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

Hammocks are a great way to stay comfy during a camping trip, but they aren’t always appropriate. Find out when you should use them.

More Waterfalls

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.

Check out our Gear suggestions!
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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).