Canyons, Caves, & Waterfalls

Check out some of Northern Alabama's best spots for breathtaking views.

Explore unexpected beautiful places on the Canyons, Caves, and Waterfalls tour. Take a drive along the Canyon Rim Road in Little River Canyon, which is the largest gorge east of the Mississippi River, and see many breathtaking views. Explore the depths of Cathedral Caverns and Russell Cave National Monument. Take in the beauty of several of North Alabama’s beautiful waterfalls like Little River Falls in Little River Canyon, DeSoto Falls, and Noccalula Falls. These beautiful places plus more await you on the Canyons, Caves, and Waterfalls tour.

Tour Timeline: Any Season

(Please note, depending on when flight arrives at Huntsville International Airport, optional afternoon and evening receptions or destination stops may be added.)

Destinations

Lake Guntersville State Park

1. Lake Guntersville State Park

Located along the banks of the Tennessee River in Northeast Alabama, Lake Guntersville Resort State Park promises to satisfy whether you are looking for a resort-style retreat or an outdoor adventure in the park’s 6,000 acres of natural woodlands. One of the main attractions at the park soars high above all the others. Thanks to conservation efforts Alabama's nesting bald eagle population is increasing, and Guntersville has become a focal point of Eagle Awareness in the state. Each year, on select weekends in January through the first weekend in February the park’s Eagle Awareness programs entertain and educate the public about our once endangered national symbol.

Cathedral Caverns

2. Cathedral State Park

DAY 2 Stop 1 The first thing you notice about Cathedral Caverns is the massive entrance. The huge opening measures 126 feet wide and 25 feet high. Inside the cavern, you will find Big Rock Canyon, Mystery River and some of the most beautiful formations Mother Nature has ever created. Among them, you will see Stalagmite Mountain, the Frozen Waterfall, and Goliath, a huge stalagmite column that reaches the ceiling of the cave some 45 feet above! Human habitation can be traced back 8,000 years.

Jules J. Berta Vineyards

3. Jules J. Berta Winery

Located atop Sand Mountain in Albertville, Ala. The vineyards are five acres of vines on a 22 acre farm, and mostly consist of Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and other varietals. They additionally have fruits wines and muscadine wines grown by local Alabama farmers.

4. 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.

Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation, Inc.

5. Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts

Includes three art galleries, the Imagination Place Children’s Hands-on Museum, a 72-foot working model railroad, and the Gadsden Community School of the Arts.

Tigers For Tomorrow

6. Tigers for Tomorrow

Looking for a unique experience? Take a trip to Untamed Mountain. Tigers for Tomorrow is a wild animal park and environmental education center that’s home to over 130 animals. See 70 big cats, wolves, and bears. Children can interact with barnyard animals at their contact yard.

Little River Canyon National Preserve

7. Little River Canyon Center

A partnership between Jacksonville State University and Little River Canyon National Preserve. The Center provides visitors with information, educational and recreational opportunities, and an impressive HD film about Little River Canyon.

DeSoto State Park

8. 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.

Fort Payne Depot Museum

9. Fort Payne Depot Museum

Features exhibits typical of the lifestyles of the late 1800s and the early 1900s. The museum features Native American pottery, basketry, tools, and clothing. Old Fort Payne Depot was built by the Alabama Great Southern Railroad in 1891.

Orbix Hot Glass

10. Orbix Hot Glass

Owned by artist Cal Breed, creates unique handmade functional art glass and sculpture. Orbix studio and gallery is located on Lookout Mountain in Alabama.

11. Stevenson Railroad Depot Museum

An important Civil War railroad junction. Station now houses a collection of military, agricultural, Indian artifacts, railroad, and other local memorabilia. Listed on the Nations Register of Historic Places

Russell Cave National Monument

12. Russell Cave National Monument

Russell Cave is an archaeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast.

Goose Pond Colony Resort

13. Goosepond Colony

Complete resort offering golfing, camping, fishing, lodging, boating, marina service, and a wide selection of events at our civic center.

Unclaimed Baggage Center

14. Unclaimed Baggage Center

Experience Unclaimed Baggage, one of the most unique Alabama tourist attractions. Come browse our selection of lost luggage – you never know what you'll find!

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

15. US Space & Rocket Center

Huntsville is home to the largest space museum in the world: the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Not only is America’s space program on exhibit in Huntsville, it was forged in Huntsville. We’re known as the “Rocket City” because Huntsville, Alabama is where rockets were developed that put men on the moon.

Huntsville Botanical Garden

16. Huntsville Botanical Garden

Huntsville Botanical Garden is located in the heart of Madison County, right off I-565, adjacent to the US Space & Rocket Center and offers the optimal blend – wildlife, foliage, florals, trails, specialty gardens, pavilions, a butterfly house, walkways, lakes, and more.

17. Lowe Mill

America's largest independent art facility! With more than 200 artists in 127 incredible studios, Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment is the place to be in Huntsville if you are a lover of art, music, food and fun. With over a hundred artists working in public studio spaces, three art galleries, a theater that hosts every imaginable kind of live performance, a record store, food stands, and dozens of events, shows, classes every month, there is always something fun to do at Lowe Mill.

1818 Farms

  • 24889 Lauderdale Street
  • (256) 714-3220

Located on three acres in the northwest corner of the historic village of Mooresville, AL (pop.58), 1818 Farms is named…

306 BBQ - Florence

  • 322 North Court Street
  • (256) 766-5665

306 BBQ serves authentic slow cooked, pit smoked barbecue. We serve only the highest quality beef, pork and poultry…