25 of the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Alabama

By VI Staff on July 12, 2020 - Updated

Courtesy of Wirepec - Fotolia.com

Wave goodbye to summer with a visit to one of the spectacular and scenic waterfalls in Alabama, where you can spend the day hiking, biking, picnicking or dipping your toes and swimming in the refreshing waters. Aptly named the Land of a Thousand Waterfalls, Alabama is home to more than 77,000 miles of rivers and streams that wind their way through its pristine state parks and wilderness. Whether you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, are looking for an epic adventure, or simply want to soak up the last glorious days of summer, there is a beautiful curtain of falling water near you. So, pack that picnic lunch and head out to some of these sensational scenic spots. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Caney Creek Falls

Located just outside the Sipsey Wilderness in Double Springs, Caney Creek Falls and Upper Caney Creek Falls are among the most beautiful waterfalls in Alabama. Surrounded by moss-covered rocks and evergreen trees in a lush, secluded area at the head of Caney Creek, the year-round falls are reached by an easy 3-mile hike through dense woodlands and verdant undergrowth. Heavy rains produce two curtains of water that pour from the ledge into the swimming hole below, which is ideal for kids and dogs to splash around in. Be cautious on the approach to the falls, which is steep and the walk out of the canyon is at an incline, so prepare for a workout. Caney Creek Falls are located a 1.5-hour drive from Birmingham at the Caney Creek Falls Trailhead on County Road 2 in Double Springs.

Caney Creek Falls Trail, Double Springs, AL 35553

2.Cheaha Falls

Set along the Chinnabee Silent Trail on Cheaha Creek in the Talladega National Forest, Cheaha Falls is a breathtaking 30-foot waterfall that spills from rocks along the Chinnabee Silent Trail. Also home to Mount Cheaha, Alabama’s tallest mountain, the Talladega National Forest is where Cheaha Creek begins, winding its way down to the hill and creating the stunning Cheaha Falls. A comfortable, three-quarter-mile hike from the trail’s parking area on Talladega Scenic Byway or a 1-mile trip from the Turnipseed Hunting Camp on Alabama Highway 281 will get you to the beautiful three-tiered cascade, where you can soak up the beautiful scenery, have a dip, or camp overnight. A trail shelter is available near the falls on a first-come first-served basis, or you can pitch a tent. If you have some spare time, pay a visit to the Devil’s Den and High Falls in nearby Cheaha State Park before heading home.

2141 Bunker Loop, Delta 36258, AL 35553

3.Chewacla Falls

Formed by the spillway of the Chewacla Dam in the 696-acre outdoor playground of Chewacla State Park, the Chewacla Falls are lovely waterfalls that fall from a height of 30 feet and eventually flow into Chewacla Lake. The lake beckons visitors from far and wide to enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming as well as a network of extensive hiking and mountain trails. There are eight hiking trails around Chewacla State Park, the most popular of which is the Mountain Laurel Trail, which leads to Chewacla Falls. This trail, as with many others within Chewacla, is easily accessible to able-bodied visitors of all ages and offers a fun-filled day in the beautiful outdoors in one of Alabama’s loveliest state parks.

Chewacla State Park: 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830, Phone: 334-887-5621

4.Cold Water Falls

Located in historic Spring Park in Tuscumbia, Cold Water Falls is the world's largest human-made natural stone waterfall, constructed with more than 2,000 of tons of local sandstone, spanning 80 feet, with a 42-foot drop and 4.3 million gallons of water passing through each day. Dating back to the early 1800s, Spring Park is also home to a large fountain with 51 jets all choreographed to lights and music, the center of which shoots 125 meters into the air. A water and light show is held every weekend at dusk, and trout fishing is available in the pond year round. In addition to the falls, the park offers excellent spots to picnic, has a traditional carousel, the Spring Park train, the Python roller coaster, a playground with a splash pad for children, and a café.

Spring Park: 1 Spring Park Road, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, Phone: 256-383-0783

5.DeSoto Falls

Situated more than 100 feet above a beautiful gorge in DeSoto State Park, DeSoto Falls is one of the tallest and most visited waterfalls in Alabama. Located in the small town of Mentone, near Fort Payne, the thunderous 104-foot falls are named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and are formed by the West Fork of Little River plunging over Lookout Mountain. Visitors can soak up the beautiful views of the fall from a lookout point accessed by a short walk along a paved, pedestrian-friendly pathway from the parking area. A few miles down the road from the falls is DeSoto State Park, which features several other small waterfalls and offers an array of outdoor activities, ranging from hiking and fishing to kayaking and wildflower expeditions.

DeSoto State Park: 7104 Desoto Pkwy. NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967, Phone: 256-845-0051

6.Falls near me: Devil's Den Falls

Surrounded by the dense woodlands of the Talladega National Forest in the Ozark Mountains in northwest Arkansas, the Devil's Den Falls is a set of waterfalls situated along the Devil’s Den Self-Guided Trail, the most famous hiking trail in Devil’s Den State Park. Boasting beautifully scenic views, the trail passes the two main features in the park, namely Devil's Den Cave and the Devil's Icebox, after which the waterfalls are located. A little wooden bridge spans the waterfalls and offers an excellent spot to take photographs. Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed in the falls; however, Devil's Den Cave can be explored with a flashlight. Other popular trails in Devil’s Den State Park, which is an Alabama icon, are the extensive Butterfield Trail and the Gorley King horse trail.

Devil's Den State Park: 11333 AR-74, West Fork, AR 72774, Phone: 479-761-3325

7.Fall Creek Falls

Fall Creek Falls are located in Tennessee’s largest state park, Fall Creek Falls State Park, which encompasses more than 26,000 acres of pristine landscapes and wilderness spread across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. The park is home to a network of rivers and streams, gorges, cascades, and waterfalls, the highest of which are the Fall Creek Falls, which stands at the height of 256 feet above a tranquil lake. One of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States, Fall Creek Falls can be reached via several long or short hiking and walking trails, which wind around the lake and towards the base of the waterfalls. Other waterfalls within the park include Cane Creek Falls, Cane Creek Cascades, and Piney Falls.

Fall Creek Falls State Park: 10821 Park Rd, Spencer, TN 38585, Phone: 423-881-5298

8.Falling Rock Falls

Set within the Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area, about 40 miles south of Birmingham in Montevallo, Falling Rock Falls is a spectacular 90-foot ribbon of water that cascades over a towering bluff and crashes onto the boulders below. The waterfall is accessed via an easy 1.4-mile out-and-back hike, which leads directly to the bottom of the falls, with a cavern where people like to sit and watch the cascade of falling water. The terrain near the falls is very slippery, and extreme caution needs to be taken if climbing down to the base of the falls.

Cahaba WMA, Montevallo, AL 35115

9.Grace's High Falls

The third-highest falls in Alabama, Grace's High Falls is a 133-foot seasonal waterfall that is a spectacular sight due to its height. Located in the 14,000-acre Little River Canyon National Preserve, the waterfalls cascade into Little Creek Canyon in DeKalb County during the wet season and are well worth a visit to see the breathtaking display of rushing water. High rainfalls in the area create several other smaller creeks and waterfalls, which are also worth exploring on a hike, while the DeSoto Falls are within 10 miles from the Grace's High Falls and are also a must-see if you are in the area.

12035 AL-176, Fort Payne, AL 35967, Phone: 256-845-3548

10.Falls near me: Griffin Falls

A favorite climbing spot, Griffin Falls is a 40-foot waterfall just outside the town of Dawson in Dekalb County that offers a lovely place to hike and explore. Flowing off Sand Mountain and over a small sandstone cliff into a pool below, the falls have an unusual collection of flowers below one of the ledges, which are apparently left by church groups who have services at the falls. Griffin Falls is reached by a short hike with substantial elevation and several boulders and rocks that can be tricky to navigate for those without good balance. The trail also leads beyond the falls to the cliff face, where you can jump in and have a dip.

Griffin Falls, AL 35962

11.High Falls

Located in High Falls Park, just east of Guntersville in the town of Grove Oak, High Falls is a magical 35-foot cascade that can span 300 feet across during periods of heavy rain. Situated on Town Creek, which runs into Lake Guntersville, High Falls is a natural waterfall that flows swiftly through a natural bridge at its base. High Falls is reached by a hiking trail that runs next to the falls and a pedestrian bridge that spans the falls and offers impressive views of the flowing water. The falls are also home to a 25-foot natural bridge that has been carved out of the rock by the flowing water over hundreds of years.

High Falls Park: 969 Co Rd 144, Grove Oak, AL 35975, Phone: 256-659-4683

12.Indian Falls Alabama

One of several waterfalls in DeSoto State Park, Indian Falls is the second-largest of the falls in the area. Located across the street from the parking lot for the Azalea Cascade and the boardwalk trail, just past the entrance to De Soto State Park, Indian Falls boast a 20-foot drop onto rocks below with a natural shelter in the rocks beneath the falls. The falls are reached via a short trail that passes a small water treatment facility and leads to a footbridge across the creek just above the falls. On the other side of the bridge is a trail to the foot of the falls.

DeSoto State Park: 7104 Desoto Pkwy. NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967, Phone: 256-845-0051

13.Falls near me: Kinlock Falls

Located along Hubbard Creek in the Bankhead National Forest, Kinlock Falls is a favorite spot with locals who frequent the falls to swim, picnic, and ride kayaks or inflated inner tubes down the natural slip-and-slide waterfalls into the icy cold pool below. Measuring 20 feet wide with a gradual 30-foot drop, the falls are situated in the Bankhead National Forest near Caney Creek and are accessed by a short quarter-mile walk on a moderately busy loop trail located near Orange. Accessible year round, the path is used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding, and dogs are allowed on leashes.

1070 Highway 33, Double Springs, AL 35553, Phone: 205-489-5111

14.Little River Falls

Set atop Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, Little River Falls is a lovely 45-foot waterfall with year-round water flow, an abundance of beautiful natural scenery, and straightforward access. This northeast Alabama gem is based at the start of the spectacular Little River Canyon in the Little River Canyon National Preserve and can be easily reached from a trail next to the bridge in Gaylesville, off Highway 35. There are picnic tables at the site for enjoying packed lunches, and the pool into which the waterfall flows in big and deep enough for swimming.

472 Alabama Hwy. 35, Gaylesville, AL 35973

15.Mardis Mill Falls

Also known as Graves Creek Falls, Mardis Mill Falls is located on Grave’s Creek near Oneonta in rural Blount County and is a favorite spot for swimmers. Conveniently situated within 45 minutes of Birmingham, Mardis Mill Falls is a reasonably small waterfall at only 15 feet high but is roughly 35 feet wide and flows into a pool of water surrounded by rock ledges, ideal for swimming. The area surrounding the waterfall has plenty of shady spots for picnicking and relaxing and is easily accessed by a short walk along the pathway that passes over a bridge.

546 Mardis Mill Rd, Blountsville, AL 35031

16.Martha’s Falls

Martha's Falls, formerly known as Little Falls and dubbed the “Hippie Hole” by locals, is a popular swimming hole and picnicking area in the Little River Canyon National Preserve. Accessed by a short trail from a parking lot off Highway 35, near Road 861, the unique swimming hole is filled by the gentle waterfall that cascades down an angled slope from a little brook. The swimming hole is extremely popular and is often packed with people picnicking and swimming, so get there early to get a pleasant and shady spot among the rocks or on one of the naturally formed benches in this picturesque destination.

AL-35, Fort Payne, AL 35967, Phone: 256-845-9605

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17.Nectar Falls

Nectar Falls is a little-known waterfall off the Alabama Route 160 that cascades down a drop of between 20 and 40 feet into the Locust Fork River below. The falls flow into a small pool surrounded by natural vegetation and small trees and can be reached from a trail that runs from the parking lot to the base of the falls. The area around Nectar Falls is home to three historic covered bridges, namely the tiny little Old Easley, the Swann, which is longest surviving covered bridge in Alabama, and Horton's Mills, which is the highest covered bridge over a river in the United States.

16138 AL-160, Cleveland, AL 35049

18.Neversink Falls

One of the most photographed sinkholes in the world, the Neversink Pit is home to the Neversink Falls, which are ribbony cascades of water that drip down the sides after spring rains and form sheets of ice in winter. An inspiration to climbers and photographers in equal measure, the pit is 40 feet wide at the top, with a cavity that drops a dramatic 162 feet and is only open to experienced climbers, who require a permit to rappel down to the bottom. A reasonably strenuous 30-minute hike from a small parking area hike will take you to the lip of the cavern for spectacular downward views, which are worth the effort.

Unnamed Road, Fackler, AL 35746

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19.Noccalula Falls

Located within Noccalula Falls Park at the west end of Lookout Mountain near Gadsden in Etowah County, Noccalula Falls is a 90-foot waterfall that has become one of the most frequently visited natural landmarks in the state. Steeped in history and surrounded by Cherokee legends, the falls are marked with a bronze statue of a Cherokee maiden who plunged into the cascading waters to her death in protest of her father’s orders to marry a man she was not in love with. Outdoor lovers will delight in exploring the trails that wind down into the ravine and behind the falls, where there are caves filled with ancient carvings left behind by Civil War soldiers. Noccalula Falls Park is also home to a charming pioneer village and park area, complete with a historical covered bridge and various other exciting sites.

1600 Noccalula Road, Gadsden, AL 37350

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20.Peavine Falls

Named for the way the water twists and turns like the tendrils of a pea vine, Peavine Falls is a beautiful waterfall that's formed from a wild stream flowing from the top of Oak Mountain. Located at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, the 65-foot spring-fed waterfall is ideal for hikers interested in a bit of a climb and can be reached via several hiking trails that wind through the surrounding terrain or via a direct route like the Peavine Falls Trail. The falls flow into an icy cold pool, which offers a cooling shower under the falls or a refreshing dip after the challenging hike

200 Terrace Drive, Pelham, AL 35124

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21.Rainbow Falls

Tucked away in the hills of northwest Alabama in the Dismals Canyon Conservatory, Rainbow Falls is a spectacular waterfall that cascades down the canyon over weathered rocks. Named for the rainbow that is seen as the sunlight is refracted in the mists of the canyon, the falls were formed from a pool above the canyon floor that was once part of an old mill operation and roar down the sandstone walls of the Dismals Canyon to create Dismal Branch, which flows through the entire length of the canyon. Located near the town of Phil Campbell in Franklin County, Dismals Canyon is a sandstone gorge that is a National Natural Landmark due to its unique geology and history.

Dismals Canyon: 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, Phone: 205-993-4559

22.Salt Creek Falls

Salt Creek Falls are a stunning example of a cascading waterfall with a large swimming hole at the base. Located in Talladega National Forest inside the Talladega Ranger District, the beautiful cascading waterfall also has a reputation for being extremely dangerous due to the high cliffs on either side of the falls. The trail to the falls winds downhill on the way in and has a steep incline on the way out, making for a strenuous hike back. Despite its deadly reputation, though, Salt Creek Falls is a popular swimming spot with locals in the summer.

Talladega National Forest, Near Hopeful Falls, AL 35581

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23.Secret Falls

Located in a side nook of Dismals Canyon, Secret Falls is a lovely waterfall in a serene setting. Situated in the town of Phil Campbell within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Dismals Canyon is a picturesque sandstone gorge that is renowned for being home to insects called dismalites and is a National Natural Landmark due to its unique geology and history. In addition to having a beautiful waterfall, Secret Falls is home to more than 27 different species of trees, which live within 100 feet of the cataract, creating a natural arboretum.

Dismals Canyon: 901 County Rd 8, Phil Campbell, AL 35581, Phone: 205-993-4559

24.Thompson Falls

Thompson Falls is a seasonal waterfall formed by a series of three cascading waterfalls that is best experienced after heavy rains. Located a few minutes from Lake Guntersville and Arab, Thompson Falls is reached via a half-mile hike from a small dirt road up the hill from Thompson Falls Drive. The trail follows Mink’s Creek, crossing the creek via an old concrete bridge and continuing to the bottom of the falls. Be sure to keep following the trail after the first waterfall to see the remaining two waterfalls, which are a short distance away.

Huntsville Meridian, Marshall County, AL 35976

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25.Welti Falls

Situated in the small town of Welti in Cullman, Welti Falls is a beautiful waterfall created from the spillway of Forest Ingram Park. A little over an hour’s drive north of Birmingham, the waterfalls are reached by a half-mile walk through a wilderness filled with mature trees and large rocks. Caution must be taken when exploring the waterfall as the stones are very slippery. Formerly home to the Welti Road Covered Bridge until it was burned down in 1939, Welti is a surrounded by beautiful foliage and pleasant landscapes and is popular with hikers and nature lovers.

3372 County Rd 703, Cullman, AL 35055