While you are in the DeSoto State Park area you may wish to walk the 100 foot trail to view Indian Falls. This is a very attractive area, especially in the Spring. May through June are
particularly beautiful; first the mountain laurel burst into bloom followed a a few weeks by the wild rhododendrons. And there always is an assortment of wild flowers.
Park in the same parking lot used for the Azalea Cascade Boardwalk Trail. Across the road there is a small sign declaring the location of the Indian Falls trail. Follow the short trail to the wooden footbridge (which is above the 20 foot waterfall) and, on the other side of the bridge is the trail leading down to the base of Indian Falls. (Watch your step - there are a lot of exposed tree roots and loose rocks on the trail.)
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.
- As you enter the
park, travel 1/4 of a mile to the parking lot on your left.
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.
- As you enter the
park, travel 1/4 of a mile to the parking lot on your left.
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 on
County Road 89 and follow for appx. 8 miles to DeSoto State Park. Travel 1/4
mile from park entrance to parking lot on the right.
- As you enter the
park, travel 1/4 of a mile to the parking lot on your left.
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
