This Underrated, Beautiful State Park In Alabama Is Perfect For Both Campers And Glampers

Alabama is a state with a little something for everyone to enjoy in the great outdoors, no matter the season. You won't be disappointed whether you are looking to spend time on a top-ranked, budget-friendly beach or hoping to surround yourself with mountains and cascades. According to the State Parks Division, Alabama is also home to 21 state parks spanning more than 45,000 acres of water and landscapes across the state. While there are plenty of parks to choose from, if you're a camping enthusiast, you'll find that a getaway to Chewacla State Park is a particularly thrilling experience you won't want to miss the next time travel plans bring you this way.

Located on Shell Toomer Parkway in Auburn, Alabama, Chewacla State Park is a beautiful vacation destination that provides visitors with an inspiring time in nature. It's also a place where you have options for including primitive camping and glamping alike on your itinerary. Chewacla State Park boasts nearly 700 acres of terrain across which visitors can enjoy access to a lake, playgrounds, trails, campsites, and picnic areas. Whether you're here for a few days or looking forward to an extended stay in good company, there's no shortage of options for outdoor fun and camping adventures waiting to be tried.

Customized camping is within easy reach at Chewacla State Park. If you're looking to enjoy a primitive camping experience, this park hosts nine campsites designed just for that. When you arrive with your tent in tow, you'll find plenty of space to park a single vehicle and room for four adults to stay comfortably on-site. There's a small fire ring at each campsite for roasting s'mores and easy access to two bathhouses.

RV campers will love that Chewacla State Park hosts 36 sites fit for vehicles up to 60 feet long. RV campsites are located along two park loops with easy access to showers and restrooms. Each site is topped with gravel and offers full water, sewage, and electrical hookups. Pull-through and back-in sites are available, and if you need to stock up on essentials, there's a camp store where you'll find snacks, drinks, and even souvenirs.

If it's more of a glamping trip you're looking to experience; you can have that too when you book a glamping safari tent. These come furnished with beds, kitchenettes, home decorations, electrical outlets, and air conditioning. A deluxe safari tent hosts a king bed, while a double safari tent comes with two queen beds. Glamping safari tents also include hammocks, outdoor chairs, a picnic table, a fire ring, and wood, as well as string lights to set a sophisticated scene in nature.

Elevate your glamping experience even further in one of the six lakeside stone cabins available at Chewacla State Park. Built in the 1930s, these cottages were renovated in 2003 to include fireplaces, heating, bathrooms, kitchens, televisions, hardwood floors, and air conditioning. Linens are always provided for up to four guests in smaller cabins and six guests in larger ones.

Camping by the water provides opportunities to get out and enjoy all the 26-acre Chewacla Lake offers. It's a popular place to canoe, kayak, paddleboard, and swim. There's a diving platform for guests to enjoy, but you will want to note that there aren't any lifeguards on duty when you get out on the waves. If you're looking forward to fishing, pick up an Alabama fishing license and get ready to enjoy time on a lake well-stocked with catfish, sunfish, largemouth bass, and crappie. If you don't have a vessel, you can rent a canoe at the beach access on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for $20 an hour. The Chill Spot food truck organizes canoe rentals between November and February.

If pairing camping with hiking is your style, Chewacla State Park has many multi-use trails to explore. The Deer Rub Trail and the Mountain Laurel Trail lead to scenic Chewacla Falls, a must-visit for all campers. This nearly 30-foot cascade is beautiful and an ideal photo backdrop to commemorate your stay.