ALMetro360 July 2018

Alabama’s Chewacla State Park Enjoy Nature at Your Own Pace S TAFF R EPORT C HEWACLA S TATE P ARK GIVES YOU THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS . W HETHER YOU WANT TO KICK BACK , RELAX , AND ENJOY NATURE ’ S TRANQUILITY , OR ARE LOOKING FOR OUTDOOR CAMPING AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES , THIS S TATE PARK HAS JUST WHAT YOU NEED . C HEWACLA S TATE P ARK HAS CAMPING FACILITIES FOR RV, CABIN , AND PRIMITIVE CAMPERS , A BEAUTIFUL 26- ACRE LAKE FOR WATER ACTIVITIES , AND HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS SUITED FOR BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE HIKERS . A MIX OF MODERN OUTDOOR AMENITIES AND RENOVATED DEPRESSION - ERA CABINS COMBINE TO OFFER THE PERFECT RETREAT FROM THE HUBBUB OF EVERYDAY LIFE WITHOUT THE COMMITMENT TO A FULL WILDERNESS OUTING . ust 4 miles from Auburn, and a short hop off the interstate, Chewacla State Park is al- most 700 acres of outdoor recreation in a tranquil setting that displays some of Na- ture’s best offerings. Abundant wildlife, a large variety of flora and native trees, and an interpretive nature trail offer the nature lover a perfect setting for a day or weekend of relaxation. The 26-acre Lake Chewacla, Moore’s Mill and Chewa- cla Creeks, and the waterfall at Chewacla Creek Dam offer water activities that include: fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and even some whitewater paddling. The park’s close proximity to Auburn University also makes it an attractive weekend option for college football fans, and parents visiting their kids at the univer- sity. Constructed in the 1930’s as a Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) project to provide jobs for the local labor force, Chewacla State Park still retains many of the original stone structures. There are 6 rustic stone cabins that have been completely renovated, and two group pavilions near the picnic, playground and lake areas. Modern campers will enjoy the three dozen sites with full hook- ups, and there are also 15 primitive camp sites for backpack and tent campers looking for a more roughing-it style camping experi- ence. Showers, shelters, and comfort facilities are available to all camping areas. Picnic tables and grills are also scattered through- out the camps. Visitors on day-trips, and group excursions will appreciate the large group picnic area, also with picnic tables and grills, shelters, and a pavilion, adjacent to the playground and comfort stations. Just a few steps away is Lake Chewacla with a swimmer’s beach, and diving platform out on lake itself. Non-motorized boating, (canoes, kayaks, rowboats), is allowed on the lake, as is fishing for some of the abundant big Bass, Bream, and Catfish or Crappie. If the lake does not do it for you, there are two creeks to fish and pad- dle on. One of the main attractions for day-trippers and hikers alike is the Chewacla Lake dam, which created the 30-foot high Chewacla Waterfalls. Hiking at Chewacla has trails for all but the most extreme hikers. Eight trails, ranging from an easy interpretive nature trail, to youth and moderate trails wind throughout the park. The interpretive trail, The Sweet Shrub Trail, is the shortest and is incorporated as the ending point for several of the other moderate trails. The Deer 24 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com DESTINATIONS ................................................................................................................................ J