Excellent park Lots of trails for every level of ability, bike trails too. The primitive camp area is really nice. Good improved area as well. I'll be staying in the lodge for the end of my trip but the restaurant is good. Country store has all your gear and poughy bait, ice and fire wood. There's zip lining on site and watching a group go it's really fun. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Compared to some of the national parks I've visited, this is much nicer. Really glad I can't up here for the week to unwind. read more

DeSoto State park - Back to nature - Parks Near Me - Fort Payne, Alabama

Lots of waterfalls to see and trails to hike in the area. The park is clean, and their sites are discos and long pull throughs (#52), but their WiFi is virtually non existent! This hampered our enjoyment considerably because it was difficult planning our days to research the area for things to do. We had to make 2-3 daily trips to the office to connect to WiFi. If I parked even 100' away from the office there was no service. And don't expect GPS accuracy. We often went into town about 8 miles away, but we were detoured a few times in the wrong direction trying to make our way back to the park - not the parks fault. If you have a mobile router, you will be fine and be able to enjoy all that Lookout Mountain has to offer. read more

Such a beautiful hike on a misty winter day! My pup and I loved the beauty, sounds of crunching leaves, the hundred shades of lush green, and of course the abundant waterfall at the end of the hike. So glad we stopped on our way from Birmingham to Nashville! read more

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Desoto is full or great hiking trails. There is a lot of surprisingly beautiful scenery in the area. Ft Payne is close and had several little gems to explore and partake (eating, coffee, ice cream, etc). The price for camping seems high but I think that is a function of state funding and the size and complexity of the property. Army Corps of Engineers Parks (COE) are much better maintained and appointed but they are not on top of Lookout Mountain. Location is the key here. As far as amenities, if you need Wifi to work remotely you'll have to bring something besides cellular. Starlink works great but there is little cell coverage. The lodge has WiFi and they are gracious to let you use space in the lodge if you have to work remotely. The bath houses have WiFi but I couldn't get it to connect well enough to do anything. Staff is very friendly. We didn't try the dining on-site. read more

DeSoto State park - Little River Falls - Parks Near Me - Fort Payne, Alabama

Due to some poor planning on my part, we had a free night in-between Tennessee and Georgia, we found this place here on the Dyrt, and it was absolutely spectacular. This part of Alabama is absolutely stunning, at close to 1700 feet in elevation, this area provides some of the most elevation in the state with absolutely stunning natural beauty. From the nearby waterfalls, which are a short drive from the campground to Little River Canyon national river, also a short drive, this area has so much to offer. The campground itself is perfectly maintained, beautiful, spacious, and wooded sites with functioning hookups, clean restrooms, and beautiful natural surroundings. Initially, we stayed here just to tag the base and say we've camped in Alabama, but after spending the night, we will absolutely go back to this facility! read more

Beautiful and it is just breath taking. I enjoyed spending the day here with my family read more

DeSoto State park - The beauty of this place is breathtaking - Parks Near Me - Fort Payne, Alabama

This was a lovely but very crowded park - even on a weekday. This made it quite difficult to enjoy peace in the park/see wildlife. The roads were good. DeSoto Falls road was closed. However, Indian Falls were open and easy to hike to. Again, it was difficult to enjoy the falls with the crowds. read more

Wonderful place very clean and peaceful maybe add some more playground equipment due to my two grandchildren ages 8 and 4 got very board.

I love this waterfall! Really nice and beautiful color in the fall season! You can hike and swim here too. There is a hiking trail before you enter the park that will lead you to the bottom of the big waterfall! I heard this is also a first Alabama electric dam too! Recommend it! read more

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Sunday March 2nd, Tony and I drove the 2 1/2 hrs out of Nashville to the Fort Payne area in Alabama. We got off the exit 231 and headed into the mountains at Mendone and took our time through the parkway to DeSoto State Park making several stops along the way. We visited DeSoto Falls which is actually about 5 miles away from the park itself. Once at the park we stopped at the Country Store and got a free map. Purchased a magnet for my collection and a few post cards and was on our way. We first went to Azalea Cascade Falls, then Indian Falls and last to the Lodge Falls. It was a wonderful day. Very pretty and slightly warm. Would love to arrive back here again for some hiking with my daughter. ..best of all it is FREE read more

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The cabins are very comfortable. Quite relaxing time. Several waterfalls within walking distance. Lodge restaurant not recommended.

Great place to visit. The waterfalls are absolutely beautiful! Some trails can be a little challenging but the store provides information for hiking tips that are really helpful. All of the staff was super nice and check-in was a breeze. Definitely recommend hiking to the bottom of DeSoto falls. read more

DeSoto State park - DeSoto falls - Parks Near Me - Fort Payne, Alabama

We absolutely loved this park the waterfalls are stunning. It has rained the day before so I'm sure it made them even better ! There was really no hike at all to get to the waterfall. We stayed for awhile just to enjoy the scenery and the relaxing sound of the waterfall. We will be going back one day in the future to swim because the waters are crystal clear and stunning . If you are close by don't miss this park! read more

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Went for a weekend camping trip with the dog. This is one of my favorite sites to camp! The park rangers are very nice and helpful. The best time to go is in Spring when things are very green and the falls are high. If you stay at the primitive campsite the ranger gives you the code to get into the RV campsite to get to the showers. The primitive campsite has both a community water pump and bathrooms. Also, a stone pavilion. read more

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Came here on a fall morning on the way to Chattanooga. There had been rain recently and the water was flowing really high. The falls were really pretty and provided for some really great pictures. The drive in was beautiful with the leaves changing colors on all the trees. Only came to the falls area and walked around so I'm not really sure what else they have available, but there are some hiking trails and I'd be for coming back to explore these areas in the future. Really pretty place to visit, should be a must visit place on your list of things to do. read more

I only visited Desoto Falls and the country store, so I can't say much. The falls are beautiful, and the drive is sublime in the fall. (Avoid if you hate twisty roads with no guard rails). My complaint is with the bathrooms and general store. The bathrooms are an absolute disgrace to the state park system. The floor in the women's bathroom was wet and sticky, and it smelled like a middle school boys' bathroom. One of the sinks didn't work. Trash was overflowing. Filthy! I stepped into the store, but it smelled stale and musty, so I backed out and skipped any merchandise I might have purchased. I didn't do any of the hikes, so I can't comment on those. They did seem to allow dogs on leash. I was unable to get a cell signal (AT&T) throughout much of the park, so if you need a map, download it before you go. read more

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We stayed at the campground. This is a favorite for us . Big roomy campsites with full hookups and cable.

My son is having his wedding here. His fiancée choice. They have packages for wedding that are very reasonable. The area is nice. Not far from Fort Payne AL, so good choices of eating places. We rented a cabin that nice with easy access. Only down side to our cabin is there is no WiFi or Cell service, that could be a plus to some people but not when your need communications with wedding party. The area is really nice with an abundance of hiking trails. read more

Easy to access. Nearby trail is easy and gives another great view of falls. Well marked and easy to follow

The park was very clean. There was a lot of space to park and walk around. Some people were swimming, most people were walking around taking photos. There are places to sit and have a picnic, and picnic tables and bathrooms. There is an overlook area to take some great photos, but it is steep and rocky and not fit for anyone who is not able to walk down and walk back up. read more

DeSoto State park - The main waterfall - Parks Near Me - Fort Payne, Alabama

Large sites, some level some not so much. We stayed in site 30 which was great! No cell service, but the campground has WiFi. Visit the link for more information and lots of photos. https://imaginecamper.com/2018/11/06/desoto-state-park-al/ read more

Fantastic Falls!! My wife and I had to travel through Fort Payne, AL recently, so we decided to stop and check out DeSoto Falls. We had looked online ahead of time for some nice AL State Parks with waterfalls we wanted to check out. Well, the nice part is that it was only a short hike from the parking lot to scenic views of the waterfalls. Gorgeous Falls! The short hike was nice. Although you could not easily get to the base of the Falls, it was easy to see much of the Falls without too much effort. You just cannot get to the base off the Falls from the Parking Lot. While you are in the area, you should also check out the Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, AL. The Falls are right in the middle of the town and only a short drive off Highway 59. (TIP) If you use GPS maps on your phone to get there, also pay attention to the Official "Brown signs" along the way - follow them instead. The GPS took us about 5-6 miles out of the way on rough roads; the GPS will take you to the Welcome Center, but the Falls are 7 miles in the opposite direction on better roads. read more

NOT recommended for fishing although they BOAST fly fishing and shore fishing on their website! The hubby and I visited based on their so-called fishing availability and found that they pretty much made it up. We came across another group here for the same experience and they provided the same feedback - no bites, no fish, no good shoreline for fishing. The person at the info center even told us that there's only one good spot and it's a precarious climb to get to it... Given that, they had beautiful falls and views, extensive hiking trails, perceivably nice accommodations, and a swimming pool. The swimming pool fee is $3 per person, which I found reasonable. The swim house is a little out-dated, but OK. Also, the falls are easily accessed, but crowded on the weekends, so beware of that. Also, they boast tennis courts for use that are not maintained. This park needs to update it's list of accommodations accordingly. read more

If you plan properly, this has GREAT potential. The hiking trails are some of the best marked I've even been on. My favorite part of the park was the variety of trails they offered..easy to hard AND varying scenery. Trust me when I say the Scout Trail/Yellow Trail is difficult but beautiful. The lodging is...pricey. I mean, you can't be access to the park, because there isn't much else nearby, but for what you get, especially at the lodge, it is beyond expensive. As for planning properly - plan to not eat their food or to drive into Fort Payne or Mentone. The lodge's offering are, like the lodge, pricey but not great. The grills work great FYI so bring charcoal and steaks and you're set. Lastly, remember, if you go during a drought, don't expect waterfalls but it still offers a unique perspective as you can walk down underneath or across the dried 'waterfall'. Also be sure to take the short drive to rent a kayak or paddleboard at Desoto Falls. read more

Grown up going to this State Park, and finally, after graduating college and several years of being away, was able to return for a weekend at their primitive sites with some friends. It is not the best state park in the world, but it is fairly easy to navigate, has many trails and is near to Little River Canyon National Preserve, which in itself makes Desoto a four star location when you're splitting $14 a night between one tent of people. Desoto Falls is worth a visit, there is a quiet lake/pond to relax by. I don't know about the fishing capabilities there. There is a trail behind the country store that goes by 3ish waterfalls, and was a fairly easy walk. I recently got off of crutches and walked for over 1 hour on this trail with a fair amount of ease. Indian Falls was the best waterfall we saw there (excluding Desoto) and was the easiest of all the falls (including Desoto) to get to. Staff are resourceful and knowledgeable as well as friendly. Stop by here and enjoy the great outdoors. read more

One of the nicest State Parks I've ever been to. That's saying a lot because I've traveled extensively across the US. I was very impressed by their RV park which features hundreds of large levels pads amongst trees and rocks. Their bathroom facility especially blew my mind as not only was it very large and clean with many stalls for toilets as well as showers, but also had wifi! Not only that, they have 2 on site laundromats! For this trip, I chose to stay in the primitive campground. So many great sites to choose from! I got a beautiful large site full of large boulders, a stone fire pit and even a shallow cave/natural shelter. Even with those features there was plenty of smooth ground for several tents. There's also a small country store, a lodge and a restaurant. Every employee that I met obviously loves their job as they all were super friendly and helpful. The scenery of the area is breathtaking. Make sure to check out the many waterfalls here and at Little River Canyon. Also plan your trip so you take the scenic drive overlooking the canyon. read more

Just happened to catch the falls after a very rainy few days. The volume of water was impressive. Parking is tight, but if you're patient you can find a spot. Be sure to walk all the way to the bottom of the viewing area so you can see the falls from the bottom. Shooting a video is a must. Beautiful drive leading into the falls. read more

What a beautiful place! Me and my daughter and my friend we visited this place exactly one year ago and did it today again. First time we just saw the falls but today we had the chance to explore the park. We did hiking and hiked 4 miles. The map in the general store was green color and we used it in our journey. It seems like it would be simple but we got lost. We ended up walking to the main road. We saw ranger there but he could not figure out why we got off path and he wasn't helpful. He told us to walk another 0.5 miles on the road. We were not sure if he was right but he was except it being .5 miles because it was 1 mile. We made it to our car. We saw beautiful iced formations off the rocks and snow iced formations on the ground. We will do research about these things. We really want to be back in spring when spring bushes will bloom . Hike was not hard and we saw a lot of flat rocks among soil n grass. We will be back! read more

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Disappointment State Park would probably be a better name.... I had super high hopes for this place, as the website leads one to believe. We rented a chalet for 7 nights. Dined at the restaurant for the seafood buffet on Friday... The gumbo looked awful, the oysters were awful, overall mediocre at best. Would have been worth 8.00...But the 16.00 per person seems ridiculous. Back to the chalet... It is very clean. Looks like the pictures on the website. We didn't find places to swim, like swimming holes/ streams/ rivers/ etc. as I had envisioned. The pool was a joke! It is the community swimming pool! So all of the towns people go there on the weekend. Also, it was almost a mile away from our chalet, which wasn't expected. If you are staying in a cabin/ chalet there isn't a gate code. But there is a gate for the campground. The last night of our stay the power went out for about 3 hours. There was no credit to our bill as Phil said in his review. We also discovered rats on our last night. Complained to the front desk, they said they would send someone out, but he never showed. And of course, no credit for that either. The Desoto Falls were nice, Little river canyon was nice as well. Could have most definitely seen both attractions in one day, That is about all this town has to offer. There isn't a decent restaurant in the entire town of Fort Payne. Nor a nice place to shop. read more

I recently drove to DeSoto State Park to hike/trail run to view their waterfalls. Location - In northern Alabama, just across the GA-AL border. I will note that some of the roads are a little tough to drive on give. How bumpy they were and they are extremely narrow at parts. You will question is you are in the right location because it doesn't not give a traditional state park feel. Still an easy 2-2:15 drive from Atlanta. Misc - The park offers a Trail Trekkers Patch to individuals who hike all the designated trails in their park system. I thought this was very fun and nice of them. The patch is free and makes it kind of a game to get them all complete. The country store is not anything more than a store to buy some last minute items you forgot like firewood, fire starters, matches, Gatorade and candy. So not come here expecting to pick up everything you need to cook, grocery shop, etc. The park has FREE admission! Do not know how you complain about that! Hikes - There are a wide range of hikes, 13 total, in this park system. Some were very short and not very technical, with some being 3.0+ miles long and very technical. The trails themselves are very well kept, even though some other posters complaint about them, I went during the wet season (which usually ruins the trails or makes them impassable) but they could easily be used. There were 9 different waterfalls that had varying levels of flow rate right now. I personally love waterfalls and was excited to see them all. Definitely worth visiting here if you want to see waterfalls and I would recommend between Jan-Mar to see them with the highest water levels. I saw more deer, 50+, than I saw people on all 13 of the trails. Most of the people I saw were all on the same trail, the most popular Orange and Blue trails with 3 waterfalls. Definitely something for everyone here. While there isn't anything super long, you can do all 22 miles of the trail in a day with careful planning (we did). Atmosphere - I had one of the craziest nature experiences of my life here. While running the Gilliam Trail with my dog early in the morning (roughly 830am), we somehow ran into a herd of Whitetail deer. When I mean ran into, I mean we were in the middle of the 20ish herd. We were running, so I didn't notice it until it was happening. The deer did not frighten and run away. My dog and I did not stop running, frankly because I was terrified, and as we continued to run, the deer took off with us. I had deer to my left and right, in front and behind me. It must have lasted 25-30 seconds. It was exhilarating and scary at the same time and something I wish I had video of. My dog was on sensory overload and just kept moving too and looking around. As we moved to other hikes throughout the day, we saw so much wildlife. Facilities - I can't speak much to the facilities. A lot of it looked old. The restaurant was nothing special but I guess I don't expect much at a state park. Other reviews obviously had higher standards for this place. I got a to go plate of French toast sticks, bacon and eggs and thought it was fine. ($9 all you can eat). When I travel to a state park, I come for the nature and not the amenities. Give me a place to set up my tent and outdoor fun. DeSoto is definitely a place I'll be coming back too in the summer to see the differences in the seasonal change. read more

Exceptional! There is nothing more to say. The environment, the staff, the scenery, the views. the hospitality and the fresh air are all exceptional. Ranger Thomas is a great host. Deb and the staff at the lodge were phenomenal and the entire experience was one of the best few days away from it all we had ever had. I have read some of the other reviews and not sure where the complaints come from. We had a large group and many chalets and cabins. We could not have asked for a better atmosphere and time. We did visit Fort Payne, AL while there which has mostly fast food style establishments. But for an enjoyable time, outside the routine hotel stay, this place hits the mark. It is a state facility, so if you do not go in expecting the Ritz, (and it is not suppose to be the Ritz), you'll be fine. Stop by and see these fine folks and enjoy the amazing scenery. I will be back this summer and fall and try their primitive camping sites. read more

TAKE NOTE: 11/4/16- VERY LOW water. The falls are just above a trickle. Still beautiful with the fall colors and gorge below. Fantastic place for a picnic. Lots of tables/space to spread out. Bathrooms onsite. read more

We stayed in the Lodge on site as we traveled through the area. It was nice to get off the Interstate and just enjoy the views. We didn't get much time, but the accommodations were reasonably priced, clean and comfortable. I would definitely go back if I had the opportunity for a chance to explore the park more. read more

We had a quick staycation escape to DeSoto the week after school started in Alabama. The park was very quiet and we encountered few people on our hikes. The staff in the Information center were very helpful in making suggestions where we could take our 2 and 3 year old children. Most disappointing part was that they didn't have the pool open since school was back in session. We frequented the playground across the road from the Nature Center and especially loved that our kids could ride their bikes without worry of cars. We did have to return our dog to our cabin one afternoon because a couple of stray dogs were guarding the boardwalk trail. We didn't want any chance of the dogs or our kids getting hurt since 2 were unleashed. If they are regulars on the campground, I think it would be wise for the park staff to find them a home or at least have them somewhere safe where they wouldn't create conflict with visiting, leashed dogs. Otherwise, we had a great time and look forward to returning to DeSoto! read more

Easy to get to. I live in NE Alabama and always looking for places to visit. Nice falls. Check out the statues of the Band "Alabama" in Ft Payne and the "Alabama" band Museum while you are there. Dog on leash friendly. read more

We go here a couple of times a year and stay in the cabins. We love the restaurant, hiking, falls, nature center, and great staff. Awesome park, you will love it!!!! read more

Great state park. We live in GA but this is one of our favorite parks to camp in. The comfort stations (bath house) are brand new. Parts of the campground are clear-cut (pull through) but around spot 22 they are private and wooded. Visit Desoto falls and hike the blue to orange trail past the boardwalk to see more falls. Sequoah caverns is close and although a pit pricey, worth the time and money. Excellent formations. Definitely check out this park if you camp in No. Alabama. read more

I camped at the primitive campground in April 2013. I was very impressed with the cleanliness, the lovely views, the sites themselves, and the facilities (pit toilet in the primitive area and use of the bath house at the "full service" campground down the road.) I found the staff very friendly and it was nice that the store/check in area had free wi fi in case one needed it. I felt safe there as a solo camper that weekend, also. There is so much to do in the park itself and in the immediate area, as well -- I plan to go back with friends and their kids because I think there is something for everyone. Highly recommend giving it a visit! read more

I was surprised by the creativity and wholesomeness of this park. It feels like it's a family affair, but is remarkably well done. If you go on a Monday in June or July, you can get unlimited cave and games for $20 a person! What a deal! My wife and I, three other adults and three kids had fun for the entire day. We went on rides and shot bows and arrows, navigated their "cave crawl" (which is no joke - watch out adults with claustrophobia!) and conquered the giant maze. It was the highlight of our family's two-week vacation. The cave is beautiful, and the tour is pleasant. Though the information they provided was good, the tours are not intellectually rigorous or stimulating, just pleasant. The park is well-maintained and the staff was amiable. There is plenty of picnicking space, so we were able to bring our own lunches. God is clearly honored at this park, and for that I am grateful and impressed. Thanks Desoto Caverns! read more

Awesome park with great hiking, biking, canoeing, rock climbing and other outdoor activities in the most beautiful setting.ever!!!