5 of the greatest waterfalls to visit in North Alabama

Let’s go chasing waterfalls. Don’t stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to. Personally, I’m rarely more mesmerized by nature than when I’m standing in front of a waterfall, letting the roar of the flowing water drown out all other sounds around me.

If you’d like to take a short trip to experience one of these wonders, here are 5 places less than two hours away from Huntsville with fantastic falls.

Waterfall guide

1. DeSoto State Park

DeSoto has some of the most stunning falls in Alabama, their tallest boasting about 104 feet tall. This park, about 74 miles away located next to Fort Payne, has some very drivable spots for those wanting to just stop and take pictures instead of making a tiring trek.

Location: 7104 Desoto Pkwy NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967

2. Oak Mountain State Park

Oak Mountain is the largest state park in Alabama including 9,940 acres of beautiful land, including the popular Peavine Falls. Oak Mountain park is about 117 miles away from Huntsville, and just under two a two hour drive. As big as it is, the walk is just 0.5 miles to the falls.

Location: 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124

3. Noccalula Falls

Noccalula Falls is a stunning sight just North of Gadsden, topping off at 90 feet flowing out of Black Creek into the canyon below. Naccalula is 73 miles from Huntsville and about a 1.5 hour drive. The waterfall is right next to the parking lot, making it a convenient walk.

Location: 1500 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904

4. Pisgah Gorge Falls

Pisgah’s gorge falls are a great destination often overlooked in waterfall roundups just west of Scottsboro, about 57 miles from Huntsville with an hour drive.

You’ll be delighted to find a pair of falls topping at 100 feet. Find them at the back of Civitan Park past the baseball field. The hike to the falls is a 1.2 mile round trip from the parking lot.

Location: 650 CR-374, Pisgah, AL 35765

5. Bethel Springs

Bethel Springs is in New Hope, just a 17 mile, 30 minute drive from Downtown Huntsville if you want somewhere much less of a drive. This is a fun sight to take a little trip and spend time in nature.

Location: 2641 Cherry Tree Rd, New Hope, AL 35760

Chase the waterfalls

Visit these falls 5 weekends in a row, or tackle them all in one long weekend. The best time to see waterfalls are after a moderate amount of rain, so if you want to maximize this experience you’ll have to plan accordingly.

For detailed maps, descriptions and pictures of these waterfalls and more, check out Alabama Waterfalls.

Spending time in nature is important for mental and physical health, so if there’s a shred of desire in you to see these, we say go for it.

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