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.

More Waterfalls

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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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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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.

More Waterfalls

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.

More Waterfalls

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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