Spring Park

Spring Park

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: The trail around the park is 0.5 Miles
Entrance Fee: Free

Spring Park is a small family park in Tuscumbia, AL with a beautiful waterfall, playground, pond, and small train.

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To get to Spring Park, Google Maps Spring Park or look at our map above!

Cold Spring Falls

There really isn’t much to this area. The waterfall is right at the parking lot! Get out and explore the pond as well as find lovely views of the waterfall. Beware of the Geese! 

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Playground/Train/Pavilion

At this park, there is a large playground, a pavilion, and a small train that appears to just circle the park. This is a great place to bring the family for an afternoon!

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Muscle Shoals Reservation

Muscle Shoals Reservation

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: There are 17 miles of trails available
Entry Fee: Free

Muscle Shoals Reservation is located in Muscle Shoals alongside the Tennessee River. There are several highlights of this area including an old Railroad Bridge, a waterfall, and the Wilson Dam.

Muscle Shoals Reservation is located he Broken Road Trail is located in Muscle Shoals about an hour and 15 minutes west of Huntsville. There are several parking lots depending on where you want to go.

Click here for Wilson Dam overview
Click here for Wilson Dam river view
Click here for TVA Trail Complex
Click here for Railroad Bridge

Download Trail Map Here

Wilson Dam Overview

Dam Overview Parking

The parking lot for the overview of the dam is not well marked. It will look like you are going into a secure area. Right before the entrance to the secure TVA area, you will take a left into public parking. From there, the short trail is well marked and you will easily be able to find a beautiful view of the dam.

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Wilson Dam River View and Waterfall

Wilson Dam River View Parking

This parking lot is well marked and easy to find. There is a boat ramp here. The Tennessee River runs right next to parking lot and offers a river view of Wilson Dam. There are public restrooms as well as a playground and a waterfall. This portion of the park is sometimes closed!

Railroad Bridge

Wilson Dam River View Parking

You’ll park at the Wilson Dam River View Parking and will follow the walkway upstream towards the dam. This is an easy walk and is accessible by wheelchair.

Water Tunnel

Wilson Dam River View Parking

You’ll park at the Wilson Dam River View Parking and will follow the walkway upstream towards the dam this is located right next to the Rockpile Falls. This is an easy walk and is accessible by wheelchair.

Railroad Bridge

Railroad Bridge Parking

The railroad bridge is the most unique part of the Muscle Shoals Reservation. The railroad bridge is no longer in service but is still a beautiful bridge to visit. You can walk along the river bed for different views, or cross the bridge on the lower level beneath the tracks.

TVA Trail Complex

TVA Muscle Shoals Trail Complex Parking

The Trail complex is very accessible area great for everyone. There is a playground and pavilion located right next to the parking lot as well as several trails that connect all the way to the dam and the railroad bridge. There are several trails you can choose from depending on what you are looking for.

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Dismal’s Canyon

Dismal’s Canyon

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.5 miles
Entry Fee: Day Admission complete fee list, see “Fee” section below

Dismal’s Canyon is a secluded park in Northwest Alabama. The park offers a fantasy world looking canyon filled with amazing rock formations, beautiful plant life, hidden paths, and bioluminescent flies. Though this park is not “kid-friendly” as far as ease of access and kid-friendly hiking, it is built for a child’s imagination.

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Dismal’s Canyon is located an hour and a half’s drive west from Huntsville. It is located in Phil Campbell, AL.

Google Maps Dismal’s Canyon or look at the map above!

Download Trail Map Here

Download Rim Map Map Here

Entry Fee: Individual

Weekday (M – Th) Day Tour:
Adult – $20
Over 60 – $18
Under 12 – $15
3 & Under – Free

Weekend/Holiday Day Tour:
Adult – $26
Under 12 – $19.50

Weekend/Holiday 1 Night Tour (guided):
Adult – $25
Under 12 – $18.75

Weekend/Holiday Day & Night Tour:
Adult – $43.50
Under 12 – $32.50

Parking Lot/Country Store

The parking lot is well marked with plenty of parking spots for a couple of dozen cars. When you enter the parking lot, on your right is the bathroom and straight ahead going past the bathrooms is the paved road that leads you to the country store and entry into the park. You will pay your entrance fee at the country store.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is the first thing you come across heading down into the canyon. It is a beautiful waterfall with plenty of different angles you can take pictures of it to show to your friends. This area is also where you’ll find a beautiful swinging bridge. Cross the swinging bridge and safely climb up the rocks for a different view!

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Trail

The trail here is absolutely magical. There is amazing rock formations with moss covering almost every inch of the boulders. There are secret passageways and stunning deadends. I highly suggest finding a split between two rocks and just finding where it leads!

Secret Falls

The Secret falls is hidden after the weeping bluff and right before the stepping stones on your way back upstream (assuming you are following the path as the provided trail map shows). The path veers off to the right, right before you cross the river for your second time. It is a hidden waterfall in between some large boulders. You can view this waterfall from above, or below!

Dismalties

Photo Credit: By ChattOconeeNF – Foxfire at Anna Ruby Fall, Chattahoochee National Forest, CC BY 2.0

Only seen on a Night Tour!

The Dismalties are the only glowing flies in North America. They can be found in Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. The flies build sticky webs and use their bioluminescence to attract prey and they can be found right here in Dismal’s Canyon.

Camping

Dismal’s Canyon offers primitive campsites and cabins to sleep in. Reservations are taken by phone :
(205) 993-4559

To learn more about Spending the night in Dismal’s Canyon
Campsites – $27+ per night (plus one time $5 cleanup fee)
Cabins – $175+ per night (plus one time $85 cleanup fee)

View a Campsite Here

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Sougahoagdee Falls

Sougahoagdee Falls

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 4 miles Round Trip
Entry Fee: Free

Sousougahoagdee Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Bankhead National Forrest Southwest of Huntsville. The trail is heavily trafficked and offers wonderful views.

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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Sougahoadee Falls is an hour and a half drive from Huntsville and is on the East side of Bankhead National Forest.

Google Maps Sougahoagdee Falls Parking or look at our map above!

Trailhead

The trailhead is in a remote part of Bankhead National Forest right next to a bridge. There is limited parking for maybe 2 or 3 cars. Following the GPS is by far the easiest way to get there. It is very obvious where you are supposed to park. There is only one trailhead and it is well marked.

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Trail

The trail is mostly well marked and easy to follow. The trail follows the river and is partially an old dirt road. As long as you are following the river, you won’t get lost. There are a few places the trail splits and a small trail follows the river while the dirt road goes off another direction. We found it best to follow the river, but the road does meet back up with the river farther down the trail. There are several downed trees to navigate through, but mostly it’s an easy, flat trail.

No Name Waterfall

The no name waterfall is visible from the trail. Sougahoagdee Falls is not far from here, but this no name warterfall is definitely worth exploring. It trickles down tall steep rock into a small pool at the bottom. 

Sougahoagdee Falls

The waterfall is just around the corner from the previous waterfall. It is a beautiful waterfall well worth exploring! When you are done, head out the same way you came in.

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Buck’s Pocket

Buck’s Pocket

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.5 mile
Entry Fee: Free

Buck’s Pocket is a secluded park in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It offers amazing views from the parking lot all the way to the cliffs. Currently, the bottom of Buck’s Pocket is closed, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the top!

Buck’s Pocket is located a little over an hour’s drive southeast from Huntsville. It is located near Guntersville Lake.

DO NOT Google Maps Buck’s Pocket. It will take you to the bottom of Buck’s Pocket. Instead, click here or the map above!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

The parking lot is well marked at the end of a small street right before you make the loopback. You can’t miss it. There is enough parking for a few dozen cars including a handicap parking spot. The trailhead has a giant sign that says “Jim Lynn Overlook Area”. You get your first views are from the parking lot, so take it in!

Entrance

The trail is very accessible. It moves from a wooden boardwalk to a gravel path, to walking on flat rock. There are small paths that shoot off the path in both directions as you’re walking to the overlook, but none of the views at the end of these paths are as spectacular as the main overlook area.

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Overlook Area

After a short hike, there is a beautiful overlook area. Make sure to bring a camera and look around! When you are done, head back down the same path you came in from.

Camping

There are camping spots along the top portion of the park near the parking lot. The campgrounds follow the road and according to the website are currently walk-in camping only and first come first serve.

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Mardis Mill Falls

Mardis Mill Falls

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 0.2 miles
Entry Fee: Free

Mardis Mill Falls is a beautiful and serene waterfall just south of Blountsville, AL. Enjoy swimming, bouldering and hiking along the river bed.

Posted By: Anton Etenko

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Mardis Mill Falls is only an hour south of Huntsville.

Google Mardis Mill Falls or look at the map provided above!

 

Trailhead and Parking

This is not a park, so there are no trailhead signs. The trailhead is near the bridge on the Northside of the road. You can park on the road right before the trailhead. 

Trail

The trail is easy to follow despite that it isn’t marked. Once you cross the one-lane bridge, it will be on your right before the 90-degree turn. Walk down the rocky path to the falls and enjoy walking the river bed downstream!

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Waterfall

There is plenty of depth in the water to swim, even in periods of light rain! A rope swing is provided for those brave enough to jump. Swim across the falls to the overhead rock formations or walk down the rocky river bed for more scenic views!

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Welti Falls

Welti Falls

EDITED BLOG POST! This is private property with “No Tresspassing” signs. Do not go here.

 

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 1 mile
Entry Fee: Free

Welti Falls is a beautiful waterfall located south of Cullman, AL. This is a great place to swim if the water is flowing and explore!

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Welti Falls is a little more than an hour’s drive from Huntsville.

DO NOT just type in “Welti Falls” into Google Maps. It will take you to the north side with no apparent way to get down to the falls. Instead, click here for the location of the parking lot.

Trailhead and Parking

This is not a park, so there are no trailhead signs. The trailhead is near the bridge on the Northside of the road. There are “No Parking” signs along the road. We actually parked there, but of course park at your own risk. We could not find any alternative parking.

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Trail

The trail isn’t well marked but is still fairly easy to follow. If you can’t find the trail, just follow the river. The trail is only 1/2 a mile to get to the waterfall, so even if you have to make your own path, it doesn’t take very long to get to the waterfall. The trail is trashed, so if you wish to be a good citizen, bring a bag and pack some of the trash out!

Waterfall

The waterfall can be bustling or dripping depending on the amount of rain. If the water is still, I suggest not swimming in it. Otherwise, it’s a great place to relax and cool off in the summer heat. You can also find your way to the top of the falls to get a different view of the falls. Take the same trail you came in on to get back to the car.

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Rickwood Caverns

Rickwood Caverns

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1 mile

Rickwood Caverns is a beautiful cavern located just north of Birmingham. It is a tour guided cave in a beautiful state park that offers hiking trails, a pool, and campsites. 

Website for Rickwood Caverns.

Rickwood Caverns is located about 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Huntsville with a short drive off of I-65.

Google Maps Rickwood Caverns or look at our map above!

Ticket Office

This building is the ticket office for the cave tour.  Tours are available Jan – Nov.

Ticket Prices are based on age.
13+: $18
5-13: $9
Under 5: Free

Tours are available at 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, and 4PM.

Discounts available when bundled with camping.

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Cave Tour

The cave stays 62º F year around. The ground can get very slick, and the staircases can get very narrow. Make sure you wear shoes with a good grip! The tour is 1 mile long with 110 stairs at the end to get out of the cave.

Santa’s Underground Workshop

Ticket Price:
Under 3: Free
Age 3+: $10 per person

Open Nov 23rd – Dec 30th (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day)

Santa’s underground workshop was a blast! They decked the caves with “snow”, lights, and decorations. Along the way, you get to meet your favorite Christmas characters like frosty, the grinch and of course, Santa!!

Other Activities

There is plenty to do at Rickwood Caverns State Park! A list of a few

  • Hike
  • Swimming Pool
  • Camp
  • Gem Mining
  • Playground
  • Picnic Areas
  • Santa’s Underground Workshop (December 1 – 23)

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DeSoto Falls

DeSoto Falls

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 Miles total
Fee: $4 per vehicle

Desoto Falls is a very short hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in Alabama! Parking is right next to the very top of the falls and you can follow the steps down to view the entire waterfall.

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Desoto Falls is an hour and a half drive from Huntsville.

Google Maps Desoto Falls or look at our map above!

Parking

There are 2 parking areas. The dirt parking lot pictured is the parking for the bottom of the waterfall and the view of the waterfall. If you continue down the road, you can find the asphalt parking lot for the top of the falls.

Top of the Falls Asphalt Parking: Location
Bottom and view of the Falls Dirt Parking: Location

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View of the Waterfall

The hike to the view is fairly easy though it gets tight towards the end of the hike. There is a sign that points you down the correct path. The path splits and comes back together several times. As long as you are following the ridgeline, you will eventually find views of the waterfalls.

Park Here

Hike to the Bottom of the Falls

This is a short but tough hike. There are markers to point you in the right direction. Follow your way down to the river, and follow the river up to the falls. The hike is fairly difficult and is only about a mile. 

Park Here

Waterfalls

It is a very easy hike down to the falls. You can get a great intimate view of the upper falls (Pictured) and get a beautiful view of the main falls (Main Picture).

Kayaking

Kayaks are available for rent at the top of the dam. 

Single Kayaks: $15/hr
Tandem Kayaks: $25/hr

Swim and Picnic

Right next to parking there is a picnic area where you can swim in the Little River. Take some time to get a bite to eat while enjoying nature!

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