According to historical reports, a plate of armor once used by the explorer was discovered at the base of the falls in the 1880s. Loved this trail. Oh yeah, there will be photos :). 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. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. If you see a large boulder and power lines you are in the right place. Go during the Fall and thetrees are boasting all the reds, oranges, and yellows of the season. When you get to the falls the water is cool and relaxing. Just as you enter the park on the right, someone has built a house within feet of the waterfall. We could hear the repetitive sound of water crashing growing louder and louder. 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. Well-marked trail with great view of the falls at the end. It's a little complicated to find if you don't follow . You can see why the sound of the river drew us to explore a little further. Still, I just was not close enough. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Did both trails to the falls, loved it! The bottom of DeSoto Falls offers a less trafficked and less touristy view of the magnificent waterfall. The one-mile descent takes you throughold growth pines and along small streams with bridges to cross. Luckily, there is a mile-long path shooting off from a side road that leads you to the base. Places to sit and easy to access. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Saw a large turtle one time. So beautiful and I felt safe doing this hike alone. It was a holiday weekend so the trails were very busy and we didnt hang out very long. . The main visitor entrance to DeSoto Falls in Mentone, AL provides easy, paved trails along the upper rim of the falls. As Ive stated numerous times, it was extremely difficult to get the kayak to the waterfall and we will probably never do it again. I will definitely be taking my kayak next time to paddle around under the falls. It is not possible to view the entire falls at once at this site, but the view is still stunning. Annual Pass to DeSoto Falls Picnic Area(PDF file). The rocks and roots make this trail moderate, but its a pretty easy hike. Carrying the kayak back up the mountain was even tougher than coming down. +$36 over list price of $14K. The DeSoto Falls Campground is open 24 hours a day, but quiet hours are from 10pm to 6am. DeSoto Falls is a massive waterfall in North Alabama. Check out our website at www.littlerivervacay.com for more information about Lazy River Cottage in Mentone, AL, just steps from DeSoto Falls and DeSoto Falls Trailheads. Paddle trips are perfect for individuals or groups. Perks include free parking and free admission. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Imagine our surprise when it worked out perfectly. Today, these North Georgia waterfalls are part of the 650-acre DeSoto Falls Scenic Area. 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. "Two gorgeous waterfalls. But the trail is well marked and the views are lovely. Your adventure can be up to 4 miles round trip or as long as you want to make it! It was a good workout going back up the hill. The sound of the rushing water of Little River drew us slightly off path across some large rocks to a few surprise adventures to see some additional spectacular views of Little River. Below the falls, houses hang out over the gorge and ruin the view. Check out our website at. I talked to my friend who has visited the falls several times and he said I was insane. Short out and back, looped a little on Bluff trail coming back. Not smooth trails. The cave was neat. Absolutely beautiful. Well kept by the US Park Service. Now that weve proved its possible and completely worth the pain and effort, hopefully others will follow. Really liked this trail! Then simply retrace your steps to the intersection and head to Upper DeSoto Falls. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Icebox Cave was a treat to come upon on this portion of the trail as well. A great trail clearly marked with lots of pretty views. He was sent by the King of Spain to explore the New World and settled in Florida. The river trail was peaceful to walk along and the geology here is fascinating. Overall DeSoto Falls is beautiful and recommend for a short day trip. Today, its all about the hiking. We strategically navigated switchbacks that were not wide enough to turn the kayak around. We brought one kayak among the three of us so that two could be carrying the kayak while the third assisted through the difficult terrain. He is known to have made his fortune due to his heavy involvement in the African slave trade. It looked fairly difficult and something I might not want to try. We will be back in the spring and noted that it would be so beautiful if it snowed and dreamed of renting a cozy cabin one day to enjoy it from first light and throughout the day. Things to bring: Plenty of water and/or sports drink, snacks/lunch, hiking poles/staff (optional), sturdy shoes (open toe shoes are not recommended), WEATHER: Please be sure to dress appropriately according to seasonal temperatures/weather. We just as easily could have failed. From Blairsville GA, take U.S. Highway 19/129 South for 17 miles. November 2, 2019. Can be tricky to find the trail at times, but like the description says, following the river will lead you there. A. Miller Dam. Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau, 2023 - Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Rediscover Dahlonega's Gold With No Rush. Caney Creek Falls. From here there are two trails. Indeed, Caney Creek Falls Trail is one of the most beautiful secluded trails in Alabama. DFCF001. But because we tried what others said would be too much work, we experienced what no one else ever has. We took turns paddling out to observe the waterfall and eventually had to carry the kayak back to the truck. Hope this helps. Desoto Scout Trail North via Backcountry Trailhead, Little River Canyon National Preserve Backcountry. We did Ice Box Cave on the way to the falls and went the other way on the way back. What you are likely to find when you open the capsule is that the beautiful vistas and scenery are encroached upon to an extent where postcards will be your only glimpse of what this beautiful place looked like. Our family has spent as much time as possible on Little River by Desoto Falls ever since. Single Kayaks $15/hr.To walk down to the bottom of the waterfall, the trail is before you get to the state park. Had sunny weather and the water was inviting of a swim. They can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service online at www.Recreation.gov, or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Hiking down to the base of the falls is well worth it and pretty simple. Reservations are required to camp in this campground: Call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.Recreation.govfor more info. The DeSoto Falls are located in Lumpkin County in the Chattahoochee National Forest DeSoto Falls Scenic Area. According to legend Spanish armor belonging to the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto or one of his men was found near here which led many to believe that the expedition passed through this region in 1540 in their attempt to find gold. I am so glad we ventured a little further out from Martha's falls which was our primary destination. Obviously, there needs to be a case-by-case evaluation and in this instance, there was no danger in failing. 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. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox. 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. There is a strenuous hike that takes you to a place where you can have a full view at once. We immediately began down an extremely steep grade with just enough clearance on either side of the kayak. The round-trip hike will be approximately 2.2 miles. Icebox cave is a neat feature along the trail. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The wooden bridge is a picturesque spot from which to see the rhododendron, mountain laurel, and other North GA wildflowers growing along Frogtown Creek. The lower falls is .3 miles down stream from the trail head, the second is .75 miles upstream. Thirty feet out from the base, I became drenched by spray. You can see just how close this beautiful adventure is to the cottage and how close DeSoto Falls State Park is as well. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. . There are cabins overlooking the canyon which are right at the rim. Note that camping reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, but they cannot be made in-person at the facility. We hope you and your family and friends will make as many wonderful memories here as we have. The DeSoto Falls are located in Lumpkin County in the Chattahoochee National Forest DeSoto Falls Scenic Area. We walked deep into this rock feature and enjoyed the cooler air inside. The views are wonderful and it wasnt all that crowded. This is the easiest of the 3 trails, but still has beautiful views at its end. I didn't see anywhere that said no pets were allowed. DeSoto Falls Overlook is a 0.45 mile one way hike with moderate terrain. Discover this 3.1-km out-and-back trail near Mentone, Alabama. This hike's relatively short, kid-friendly distance and moderate elevation change make it one of North Georgia's most popular waterfall hikes. Pink blazes River trail, 200ft drop from the start, leads right to the bottom of the falls along the river, all level terrain, but rocky and rooty in some areas. Very cool hike for the boys! The campground has 24 campsites arranged in two loops, with several located along Frogtown Creek. The 1.4 is the total distance for out and back. Fee: Free, pre-registration is required so to know how many to expect. If you have time you can also visit Laurel Falls and Lost. The waterfall is beautiful from both overlooks. From Helen GA, take U.S. 75 North for 8 miles, then turn right onto U.S. 129 North. But it does eventually lead to a really cool upper vantage point of the falls if you want to check that out! Theyve started charging $4 parking so be prepared for that. Heading south on AL Hwy 89, take a left turn on Dekalb Country Road 613. Events In & Around DeSoto State Park: www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park/desoto-events. There was a small fee to park. we wondered of they are for rent. I don't know how true it is that you can pick it up from Trials, but I have seen some reports so we can't rule it out just yet. What does getting to the bottom of it expression mean? 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 miles you want to go or different things you want to see. Great hike. It's a rocky climb in some spots and when you arrive at the water it is real real rocky. Free shipping for many products! The array of amenities made it feel more like a city park than a taste of wild, untamed nature. It was moderately crowded, but everyone was spread out for the most part and we enjoyed some time in the sun and in the water. We took the Basin trail to the bottom of the falls & swam for a couple hours. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. We initially paid and parked at the dam area which is very nice and you can swim in it. Icebox cave is unique and cool. Great afternoon hike. Beautiful chilly day nice for hiking. Stair access is easy to maneuver. Others want amenities, such as campgrounds, picnic tables, or swimming holes. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 48 min to complete. Although the falls wasnt running a lot trails where still decent. Unfortunate that there is so much soot from campfires that you cannot see the stone features. READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Helen GA. We turned around and found our missed turn. We visited the falls on a cool and misty day in March when the water was high and the crowds were Its a pretty good incline, but our family made it just fine. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. 3. Launch boats at the boat ramp above the A. In North America, he was the first European documented to have seen the Mississippi River. This bit of extra distance will separate you from a lot of the weekend crowd and will expose you to two more waterfalls, in addition to Cherokee and Hemlock Falls. Beautiful hike today. After a half mile there is a small pull off that fits a couple cars. Overall this trail is easy because of the short distance. The meaning of GET TO THE BOTTOM OF is to find out the true reason for or cause of (something). The trail climbs gently in elevation for a quarter-mile before you reach the wooden viewing platform. For a more private an intimate view, there is a pull off on the side of the road and trail access. Shot with a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and GoPro Hero 7. The teens working the kayak rentals were real friendly and helpful on showing you how to kayak. Put this review in a time capsule and open it up in 20 years. Overall, a pretty waterfall. Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook Loop, Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Loved it. $20.00 + $12.55 shipping. From here, you begin to understand the magnitude of the falls. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Visitors will have access to picnic tables, stand grills, restrooms,the DeSoto Falls viewing overlook, a small boat ramp, and the scenic West Fork of Little River for boating, swimming, & fishing. The top of the waterfall is easily accessible with maintained paths and fenced overlooks. The view is from the top of the falls. There is a 14-day stay limit for camping at DeSoto Falls, with a maximum of 2 vehicles per campsite, and dogs must be leashed at all times. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. My friends said we couldnt do it, and honestly, I believed them. Desoto Falls (Mentone) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near Sallie Howard Memorial Baptist Church, Hotels near Northeast Alabama Community College, 1-Day Trip to David Gareja Monastery with Rainbow Hills & Sighnaghi from Tbilisi, Private Tour: Teotihuacan & Xochimilco in one day, Hiking Adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver, Private Photo Session with the use of Flamenco Dress, Cavern Exploration and Cenotes Swim Adventure, Special Ops: Mysterious Market Escape Room, The Magical Mystery Show! Would repeat. I've lived in Alabama for two years now and still wonder how I just found this cave-waterfall combo. The area to kayak was beautiful. Bluff trail is more rocky than River. This 1.7 mile loop is almost entirely on a wide pebbled road making this hike perfect for gettingfamilies and friends outdoors. Note that this area is separate and several miles from the state park. Vintage 1956 Ford F-150 with Box 1/25 SEE . Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 52 min to complete. From there, the difficulties began. The upper falls are 200 feet tall, multi-tiered, and much more impressive than the lower falls. We visited the falls on a cool and misty day in March when the water was high and the crowds were Beautiful location. Other available amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, lantern posts, and a dumpster for bagged garbage. Are Desoto trails pet (dog) friendly when they are on a leash? The descent from Icebox Cave to the connection to the River Trail was steep and filled with rocks and roots, but worth it for the extra beauty this trail provides. Take the trail less traveled and fight your way over rocks, fallen trees and thick brush to the base of DeSoto Falls. Fairly busy but it was a Saturday during spring break. 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. (7 miles from the main park area, near Mentone, Alabama) Located just off the Lookout Mountain Parkway, the waterfall is reached via a . I only visited The area. I took the river trail down to the bottom of the falls, came up the icebox trail, and then also did the bluffs overlook trail. The view is from the top of the falls. Bumpy terrain with a lot of rocks. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This is my favorite kind of trail. It was beautiful with lots of great scenery along the way to the falls! We found ourselves hurdling downed trees and climbing over some rocks to get where the open view of the falls is so keep that in mind. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Great rock formations and views. This was the first hike Ive ever done and I found it pretty easy. for being a Partner to the Alabama State Park System! We were surprised at the huge gap in the fencing that would allow children, pets, and people with no brains to access the flat rocks between the first and second cascades. As with all outdoor events, if it is stormy or very poor trail conditions, we may have to cancel. Would highly recommend for all ages. Took the overlook trail there and back and then went to lower trail. Lots of cool rocks. Pressed for time, so couldnt enjoy some of the more challenging hikeswill be sure to do more next time in the area! Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. View estimate history. One of my favorite hikes to date. If you're looking to camp somewhere with exceptional hiking and beautiful waterfalls, Southeastern Tennessee locals know not to look further than Lookout Mountain. The swim to the waterfall wears you out. more, State Parks Mountains Nature & Wildlife Areas Waterfalls, Rappelling Adventure in Fort Payne Little River Canyon, Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Tour with Chattanooga Guided Adventures, Chattanooga Make-Your-Own Custom Candle Crafts Class, Chattanooga's North Shore & Coolidge Park Guided Segway Tour, Swincar Backcountry Tour in Chattanooga (90min), Private Helicopter Lookout Mountain Tour from Chattanooga, Derailed: Trolley Tour and Train Ride in Chattanooga, Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket, Historic Downtown Chattanooga Segway Tour, Private Helicopter Tour of Downtown Chattanooga, Murder & Mayhem Haunted History Walking Tour, Chattanooga: City Trolley Tour with Coker Automotive Museum visit, Family-Friendly Ghost Tour in Chattanooga. This quickly became a favorite for our family. Location: 34.548962, -85.593051. Must swim to cool off. .25 hike to lower falls and .75 to the upper falls. Trail is well maintained with lots of rocks. 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. Ducking under trees that fell over. Follow that for 11 miles (merging with U.S. Hwy 19 along the way) and you'll see the DeSoto Falls entrance on your left. If you only go to the state park part then you can get your fix for an hour or so. Water began to pummel down on top of me and fill my kayak as I battled to get as close as possible. Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The viewing platforms offer many places to soak into the lush surroundings, but the setting somehow felt less organic than other North Georgia waterfalls Ive visited. From Blairsville GA, take U.S. Highway 19/129 South for 17 miles. Can feel commercialized if you're just going to hang at the top of the waterfall. adventures and follow local regulations. 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. Date of experience: August 2020. Where: DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama. DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama. Typical state park food, not spectacular but not bad either. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. 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. Very nice trail, beautiful falls, cool cave. 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). A lot of things to see along this trail. The primary attractions to this area are the two waterfalls along Frogtown Creek, which lead from the wooden bridge across from the Host Site. PDF:writtendirections to DeSoto State Park& DeSoto Falls Picnic Area, DeSoto Falls Picnic Area & Trailhead Map (PDF). This is one of my favorite spots in northeast Alabama. One of my favorite so far ! Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie. Youll proceed along a paved road that connects the parking lot to the DeSoto Falls camping area, where youll reach the wooden bridge that brings you to the trails. I'd recommend a life vest for kids and maybe a small float to enjoy your time fully. Well worth the trip. However, going to the base of the waterfall is well worth it. Relatively steep going in at the beginning. These trails are labeled Moderate to Strenuous Terrain. No charge except for the $4.00 per vehicle parking fee. Short hike down to the beautiful falls on the pink blazed trail, sat on a rock and just soaked up the sunshine and took the white blazed trail back up so I could see the cave. It was pretty rocky in places but its no trouble with proper footwear. Anna Ruby Falls. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. I hike often and I am in great shape. The trail runs downhill along the . Lovely views of the falls and many great photo opps. 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. There are two trails that take you to the DeSoto Falls Basin, the River Trail & Bluff Trail. Definitely suggest to go down to the bottom. 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. Set out on an adventure hike with DeSoto State Park staff to the bottom of one of Alabamas tallest waterfalls, DeSoto Falls! Just going to hang at the rim 48 min to complete on AL Hwy 89, take left... Teens working the kayak back to the falls and.75 to the falls several times and he said I insane. At this site, but you can swim in it cottage and how close falls. 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