This thunderous 104-foot falls is located within DeSoto State Park … Not much of a hike here but the scenery is amazing!! Look out for a pond about 30 minutes away on your drive back for a spectacular display of lilly pads and aquatic life. DeSoto Falls Bluff View Trail is a 0.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Mentone, Alabama that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Adventure Hike-DeSoto Falls Basin. The grade is steep as you get close to the overlook so wheelchair and stroller users will likely need assistance with the final stretch. About the hike: This hike is approximately 1.5 miles total but considered moderate to strenuous due to the mountainous terrain and … DeSoto Falls. But if you are wanting to go straight to the base of the falls; take the path that from the pull off immediately starts going downhill. Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook Loop, Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Much of the upper falls trail is wide and level. Little Falls, also referred to as Martha Falls  and the “Hippie Hole” by the locals, is a popular swimming hole a part of Little River Canyon National Preserve, located along the state line of Alabama and Georgia. DeSoto Falls is a 0.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Mentone, Alabama that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. We hiked at nearby Desoto State park and finished our day by taking the short drive to this incredible waterfall. DeSoto Falls. So beautiful! This is worth the trip in just beauty alone, but there was still so much to see that we didn’t get to see. This was the second death at DeSoto Falls … So KEY THING: from the pull-off there are TWO trails that have been worn, one is a bit more obvious and leads to the left, this is the WRONG path. Take the trail less traveled and fight your way over rocks, fallen trees and thick brush to the base of DeSoto Falls. We all love it! Kayak rental on-site. can drive right up to the falls. Green Leaf Grill $ $ $ $ Western-style. There are 2 parking areas. Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook Loop is a 1.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Mentone, Alabama that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Reaching a wooden bridge spanning the boulder-filled Frogtown Creek, the hike turns left, crossing the creek and catching upstream views of its rhododendron-lined banks. This difficult to follow trail is seldom traveled on, so keep your bearings and if you get stuck/lost, head down to the river and just follow it upstream to the falls. The rock landing will give you a beautiful view of the falls. I saw a few people down below, along the edge of the pool at the bottom of the falls. I will definitely be taking my kayak next time to paddle around under the falls. According to a sign posted on the DeSoto Falls Trail , a 2.4-mile (3.9 km) in and out hiking trail to the falls, a plate of armor was discovered at the base of the falls in the 1880s. After a half mile there is a small pull off that fits a … At the bottom of each of the two falls there is a nice viewing platform. Nice place for a picnic. Hiking Sitton's Gulch is a great option for those who want to get a little more distance than what the 2.1 mile Waterfalls trail has to offer. 3.25km away. Length 1.4 mi Elevation gain 203 ft Route type Out & back. You'll notice cars parked in a dirt parking lot. parking. The staircase to the falls has a very impressive mosaic on the risers, very imaginative work by those involved. One big piece of advice I will give to add to the directions, as everyone else has said getting there can be a bit tricky, one major thing to note is that at the pull off, yes there are power lines and it's a small dirt/scattered gravel pull off, but the boulders mentioned aren't as noticeable from where I parked, so don't feel like you're in the wrong place if from the pull off you don't see a massive boulder. Do the top where you pay to park but also so the trail that leads to the bottom of the fall. Excellent little park to see a fabulous waterfall! Hiking down to the base of the falls is well worth it and pretty simple. Please explore responsibly! After viewing the falls, retrace your steps to the car. Follow the Menlo, GA /Alabama stateline, take AL-117 2. I'd been to DeSoto Falls a couple of times but for some reason had never explored the rest of the park. Parking. Definitely suggest to go down to the bottom. Your trip to DeSoto Falls and Little River Canyon could easily turn into a multi-day trip of hikes and waterfalls. It is really beautiful but it doesn't take you to the bottom which was disappointing! Can be tricky to find the trail at times, but like the description says, following the river will lead you there. this was fun. A nice short paved trail with multiple trail options to reach the don't have to work for it at all. Kid friendly! So easy! After a large rock outcrop the trail turns right and climbs the final 50 feet to a viewing platform almost directly underneath the falls, which combines free-falling water and steep cascades to careen some 35 feet into a small pool. Turn LEFT onto CR-89/ DESOTO PKWY/ LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN PKWY. Easy hike to view the falls near the top. ~After 0.8 miles, turn right at the T … You will see a small cave along the way, very cool! Reach the bottom of the gorge at the West Fork of the Little River at 0.3 miles. Also there were a lot of people the day we went. DeSoto Falls State Park superintendent Josh Hughes said a group of college-age people were swimming at the bottom of the falls. Overlooks provide views of the beautiful falls. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your So beautiful. After considering different options we agreed to meet in Trenton, Georgia to head over into Alabama to DeSoto Falls State Park for some waterfall viewing. Even though it's a drive up destination, it is well worth it. For a more private an intimate view, there is a pull off on the side of the road and trail access. DeSoto Falls is separate from DeSoto State Park for anyone wondering. adventures and follow local regulations. Heading south on AL Hwy 89, take a left turn on Dekalb Country Road 613. One of my favorites ! There is a $4 parking fee. You can take several different trails to get to the bottom. The upper trail climbs and drops about 150 feet over 3/4 mile (1.5 miles round trip). Google Maps Desoto Falls or look at our map above! What an awe inspiring sight! In 2.2 miles, turn left again onto CR-613. The path you want to take is the one that goes down the hill next to the pull off, when I went I thought the left path would eventually go downhill, it does not. Set out on an adventure hike with DeSoto State Park staff to the bottom of one of Alabama’s tallest waterfalls, DeSoto Falls! Making the less than 1 mile trek at sunrise and in the rain didn't help, but the view and sandwich (bring your own) at the base of the falls is worth it. The dirt parking lot pictured is the parking for the bottom of the waterfall and the view of the waterfall. The view is from the top of the falls. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. It is completely worth being able to paddle right up to the massive chute of water! 5/5 Great adventure, and the detour we took just made it all the more fun for us, great views! This is not just a park and see location! Wildflower Cafe $ $ $ $ Western-style. Trail was very steep and rough, but once you reach the bottom of the fall it is beautiful. I would not really classify this as a trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. We’ll definitely visit again! We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. Desoto Falls Bottom and Ice Cave is a 1.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Mentone, Alabama that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. You can take several different trails to get to the bottom. Directions to DeSoto Falls from DeSoto State Park ~From DeSoto State Park’s Country Store: Turn to the left onto County Road 89 heading towards Mentone. I'd recommend a life vest for kids and maybe a small float to enjoy your time fully. There are better places to view DeSoto Falls, I just didn’t know exactly how to get to them. If you’d like to get to the base of the falls and not just the viewing platform there is actually a pull off area before the pay for parking area that you go to and can park. A little light rain when we were there, we will return and if it is dry go to the bottom. You can continue down to the bottom. The DeSoto Falls are named for Spanish explorer Hernando deSoto, who passed through Georgia around 1540. DeSoto Falls, DeSoto State Park, DeKalb County One of the state’s largest falls, especially after rain. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Really just stairs down to the overlook where you get a nice view of the falls. Beautiful easy walk. There is a pretty obvious trail that starts there at the dirt parking area, but I suggest staying to the right where it goes down hill to a lower trail. Directions: 1. It is pretty well worn most of the way. No signs, but you really can't miss it if you're looking for it. Both of them are easy to visit, and you should take the time to view both. The trail is primarily used for walking and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Lois and I decided to get out for some hiking on Sunday, March 3, 2013. The park shares a name with DeSoto Falls, a spectacular 107 foot waterfall located less than 6 miles from the main part of the park. A friend and I strung up some Eno's down at the base of the falls on a few trees and enjoyed the area for a few hours. Turn left and begin a short, easy-to-moderate switched-back climb to the Lower Falls. There are two waterfalls which can be easily viewed along the DeSoto Falls trails. This water falls is definitely worth the trip! Most of these smaller falls … We did the river trail down and icebox cave trail back up. This is one of my favorite spots in northeast Alabama. The DeSoto Falls Recreation Area is located off Highway 129 just inside the National Forest boundary. From here you park your car then head towards the power line clearing area and can follow multiple trail routes down to the base of the falls depending on how many … It is towards the moderate difficulty level, with switch backs and a few stairs. Beautiful, paved trail. When you start to descend towards the water the trail can be a little difficult to follow, but if you just head to the water and walk upstream you shouldn't have any trouble getting back on the trail. Another view of the falls The canyon at the bottom of the falls More than 100 feet high, the waterfall flows year round and is part of DeSoto State Park. On the way back, remember that part of the way will be at an incline. Even if you don't go the right way... 100% Recommend going down to the base of the falls vs the view from the top (Assuming you only have time for one, otherwise why not do both haha). If you see the top of the rock formations, you have gone too far and will need to descend to the trail that goes through those rocks. I have done the trail many times myself and have gone with kids (8, 7, 5). The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. There is a trail head to the right before you get to the top of the falls/parking lot. Not really a trail, but the falls are quite beautiful. Desoto Falls is an hour and a half drive from Huntsville. Can feel commercialized if you're just going to hang at the top of the waterfall. If you are up for the challenge, lug a kayak to the base of DeSoto Falls. Takes it to a whole different level! Pocket Picnic Shelter is a popular location for large groups that want to enjoy a secluded area. We also never made it to the caverns, which is still on our to do list. $4 admission per carload. Not really a trail, but absolutely worth the visit as the view is breathtaking. 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