In the southern most foothills of the Appalachian Trail, you find 696 beautiful acres perfect for rest and relaxation. But who wants that?! Load up your bikes and get ready to tear up some of the best single track the state of Alabama has to offer. Chewacla State Park offers a wide variety of trails: 30 miles ranging from beginner-friendly with progression built in, to hand-built trails with texture and options, along with a small skills area and the state’s only wall ride: a 15-foot-high arc with a 70-degree angle known as The Great Wall of Chewacla.
The system’s latest addition is the uber-advanced, double-black diamond Forbidden Zone, featuring a large number of man-made free ride features, including dirt and wood jumps, a qualifier skinny, step downs, hips, transitions, and other features. The trail has the largest gap jump (33ft.) in the Southeast.
Mountain biking gives people of all ages and experience levels an opportunity to get outdoors, and these trails offer great riding in all four seasons. Auburn-Opelika’s local mountain biking club, the Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP) is responsible for the thousands of hands-on volunteer hours that went into building these trails, and the group offers open instructional rides for all skill levels. Check out the weekly children’s Base Camp ride on Saturdays at 10am and the Sunday afternoon Ladies Only ride!
1. Chewacla Trail Specifics:
Chewacla State Park is the site of CAMP-SORBA’s main trail system. With over 30 miles of single track, Chewacla offers a place to ride for beginners and advanced riders alike.
Trails:
- Camp Trail (1.0 mile)
- Lakeside Connector Trail (.5 miles)
- Ranger Dell’s Trail (0.6 miles)
- Falls View Trail (1.0 mile)
- Creek View Trail (1.3 miles)
- CCC Trail (3.0 miles)
- For Pete’s Sake Trail (8 miles)
- Flo-Rida
- Armadillo Alley
- Groundhogs Day
- Old Skool
- Mama's Milkshake
- Kick Six
- Project X
- Base CAMP Trail
- Forbidden Zone
- Norba National Trail
- Rock Bottom
- High Gravity
- Tiger Woods
- Boy Scout Trail
- Sweet Shrub Trail
- Eagle Scout Tail
- Deer Rub Trail
- Mountain Laurel Trail
- Fox Trail
- Troop 30 Trail
- Pump Track’s (Workout/Skill Building Area)
- Twin Pines Dual Slalom (as a feature of Rock Bottom)
To download a printable pdf of the trails please [Click Here]
2. Lake Wilmore
Lake Willmore is a 2 mile intermediate loop located behind Ogletree Elementary. The trails at Lake Wilmore is a site of future work for CAMP-SORBA, with the trail head located in the Ogletree Elementary School parking lot. In a continuing effort with the City of Auburn, CAMP plans on adding additional trails to the already existing 2 mile trail system.
The current trails consist of a 2 mile loop that is a beginner/intermediate grade. The trail meanders through the surrounding woods, taking advantage of the gradual elevation gains that surround Ogletree Elementary School. The rider will constantly be engaged with a number of turns that transition well from one to the other. There are also a few “challenge” areas that are maked, suitable for the more intermediate riders or for the beginner looking to up their skill set.
To download a printable pdf of the trails please [Click Here]
3. Tuskegee National Forest
Tuskegee National Forrest is just a short drive from Auburn offering 12 miles of bikeable single track. The trek through Tuskegee National Forrest can be a challenge, but once complete you’ll enjoy the experience. Labelled as an “old school” trail, Tuskegee offers a back country experience just a short drive from Auburn Al. While the past few years the trail has fallen into disrepair CAMP is beginning efforts to bring the trails back to their original glory.
Start out on the Bartram Trail, which is currently a technical adventure through rocks, roots, and the periodic sand pit. Ride up to the intersection with Pleasant Hill Trail, and keep on riding. While riding through the long leaf forest, you’ll find many technical features to keep even the advanced rider on their toes. The trail varies between rocky and rooty to sandy and slippery.
When you reach the end, just turn around and come back the way you came.
CAMP Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers
About: Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers was founded in 2012 by a group of mountain bikers in the Auburn area who recognized the need for more trails and increased awareness for the sport in Central Alabama. At CAMP, we are passionate about improving our communities in Central Alabama through outdoor. In addition to competitions and large-scale rides, our members lead weekly rides on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in Chewacla State Park.
Our Mission: To promote trail advocacy, health, wellness, and education by developing, maintaining, and riding sustainable multi-use trails.
Our Vision: To improve the quality of life for the people in the communities we serve by developing mutually beneficial relationships that support the growth of multi-use trail systems and the promotion of outdoor activities.
How to get Involved: Become a member of IMBA & CAMP - Log on to www.imba.com and register as a member of IMBA
Get Connected: Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updates on CAMP activities throughout the week. Sign up here for our monthly e-mail newsletter for event reminders, stories about what CAMP is doing in the community, and info about mountain biking around the state.