Magical Waterfalls of North Alabama

Thanks to the flowing waters of the Tennessee River, North Alabama boasts the most beautiful waterfalls on either side of the Appalachians.

Explore for a day or a weekend getaway

These stunning falls are surrounded by nature to hike, spots to photograph, and, in some cases, wineries to relax. Read a snippet about each below or print the guide to take with you on your adventure.

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NORTH ALABAMA WATERFALL TRAIL MOBILE EXCLUSIVE PASSPORT

Our waterfalls are close enough to each other that you can visit several in a day and experience them all in a long weekend. Check out our Mobile Passport for locations.

 

1. Coldwater Falls at Spring Park

The man-made Coldwater Falls was constructed with over 2,000 tons of sandstone and today sees more than 4.3 million gallons of water flow each day. Wheelchair accessible.

Wilson Dam Falls

  • Location: 222-398 Reservation Rd Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
2. Wilson Dam Falls

Boasts one of the highest, single-lift locks in the world. Construction on the dam began during World War I, TVA was created in 1933. The lock is accessible to visitors Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the year. Wheelchair accessible.

3. Lacefield Falls

Wild streams, box canyons, waterfalls, rock shelters, and sandstone bluffs encompass the 700 acres of Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve where you’ll find Lacefield Falls.

Rainbow Falls at Dismals Canyon

4. Rainbow Falls at Dismals Canyon

In the area surrounding Rainbow Falls, you’ll find pristine wilderness, romantic cabins, secluded campsites, hiking, swimming, canoeing, wildflowers, a country store and more.

5. Kinlock Falls

Located along Hubbard Creek in the Bankhead National Forest, Kinlock Falls offers a magnificent view and an area where people come to swim.

6. Parker Falls

Parker Falls, located in Bankhead National Forest, is a 4-mile round trip moderate hike. There is no official trail to Parker Falls, but typically has a worn path. Along this hike, the trail meanders through a beautiful pine forest and passes several beautiful waterfalls before making it to Parker Falls.

White Creek Falls at Bankhead National Forest

7. White Creek Falls

White Creek Falls is located in Bankhead National Forest and is a difficult 5-mile round trip hike. White Creek Falls has an upper and lower waterfall. The upper waterfall is a shorter waterfall with a unique heart-shaped pool also known as the “Valentine's Pool.” The lower waterfall is much taller and settles into an impressive canyon.

Shangri-La Falls at Bankhead National Forest

8. Shangri-La Falls

Located deep in Bankhead National Forest is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by luscious green trees, falling into a gorgeous pool of blue water. This hike is 3-miles roundtrip and is moderate for most of the hike. It can be difficult getting into and out of the canyon. This waterfall is seasonal and the best time to visit is in the winter or spring.

9. Turkey Foot Falls

Rich in Native American and pioneer history, Turkey Foot Falls is just a 30-minute walk from the Sipsey River Recreation Area and picnic grounds.

10. Mize Mill Falls

Mize Mill Falls is located in Bankhead National Forest. This enchanting area is covered in luscious green moss and evergreen trees. There are two ways to get to the falls but no official, marked trail. One is a difficult short hike and the other is a moderate 2-mile round trip hike. Turkeyfoot Falls is downstream from Mize Mill and well worth a stop.

Sougahoagdee Falls

11. Sougahoagdee Falls

Located in Bankhead National Forest, this waterfall is a 4-mile round trip moderate hike. There are no official trails to Sougahoagdee, typically there is a worn path. The hike to this waterfall follows striking cliff faces and a beautiful nearby river. Along this hike are several other streams and waterfalls.

12. Larkwood Falls

Larkwood Falls is a beautiful waterfall that runs from Lake Catoma located in the back of a neighborhood in Cullman, AL. This waterfall is seasonal. During North Alabama’s wet season, winter and spring, a great view of the waterfall is accessible on Larkwood Drive NE. There is no hiking required to see this waterfall.

13. Lost Sink Falls

Lost Sink Falls on Keel Mountain is a 3-mile round trip moderate hike to an incredibly unique waterfall in Gurley, AL. Along the hike, the trail is lined by a beautiful creek and rock formations. Lost Sink Falls is a sinkhole waterfall and disappears into a cave making it a jaw dropping hike.

Land Trust of North Alabama

14. Dry Falls

Dry Falls is located in Huntsville, AL on the Monte Sano Nature Preserve owned by the Land Trust of North Alabama. While there are several ways to arrive at the waterfall, the recommended way is to park at 3 Caves parking lot and follow Waterline Trail. Along this trail is 3 Caves (an old limestone quarry) and a heavily wooded trail. This waterfall is very dependent on recent rain.

15. Bethel Spring Falls

Bethel Spring Nature Preserve on Keel Mountain offers hikers two miles of free trails to explore as well as one of Madison County’s largest waterfalls. The waterfall is impressive enough above ground but continues its descent into a cave below, flows downhill underground, and exits through a spring at the base of the mountain. All the trails create a 1.3 mile loop leading to and from the waterfall. This hike is difficult due to change in elevation and some slippery and/or rocky areas.

16. Alum Hollow Falls

This 30-foot tiered waterfall at Alum Hollow is a 3-mile round trip easy hike located on Green Mountain Nature Preserve. Around the corner from the falls is Alum Cave, a rock shelter used during the Middle Woodland period as well as another smaller waterfall.

Mardis Mill Falls

  • Location: Oneonta Oneonta, AL 35121
17. Mardis Mill Falls

Mardi Mills — aka Graves Creek Falls — is located on Grave’s Creek (hence the nickname) which feeds into the Black Warrior River.

18. Walls of Jericho

Walls of Jericho is a part of Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust. This hike is 7-miles round trip and is rated difficult. The trail is lined with woods, springs, caves, bluffs and rivers. At the end is a beautiful swimming hole with a small waterfall. Continuing upstream is a cave with a river f

19. Pisgah Gorge Falls

At a total of 600 feet spread out over 1.5 miles, Pisgah Gorge Falls includes two large waterfalls that are each close to 100 feet tall.

20. High Falls

The park at High Falls features a natural bridge at the bottom of falls, along with a walking bridge that crosses over the waterfall.

DeSoto Falls at DeSoto State Park

21. DeSoto Falls

One of the most photographed points of interest in Alabama, DeSoto Falls is also one of the tallest (107 ft.) and most visited waterfall locations in the state. The waterfall has a concrete dam above the falls, which was built in 1925 for Alabama's first hydroelectric power plant, which is of historical significance.

Little River Canyon National Preserve

22. Little River Falls

Located at the north end of America’s deepest and most extensive canyon systems east of the Mississippi, Little River Falls is surrounded by 14,000 acres of beauty. Wheelchair accessible.

23. Grace’s High Falls

At over 133 feet high, the seasonal Grace’s High Falls features a view you can't find anywhere else. When rainfall is high, a significant amount of smaller creeks and waterfalls can be seen while exploring the area. The best time to view is in the winter. Handicapped accessible from a lookout point on Canyon Rim Road.

Congo Falls

24. Congo Falls

Congo Falls is located inside the Congo Nature Preserve bordering Little River Canyon. This waterfall is located along Cherokee County Road 43. No hiking is required to see this waterfall. The park requires a permit on some days, make sure to check their website for a permit before visiting.

25. Yellow Creek Falls

Yellow Creek Falls is located on Weiss Lake in Leesburg, AL. This waterfall requires a short trip across the lake, which is accessible by boat, canoe, or kayak, and a short hike. Yellow Creek Falls is a 100 ft waterfall and is surrounded by beautiful rocky terrain.

26. Griffin Falls

Griffin Falls is located on a cliff near Collinsville, AL. This is a short, less than 1-mile hike and is rated difficult. Located here is a charming downhill stream with a giant rockface and a beautiful tall waterfall. During the winter there are amazing views of the surrounding area.

Noccalula Falls Park

27. Noccalula Falls Park

Nestled among the trees in the park is a pioneer village, a group of rustic, hand-hewn log buildings representing a display of pioneer living conditions, included in the village is a country store, grist mill, covered bridge, pioneer home, smokehouse, blacksmith shop and more. Other park attractions include a War Memorial and Museum, botanical gardens, hiking trails, a sightseeing train, a playground, carpet golf, picnic pavilions, wedding chapel and honeymoon cabins, and meeting facilities. Wheelchair accessible.

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