White Creek Falls

White Creek Falls

What you need to know

Parking
Map It
Difficulty

Off-Trail, Difficult to Find

Point of Interest
Map to POI

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 6 miles roundtrip
Entry Fee: Free

Upper and Lower White Falls is a secluded waterfall in the Bankhead National Forest. You will follow mostly marked trails but it is partially off-trail.

This area is part of dispersed recreation in Bankhead National Forest. There is NO MAINTAINED TRAIL. Please note that dispersed recreation sometimes has a "social trail" that you can follow. Some of these are easy to follow and some of them you cannot follow. Please note that these trails can change very quickly and may be easy to follow one season and completely overgrown the next. Always bring a map, compass, and GPS with you while hiking Bankhead National Forest.

If you are still using your phone for navigation. You should at least buy a power bank.

Bankhead Map
Buy a printed map here.

Find nearby hikes:
Mize Mill and Turkeyfoot Falls
Kinlock Falls
Parker Falls

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White Creek Falls is located an hour and a half’s drive southwest from Huntsville. It is located in Bankhead National Forest

Parking for here is at Randolph Trailhead. Google “Randolph Trailhead Bankhead National Forest” or click here for directions!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

The parking lot is well marked. The trailhead is well marked with a trail map at the entrance. There are several spots for parking. Be sure to follow the trail directly behind the trailhead marked “201”

201/202 Split

After a short hike through the woods, 201 and 202 merge on a gravel access road. After maybe a couple of hundred yards the trails split again. The gravel road is marked as 202 and the single trail that goes off into the woods is 201. Follow 201 into the woods.

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201/209 Intersection

After 2.2 miles you will hike to the intersection of 201 and 209. Follow 209 down the hill. You will come to a river. Turn right and follow the river downstream. When you turn at the river you will be off official trails. There are social trails here, but they are much more difficult to navigate. Be sure to bring a map and/or GPS for navigating off-trail.

Campsites

Along the river, there are a couple of campsites for overnight camping. 

Big Joes Falls

Joes Falls is located before you get to Lower White Creek Falls. Facing upstream, it will be in a valley to your right. It will be the only stream flowing down to White Creek before you see Lower White Creek Falls. 

GPS Coordinates: 34.314345, -87.467410

Lower White Creek Falls

You will follow the river until you come across a stream. The stream is White Creek. Follow this creek upstream. It will lead you to the bottom of Lower White Creek Falls. Bring a map or use GPS.

GPS Coordinates: 34.313148, -87.467160

Upper White Creek Falls

Upper White Creek Falls is not easily accessible. You will need to find your way around and up the hill. You start in an amphitheater with steep cliffs all around. You can go up and around either way. I went (facing upstream) to the left, but it looked like the to the right had social trails leading up there as well. The area is beautiful and the Valentine’s Pool looks deep! Go out the way you came in. 

GPS Coordinates: 34.313042, -87.467170

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Machine Falls

Machine Falls

Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Distance: 1-mile round trip
Entry Cost: Free

Machine Falls is a beautiful unique waterfall in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Be sure to stop by Jack Daniel’s Distillery located down the road!

Find nearby hikes:
Rutledge Falls
Foster Falls
Walls of Jericho

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Machine Falls is located an hour and a half North of Huntsville near Tullahoma, TN.

Google Machine Falls or click the map above!

Parking Lot / Trailhead

There are plenty of parking spots next to the water tower. The parking lot itself holds a couple of dozen cars but was full when I went and people were parking along the street. 

Trails

Follow “Machine Falls Loop” from the parking lot. The trails are well marked and well maintained. The hard part of this hike is going down and up a steep hill. There are staircases along the way to help you through the hardest parts.

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Machine Falls

Machine Falls is a beautiful waterfall. The water depth depends on water flow, but it appears the water won’t hold more than knee-deep and still be navigable. Head up the ledge on the right for a better view but be careful! The ground is not stable!

Busby Falls

This picture is taken from above Busby Falls, but from the bottom, you can find the bottom of this waterfall easily. Be sure to check out both Machine Falls and Busby Falls when you are in the canyon!

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Deer Skull Falls

Deer Skull Falls

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 4 miles
Fee: Free

Deer Skull Falls is a secluded Waterfall in Bankhead National Forest. There are several other waterfalls along this creekbed so be sure to explore!

This guide is vague on purpose. These waterfalls are hard to find and you must be comfortable not following a trail to find them. The best way to find these waterfalls is by using GPS coordinates and planning your trip using a cartographic map, compass, and GPS.

This area is part of dispersed recreation in Bankhead National Forest. There is NO MAINTAINED TRAIL. Please note that dispersed recreation sometimes has a "social trail" that you can follow. Some of these are easy to follow and some of them you cannot follow. Please note that these trails can change very quickly and may be easy to follow one season and completely overgrown the next. Always bring a map, compass, and GPS with you while hiking Bankhead National Forest.

If you are still using your phone for navigation. You should at least buy a power bank.

Bankhead Map
Buy a printed map here.

Find nearby hikes:
White Creek Falls
Parker Falls
Kinlock Falls

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Deer Skull Falls is located southwest of Huntsville in Bankhead National Forest.

The parking lot is located along County Road 60. The closest landmark on Google Maps is Wolfpen Campground. Click here for directions to the parking lot.

Parking

There is a small pull-off lot available for a few cars. There are two trails from the parking lot. To get to Eagle Creek Falls, while facing the woods from the road, take the left trail (it is pretty much straight when you enter the parking lot).

Trail

The “path” I took isn’t super easy to follow. Be prepared for bushwhacking your way there. You will pass several waterfalls along the way (see interactive map above). I highly suggest bringing a map, compass, and GPS for this trek. You will need to follow the creekbed and will have to cut over the creek several times on the way to the waterfall.

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Deer Skull Falls

GPS Coordinates: 34.297241, -87.444089

You will walk right up to the bottom of two waterfalls.  When you hit the main branch you can take a left and then follow the next creekbed you find on the right up to Hemlock Falls (on the map).

Camping

There are backcountry primitive campsites available for use. This campsite is just upstream from Eagle Creek Falls and another downstream.

Thunder Falls

Thunder Falls GPS Coordinates: 34.292602, -87.445466

Eagle Creek Falls

Guide to Eagle Creek Falls

Hemlock Falls

Hemlock Falls GPS Coordinates: 34.295912, -87.438361

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Greeter Falls

Greeter Falls

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1-mile round trip
Entry Cost: Free (Donation Box Available)

Greeter Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Tennessee. It is a part of a larger trail system in Savage Gulf State Natural Area. Greeter Falls is made up of an upper and lower fall. There is also a beautiful swimming hole that is accessible by the same trailhead.

Find nearby hikes:
Foster Falls
Machine Falls
Fall Creek Falls

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Greeter Falls is located an hour and a half Northeast of Huntsville near Altamont, TN. 

Google Greeter Falls or click the map above!

Parking Lot / Trailhead / Pavilion

There are plenty of parking spots. The parking lot itself holds a couple of dozen cars but was full when I went and people were parking along the street. This appeared to be within the rules since there were several park rangers present and did not say anything.

Trails

The trails are well marked and easy to follow. The trails have several splits in them. Be sure to follow the signs to Greeter Falls. The only confusing sign is the one called “Greeter Homeplace Trail”. This trail does not lead to the falls, go to the right. There is a staircase to help you descend into the canyon, but be careful of the rocks below the wooden staircase. The rocks are very slippery.

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Upper Greeter Falls

The Upper Falls offers a shelf with water flowing over it into a shallow pool. Be careful if the pool is deep with fast-moving water. The water leads 100 ft to the top of the lower falls and you would not want to get caught in the current.

Lower Greeter Falls

The bottom of lower Greeter Falls is beautiful and remind me a bit of Foster Falls, which is about 30 minutes from Greeter Falls. You can swim at the base or hike behind the falls!

West Blue Hole

Blue Hole is located upstream from the waterfalls. You can access this swimming hole if you take a right instead of a left at the trailhead sign right after you leave the parking lot. Its a short .7 mile hike and is rated easy to moderate. 

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Turkey Foot Falls and Mize Mill Falls

Turkey Foot Falls and Mize Mill Falls

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: Less than 0.5 miles roundtrip
Entry Fee: Free

Turkey Creek Falls and Mize Mills Falls are two beautiful waterfalls within a few hundred yards of each other. These waterfalls are located in the Bankhead National Forest. 

This area is part of dispersed recreation in Bankhead National Forest. There is NO MAINTAINED TRAIL. Please note that dispersed recreation sometimes has a "social trail" that you can follow. Some of these are easy to follow and some of them you cannot follow. Please note that these trails can change very quickly and may be easy to follow one season and completely overgrown the next. Always bring a map, compass, and GPS with you while hiking Bankhead National Forest.

If you are still using your phone for navigation. You should at least buy a power bank.

Bankhead Map
Buy a printed map here.

Find nearby hikes:
Eagle Creek Falls
Parker Falls
White Creek Falls

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Mize Mills Falls and Turkey Foot Falls are located an hour and 15 minute drive southwest from Huntsville. It is located in Bankhead National Forest

You cannot just Google these falls for parking, click here for directions!

Parking Lot

There really isn’t a “parking lot” here, just a pull-off next to a dirt road (dirt road is to the right the car in the picture). There is only enough room for a couple of cars.

Trailhead/Trail

The trailhead is not marked whatsoever. You can barely see the trail from the other side of the road (if you can at all). In winter you may even be dropping into the woods without a sign of a trail.  To the right of the trail is a sign on a tree reading “Wildlife Management Area”, a wooden post with a few numbers on it (the “4” was about fallen off but it read “417L 13” when we were there), and a small electrical box reading “Caution Buried Cable”.  The trail was about 8 ft to the left of these markers. The trail will drop down a hill and you can follow it through the woods. The river is nearby. If you cannot find the trail, just follow the river which is located down the hill and to the left. The trail will take you to a scramble down. Take the scramble down.

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Mize Mills Falls

After you take the scramble down, you can head downstream to Turkey Foot Falls or continue down the hill taking another scramble down. After you get down to the river, you will need to cross the river and head back upstream to get to Mize Mills Falls. You should be able to hear the waterfall (if it is flowing) almost the entire time after you drop into the woods from the road.

Turkey Foot Falls

To get to Turkey Foot Falls, follow the creek downstream. You can follow either side (or in the water if you want!). Looking downstream, the left-hand side does not have a scramble to go up, but the right-hand side offers an even trail after you scramble up the hill. We suggest going down the left-hand side to get there and coming back on the other side (if you are not planning on visiting Mize Mills Falls again). You will exit the woods the same way you came in.

Camping

There are primitive campsites at the bottom of both falls. To our knowledge, there are no fees or registration associated with backcountry camping in Bankhead National Forest and it is first come first serve basis.

Alternate Route

There is an alternate route to get to Turkey Foot Falls and Mize Mills Falls. Park at the Sipsey Wilderness Recreational Area. Parking is $3 per car. Go across the small 1 lane bridge (not the main bridge) and find the trailhead on the right. You can follow this trail for about a mile to both waterfalls. I hear this is an easy trail and does not involve any scrambles to get to the falls.

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Peavine Falls

Peavine Falls

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1 mile of trail total
Entry Cost: $5 per adult, $2 ages 4-11 and 62+, free for 3 and under

Peavine Falls is a beautiful waterfall located at Oak Mountain State Park in South Birmingham Metro area. It is a short hike with a bit of a scramble to get down to the bottom of the falls.

Download Trial Map here

Find nearby hikes:
Falling Rock Falls
Rickwood Caverns

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Peavine Falls is located in Oak Mountain State Park in Birmingham Metro 2+ hours drive south of Huntsville.

Google “Peavine Falls Parking” or look at the map above!

Parking Lot / Trailhead / Pavilion

The parking lot is massive which means there is plenty of room for parking. When you first get to the parking lot, you can turn right and find the pavilion. The trailhead we want to take is in the back right portion of the parking lot (pictured)

Trails

The trails are well marked and easy to follow. You can take White or Blue trail to get there. If you follow the White trail, you can follow it until it begins to bend into a solid turn. There are two benches with a path on the other side called “Peavine Falls Trail”. You can follow this trail or follow the White trail. Both ways down are a bit of a scramble down a steep incline. The trails are well marked with plenty of signs. Find a way down that you feel comfortable with.

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Peavine Falls

Peavine Falls is a great waterfall to dip your head under. The pool is very shallow, and if you can get your kids there, is a great place for them to play!

Bonus: Viewing area

There is a handicap accessible viewing area as well as a few other non-handicap accessible areas on the way to the waterfall parking. It is located right on the road and you will easily see it.

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Shangri-la Falls

Shangri-la Falls

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Entry Fee: Free
Be sure to Bring: CLOSED TOED SHOES, LONG PANTS, AND GPS!!

Shangri-la Falls is a secluded waterfall in the Bankhead National Forest. There really isn’t an official, maintained trail to follow, so please keep your GPS handy. As this place has grown in popularity, there have been unofficial trails popping up. These may or may not take you to Shangri-la so do not rely solely on these unofficial trails.

NOTE: Please look through the AllTrails reviews of this. It is VERY difficult to navigate through here! Expect to use your GPS!

This area is part of dispersed recreation in Bankhead National Forest. There is NO MAINTAINED TRAIL. Please note that dispersed recreation sometimes has a "social trail" that you can follow. Some of these are easy to follow and some of them you cannot follow. Please note that these trails can change very quickly and may be easy to follow one season and completely overgrown the next. Always bring a map, compass, and GPS with you while hiking Bankhead National Forest.

If you are still using your phone for navigation. You should at least buy a power bank.

Bankhead Map
Buy a printed map here.

Find nearby hikes:
Sougahoagdee Falls
Holmes Chapel Falls
Painted Falls

Make sure you pack this on your next hike.

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Shangri-la Falls is located under an hour and a half’s drive southwest from Huntsville. It is located in Bankhead National Forest

You cannot just Google Shangri-la Falls, click here for directions!

Waterfall Coordinates: 34.279370, -87.306397
Parking Coordinates: 34.282917, -87.300278

Trailhead/Parking Lot

MARK YOUR CAR ON YOUR GPS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
The parking lot is not well marked but is very apparent from the road. There is another parking lot about 100 yards before you get to the parking lot we used. It is visibly different than the first parking lot. The first parking lot looks like it had been bulldozed to keep people from driving on a road behind it. This one is smooth and the only thing blocking it is 3 verticle posts, the middle one reading “Do not block gate”

Trail

CAUTION: Do not trust the trail! Trust your GPS!

The area is old logging land and has recently been burned. This means that there is THICK underbrush, plenty of ticks, and spiders galore with NO TRAIL to follow. There are 4 different trail markers that I saw while there. The 3 lined orange stripes are actually used for loggers to determine what trees are for sale. If you get lost, try following the blue first, and then if you get very lost, follow the 3 striped orange to get you to the road.

Do not rely on these markers to get there! They are hard to follow and inconsistent at best. Rely on your map or GPS. Only use these markers if you have to.

GPS Coordinates: 34.279370, -87.306397

Drop into the Canyon Markers

There are 2 orange markers marking 2 different ways to get into the canyon. The first one is the easier way down, but the second is a bit more fun and it leads you by the top of the falls. Drop down on either side. 

Drop into the Canyon

The drop into the canyon is hard, BUT you shouldn’t have to question which way to go. Both drops have a clear path down where many have paved the way. Follow this down, but be CAREFUL getting into the canyon! It is steep, muddy, and difficult terrain. If you choose the “fun” side near the top of the falls, please know there are back to back 3 ft drops, plus a shelter you have to duck under!

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Shangri-la Falls

The waterfall itself is absolutely beautiful. The water was deep enough for a good swim when we went. There was a campsite right near the bottom. When you are done, head back out the way you came in.

Waterfall Coordinates: 34.279370, -87.306397
Parking Coordinates: 34.282917, -87.300278

Alternate Falls Trail

The alternate falls trail is still marked with the 3 striped orange paint and blue ribbon and will lead you down to a steep bank where you can walk down to a creekbed and follow it. The waterfalls are on this creekbed.

Alternate Falls

I don’t know the name of these falls, but they are very pretty. Anywhere else besides Bankhead and they would likely have a well-known name, but here I just call them “Alternate”. There was a campsite at the bottom of these falls as well.

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Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve

Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult depending on trail
Distance: 3 miles of trail total
Entry Cost: Free

Cane Creek Canyon is a beautiful park ran by Tuscumbia locals. The park offers many features including a large waterfall and a beautiful canyon view.

Find nearby hikes:
TVA Shoals Reservation
Dismals Canyon

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Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is located an hour and a half west of Huntsville.

Google “Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve” or look at the map above!

Parking Lot / Trailhead / Pavilion

There is plenty of parking in the parking lot area. Please be kind and leave a place for cars to drive through in order to make multiple rows. From here, you will need to check-in at the pavilion. 

Pond

The pond is located right next to the parking lot. It has a pier and a few chairs for you to sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

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Waterfall

The waterfall is a short hike to the parking lot. You will take the trail that is perpendicular to the road and follow it into the woods, down a hill, and to the creekbed where the waterfall is located. To hike down to the bottom of the waterfall, cross the creek on the bridge and follow the ridgeline. You will switchback to go down and behind the first drop of the waterfall. Continue on the trail behind the falls until you hit the next switchback. The path is easy to find and follow but is a physically challenging trail.

The Point

The hike to the point is very short and easy. Follow the signs and you will end up with a beautiful view of the surrounding area. 

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Eagle Creek Falls

Eagle Creek Falls

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2 miles
Fee: Free

Eagle Creek Falls is a secluded Waterfall in Bankhead National Forest. There are several other waterfalls along this creekbed so be sure to explore!

This area is part of dispersed recreation in Bankhead National Forest. There is NO MAINTAINED TRAIL. Please note that dispersed recreation sometimes has a "social trail" that you can follow. Some of these are easy to follow and some of them you cannot follow. Please note that these trails can change very quickly and may be easy to follow one season and completely overgrown the next. Always bring a map, compass, and GPS with you while hiking Bankhead National Forest.

If you are still using your phone for navigation. You should at least buy a power bank.

Bankhead Map
Buy a printed map here.

Find nearby hikes:
Shangri-la Falls
Deer Skull Falls
Mize Mill and Turkeyfoot Falls

Hiking during summer can be rough. Make sure you have the right gear.

More Waterfalls

Eagle Creek Falls is located southwest of Huntsville in Bankhead National Forest. 

The parking lot is located along County Road 60. The closest landmark on Google Maps is Wolfpen Campground. Click here for directions to the parking lot.

Parking

There is a small parking lot available for a few cars. There are two trails from the parking lot. To get to Eagle Creek Falls, while facing the woods from the road, take the left trail (it is pretty much straight when you enter the parking lot).

Trail

The path isn’t super easy to follow. You start off on a well-maintained path that leads to a creekbed. At that point, it becomes a bit tough to follow, but as long as you follow the creekbed downstream you will manage to find your way to the top of the waterfall.
Be sure to remember which creekbed splits you follow and on the way out, look for signs that humans have been on that trail.

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Eagle Creek Falls

You can get to the bottom of the waterfall going around the ridge to the right (looking downstream). You will need to go far around the ridge to be able to find a safe way down. It will be 100 – 200 yards downstream before you can get down the ridge and work your way back upstream to the bottom of the falls. If you get adventurous, you can continue downstream and find several waterfalls on other creeks that merge with the main creekbed.

Camping

There are backcountry primitive campsites available for use. This campsite is just upstream from the falls.

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