Yellow Creek Falls

Yellow Creek Falls

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: Paddle 0.75 miles/hike 0.33 miles
Entry Cost: Free

Yellow Creek Falls is a very large powerful waterfall located in Leesburg, AL southeast of Huntsville. Due to private property, it is only accessible by boat.

Find hikes nearby:
Little River Canyon
Cherokee Rock Village

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Yellow Creek Falls is about 1.75 hours southeast of Huntsville near Fort Payne.

The parking lot does not appear when you type in “Yellow Creek Falls”. Google “Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp” or Click here for a link to google maps of where the parking lot is located.

Parking Lot

There is plenty of parking in the parking lot. It is next to a small town store Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp which provides parking and boat ramp for free. Be sure to stop by their store. We were able to see the waterfall from the parking lot during winter!

Boat ramp

There is a boat ramp provided for free (again thank you Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp!) If you’re into fishing, they also sell fish bait there! Put the boat in here and head the opposite direction from the bridge. You should see 2 pillars still standing in the right-hand alcove. You will be paddling between those 2 pillars.

Boat landing

After you pass through the pillars, continue to paddle towards the rocks straight ahead. You will land on the left-hand side of the alcove. Be sure to pull your boat all the way on land and/or tie the boat to a tree.

It was winter when we went, but seeing pictures it looks like this is a great place to swim. Be careful if you decide to jump in. There were several very shallow rocks right under the surface of the water.

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Trail

The easiest way to the waterfall is to instantly head up the bank and go all the way up to the cliff face. You can follow the cliff face all the way to the base of the falls. We did not follow the cliff face and instead opted to follow the river. This is MUCH more difficult but is incredibly scenic.

Yellow Creek Falls

Yellow Creek Falls is an incredibly powerful waterfall with water pouring over a cliff face. The rocks nearby are VERY slippery when wet, so be sure to be cautious during your time there.

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Griffin Falls

Griffin Falls

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

Griffin Falls is a waterfall south of Fort Payne. It is a beautiful tall waterfall that falls off a sheer cliff. 

Find nearby hikes:
Cherokee Rock Village
High Falls
Red Mill

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Griffin Falls is located an hour and 15-minute drive southeast from Huntsville.

Google Griffin Falls, look at the map above for directions!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

The parking lot is not well marked but it is the first parking lot you come to if you are coming from Hwy 68. It is big enough for a few cars. 

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Trail

The trail is not marked but is easy to follow. The trail is a rough uphill battle but is very short. There are several beautiful boulders covered in moss and a creekbed that follows alongside the trail.

Griffin Falls

Pictures do not show how tall this waterfall is. The waterfall falls in a v-shape in the cliffside and flows down a sheer cliff down onto the rocks below. There is a path that leads to the top of the waterfall.

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Holmes Chapel Falls

Holmes Chapel Falls

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

Holmes Chapel Falls is a waterfall in Bankhead National Forest. It is a very easy waterfall to find.

Find nearby hikes:
Sougahoagdee Falls
Coal Mine Falls
Painted Falls

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

Google Holmes Chapel Falls, look at the map above for directions!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

The parking lot is not well marked but is a bulldozed area that can fit a few cars. It is located at the top of the hill and there is a clear unmarked path behind the mound left from the bulldozer.

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Path

The path is incredibly short. It’s maybe 100 ft to the top of the waterfall. Once you get to the top of the waterfall, you can follow the path off to the left to go down a steep incline to get to the bottom of the waterfall.

Holmes Chapel Falls

It is beautiful at the bottom of the falls. Take time to walk around behind it and a bit downstream!

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Parker Falls

Parker Falls

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2 Miles
Entry Fee: Free

Parker Falls is a beautiful and serene waterfall located in west 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:
Kinlock Falls
White Creek Falls

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Parker Falls is only an hour and a half southwest of Huntsville.

Google Parker Falls or look at the map provided above!

 

Parking

There are a few dirt pull-in parking spots that fit a few cars. If these are taken, you can park alongside the road. 

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Trail

There is no trailhead marking but only one trail is provided by the parking lot. This trail will take you over a mile through tall pines, down to the top of a creekbed. Follow the creek downstream. You will come across a small waterfall. You will need to cross the stream and make your way down the waterfall to the left (looking downstream). It is steep and slippery so be careful!

Unnamed Waterfalls

There are about 5 small waterfalls back to back. Follow these waterfalls down where the creek meets the Parker Branch. After you find the main Parker Branch, follow the water upstream to Parker Falls.

Parker Falls

It can be very difficult to see Parker Falls from different angles or up close. You will need to cross the stream on slippery rocks in order to get closer. Be careful and if you can, grab a stick or use a hiking pole for balance.

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Coal Mine Falls

Coal Mine Falls

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Entry Fee: Free

Coal Mine Branch Falls is a secluded waterfall in the Bankhead National Forest. It is a hard “trail” to follow but leads to a beautiful waterfall.
NOTE: Please know that this is how I got to the falls. I have seen other guides that went a different way!

You must catch these waterfalls after heavy rain.

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.

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

You cannot just Google Coal Mine Falls, click here for directions!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

The parking lot is not well marked but is almost at the loop at the end of the road. The trailhead is marked with a single sign that reads “314”. There isn’t very much parking, but there are very few people who hike this trail.

Field

After hiking maybe 100 yds, you will come to a field. There is a path around the outside of the field to circle it clockwise. Follow the path. When you get to the end of the field (pictured) TURN LEFT INTO THE BUSHES. If you are looking at a map, straight will take you to the main river, but we are trying to get to the creekbed that leads to that river. You will go through 50 ft of bushes and instantly see an opening that leads downhill.

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Steep Hill

After you go through the bushes, you will come across a very steep hill. Be careful working your way down this hill. Be sure to check for snakes for every step and remember that they love to hang out under logs. At the bottom of the hill is a stream. Head downstream to the waterfall.

Top of the Waterfall

After following the creek downstream you will come across the top of Coal Mine Falls. If you follow the ridge to the right, you can find a hill down to the bottom of the falls.

Lower Coal Mine Falls

Down at the bottom of the waterfall, you can make your way to the beautiful pool at the bottom, enjoy the scenery, and if its summer, swim.

Upper Coal Mine Falls

Upper Coal Mine Falls

Return to the top of Lower Coal Mine Falls and head upstream following the main creek the entire time. You may have to cross the stream a few times, cross over downed logs, and climb a little to get there, but the waterfall is beautiful and worth it. Head back out the way you came in.

Upper Coal Mine Falls

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Kinlock Falls

Kinlock Falls

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 100 ft
Entry Fee: Free

Kinlock Falls is a beautiful and serene waterfall located in west 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:
Parker Falls
White Creek Falls

Check out our map of swimming holes!

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Kinlock Falls is only an hour and a half southwest of Huntsville.

Google Kinlock Falls or look at the map provided above!

 

Parking

Park alongside the road. The easiest way to the falls is parking closer to the bottom side of the hill near the bridge. There are steps down from the road to the top of the waterfall. 

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Waterfall

There is a path provided to walk downstream to get a view from the bottom of the falls. The rocks can be very slippery. There is a rope swing provided. Be careful and check water depths before you just or swing from the cliffs. If you swim, you can climb out of the water up the rocks or wade down to the rocky flat “beach” area downstream to get out!

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Rock City

Rock City

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: Less than a mile
Cost: Rock City entrance fee is different depending on the time of year. To see the current pricing and park hours, click here.

Rock City offers incredible rock formations, magical caves, and breathtaking views. It is a great place to get outside with the kids!

Find nearby hikes:
Cloudland Canyon
Foster Falls
Russel Cave National Monument

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Rock City northeast of Huntsville and is an hour and 45 minute drive. Rock City is a very well known tourist attraction and is very easy to find. There are signs everywhere when you get to the top of Lookout Mountain for you to follow.

Google Maps Rock City or look at our map above!

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Rock City Maps

You can find the park map here. Though the map is a bit confusing, there are signs everywhere that direct you down the correct paths to be sure you see everything.

Attractions

Rock City is not the only thing to do on lookout mountain! Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway are both located on Lookout Mountain. You can check out the ticketing calendar for all 3 here.

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Russell Cave National Monument

Russell Cave National Monument

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.5 miles round trip
Entry Fee: Free (Donation Box)

Russell Cave National Monument is a historical cave located in Northeast, AL a little over an hour away and is a great place to get out, hike and see a bit of Alabama history.

Russell Cave National Monument is located a little over an hour northeast of Huntsville, AL. 

Click on this link or look at our map above!

Parking Lot/Trailhead

GPS will take you directly to this parking lot. There is a welcome center with a staff member there to help you. Be sure to watch the short 8 minute video on the cave! They give a short history of all the different natives that used the cave for shelter! If you want to skip the welcome center, you can walk directly to the boardwalk around the left hand side of the building.

Trail

The trail is an easy, short boardwalk from the welcome center to the Cave. This boardwalk is kid friendly and handicap accessible. The boardwalk passes by a sinkhole and a nature trail.

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Russell Cave

Russell Cave is definitely the highlight of this hike. It has a rich history and is visually stunning. Take a moment to read the placards and read about the historical significance of Russell Cave.

Nature Trail

The Nature Trail is only about 1.5 miles, but winds up the hill and back down. It can get tiring, but offers information about the wildlife in the area. It is a paved trail, but since it has a high elevation change, I would consider it an easy to moderate hike.

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Pisgah Gorge

Pisgah Gorge

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult depending on the trail
Distance: 1.5 miles
Entry Fee: Free

Pisgah Gorge is a secluded park in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It offers amazing views and a few different waterfalls.

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Pisgah Gorge is located an hour’s drive east from Huntsville. It is located near Guntersville Lake.

You can google Pisgah Gorge, but we have the exact location of the parking area linked here.

Parking Lot

This parking lot is very POORLY marked for Pisgah Gorge. There is a small sign that says “Pisgah Gorge on it with an arrow pointing into the park, but it is better to look for the larger sign that reads “Pisgah Civitan Park”. We advise parking next to the street even if the gate is open. From here you will walk through the park, past the abandoned baseball field, and to the pavilion with picnic tables. The trail begins behind the pavilion.

Pisgah Gorge Upper Falls Overlook

The Pisgah Falls Overview area is located right behind the Pavilion. A trail leads to the left and the right when you get to the overview. If you are looking at the waterfall to the left takes you to the top of the falls and the trail to the right takes you to the bottom of the falls and the canyon views.

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Bridge

This unmonumental bridge is a marker for the “trail” that leads down to the bottom of the falls. It really isn’t much of a trail, it is mostly a creek bed to follow. When you get to the bottom, you will be standing at the top of a waterfall. You can follow the river upstream to the upper falls or downstream to the middle and lower falls as well as the arch. If the water is low enough to navigate, head upriver to get to the bottom of Pisgah Gorge Upper Falls.

Pisgah Gorge Falls

To get to the bottom of these falls, you have to navigate upriver. If the river is too high, getting to the bottom of these falls will not be possible. Trecking upriver can be difficult as you will be walking on slippery rocks and steep banks. Be careful hiking to the bottom of these falls. If you can manage to get here, you will be rewarded with a wonderful view of Pisgah Gorge Upper Falls. To get out you will have to go back the way you came.

Bottom of Pisgah Gorge Upper Middle Falls

Instead of going up stream to get to the upper falls, you can go downstream to get to the bottom of the upper middle falls. This is a bit of a scramble. Hug the right side (looking downstream) of the canyon. There may be a path that others have taken or not. you will hug this sid until you can find a scramble down some rocks. You may need to bring about 30 ft of rope and tie it off to a tree. ONLY do this is you are capable and comfortable doing a dangerous scramble.

The Arch

After you get to the bottom of the upper middle falls, you’ll need to cross the stream and find your way down the left side of the stream. Theres a short waterfall (Lower Middle Falls not pictured) and you will need to find your way down it and down stream. You can see the arch from the Lower Middle Falls. After you get to the arch there is one more waterfall downstream (Lower Falls not pictured). This is all very difficult to navigate especially with higher water levels. I suggest being comfortable getting your shoes wet!

Pisgah Gorge Lower Falls Overview

If you continue straight across the bridge (or come back up from the bottom of the falls and turn left) you will come across a path heading off to the left. Take the path to the left and you will have a view of the lower falls and can see a bit into the canyon. Head back up the way you came after you are done with this view.

Pisgah Gorge Canyon View

After you get back up the trail from the Lower Falls Overview, take a left and continue to follow the main trail. There is another trail that veers of to the left. This is not a well-kept trail and is not marked. It may be so overgrown that it looks like a small rabbit trail. This is not one you want to miss though. You may have to push a bush or two out of the way to get here, but keep your explorer cap on and you’ll find it.

Do Not Enter

If you come across this sign, you have gone too far. Everything in this guide is located off of private. If you missed something in this guide, turn around and go find it!

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