Chewacla State Park: the falls and what else is there
Chewacla Falls is the engineered exception on Alabama's waterfall list: the 34-foot drop exists because a Civilian Conservation Corps crew built a stone dam in the 1930s, and the falls now spill over it at the outlet of Lake Chewacla, in Chewacla State Park near Auburn. Most visitors come for more than the falls, and the $5 adult day-use fee covers all of it: a swimming lake, camping and a trail network.
It's one of ten stops in our waterfalls in Alabama guide.
No sourced coordinates are on file for this spot yet — see methodology.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 34 feet over the 1930s CCC-built dam, per published Alabama waterfall guides; the park doesn't list an official figure |
| Nearest town | Auburn, Alabama |
| Access | Lakeside Connector Trail or Mountain Laurel Trail, an easy walk from the main parking areas |
| Fee | $5 per person (ages 12–61); children 4–11 and seniors 62+ pay reduced rates, active and retired military free with ID, per Chewacla State Park's fee page |
| Legal status | Alabama state park, public land |
| Other amenities | Lake Chewacla swimming area, camping (tent and RV), picnic areas, mountain biking and hiking trails |
| Flow reliability | Dam-controlled, so flow is steadier than the state's rain-dependent creek falls |
Trail and access
Chewacla State Park sits about four miles west of Auburn University, a short drive that makes it a popular day trip for the college town. From the main parking areas, the Lakeside Connector Trail runs along the shore of Lake Chewacla to the dam and falls, an easy, mostly flat walk suitable for most visitors. The day-use fee buys access to the whole park, including the swimming area, picnic grounds and trail network, not a separate falls-only ticket.
The park and the falls
A fully natural cascade is the one thing Chewacla can't offer: the falls are the spillover of the CCC-built dam at the outlet of the 26-acre lake. They're a genuine draw all the same, framed by the stone dam structure and the pine forest around the water, and the dam-controlled flow means there's usually something to see even in the dry months that quiet the state's creek-fed falls. Since the search interest in "Chewacla State Park" covers more than the waterfall, the rest of the property matters here: a designated swimming beach at the lake, tent and RV camping, picnic shelters, and a network of hiking and mountain-biking trails that make this more of a full-day park visit than a quick waterfall stop.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from Alabama State Parks data for Chewacla State Park, published Alabama waterfall guides and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Fees and park amenities change; verify current rates and rules with Alabama State Parks before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Is Chewacla Falls a natural waterfall?
No, not entirely. It's formed by water flowing over a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps dam at the outlet of Lake Chewacla, rather than a natural rock ledge.
What does it cost to visit Chewacla State Park?
$5 per person for ages 12–61, with reduced rates for children 4–11 and seniors 62+, and free entry for active and retired military with ID. The fee covers the falls, the lake swimming area, picnic grounds and trails.
Can you swim at Chewacla State Park?
Yes, at the designated swimming area on Lake Chewacla. It's not lifeguarded, so treat it as an unsupervised natural swim spot.
Can you camp at Chewacla State Park?
Yes. The park offers both tent and RV camping in addition to its day-use areas; check current availability and reservation rules before a trip.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked August 2026. Read our full methodology.