9 Fantastic Outdoor Experiences In My Favorite Alabama Mountain Town

Positioned in northeast Alabama, close to the state’s border with Tennessee and Georgia, lies the city of Fort Payne. Nestled within the foothills of the Southern Appalachians, atop Lookout Mountain, this quaint village presents guests who love out of doors recreation an incredible array of actions and is my favourite cease within the state for out of doors enjoyable. 

What’s your pleasure? Mountaineering? Kayaking? Waterfall viewing? It’s all ready for you within the Fort Payne space. Listed below are 9 out of doors experiences you don’t need to miss. 

1. Little River Falls 

The 45-foot-tall Little River Falls is among the most spectacular waterfalls in Alabama and one of many state’s hottest points of interest. Whereas many waterfalls in Alabama dry up within the warmth of summer time, Little River at all times places on a roaring good present, extreme droughts however. 

The falls are a part of the Little River Canyon Nationwide Protect and mark the start of one of many deepest canyons east of the Mississippi (extra on that in a second). One of the best vantage level to see the falls up shut and private is from the Little River Falls Picnic Space on Freeway 35. From the parking zone, a composite boardwalk makes viewing the falls ADA accessible. 

The picnic space has room for 100 vehicles and ample area for RVs. There are additionally picnic tables and barbecue grills so you may make a day trip of exploring. Admission is free. 

Professional Tip: The Early Fowl Will get The View

Early risers will probably be handled to a ravishing rainbow within the spray because the solar rises. And it’s best to arrive early. On most days, the parking zone is totally full by 11 a.m. 

2. True Backcountry Swimming Holes 

Whereas at Little River Nationwide Protect, cool off in one in all two good old style swimming holes. 

Little Falls

The primary is among the most well-known swimming holes in Alabama, nevertheless it suffers from an id disaster. Some name it the Hippie Gap. At one time its official title was Martha’s Falls. Right now, it is named Little Falls. 

This wonderful and chilly summertime deal with is situated on the base of Little Falls, a 10-foot cascade not far downstream from Little River Falls. It pours over a sandstone mattress and varieties this deep, chilly, and very well-liked swimming gap. 

Right here’s the rub — you need to hike to get there utilizing the Little Falls Path. The path is a three-quarter mile (a method) hike alongside the rim of Little River Canyon. It’s a reasonably tough hike till the tip, the place you climb steeply down about 300 toes to the river and the swimming gap, however your hike will probably be rewarded with breathtaking views of the canyon alongside the way in which. 

The Little Falls Path begins on the finish of the boardwalk on the Little River Falls Picnic Space on Freeway 35. 

Blue Gap

The second is Blue Gap, a quiet and tranquil stretch of Little River with a gradual movement making the crystal clear mountain waters the proper spot for households and new swimmers. Blue Gap is situated solely one-quarter mile east of Little River Falls on Freeway 35.

Professional Suggestions: Be Ready

• The path to Little Falls has ample room and retains you safely away from the canyon rim, however nonetheless, use warning and chorus from wanting over the sting.
• Bear in mind, you need to carry your swimming wear with you — towels, sunscreen, et cetera — so don’t neglect and depart them in your automotive. 
• The parking zone for Blue Gap is small and may refill quick. Arrive properly earlier than 11 a.m.
• And keep in mind, there aren’t any lifeguards on the swimming holes. 

3. Little River Kayaking

It’s exhausting to consider that as you marvel on the thundering Little River Falls, kayakers truly run its turbulent waters, however they do — and that’s just for extremely skilled kayakers. There are stretches of the river, nonetheless, that each talent degree of kayaker can take pleasure in in winter and spring, when the river runs full. 

Within the miles of river above Little River Falls and at Canyon Mouth Park on the finish of the protect, kayakers will expertise a paddle that ranges from a mild float journey to Class I and II rapids. 

For knowledgeable kayakers, under the falls when the river is actually flowing and full, kayakers can shoot Class II as much as Class VI rapids. This space has been utilized by Olympic groups from world wide for coaching. 

Professional Tip: Earlier than placing your boat within the river, please learn the Nationwide Park Service’s security suggestions. 

4. Little River Canyon Rim Parkway 

For one thing rather less adventurous however nonetheless spectacular, pack a picnic lunch and take the 11-mile drive down the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway for some breathtaking views. 

Alongside the route, there are eight overlooks the place you’ll be able to cease and take within the unbelievable surroundings — the towering rock partitions, distinctive rock formations, and pencil-thin waterfalls, like Grace’s Excessive Falls; the quite a few mountaineering trails, like the straightforward strolling Beaver Pond Loop and the extraordinarily tough Eberhart Path; and the various faces of nature all year long; the luxurious greens of summer time and the fiery orange, yellows, and reds of fall. 

The drive begins lower than a half-mile west of the Little River Falls Picnic Space on Freeway 35. 

Professional Suggestions: Journey Good

• Cease by the Little River Canyon Heart earlier than heading off and choose up a brochure that can present the route and the overlooks and waterfalls. 
• The park service recommends that RVs don’t journey the parkway. It has many sharp, blind turns. 

DeSoto State Park

An enormous supply of Fort Payne’s out of doors recreation comes from DeSoto State Park, a 3,502-acre expanse of wilderness simply northeast of city. It’s an oasis for hikers, mountain bikers, campers, thrill seekers, and extra.

5. DeSoto Falls

DeSoto Falls is among the tallest, most beautiful waterfalls in Alabama, and one of the crucial visited. 

DeSoto Falls was as soon as a pure waterfall, however in 1925, the West Fork of Little River was dammed to create the state’s first hydroelectric plant. From the dam, the torrent thunders 104-feet down a rocky base earlier than dropping contact with the rock wall and crashing into a ravishing, blue pool under. 

The falls may be simply considered from the DeSoto Falls Picnic Space on County Highway 613. From the massive parking zone, a paved and stone ADA-accessible path results in the sting of the falls for unbelievable views. The trail is ideal for households with smaller youngsters. 

Professional Tip: To your security, don’t cross the metal railing on the fringe of the falls. 

6. Mountaineering

DeSoto State Park is your basecamp for mountaineering adventures in Fort Payne. The park boasts 35 miles of mountaineering trails that result in spectacular views of a canyon fashioned by the turbulent West Fork of Little River and several other waterfalls. 

A favourite hike for guests is a 2.4-mile loop made by connecting 4 of the park’s trails — the Talmadge Butler Boardwalk, Azalea Cascade Path, Laurel Falls Path, and Misplaced Falls Path. This simple strolling hike takes you to a few spectacular waterfalls, starting with the Azalea Cascade, which is framed with the colourful colours of untamed azalea in season. The 360-foot lengthy boardwalk part of the hike is ADA accessible with decks and picnic tables situated atop the pool fashioned by the Azalea Cascade. 

Professional Suggestions: There is no such thing as a admission price to enter the park. Be sure you choose up a path map on the park’s nation retailer. 

7. Mountain Biking

DeSoto State Park has one thing for mountain bikers as properly — 11 miles of quick singletrack that can quench any biker’s want for velocity. 

Probably the most difficult route is the CCC Quarry Bike Loop, a 5-mile, tremendous rugged observe that can check your talent. 

For one thing that your complete household can take pleasure in, there may be the Household Bike Loop, a pleasant and straightforward 2.5-mile journey by means of the woods that takes about an hour for common bikers to finish. It’s a fantastic probability to get the youngsters out to have enjoyable exploring nature. 

8. Zip Lining

Get the adrenaline pumping as you soar by means of the treetops at DeSoto State Park on the Screaming Eagle Aerial Journey. Six zip traces, from 100 to 350 toes lengthy, and 6 sky bridges provide you with a view of the park and its distinctive geologic options like by no means earlier than. 

Professional Suggestions: There’s a price for the Aerial Journey, and reservations are really useful. 

9. Tenting

In case you are into tenting, then DeSoto State Park is the place for you the place you’ll be able to spend an excellent night time beneath the celebrities. 

The park presents 94 full hookup tent and RV websites with degree gravel pads, water, electrical energy, picnic tables, and fireplace rings with a grill. The cover offered by the bushes makes even summertime tenting a pleasure, and the websites are distanced far sufficient aside to present you loads of privateness. 

The park additionally has 18 primitive websites (no water or electrical energy) and wall tent websites the place giant cabin tents are offered — simply carry your meals and cooking gear. 

When you would moderately spend the night time in one thing extra snug, then guide a room within the Nineteen Thirties-era Historic Lodge. 

Professional Tip: Make reservations method prematurely of your trip. Campsites and resort rooms guide up quick, even in winter, when guests come to the park to remain within the peace and quiet with a lightweight dusting of snow on the bottom. 

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