Auburn is a fairly small town, so it is common for the average college student to want to get some fresh air for the day. Auburn is located in near a few spectacular sights that everyone will want to see.
Providence Canyon State Park
Providence Canyon State Park is an hour and 20-minute drive from Auburn (64.8 miles).
With 16 canyons total that stretch over 1,103 acres, it is known as the “mini Grand Canyon.”
The canyons, a result of poor farming practices during the 1800s, are forged from sandstone and show a wide array of colorful soil that includes red, white, purple, pink and orange.
There are 10 miles of trails to hike, all beginning and ending at the visitor’s center. One of the most popular, the Canyon Loop Trail, covers nine of the canyons and takes about two hours to complete the 5-mile hike.
Smith Mountain Fire Tower
The Smith Mountain Fire Tower is 37 minutes from Auburn (30.1 miles) and gives panoramic views of Lake Martin. It was originally built in 1939 but was restored in 2012 when it opened to the public. There is a short, half-mile hike to the tower followed by a climb to the top of the 80-foot tower. It is an amazing spot to view the sunset or sunrise any time of the year.
Cheaha State Park
Cheaha State Park is an hour and 33 minutes from Auburn (77.6 miles). At the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the park is home to the highest point in Alabama, measuring 2,407 feet above sea level.
The state park is surrounded by the Talladega National Forest which comprises 11 state parks. The park offers several hiking-only trails, but the most popular is the Bald Rock Boardwalk Trail which is only one-quarter-mile in length and has a scenic overlook that stretches halfway to Birmingham.
Chewacla State Park
Not even 5 miles from Auburn sits Chewacla State Park. There is a short, but semi-challenging hike through woods to the waterfall. The waterfall was man made in the 1930s to dam up the lake. Aside from the short hikes, Chewacla is known more for its outstanding bike trails. They also offer rentals for canoes and paddle boats.
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River, located in Columbus, Georgia, is only 44 minutes from Auburn (36 miles). The whitewater rafting is located on the river was nominated one of the Top 12 Man-Made Adventures in the World by USA Today.
The river contains rapids ranging up to a class five. There are two versions of the trip: classic and challenge. The challenge version occurs when they release water from the dam. They also offer to relax flatwater tubing, paddle boarding, and kayaking.
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