It was officially established in 1832, when it was carved out of parts of Cherokee, Hall, and Habersham Counties. $118,000. This leads us to my million-dollar idea: Lets bring a kayak! I looked online to see if anyone had done this before, and besides one professional riding his yak from the top of the falls to the bottom, I could find no evidence this had been done before. But because we tried what others said would be too much work, we experienced what no one else ever has. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Ran into an active Yellow Jacket nest. Yep, us too. Lots of rocks and roots. Absolutely beautiful. At the park you might want to arrive early, parking was packed and it's $4. Laurel Falls and Lost Falls Trails Loop. The DeSoto Canyon Floor trail begins at a parking area pull-off on the road down to Desoto Falls Lake (look for the "no camping" sign). We also took a lot of breaks. Great hike. The views from here are awesome, even though you cannot see the falls from the front. On a 2nd trip, I personally wouldn't walk down the path to the waterfalls. Places to sit and easy to access. We walked deep into this rock feature and enjoyed the cooler air inside. The DeSoto Falls trail is an ideal hike for children and people with mobility issues. Nice place to bring a picnic lunch; good bathrooms. "Two gorgeous waterfalls. Location given at time of registration. 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. Took the Bluff trail back up- which was steeper at times and had more slick rocks than expected for us to have been hiking in chacos, but it was still short and enjoyable! Ask Papadoc529 about Desoto Falls. You can only get Bottom Dollar from Gambit, and possibly Trials of Osiris. I would call it moderate but the view of Desoto Falls was spectacular. Now that weve proved its possible and completely worth the pain and effort, hopefully others will follow. You'll notice cars parked in a dirt parking lot. We carried it along the overgrown trail until we ran into some hikers coming the opposite way who proceeded to tell us they had gone the wrong way. Some elevation and sketchy rocks but overall easy to moderate. Length 2.3 miElevation gain 196 ftRoute type Loop. Note that this area is separate and several miles from the state park. Single Kayaks $15/hr.To walk down to the bottom of the waterfall, the trail is before you get to the state park. Here you can see the waterfall spilling 35 feet into a pool of water surrounded by lichen-covered rocks and trees. Once we got to the falls its a great place to swim or just sit and relax. 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. If you have anyone with mobility problems, there are places that they can view the falls. During the summer and fall, the water level is much lower & sometimes dry. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Our family has spent as much time as possible on Little River by Desoto Falls ever since. In the winter and early spring the water level is high. In North Georgia, the Mountain Views are all but gone. We would love to host your next mountain getaway to Mentone, AL! The upper falls are 200 feet tall, multi-tiered, and much more impressive than the lower falls. We highly recommended closed toed shoes with good gripping soles for the uneven terrain. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama. The lower falls is .3 miles down stream from the trail head, the second is .75 miles upstream. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Bumpy terrain with a lot of rocks. It is one of the most visited waterfalls in North Georgia. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Ver enjoyable. The area to kayak was beautiful. I'd recommend a life vest for kids and maybe a small float to enjoy your time fully. Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook Loop, Desoto Scout Trail North via Backcountry Trailhead, Little River Canyon National Preserve Backcountry. Perks include free parking and free admission. We turned around and found our missed turn. 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. But we didnt and that is why I will continue to push the limits for the best adventures. If you are up for the challenge, lug a kayak to the base of DeSoto Falls. Desoto Falls: God's Country!! There is a $4 fee. A great trail clearly marked with lots of pretty views. 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). Desoto Falls offers visitors year-round recreation opportunities including camping, fishing, picnicking, and beautiful hikes to our nearby waterfalls. We visited the falls on a cool and misty day in March when the water was high and the crowds were Beautiful location. Please explore responsibly! HOURS: Open 24 hours a day. From Blairsville GA, take U.S. Highway 19/129 South for 17 miles. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial & privacy policies. We would love to host your next mountain getaway to Mentone, AL! flickr/GRYGRGN. Oh yeah, there will be photos :). Turn left on this road and go 2.6 miles to the falls which will be on the left. For me, this was the perfect difficulty level. Well worth the trip. Best view of Desoto falls from end of trail. Preview trail Dogs on leash Hiking Cave Forest River Views Waterfall Wildflowers Rocky Waypoints (3) 1 There's a swimming area above the dam, and several people were launching kayaks and paddleboards to go up river (kayak rentals not available on weekdays). Lots of rocks and roots to climb over. Location: 34.548962, -85.593051. At the end of the 0.45 mile hike, you come to a beautiful overlook of DeSoto Falls. When the trails split off, we chose to take the Bluff Trail on the way down to the DeSoto Falls Basin. But by this time, my mind was made up. Just a short distance down the path, the trail splits into two different trails. My hope is that someone will read this and do something to prove me wrong for future generations. 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. Learn about Little River, an outstanding water source with its clear water & plant & animal life. Heading south on AL Hwy 89, take a left turn on Dekalb Country Road 613. Learn about Little River, an outstanding water source with its clear water & plant & animal life. If youd 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. The stairway leading towards the falls has some nice colored glass affixed to each step, which adds a bit of eclectic art. Below the falls, houses hang out over the gorge and ruin the view. Great afternoon hike. The waterfall was beautiful from the recent rain. This quickly became a favorite for our family. 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. Paddle trips are perfect for individuals or groups. they one to the waterfall is strenuous coming back up. We stood here a long time enjoying the sounds and the overall beauty. Quiet hours 10pm to 6am. Shot with a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and GoPro Hero 7. One of my favorite hikes to date. I would paddle as hard as I could to get even closer. 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. READ MORE: 101+ Things to Do in North Georgia, ADDRESS: Desoto Falls Recreation Area U.S. 129 Cleveland, GA 30528, Camping in Peak Season: 4/1-10/31, $20 per night; $40 Double Site (Site # 14), Camping in Non-Peak Season (no water): 11/1-3/31, $10 per night; $20 Double Site (Site # 14). Set out on an adventure hike with DeSoto State Park staff to the bottom of one of Alabama's tallest waterfalls, DeSoto Falls! Parking at the lot on right side of road at picnic area a few minutes before the end of the road. 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. Only one other group on trail on a Monday. Made the trip with a 9 and 5 year old and they didnt miss a beat! There is access to the West Fork of Little River, over 35 miles of trails, and more waterfalls in the main park area of DeSoto State Park, which is located 7 miles away from DeSoto Falls area. We hiked the river trail and the waterfall was amazing Bluff trail is more rocky than River. we wondered of they are for rent. 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 area is part of DeSoto State Park on Lookout Mountain. Short out and back, looped a little on Bluff trail coming back. 2023 Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide |, The 10 Best Restaurants in Helen GA for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, The Mysterious Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton NC, The Best Things to Do at Carvins Cove Natural Reserve in Roanoke VA, The 10 Best Historic & Covered Bridges in Virginia, The 15 Best Hotels in Asheville NC to Visit, Visiting Mingus Mill in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Cherokee NC), The 10 Best Restaurants in Sylva NC & Dillsboro NC. Put this review in a time capsule and open it up in 20 years. Set out on an adventure hike with DeSoto State Park staff to the bottom of one of Alabamas tallest waterfalls, DeSoto Falls! Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. 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! 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. We knew we were close. 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. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Trail is easy to follow and the waterfall is beautiful. 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. The hike to the bottom of the falls is worth it. (7 miles from the main park area, near Mentone, Alabama) Located just off the Lookout Mountain Parkway, the waterfall is reached via a . We visited the falls on a cool and misty day in March when the water was high and the crowds were Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 42 min to complete. Their Non-Peak Season (when no water is available in the campgrounds) lasts from 11/1 to 3/31, and costs $10 per night or $20 for the double site. No overnight camping allowed, & trails close at dusk. You can choose Bluff trail or River trail. 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. I hike often and I am in great shape. A lot of things to see along this trail. Caney Creek Falls. Wasn't a bad trail. Because this area is wet year-round, the waterfall never dries up. The trail was great. Discover the history of the area around DeSoto . - See 207 traveler reviews, 240 candid photos, and great deals for Mentone, AL, at Tripadvisor. There is access to the West Fork of Little River, over 35 miles of trails, and more waterfalls in the main park area of DeSoto State Park, which is located 7 miles away from DeSoto Falls area. Connected by shaded brick sidewalks, shops, galleries, restaurants, and Stay up to date on everything dahlonega has to offer! This area of the state is filled with all kinds of beauty for you to explore. This was the first hike Ive ever done and I found it pretty easy. 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. The DeSoto Falls Campground charges $20 per night, or $40 for the double site (Site # 14), duringPeak Season, which lasts from 4/1-10/31. Located in the Bankhead National Forest, Caney Creek Falls is one of the most picturesque hidden waterfalls in Alabama. Its tough so be prepared and bring friends to help. 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. Im taking mine next time for sure! Didnt see much wildlife, just birds. It was a very rocky trail, but worth it. $$ - $$$ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly. Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. To our knowledge, it hadnt been done before. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. It is definitely moderate. Best to see in May when the Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron are blooming. Overlook trail was the easiest and was a great view of the waterfall from a distance. Trails lead to 2 different falls on Frogtown Creek. In North America, he was the first European documented to have seen the Mississippi River. Very nice trail, beautiful falls, cool cave. Not many other hikers out on a Wednesday afternoon. DeSoto Falls is separate from DeSoto State Park for anyone wondering. 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. [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. Its not considered a true cave, but rather a rock formation, but what a cool rock formation to explore and enjoy. 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. It took us about 1.5 hours to hike through all 3 trails. 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