The picture below doesnt show it well, but there was a small wet weather waterfall coming off the bluff above. It is definitely moderate. Small fee to park. [Updated September 30, 2021] Some experts suggest there are as many as 700 waterfalls in Georgia, although many of these remain remote and inaccessible to all but the hardiest of bushwhackers. We walked deep into this rock feature and enjoyed the cooler air inside. We enjoyed seeing all the vacation cabins and rentals and some of the properties were decorated for the holiday and the glow from them was cozy and inviting and really got us in the mood for the season. Please see our website for driving directions: www.alapark.com/DSP-Plan-Your-Trip, Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Just as you enter the park on the right, someone has built a house within feet of the waterfall. The day was perfectly foggy adding to the ambiance on the windy two-lane road up the mountain. The Bluff Overlook was a very easy trail, only slightly overgrown at the very end. The main visitor entrance to DeSoto Falls in Mentone, AL provides easy, paved trails along the upper rim of the falls. can be launched in the picnic areaat the boat ramp. Be sure to walk along the path to see the natural waterfalls as well. Stair access is easy to maneuver. I thoroughly enjoyed this trail! Getting to the bottom of it - Idioms by The Free Dictionary. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. There is nearby parking but you will not be able to go below the falls. Indeed, Caney Creek Falls Trail is one of the most beautiful secluded trails in Alabama. Well do a blog on DeSoto Falls State Park at a later date to share. 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. According to historical reports, a plate of armor once used by the explorer was discovered at the base of the falls in the 1880s. little rainy so the falls were huge! We plan to go back this fall when the colors are changing to take more pictures to share with you and hope to be able to take a little more time next time to soak in all of the beauty for a little longer. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 42 min to complete. Still, I just was not close enough. But because we tried what others said would be too much work, we experienced what no one else ever has. The lower falls is .3 miles down stream from the trail head, the second is .75 miles upstream. It had rained overnight so it was damp this morning but we had no trouble with mud. Read on for our guide to the DeSoto Falls Scenic Area, including some history of the area, an overview of the trail, and driving directions. Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The primary attractions to this area are the two waterfalls along Frogtown Creek, which lead from the wooden bridge across from the Host Site. Would like to look into that further. Explore this 2.3-mile loop trail near Fort Payne, Alabama. Just challenging enough without being overly strenuous. Pisgah Church Road (one-half mile before reaching the junction of US19 and US129 at Turner's Corner) marked by a US Forest Service sign indicating Waters Creek Campground. But by this time, my mind was made up. Fee: Free, pre-registration is required so to know how many to expect. There looks to be some good opportunities for bouldering along this trail although Im not sure that is permitted by the park or established by local climbers. Lovely views of the falls and many great photo opps. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Shot with a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and GoPro Hero 7. Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook Loop, Desoto Scout Trail North via Backcountry Trailhead, Little River Canyon National Preserve Backcountry. The views are wonderful and it wasnt all that crowded. Lots of rocks and roots. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The view is from the top of the falls. Ver enjoyable. Anna Ruby Falls. Just take your time and choose your footing wisely. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 52 min to complete. (7 miles from the main park area, near Mentone, Alabama). Its relatively easy, and there are benches lining the path and spots to stop and rest as needed. text and photos by Hope Cross; lead photo by Jason Dominy. Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Want to report conditions for this trail? Grab the essentials for a good time and hea Little River Falls is a popular site within the Little River Canyon National Preserve, a 12 mile long, 600 ft deep canyon.The 45-foot falls can be accessible from two different vantage points either via a paved but steep path from the parking lot down to an overlook, or by driving to a higher lookout on Canyon Rim Drive (the easier of the two). Want to report conditions for this trail? There is a safety rail around all of the viewing areas. Overall, a pretty waterfall. 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. 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. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial & privacy policies. The top of the waterfall is easily accessible with maintained paths and fenced overlooks. Theres also a cool cave to see and some to k formations on the way down. Will be hiking on rocky terrain down to the West Fork of Little River and walking upstream to the view of DeSoto Falls. Hike is open to ages 8 to adult. Not smooth trails. Just make sure to be careful while hiking around this area because the rocks can be very slippery. DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama. The hike was well worth the sure footed effort to get there. Some scrambling towards the very end; but, not too hard. There are some picnic tables about which were in use by families. How far is the hike to the swimming area? The lower falls is .3 miles downstream from the trail head, the second is .75 miles upstream. In the northeastern corner of Alabama on Lookout Mountain, near the town of Mentone, in DeSoto State Park, you find the most magnificent waterfall in Alabama, DeSoto Falls. Luckily, there is a mile-long path shooting off from a side road that leads you to the base. Then simply retrace your steps to the intersection and head to Upper DeSoto Falls. 5/5 Great adventure, and the detour we took just made it all the more fun for us, great views! Although the falls wasnt running a lot trails where still decent. For a more private an intimate view, there is a pull off on the side of the road and trail access. Definition of getting to the bottom of it in the Idioms Dictionary. Lots of rocks and roots to climb over. The trail is fairly simple with some rocky spots and a little steep. But we didnt and that is why I will continue to push the limits for the best adventures. My assumption is possiblely. Ten feet from the base, I was overwhelmed. Youll see the DeSoto Falls entrance on your right. We hope you and your family and friends will make as many wonderful memories here as we have. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. getting to the bottom of it phrase. READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Helen GA. Its a little complicated to find if you dont follow separate directions as your GPS may not get you there directly depending on where you are coming from. they one to the waterfall is strenuous coming back up. Several kids were out enjoy the trail. We visited the falls on a cool and misty day in March when the water was high and the crowds were nonexistent, and we found Desoto Falls to be spectacular in every way. This is a place where you can go and connect with nature and your friends and A little wet in spots, but the falls were spectacular! Set out on an adventure hike with DeSoto State Park staff to the bottom of one of Alabamas tallest waterfalls, DeSoto Falls! Easy hike with some elevation & a fully charged waterfall. Because this area is wet year-round, the waterfall never dries up. It was wet and leaves all over the trail, but you could still easily see the trail. We stepped over waist-high boulders and loose rocks that gave way beneath our feet. Other available amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, lantern posts, and a dumpster for bagged garbage. In North America, he was the first European documented to have seen the Mississippi River. We happened upon thisbest-kept secret in North Alabama in 2017 when looking for a place to spend quality time with family. You'll notice cars parked in a dirt parking lot. read more. I pondered these personal preferences as I made the 1.9-mile hike to see DeSoto Falls, a series of two waterfalls situated in a rhododendron-lined forestalong Frogtown Creek. For a more private an intimate view, there is a pull off on the side of the road and trail access. On our way back to the top of the trailhead, we chose to follow the River Trail path all the way back. This 1.7 mile loop is almost entirely on a wide pebbled road making this hike perfect for gettingfamilies and friends outdoors. Today, these North Georgia waterfalls are part of the 650-acre DeSoto Falls Scenic Area. The campground has 24 campsites arranged in two loops, with several located along Frogtown Creek. The bottom of DeSoto Falls offers a less trafficked and less touristy view of the magnificent waterfall. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. My friends said we couldnt do it, and honestly, I believed them. A lot of rocks so be careful with ya ankles. How To Get Bottom Dollar. Highly recommended. Well kept by the US Park Service. As Ive stated numerous times, it was extremely difficult to get the kayak to the waterfall and we will probably never do it again. Some folks focus on the sheer beauty of the waterfall. The DeSoto Falls trail is an ideal hike for children and people with mobility issues. Typical state park food, not spectacular but not bad either. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about theLeave No Traceprinciples ofresponsible environmental stewardship. You are going to want shoes with good ankle support. But I would say its moderate as far as the terrain. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 48 min to complete. Nice hike, lots of roots and rocks, but nothing too difficult. There are no water hook-ups, electric hook-ups, or dump sites. It was a struggle to idle near the flume as the strong current pushed me away. The upper falls are 200 feet tall, multi-tiered, and much more impressive than the lower falls. 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