Waterfalls
Beautiful Waterfalls on Lookout Mountain
For other waterfalls to be seen in North Alabama, see www.northalabama.org
Dekalb County: www.visitlookoutmountain.com
THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE MOST WATER FLOW IS USUALLY IN SPRING, LATE FALL, & WINTER. PLEASE NOTE: MOST OF THE FALLS & STREAMS AT DESOTO STATE PARK ARE DRY IN SUMMER MONTHS, DEPENDING ON RAINFALL.
DeSoto Falls in DeSoto Falls Picnic Area
Laurel Falls on Laurel Creek
This small but beautiful waterfall can be found off of the orange trail and falls about 6 feet. It is about 0.75 miles from DeSoto’s Country Store and the trail is rugged & moderate with some uphill climbs.
Indian Falls on Laurel Creek
This interesting waterfall falls about 20 feet into a small ravine, located just across the road from the Talmadge Butler Trailhead. Indian Falls is about 0.1 miles from the trailhead and is easily reached over a small footpath. A wooden footbridge crosses over the top of this beautiful sight.
Lodge Falls
This easy to find waterfall is located just behind DeSoto’s Lodge. Lodge Falls drops about 25 feet and is very rainfall dependent. The best view point of this waterfall is reached by hiking down into a small ravine and then getting on the yellow trail for a short distance and coming back out next to the Lodge.
Lost Falls on Laurel Creek
This waterfall is the hardest to find in DeSoto State Park, mostly because when no water is flowing, it is truly lost! The best time to see this small 5-foot waterfall is in the Spring or Winter seasons. Lost Falls is located about 1.5 miles from DeSoto’s Country Store and terrain can be moderate to mildly strenuous.
Azalea Cascade on Laurel Creek
This small cascade flows into a pool located at the end of the Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail. Can also be reached by the red trail behind the Country Store
Little River Falls
Located in the Little River Canyon National Preserve 10 miles South of DeSoto State Park, 45-foot Little River Falls is located off Alabama Highway 35 in Fort Payne, Alabama. The most popular way to see Little River Falls is via the falls parking lot across the Al Highway 35 Bridge. A 100-foot ADA-accessible boardwalk leads from the parking lot to an overlook near the falls. The Little River Falls parking area is open daily during daylight hours
The amount of water going over the falls depends on the amount of rainfall. In the winter and early spring the water level is high. During the summer and early fall, the water level is much lower.
Little River Canyon National Preserve Website
Grace's High Falls
Located in the Little River Canyon National Preserve a several miles South of DeSoto State Park, this 133 foot waterfall is one of the tallest in the state. The Graces Falls Overlook can be reached by taking the Canyon Rim Drive (AL Hwy 176) off of AL Highway 35.
The amount of water going over this seasonal waterfall depends on the amount of rainfall. In the winter and early spring the water level is high. During the summer and early fall, the water level is much lower.
Grace’s Falls Overlook Website
Congo Falls
Congo Falls Park is located inside Congo Nature Preserve and borders Little River Canyon National Preserve in Cherokee County Alabama. Opened to the public May 1st 2021.
Congo Falls Park does require a permit to access the park, that must be obtained from the park office or online at least 12 hours in advance
