Trail Report: Chewacla State Park
It’s amazing how much can change in a decade. During my time as an undergraduate and graduate student at Auburn University, Auburn had a handful of basic trails at best - more of a “better than nothing” option than a destination. Fast forward to today, and the state park has undergone nothing short of a renaissance, now with over 20 miles of some of the most impressive singletrack I’ve ridden.
The transformation is immediately apparent from the moment you drop in. They have made a masterfully designed system offering everything from flowing forest singletrack to technical rock gardens and impressive wooden features. The variety is stunning - you can warm up on the beginner-friendly CAMP’s Trail, progress to the highly-rated intermediate Kick Six, and if you’re feeling adventurous, tackle the aptly named High Gravity or the challenging Tiger Woods trail.
The park has done an excellent job of creating progression opportunities. Newer riders can build confidence on the six easy-rated trails before moving up to the nine intermediate options. For the more experienced, there are six difficult trails that will test your skills and nerve, including The Forbidden Zone - a very difficult rated section that lives up to its name.
What makes Chewacla particularly special is how accessible it all is. The park now offers glamping tents that are a mountain biker’s dream - climate controlled with proper bathrooms, and literally steps away from the trailhead. You can roll out of bed and be on world-class singletrack before your morning coffee gets cold. It’s the kind of setup that transforms a day trip into an unforgettable weekend of riding. You can even, I learned, get uber eats sent to you tent because of how close this all is to Auburn. Great option for the lazy or exhausted.
Some standout trails include:
- Kick Six: A 2-mile intermediate trail that’s consistently rated as one of the park’s best
- High Gravity: 1.1 miles of intermediate/difficult terrain that will test your technical skills
- Rock Bottom: A 3.5-mile intermediate/difficult trail that makes excellent use of the park’s natural features
- Falls View Trail: A scenic intermediate option that combines great riding with beautiful views
The transformation of Chewacla is a testament to what a dedicated mountain biking community can achieve. The Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP) have been instrumental in developing and maintaining these trails, and their work has quite literally put Auburn on the mountain biking map. What was once a small college town’s modest trail system has become a legitimate destination for riders throughout the Southeast.
The trails are really great, and especially with as much as they have, it’s worth a trip just to ride them.