so it isn't for older folks or anyone not in decent shape. Looking forward to returning in the spring and summer.

The Chewacla State park is a beautiful forest with a large pond and waterfall and lots of hiking and mountain bike trails.

This lovely park is not far from our home but we had never heard about the waterfall before. On our way home from a longer trip, we stopped by to see it. The park is much more extensive than I realized from the blurb on my phone about the waterfall. We were hesitant to pay $8 for 2 people because we did not want to spend much time there and it was hot. But I am really glad we did. The waterfall is constructed but beautiful. Of more attraction for me were the boulders in the river, which made it possible to climb around a bit. It was not hot down there. So many big and beautiful rocks. A lot of them look like petrified wood but I can't find any info about that being true.

To see the waterfall, it's necessary to walk down (and then back up) a steep slope. Wear shoes with good traction. Sadly, some people leave entire bags of trash down there. Please don't be one of those!

A great way to enjoy the outdoors of Alabama. Challenging walks around the lake or through the water fall feed streams.

This is one of the best parks I have been to in the southeast. There are a ton of hiking and biking trails or you can relax at any of the campgrounds. There is also a beautiful waterfall that is a short hike from the rear parking lot and a lake with a small man-made beach.

There are a good number of hiking trails here as well as a man made "waterfall" from a dam that drains from a pond. The "waterfall" creates a nice stream that leads down to a creek which I ASSUME is spring fed since it's always so chilly! There are some good inclines to hike and picnic areas are provided. Plenty of parking!

a little pricey for a short stay but a nice stop close to town to enjoy the falls and outdoors (even at 106 degrees heat index that day)

My family of four recently stayed at Chewacla (nicknamed Chewbacca by my two sons, ages 8 and 9) for a Fri-Sun visit. The staff was helpful and informative. When I made my reservation by phone, the staff member I talked to guided me to choose a cabin that would be the most comfortable for my family. He took time to give me directions and sent a follow up email with all of the information that I'd need for our trip. When we arrived, a couple of hours early, the staff was happy to allow us an early check-in and even hooked up with a john boat, life jackets, and oars-all included with the cabin.

We stayed in Cabin 2 which sleeps up to 6 and overlooks Lake Chewacla. The cabin is a renovated 1930's cabin full of rustic charm AND a modern bathroom and kitchen. We found the cabin to be clean, well stocked with the kitchen basics, and ready for camping action. Outside of the cabin were several chairs for porch sitting, a picnic table for outdoor dining and a fire pit. We were in the perfect spot for fishing from our own little pier, but were close to the playground, swimming area (with high dive!) and just a short hike to the unexpectedly lovely Chewacla Falls. We could even hear the waterfall from the cabin. My kids enjoyed the woods and the water and had a blast making smores over a nice fire one night.

As far as location goes, Chewacla is nestled right off the main drag and we had easy access to the University, where we went to watch a few baseball games. It took us maybe 10 minutes to get to campus each day. It would be an awesome location to use as home base for home football games in the fall.

Overall our experience was just what we were looking for-"camping" light with the option to go do other stuff if we wanted to, but plenty to do on site if we didn't.

The park isn't "loved" nor at all modern. Created by unemployed people during the depression it was hacked out of rough ground just South of Auburn. At first glance you wonder why you came. But, if you go to the end of the road and hike down a rough trail you will come to the dam at the end of the lake. Again, time hasn't been kind to the dam but the scenery is amazing. Positively huge boulders cover the creek bed, creating challenging walking but delivering views and small ponds. I can just imagine the view on a rainy day - water pouring over that dam. Not a must see, but camping and picnic locations abound.

Chewacla is one of the premiere Alabama State Parks. It has plenty to do, from road to mountain biking, hiking, trail running, swimming, fishing, camping, RVing, exploring in general. Pay $4 fee (as of 25 July 2015) to enter. Nice facilities, with running water in bathrooms. Site of an old CCC camp. The mountain biking is some of the best in the South, with very active local club that maintains the trails system. Very well marked. Don't be surprised if a local spies your bike and strikes up a conversation! Very friendly people.

I went for a hike around the lake. It took me about an hour. The trails are every easy to recognize, and you won't get lost there since the park is not too big.
It has a dam that turns into a waterfall. It is very nice to hang out around the waterfall. I saw may people use their hammock there.
I would.say it is a very pleasant place to hike and hang out in the nature.
The only bad thing is that the ticket is $4 per person.

If you're looking for somewhere to let the kids run and play Chewacla is a great option. They also have cabin rentals and this is a fun place to stay when the weather is cool.

My family lives in Auburn and we enjoying hiking at Chewacla when it is cool. The hardwoods and streams are my favorite. The waterfall is fun but the lake not so much. Don't know much about the camping since I only live five minutes away. Not much money being put into state parks in Alabama so expect it to look sort of old.

Great little state park. Hiking around the lake and through the park and mountain biking.
There is a large pavillion area on top of a hill with great green space and nice views.

We enjoyed a nice hike to the falls. We really appreciated the low cost of admission - $5 for the 2 of us with a senior discount. People are very friendly on the trail. Downside - what's up with people who leave dirty diapers on the trail?? The water in the lake was very muddy from runoff I guess, but there's no way I would ever swim in what looks like the Big Muddy Mississippi. That dirty water didn't make great pictures of the falls. Overall though, worth a nice hike in the woods.

We stopped overnight on out way to North Carolina. Stayed in our Class C motorhome. Enjoyed the hiking trails and saw the beginning of fall colors.
We will return when we can spend more time.

This college town gets busier and more noisy every time we get down here from Minnesota to visit our daughter and son-in-law, so we especially enjoy the days we can manage to get out to gorgeous Chewacla State Park for a hike. The park ranger who greeted us at the gate on Sunday March 24 could not have been nicer and more welcoming. We happily pay the entrance fee to support park upkeep and to have the opportunity for some quiet communing with nature. Thanks to all the staff for your hard work and care for an absolute gem of this area.

Close to nature , clean ,safe, cabins in need , nice trail to look at water falls. Very close to the university so a nice break for students to relax.

Great place to walk and cool up.
During the trail we were lucky to see a couple of deer with a puppy.
Well-signed trail, with a small entry fee.
Great for the weekends.

For a flatlander, it is amazing to drive just a few miles down the road, just a slight travel off campus and find an elevation with a view, waterfalls, lakes and hiking trails. It has become a favorite spot and does get crowded at times.

It was a chilly but sunny day so we went to find the falls and hike around. The first path we went down we realized was for mountain biking so that wasn't super fun but it was a good warm up. We used the map and got up to the parking lot and pavilion that has the trail heads to the falls. The night before it had rained and it was cool enough to have froze, so it was a little slick in some areas. It was a little difficult with that combined with the steep incline. Overall though it was very beautiful and worth the hike up and down. Would love to go over the summer because they had a beautiful lake and swimming area.

Good place for a cookout especially if you can get the pavilion. Has a nice flat area good for kids to play as well

Road through and walked to the falls. Short hike little steep but not bad falls are pretty. The bike trails are really cool and the campground looked nice.

If you need a perfect place to camp. Go the Chewacla State Park. Beautiful Campground. Trees everywhere. Shady. They have all hook ups for RV

I hiked Chewacla State park on a weekend and was really impressed. Parking is easy and provides easy access to several hiking trails. It is a fairly easy hike around the lake and to see the falls. There are several hikes and hours you can spend in the park but, you can also do a few hours and just do a nice peaceful hike. Would love to go back and hike some of the other trails. Very scenic and nice.

Great park hidden south of town. There are many hiking trails, fishing area, picnicking, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, mountain biking in a beautiful setting just outside of town and the interstate. The park is used to host many activities, bike races and road races.

My wife and I did a morning hike through Chewacla State Park during a road trip. The state park can be a quick stop or a full day outing depending on how much time you want to spend there. The trails are mostly pretty easy, which is good in the summer heat. If you want to get to the waterfalls, there are some steel spots close by.

The highlight for us was the main waterfall. We climbed down the trail to get to the base of the falls, and we enjoyed some great views both of the falls and downriver. There is good water flow, a couple of places to safely dip your feet in the water or swim, and plenty of animals in the area if you are looking to birdwatch or look for lizards and salamanders. I definitely recommend it for hiking or a day outing if you are in the area!

Chewacla is great whether you're in the mood to hike, mountain bike, camp, picnic, or swim! The hiking and biking trails are always being improved and are well laid out. I've not taken advantage of the swimming or kayaking, but playing in the waterfall area after hiking to it is so refreshing. Be sure to bring your hammock to string between trees for a wonderful rest with God. There are cabins and camping spots, too. It's great to come alone or bring a big group! I live nearby, so we visit often, but haven't spent the night since our kids were scouts and we did the primitive camping thing - not my favorite, but it's a great place to do it. Any amount of time is worth it.

Such a beautiful place. Good place to take pictures and great for hiking or running. We took our young children and they loved it. Loved touching the water and taking several pictures.

I spent one day over here. Water is pretty high these days so fall are kinda wild but there is so many hikes and you totally need your mountain bike with you if you have any. Great place for family

I have been here on a date with my boyfriend and my dog and it was amazing! The waterfall is absolutely beautiful! We hung up our hammock and read books together!
I have also come with friends to go exploring/hiking/swimming! Such a fun place to be out doors & a very reasonable price!

We go often and hike down to the walls. It's always pretty-trails could be marked better but it's fun to make your own way down. Bring a sandwich and drink and hang out on the rocks. Nice and relaxing. Cheap to get in but probably not great for small kids.

great for picnics, hiking, camping, or mountain biking. feels like you are miles away from anything, but it's right on the edge of town

Stayed in a little cabin while son and daughter in law had their trailer here. VERY good little cabin, really roomy. Will be back.

Soak in the beauty of nature at this amazing state park! Bring the whole family for a picnic in the huge grassy field and then hike to see the awe-inspiring waterfalls. This park is also a great place to take your dogs with plenty of places to walk and swim. If camping is your thing, there is also a great campground!

Had to evacuate NE Florida thanks to Matthew and the closest room we could find was in Auburn, AL. As fortune would have it, the hotel we stayed at was real close to Chewacia State Park so we went there for a day and had a great time hiking the trails. Very scenic and fun. Many trails that range from easy to hard. Lots of bike trails as well. The lake was beautiful and there were even people swimming in it in October. Would like to go back sometime and rent one of their cabins and stay for a few days.

Been here several times and always amazed at the beauty of this place. Easy trail and beautiful payoff at the end with the waterfall.

It's a good state park. We camp there often for convenience. The camping spots are a little lacking, but they're decent. There are not many primitive spots, and only a couple of the primitive spots are very desirable. Occasionally we'll take an RV spot, which has a good level area, and a picnic table. However, many of these are crammed against each other for no privacy and very little out-door feel. The old RV storage spot behind many of the camping spots is an eyesore. And camping spots are not cheap!

But overall, we enjoy it here. Nice trails, pretty lake and cheap canoe rentals. Sometimes bikes are annoying on some of the trails (especially those near the camp spots), but that's not a deal breaker.

Swimming, camping, canoeing, paddle boats, cabins for rent, hiking, biking, playgrounds....so much to do. Pay attention though, because mountain bikes and people share the paths. Get a map at the guardhouse and you can see the variety of paths. Several convenient parking spaces. Cool area by the dam, rocks to climb on and pools of water to enjoy.

I have camped at Chewacla and really enjoyed my time there, but I have never rented a cabin. The hiking is excellent for beginners and families; it's nothing super tedious that children could not handle. The waterfall is a great sight and you can swim at the bottom of it. Lovely place!

A great park to step off the beaten path and relax a bit. Nice cabins, clean campground, and close to Auburn. Love it! AUsome trails and walking paths.

Walking to the falls was fun for our kids. We went on a weekday and the park felt like we were the only ones there. Hung out by the falls for 1-2hrs for a relaxing time.

I went there is past weekend with my boyfriend and it was breathtaking! We climbed all over the rocks and had a blast. We love hiking and doing outdoors things so this was perfect! The had many trails to walk and the also had bike ramps. There was no trash floating in the water which was wonderful. They keep this park in tip top shape

I visited Chewacla on a Sunday afternoon, wanting to hike and enjoy the spring scenery. Chewacla is a large state park and offers camping, picnic pavilions, hiking and biking trails. I found a beautiful creek and walked several nearby trails. It was a great afternoon and a beautiful place. I can't wait to go back!

A beautiful place to go hiking. My girlfriend and I really enjoy the peaks and adventure. They have different levels fir the trails. The Water Fall trail is our favorite.

We have often stayed at the cabins at Chewacla. They are roomy for a family and right on the lake. Lots of room for jogging and hiking and a little removed from the hoopla surrounding Auburn University football weekends. Well worth a visit!

A nice park near the lovely town of Auburn. Beautiful trees, plenty of trails for hiking and mountain biking. A must visit while in Auburn.

I spend a great deal of time here. Great mountain biking trails (ask for a trail map at the front) and cool hiking trails. It's fun to hike down to the waterfall from the top, but i recommend following the trails that run along the river. Creek view trail is my favorite for relaxing and enjoying the scenery!

This park is a peaceful play to get away. Nothing exciting to write home about, a picnic ground with bath house,(dirty). Up on the hill they have a nice One day Picnic Ground you can access the falls from this point, carry your own table and set up for picnic. Our trip was in Motorhome, sewer, water and power. You have to wing it on TV and Wifi. If you are in the area stop by, but don't make a special trip.

My wife and I love to visit this park on the weekends with our two dogs. Plenty of parking and lots of walking trails allow for a quiet afternoon. We love playing in the creek and watching our dogs jump around in the water. There is also decent creek fishing for those who enjoy it.

The hiking trails are well marked and can range from very easy to a little more strenuous. Several are around the water falls.

Hiked Chewacla this morning ... very pretty and peaceful. Not sure how it gets in the summer, but it was 70 degrees (perfect!) today and we saw one other family there - not crowded at all. The waterfall was gorgeous and the lake was serene. Hiking was interesting and not boring - trails were rocky and fun!

this place has a huge lawn area for game place, as well as large picnic areas for family reunion size. the best is a walk down to the creek and waterfall. my kids love to go down there and play. we usually up eating our picnic down there.

We stayed in one of the cabins. I wish I could give five stars, but the cabin was a bit musty. We stayed in the Pet-Free cabin however it smelled like wet dog. The staff could have done a bit more cleaning: cobwebs on the ceiling, and corners, floors were sticky, the pullout sofa...we were afraid to sit on, dust-bunnies the size of walnuts under bed and chest. Once you walk out the door, the beautiful view of the lake makes the world right again.

Nice place to swim around at the lake. The vibe is nice. People seem friendly. They have a nice changing area that's private. They need to fix the ladders on the floating island thing. It does not have alot of the bottom steps on the ladders in the lake. It made it hard to get on it. There is one on the ladder that is facing the backside away from the beach. If you go do not put your towel too close to the base of trees.. too many people have been bringing there dogs near the lake on the beach area. They pee and poop too close to the trees. Watch out. The dam / waterfall area is great. We climbed all over big boulders that line a waterfall. Bring cold water bug repellant and sunscreen. I only got bit by one mosquito no repellant. I would go back again. This is our second trip. If you bring a kayak there are many places to explore and enjoy natures beauty.

Very pretty and well worth the visit. We will be going back when back in the area. Pretty place to see.

Nice park for overnight although our pull through gravel site was a bit tight, probably normal for a state park. Lots of great trees. We walked toward the lake and found that it was closed with no explanation as to why. We heard the waterfall but couldn't figure out how to get there. There was a cool bench that had a solar panel on top that apparently charged cell phones, neat! Would have liked to stay longer but we were just passing through.

Visited the park with my wife, 2 year old daughter and 9 year old nephew.
The climb down to the creek is no sweat even with a baby in arms. The air of course is very fresh. I noticed the park is a mountain bike paradise. At the very entrance you can purchase firewood and charcoal for grilling. There's are a few areas with grills and picnic benches.
The park is very clean, I mean the locals take really good care of the common areas. Overall chewacala is a place for the entire family and specially hikers and mountain bikers.

Really pretty state park. We were very pleased. There are lots of trails, beautiful walking along the lake and the falls. There is also CCC History at the park.

No need to drive for miles and miles when a lake, water falls, woods and miles of walking trails are only about five miles from the Auburn University campus

Four bucks per person entrance fee is not so bad. The lake and the dam side is the best area within the park. A picturesque waterfall, the confluence of two streams and hiking trails are other attractions. And if you love biking, you will not have to disappoint, there are nice biking trails too...

Nice, short trail around the lake with waterfall view is well worth a short drive from College Street. The park brochure advertises one hotel, Clarion Inn & Suites. It’s very old, dirty and all bad reviews are accurate.

We hiked to the falls, along a creek, and around the lake. Others were sunning, biking, playing frisbee, etc., but there is enough room for everyone. Great day.

I've been camping and visiting here for years. If it's just for a day trip of hiking to the rocks or swimming, or a week-long camping adventure, you're going to love the amenities at Chewacla. Close to convenient shopping and about 4 miles from the Auburn University Campus. Feels like you're in the middle of nowhere!

Never knew this place existed and I love parks & love Auburn!!!! No idea how I missed it.

The cabins are awesome. You have to stay at one! They are on the lake.. well giant pond but it's beautiful!!

We have friends that travel to this park all the time for years now, they had no complaints. Good trails and boats with the cabin... and amazing bike trail and many bike competitions
For families there are restrooms in decent shape with trails and a couple of playgrounds with plenty of security on site. Definitely going back!

Such an awesome park! Chewacla is perfect for all your favorite outdoor activities from hiking to biking to picnicking. The waterfalls are beautiful and there are nice pavilions that you can rent out for events.

You would not expect a place like this so close to civilization. It is beautiful and serene. The falls are worth the trip to see (about 2 miles from the middle of Auburn) and the view of the quarry is spectacular.