DeSoto Falls Trail Report: I made this a a side hike to a hike I made up Blood Mountain. The lower falls trail is quick and easy and returns to the trail head. DeSoto Falls trail is a beautiful 2 mile trail alongside a stream of flowing water leading to two beautiful waterfalls. Lost Falls Trail Takes you to Laurel Falls, Lost Falls and Azalea Cascade Description: Located in DeSoto State Park, Lost Falls Trail is a combination of several different trails each marked with their own color. The upper falls (seen above) are the actual DeSoto Falls and are about a mile and a half, total trip. Hiking. It is just inside the National Forest boundary. Main Navigation Menu: Desoto Page Navigation Menu . Check out this guide for more. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alabama/desoto-falls-bluff-view-trail And you have lots of options. Based on the information I read here, I took the lower falls trail first to get the "hard part" out of the way. Hiking DeSoto Falls Trail: Quoting the TLC song Waterfalls, “Don’t go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to.” Everyone loves waterfalls, right? Seasons Accessible. DeSoto Falls, the largest falls is easily accessible by car just a few miles north of the main park. You have a choice between two trails totaling 2 miles round-trip. Falls Trail at High Falls State Park: the hike. Camping at DeSoto Falls Recreation Area is open. The trail features wooded hiking and beautiful views of Lake DeSoto while crossing the dam. Boardwalk Trail (right). After considering different options we agreed to meet in Trenton, Georgia to head over into Alabama to DeSoto Falls State Park for some waterfall viewing. I really enjoyed this hike. Even though the ascent was somewhat steep, it was perfectly doable, even for someone like me who is recovering from knee surgery. Located on Lookout Mountain, DeSoto State Park has over 25 miles of hiking trails, including 11 + miles of mountain bike trails. The trail to the upper falls travels through the forest (lots of rhododendrons) and runs alongside the creek. The DeSoto Falls are named for Spanish explorer Hernando deSoto, who passed through Georgia around 1540.According to a sign posted on the DeSoto Falls Trail, a 2.4-mile (3.9 km) in and out hiking trail to the falls, a plate of armor was discovered at the base of the falls in the 1880s.. DeSoto Falls is perfect for a family day trip or even a camping trip. Hiking DeSoto Falls State Park, Alabama Lois and I decided to get out for some hiking on Sunday, March 3, 2013. Natural Attractions. Enter into another world outside of Dahlonega, where the trees are lush and vibrant and the sound of trickling water can guide you along the way at DeSoto Falls in Georgia. See video below. Lost Falls (right). The stream is unique in that it is one of the few rivers in the nation that flow almost entirely on the top of a mountain. The beginning of the second trail, that leads to the base of the falls, is not as obvious. Discover One Of Alabama’s Most Majestic Waterfalls – No Hiking Necessary. DeSoto State Park offers miles of hiking trails, beautiful bluffs and rock formations, a number of waterfalls, historic sites related to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and spectacular views of DeSoto Falls. Photos taken at Desoto State Park . Hiking Project Staff with improvements by Steve M Full Details. DeSoto Falls is an easy family-friendly trail that will take you right past a waterfall. The trail descends a series of wooden platforms along the river, catching increasingly better views of the huge, whitewater-filled waterfall. According to a sign posted on the DeSoto Falls Trail , a 2.4-mile (3.9 km) in and out hiking trail to the falls, a plate of armor was discovered at the base of the falls in the 1880s. The DeSoto Falls are named for Spanish explorer Hernando deSoto, who passed through Georgia around 1540. Rock formations on the Blue trail (left), and Orange trail (right). DeSoto Nature (1.2 Mile One Way) – a natural surface walking trail that includes two loops. Other trails on the De Soto include Bethel and Rattlesnake Bay ATV trails, Big Foot horse trail, Leaf hiking trail, and Bethel bicycle trail. Northeast Georgia Mountains. The Little River has carved amazing canyons into the surface of Lookout Mountain. There are five beautiful waterfalls along the 3-mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail located in the 650-acre recreation area. Stream along side the Orange and Blue trails (left). See how many waterfalls you can find along the way and keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife as well as diverse plant life. Pets Hiking Family Barefoot. Whether a nature hobbyist, outdoor enthusiast, or sporting fanatic - DeSoto State Park has plenty to do to keep you pleasantly entertained. This peaceful place is named after Hernando De Soto, a Spaniard conquistador and holds a legend. Camping at DeSoto Falls Recreation Area is open. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia . Because the restroom facilities and drinking water are only accessible in the campground near the parking area, you'll want to visit these spots before embarking on your hike. This lesser traveled route along the rim of the canyon, passes by lichen, moss, huge boulders, as … Parking is available at DeSoto Park, 201 DeSoto Park Lane. I was pleasantly surprised that the trail was not busier. The DeSoto Scout Trail is the park's longest trail, connecting Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park through the Wildlife Management Area (backcountry). hiking trails, campgrounds and more. While some waterfalls involve strenuous hikes to reach them, others don’t. With more than 25 miles of hiking trails, DeSoto State Park has plenty of room to explore and discover. Well, spring is normally a great time to chase waterfalls due to the abundance of water from spring showers rushing down the falls. Both can be used as a loop, but I wanted to be sure to mention orange trail by itself. DeSoto Falls Canyon Rim Overlook. Desoto Falls, located a few miles from Desoto State Park (left). There are two waterfalls which can be easily viewed along the DeSoto Falls trails. Within the park, there are more than four other falls which can be accessed by short hikes. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. The water that flows over the falls forms one of the primary tributaries of the Little River. The lower falls is .3 miles down stream from the trail head, the second is .75 miles upstream. In order to access DeSoto Falls Trail, which begins at the DeSoto Falls Recreation Area parking lot, you'll need to pay a fee of $3 per vehicle for day use. The lower falls cascades 20 feet, the middle falls about 80 feet, and the upper falls about 200 feet. We have a hiking trail in Georgia that is an out-and-back in less than two miles but also takes you by a beautiful waterfall too. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. Dahlonega . Most of the other trails in the park focus on Little River, Lost Falls Trail explores the Boulders and CR caves. Desoto Falls Recreation Area. Desoto Falls Trail #18 Easy/Intermediate. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. I hiked Desoto Falls Trail on Sunday, October 6. Most interconnect with each other, while others take you into more remote areas. DeSoto Falls, part of DeSoto State Park, is located about seven miles north of the park heading towards Mentone. From the dirt pullout on Desoto Falls Road, there are two trails that lead to vastly different views of De Soto Falls. Nature. Our second suggestion for DeSoto’s Trail Trekker Challenge is our Orange Trail – 1.8 miles Moderate. One Alabama waterfall that requires no strenuous hike is DeSoto Falls. The ascent is easy, rolling up and down, broken by long flat stretches in deep wood groves. I'd been to DeSoto Falls a couple of times but for some reason had never explored the rest of the park. Go for the 1.5 mile out and back trail starting along Frogtown Creek to see the Upper Falls or choose the shorter 0.5 mile out and back trail to visit the Lower Falls. Trail Ratings 3.5 from 2 votes #33 in Chattahoochee National Forest #21909 Overall. This is the larger of the two falls. These falls are named after Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto and local legend claims he and his group traversed the area in search of gold in 1541. We did mention the orange trail a little yesterday, when we featured the blue trail. It’s a short easy hike to both falls and can be easily be done by even younger children. For a shorter hike (0.68 miles roundtrip) that offers its own panoramic views of the falls and pools, take the DeSoto Falls Canyon Rim trail. There were plenty of people camping at the park, but there was not much traffic on the trail itself, although it was close to 7 PM, so it may have been busier earlier. Waterfall Description: There are 5 beautiful falls along the 3 mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail located in the 650-acre recreation area. Getty. Lost Falls is located about 1.5 miles from DeSoto’s Country Store and terrain can be moderate to mildly strenuous. The DeSoto Falls are located in Lumpkin County in the Chattahoochee National Forest DeSoto Falls Scenic Area. Occasionally the visible creek makes a soothing gurgle and the falls themselves are worth the trip. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. Laurel Falls. There are two waterfalls which can be easily viewed along the DeSoto Falls trails. The DeSoto Falls Recreation Area is located off Highway 129 just inside the National Forest boundary. Desoto Falls is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Out-and-back to both falls is just over 2 miles. The first loop is level, and the second loop has an easy uphill grade to a bench overlook. Majestic rock formations and the beautiful towering trees will keep you entertained no matter how far you’re hiking. Alabama is home to many beautiful waterfalls. Hours . DeSoto State Park has numerous waterfalls throughout the park. The DeSoto Falls Recreation Area is located off Highway 129 just inside the National Forest boundary. DeSoto State Park is conveniently located only 8 miles northeast of Fort Payne, Alabama; and DeSoto Falls - also part of DeSoto State Park - is located about 7 miles north of the park heading towards Mentone, Alabama. The obvious trail heads away on flat terrain from the parking area and to the south. Desoto Falls: Hiking trails - See 189 traveler reviews, 204 candid photos, and great deals for Mentone, AL, at Tripadvisor. The adventure begins at a signed trailhead on the river’s northeastern shore, just downstream from the dam (view maps and driving directions). Photos taken at the Desoto State Park Hiking Trails . You will cross a wooden bridge just before reaching the multi-tiered upper falls. This is the trail to the panorama of the falls and its basin - leave it for later. 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