Chewacla State Park

Chewacla State Park
Chewacla Falls
Chewacla State Park Location in Alabama
Location	Auburn, Alabama, United States
Coordinates	32°32′55″N 85°28′42″W[1]
Area	696 acres (282 ha)
Elevation	407 ft (124 m)[1]
Established	1939
Administered by	Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Website	Official website

Chewacla State Park is a public recreation area occupying 696 acres (282 ha) below Interstate 85 on the far south side of Auburn, Alabama.[2] The state park's central feature, 26-acre (11 ha) Lake Chewacla, provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating.[3]

History

In the late nineteenth century, Wright's Mill occupied a site in the park where swimmers could find a place to splash about in the mill's surrounding pool. In the 1930s, workers with the Civilian Conservation Corps developed roads, foot trails, and park buildings.[4] Their efforts can be seen in the park's stone cabins and arched masonry bridge. They also constructed the dam that created Chewacla Lake. The state took possession, opening the grounds as Chewacla State Park, in 1939.[5]

Awards

In June 2011, The United States Department of the Interior presented Chewacla State Park with a National Recreation award. Chewacla was one of 41 parks to receive this honor.[6] In September 2020, Chewacla State Park was one of eleven Alabama state parks awarded Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award, which recognizes businesses and attractions that earn consistently high user reviews.[7]

Activities and amenities

In addition to water activities, the park features a system of trails for hiking[8] and for mountain biking.[9] Its trail system was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2011.[10] The park has facilities for RV and tent camping in addition to its renovated CCC–era cabins.[11] In 2018, Chewacla received roughly 75,000 day passes along with 1,500 cabins rentals and 6,500 camping permits.[12]

References

1. "Moores Mill Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
2. "Chewacla State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
3. "Chewacla Lake". Chewacla State Park. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
4. Cameron J. (December 29, 2016). "Anatomy of a Park: The Story of Chewacla". Be Well. Auburn University Campus Recreation. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
5. Thomas V. Ress (August 11, 2015). "Chewacla State Park". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Foundation. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
6. Anthony, Chris (June 2, 2011). "Chewacla State Park trails earn national recognition". Opelika-Auburn News (AL). p. 2. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
7. "Trip Advisor Awards 2020". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
8. "Multi-Use Trails". Chewacla State Park. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
9. "Mountain Biking". Chewacla State Park Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
10. "Chewacla State Park Trail System". National Recreation Trail Database. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
11. "Cabins". Chewacla State Park. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
12. Taylor, Chris T. (June 9, 2020). "The Vascular Flora of Chewacla State Park, Lee County, Alabama". Castanea. 85 (87475 19384386): 169–184. doi:10.2179/0008-7475.85.1.169. S2CID 219560354 – via Science Citation Index Expanded.

External links

• Chewacla State Park Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources