With beautiful weather at its peak, Chewacla State Park has all the essentials for the best summer yet.

From grilling out to swimming in the lake, you can make so many good summer memories here. 

Grill Out

The first thing you must do is grab charcoal and some friends. This is a great opportunity to invite friends you haven’t seen in a while or strengthen new relationships. From personal experience, anywhere there’s food, a college student will soon follow. I’d recommend bringing a few things for your trip to the grill: foil to clean the grill, charcoal to cook with, sides to go with whatever you choose to grill, and a spatula. Take this as your reminder to make a checklist to ensure your day at Chewacla is the best it can be.

Swim

There is an island dock off the shore in the swim area that’s perfect for tanning or enjoying the diving board. In these Alabama summer temperatures, a swim is probably going to be the first thing on your mind. I mean, it’s definitely on mine.

Hike to the Waterfall

There is a beautiful hike to the waterfall at Chewacla. The trail is classified as moderate and is about a 2.5-mile loop. This trail goes straight through the beautiful sight that many of us have seen posted on Instagram. If you’re looking to explore nature and maybe even get your feet wet, the waterfall is the place to be. If you’re a biker, there are multiple bike trails around the park to try as well.

Hammock

Chewacla is known for its recreation opportunities and beautiful trees. Something you can do to relax or even get some schoolwork done is bring a hammock and enjoy the outdoors. There are multiple locations to try hammocking. The first I’d recommend is down the creek from the waterfall. The air is cool and the sound of rushing water is very relaxing.

Camp

Chewacla also has camping sights. Most of us forget about the opportunity to stay past 6 p.m. when the gates close, but bring a tent, reserve a sight, and stay overnight. Bring some friends and you’ve got an adventure right in Auburn! You can see all the different camping options here.

Chewacla State Park offers many opportunities to have fun with friends or relax and soak in nature on a sunny day. Soak up the sun and take the opportunity to explore right here in Auburn.

Happy exploring, and…

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Bethany F.