Trails, Waterfalls & a Snake Surprise at Chewacla State Park 🐾🌲🐍

Hey trail friends! Ash here from Life on Paws and Wheels, and this week, Simba the Adventure Pup and I hit the forested paths of Chewacla State Park in Auburn, Alabama — and let me tell you, it was beautiful, peaceful, and just a little wild. (Spoiler alert: 🐍)

This dog-friendly gem delivered everything we love in a day hike — waterfalls, shaded trails, lake views, and a fun little adrenaline rush thanks to one curious reptile.

📍 Where We Hiked

Park: Chewacla State Park
Location: Auburn, AL
Distance Hiked: ~2–3 miles across interconnected trails
Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Dog-Friendly: Absolutely – Simba loved every step (except maybe the snake part)

🌳 Trail Highlights

From the moment we hit the trailhead, we were immersed in lush Alabama forest, complete with towering trees, soft pine needles underfoot, and the soothing sounds of nearby waterfalls. Here's what stood out:

💦 Chewacla Falls: A small but beautiful manmade waterfall near the lake — perfect for a scenic rest stop.
🌲 Shaded Trails: The forest canopy kept us cool even in midday sun.
🪨 Rocky Sections: Some trails had a little rugged character — great for a light challenge!
🌊 Lake Views: The tranquil lake provided some peaceful shoreline walking and photo ops.

🐍 The Snake Encounter

While weaving through one of the quieter stretches of trail, Simba suddenly jumped — and so did I.

Right in front of us: a non-venomous snake sunning across the path. No harm done, but it was a good reminder to always stay alert when hiking in the Southeast.

Simba handled it like a pro (me? not so much 😅), and we carefully gave our slithery friend plenty of space before moving on.

🐾 Simba’s Trail Report

Simba’s top picks from this adventure:

Sniffing every tree root
Splashing near the lake’s edge
Barking once at the waterfall mist
Not barking at the snake (good boy!)

🚐 RV Tips for Visiting

Chewacla State Park has RV sites with hookups, making it a convenient basecamp if you're traveling through Alabama. Sites are spacious and wooded, with access to the lake, trails, and restrooms nearby.

Just note: cell service can be spotty in the deeper parts of the park, so download maps ahead of time!

🎥 Watch the Full Video


In our latest video, we:

Walk the trails
Share peaceful views
Capture the snake surprise

Let Simba do what he does best — explore like a champ 🐾

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly videos featuring hikes, RV parks, quirky stops, and golden retriever trail joy.
📲 Follow our full-time RV journey across the U.S. → @lifeonpawsandwheels

Why Chewacla Should Be on Your List

✔️ Dog-friendly with plenty of space to roam
✔️ Waterfalls, forest, lake — nature variety at its best
✔️ Close to Auburn, AL for supplies or a local bite
✔️ Peaceful, scenic, and full of Southern charm

Just bring water, keep an eye out for snakes, and enjoy the ride.

Until next time — happy hiking, happy trails, and happy tails! 🐾🌲🚐
Location: Auburn, AL, USA

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