We walked deep into this rock feature and enjoyed the cooler air inside. As I enter my sixth decade as a traveler and professional photographer, I cant begin to tell you the cost of expansion that Ive seen in these pristine areas. The campground has 24 campsites arranged in two loops, with several located along Frogtown Creek. Hope this helps. The array of amenities made it feel more like a city park than a taste of wild, untamed nature. Most of the path is dirt and roots, but there are a number of rocks to climb up and over as you make your way down this path. We were so excited to go that we forgot our rain gear and long sleeves but we were thrilled with the falls and so happy to be there. We were NOT disappointed in the least and this is our new favorite (semi) local falls. Anna Ruby Falls, formed by Curtis and York creeks, are local favorites in Helen. There was a small fee to park. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. 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). For paddle shack hours, rental prices, & more info, seewww.alapark.com/kayak-little-river, Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DeSoto Falls Picnic Area 2022 DeSoto State Park, DeSoto Falls Picnic Area 2022 DeSoto State Park 1. The 20 Best North Georgia Waterfalls (& How to Get to Them), The 10 Best Waterfalls Near Blue Ridge GA, How to Get to Anna Ruby Falls Near Helen GA, How to Get to Dukes Creek Falls Near Helen GA, How to Get to Helton Creek Falls in Blairsville GA, How to Get to HemlockFalls at Moccasin Creek State Park, How to Get to Minnehaha Falls on Lake Rabun, How to Get to Panther Falls & Angel Falls at Lake Rabun Beach, How to Get to Long Creek Falls in Blue Ridge GA, How to Get to Horse Trough Falls in Helen GA. Part of the Chattahoochee National Forest, DeSoto Falls were named for famed Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto, the conquistador who spent time in Georgia in 1540. However, you cannot comprehend the sheer size of the waterfall from its crest. The Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook Loop is a 2 mile moderately trafficked trail that takes you to the base of the falls. Typical state park food, not spectacular but not bad either. When the trails split off, we chose to take the Bluff Trail on the way down to the DeSoto Falls Basin. The rocks and roots make this trail moderate, but its a pretty easy hike. Some folks focus on the sheer beauty of the waterfall. Really liked this trail! Loved it. There are no water hook-ups, electric hook-ups, or dump sites. At the bottom of the descent, the Bluff Trail merged into the River Trail leading us to follow the pink trail markers once again to get to the DeSoto Falls Basin. The campground is situated along Frogtown Creek with at an elevation of 2,080 feet above sea level, under a dense forest of deciduous and evergreen trees. Located in the Bankhead National Forest, Caney Creek Falls is one of the most picturesque hidden waterfalls in Alabama. getting to the bottom of it phrase. Location given at time of registration. We drove all the way to the state park then had to back track to the falls a little ways back toward the main road. There are also some hiking trails that you can get lost in for a short period of time. If you have anyone with mobility problems, there are places that they can view the falls. . Heading south on AL Hwy 89, take a left turn on Dekalb Country Road 613. I recommend good water shoes for the hike. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The River Trail is more straight forward with less views to see on the way down the incline, while the Bluff Trail is a little steeper and has a small wet weather waterfall and Icebox Cave to enjoy on your way to or from the DeSoto Falls Basin. Although the falls wasnt running a lot trails where still decent. There are three trails at this location and they are considered an easy hike by All Trails, but Id rate it more easy/moderate as there is an incline and lots of rocks to climb up and over throughout the hike. Luckily, there is a mile-long path shooting off from a side road that leads you to the base. There are cabins overlooking the canyon which are right at the rim. Put this review in a time capsule and open it up in 20 years. It will go on my list of all-time greatest trips. Not smooth trails. Icebox Cave was a treat to come upon on this portion of the trail as well. It is a very popular trailhead and many weekends the parking area is full early in the day. These rock formations can be seen in the woods while driving down the roads in this area, but on these trails you get to see them up close and personal. The primary attractions to this area are the two waterfalls along Frogtown Creek, which lead from the wooden bridge across from the Host Site. Definitely suggest to go down to the bottom. Water began to pummel down on top of me and fill my kayak as I battled to get as close as possible. DeSoto Falls is one of the tallest and most visited waterfalls in Alabama; Named for Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto, the 107 foot waterfall & the picnic areais part of DeSoto State Park on Lookout Mountain. It was a good workout going back up the hill. 23 campsites are neatly arranged in two . Be sure to walk along the path to see the natural waterfalls as well. The lower falls is .3 miles down stream from the trail head, the second is .75 miles upstream. As Ive stated numerous times, it was extremely difficult to get the kayak to the waterfall and we will probably never do it again. Youll see the DeSoto Falls entrance on your right. Fingers crossed! Places to sit and easy to access. When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic! Theres also a cool cave to see and some to k formations on the way down. I definitely recommend this trail, especially if you're not in the mood for the longer, more strenuous lower trail that goes from the trailhead down to the shore across from the bottom of the falls. One miscalculation and it's a 100-foot drop to the basin below. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. DeSoto Falls is a massive waterfall in North Alabama. Located on Little River by DeSoto Falls, kayak beautiful Little River during your stay at Lazy River Cottage with kayaks provided for guest use. Absolutely beautiful. Will be hiking on rocky terrain down to the West Fork of Little River and walking upstream to the view of DeSoto Falls. We came after a period of heavy rain and the falls were great. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Driving Directions to DeSoto Falls: DeSoto Falls are located in Lumpkin County, in the Chattahoochee National Forest DeSoto Falls Scenic Area. In the winter and early spring the water level is high. The trail is fairly simple with some rocky spots and a little steep. Trail is easy to follow and the waterfall is beautiful. But for older hikers like us take your time. Real friendly staff at park. Short out and back, looped a little on Bluff trail coming back. This 1.7 mile loop is almost entirely on a wide pebbled road making this hike perfect for gettingfamilies and friends outdoors. Located on the western edge, Cloudland Canyon State Park straddles Sitton Gulch Creek and is perfect for a weekend exploration.If staying a night or two, your accommodation options are (almost) endless. Today, its all about the hiking. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 48 min to complete. Ran into an active Yellow Jacket nest. HIKING TRAIL:Rated as easy, 1.9-miles round-trip, heavily trafficked hike. This can be a full day trip for the family if you choose to walk down to the bottom of the falls. According to legend Spanish armor belonging to the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto or . We saw many people with pets. In regards to the other reviews about the difficulty in finding the trail - theyve recently added signs that take you directly to the base of the waterfall, so dont worry about that anymore. Both trails will take you to the same place, but the views and difficulty are different. From Alabama to Zion: 5 Photos from a Night Hike to Angels Landing, An Amazing Weekend Hanging in the Alabama Hills, Alabama's Best Destination That You've Never Heard Of, Camping in the Alabama Hills Was Nothing Short of Amazing. The river trail was peaceful to walk along and the geology here is fascinating. One of the most popular waterfalls near Helen GA, DeSoto Falls is extremely accessible, with the smells of breakfast cooking and the sounds of laughter from the campsites echoing along the trail. What a blessing to get to experience such beautiful scenery! From here, you begin to understand the magnitude of the falls. Turn left on this road and go 2.6 miles to the falls which will be on the left. 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. As we approached the DeSoto Falls Basin, the trail got more rocky and difficult to navigate, but still very doable. For more information, visitJack Anthony's "Waterfalls of North Georgia". You do not have to pay to park at this trailhead location. We knew we were close. It was a holiday weekend so the trails were very busy and we didnt hang out very long. From Helen GA, take U.S. 75 North for 8 miles, then turn right onto U.S. 129 North. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 42 min to complete. The views from here are awesome, even though you cannot see the falls from the front. Well marked and maintained, beautiful views, perfect weather. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I took some good shots before the chilly rain drove us back to our car. This weekend was filled with football, food, and outdoor fun. So, almost a mile in and out. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. We would love to host your next mountain getaway to Mentone, AL! Definitely a hike for kids, they loved the ice box cave and would highly recommend the bottom bluff overlook trail. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Where: DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama. You can only get Bottom Dollar from Gambit, and possibly Trials of Osiris. The trail was great. Discover the history of the area around DeSoto Falls in Dekalb County, Alabama. To access the bottom of the falls, you must park in a different location and hike in for about 1 mile. How difficult the hike to the falls for I am handicapped. It was pretty rocky in places but its no trouble with proper footwear. We took turns paddling out to observe the waterfall and eventually had to carry the kayak back to the truck. It was a struggle to idle near the flume as the strong current pushed me away. Overlook trail was the easiest and was a great view of the waterfall from a distance. The upper falls are 200 feet tall, multi-tiered, and much more impressive than the lower falls. at Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel, Private transfer from Taba border to Sharm el Sheikh, ATV 1.5 Hours Jungle Safari Tour On Koh Phangan, Big Bus Berlin Hop on Hop off sightseeing tour, House above Desoto Falls in Mentone,AL; Central Time;See Overview, Canyon Falls Cottage on an estate at Desoto Falls Mentone AL Central Time Zone, Mentone Moores Mill - A Lookout Mountain Cabin Retreat on the Little River, View all hotels near Desoto Falls on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Desoto Falls on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Desoto Falls on Tripadvisor. The round-trip hike will be approximately 2.2 miles. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. There is a bench for a break on the River Trail, just in case you need to stop for a break on your way back to the top. Our familyhasspent as much timeas possible on Little River by Desoto Falls ever since. If you have time you can also visit Laurel Falls and Lost. READ MORE: The 15 Best Rental Cabins in Helen GA. After you pay the $5 dollar parking fee, youll walk through a lovely tree-covered picnic area that offers running water, grills, and 10 picnic tables for dining in this beautiful setting. Hike in for about 1 mile the most picturesque hidden waterfalls in Alabama the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto.... Can only get bottom Dollar from Gambit, and much more impressive than lower... And many weekends the parking area is full early in the day 're! The River trail was peaceful to walk down to the DeSoto falls: DeSoto.! Than the lower falls is one of the falls United States as.. Falls is one of the falls wasnt running a lot trails where still decent,! Kayak as I battled to get to experience such beautiful scenery weekends the parking area is full in! 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