The West
Fork of the Little River plummets into it own little canyon which it has carved with its erosive power over the millennia. Named after the Spanish explorer (who, according to legend, 'discovered' it during his explorations in the New World) the 104 foot DeSoto Falls greets its visitors with awesome beauty. Though visible from the DeSoto Scenic Highway (AL-176) the waterfall is actually accessed from neighboring highway, County Road 89 (see directions, below). DeSoto Falls is really a series of three waterfalls, each very different and each very beautiful in its own way. Fed by the DeSoto Lake impoundment (the dam is a short distance away), the Little River next rumbles down the rocks creating the first, 'small' waterfall. This is is
visible right from the dam. Walk a few more yards and you can see the 'big' waterfall, further downstream.
How to get there:
From I-75 northbound (e.g., from Atlanta):
- Take exit 290 and turn left at the foot of the exit ramp.
- Follow Ga-20 west, through Rome, into Alabama to the intersection of AL-35
(about 22 miles from Rome)
(Note: GA-20 becomes AL-9 at the state line)
- Turn right onto AL-35 and drive about 21 miles to a flashing yellow light.
- Turn right at flashing yellow light on DeSoto Parkway (County Road 89) and follow it to about 5 miles beyond the the entrance to De Soto State Park.
- Turn right and drive to the parking lot at the end of the road.
From I-59 northbound (e.g., Birmingham):
- Take exit 222 and turn toward Fort Payne (south on US-11).
- Follow US-11 into Fort Payne (where US-11 becomes Gault Ave
N.)
- Turn left on 20th Street (traffic light) and go east, crossing railroad tracks, for 3 blocks to Godfrey Ave (traffic light)
Turn left. Go 1 block (another traffic light)
- Turn right onto Beason Gap Road (21st St???). Follow Beason Gap Road to its end at Beason Gap (about 1.2 miles).
- Turn left onto DeSoto Parkway (County Rd 89) and follow it to about 5 miles beyond the the entrance to De Soto State Park.
- Turn right and drive to the parking lot at the end of the road.
From I-59 southbound (e.g., from Chattanooga):
- Take exit 231 (Hammondville), turn left at the foot of the exit ramp and follow AL-117 toward Hammondville.
Note: 117 turns right, goes a bit over 0.1 miles with US-11, then turns left to continue toward Valley Head.
- Continue on AL-117 another 3 miles to its junction with
County Road 89 (DeSoto Parkway).
- Turn right and go about one mile to the DeSoto State Park Lake and Falls access road.
- Turn left and drive to the parking lot at the end of the road.
Links to photos:
For more information:
DeSoto Falls State Park
13883 County Road 89
Fort Payne, Al 35967
Park: 256-845-0051
Office: 256-845-5380 or (toll-free) 800-568-8840
desotostpk@mindspring.com
DeKalb County Tourist Association
1503 Glenn Blvd. SW
P.O. Box 681165
Fort Payne, AL 35968
888-805-4740
256-845-3957
info@tourdekalb.com
