Burgess Falls

Burgess Falls

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: Paddle 2 miles/hike 0.2 miles (depending on water levels)
Entry Cost: Free
Opens: 8AM Daily
Closes: 30 minutes before sunset

Burgess Falls is a very large powerful waterfall located in Sparta, TN Norht of Huntsville. This waterfall is accessible by boat at the bottom or a hike to the view from above.

If you need a kayak, you can rent one from Cumberland Kayak Adventure nearby. They are open seasonally.

Find hikes nearby:
Rock Island State Park
Fall Creek Falls

This is the perfect place to wear outdoor sandals. 

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Burgess Falls is about 2.5 hours North of Huntsville near Sparta, TN.

The parking lot for kayaking to the bottom of the falls does not pop up on Google when you search for “Burgess Falls”. Click here for directions.

Parking Lot

There is plenty of parking in the parking lot. If you don’t have a kayak to paddle, you can always rent one from Cumberland Kayak Adventure nearby! There is plenty of room to unload and park. This place is busy during the summer months. There are porta-potties in the parking lot.

The Paddle

The paddle is easy, but it is 2 miles. Most of the time the water is lake-like conditions without any noticeable current. As you get towards the end of the paddle you will be paddling against the current. 

Boat landing

Where you pull off depends on how high the water levels are. The higher the water levels, the farther up the river you can go. I’ve seen pictures where you can kayak all the way up to the falls. You will need to pull off on the right (looking upstream) and hike along that bank to get to the falls. The hiking is technical in some places and very flat and easy in others. 

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Burgess Falls

The waterfall is super powerful and creates a mist in the air. It is massive and a beautiful sight. You can swim at the bottom during the summer!

Yellow Creek Falls

We ran out of time, so we did not go to the overlook (photo credit: wiki). It looks like you can park here and take the trail “Burgess Falls Dr”. 

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Rutledge Falls

Rutledge Falls

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 0.5 miles round trip
Cost: Free

Rutledge Falls is a great swimming hole and a very wide waterfall in Tennessee. It is located on private property, but the owners are incredibly kind enough to allow people to visit, so please (as always) be sure to leave no trace.

Check out nearby locations:
Machine Falls
Foster Falls

Swiming? This is a great location for some Outdoor Sandals

Directions to Monte Sano Trailhead

Rutledge Falls is located about an hour Northeast of Huntsville near Manchester, TN.

Click this link for directions!

Parking Lot

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

The parking is along the road. There is enough parking for a dozen cars and then it appears that the church nearby allows people to park there if needed. Remember to be mindful of parking on Sundays during church hours and potentially either visit another waterfall, or finding alternate parking in the area.

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

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Trailhead 

If you walk from the parking lot away from the church, you will come across an opening in the fence for you to go through. Go through here and follow the path. This is a very easy waterfall to find and there aren’t very many trails here.

Rutledge Falls

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

You can explore the area. I saw people at the top of the waterfall (I had my kid with me and didn’t see how they got up there) and I saw people heading downstream. Its a great place to explore and SWIM!

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

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Little River Canyon

Little River Canyon

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult depending on the hike
Distance: Each hike differs
Entry Cost: Free except Canyon Mouth Park and Congo Falls

Little River Canyon is located just east of Fort Payne, AL and is the largest canyon in the state. This canyon’s max depth is over 600 ft in some areas and provides incredible waterfalls, views, and rock features.

Find nearby hikes:
Desoto Falls
Griffin Falls
Yellow Creek Falls

Summer is hot. Find the gear you need.

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Map directions to Little River Canyon

Little River Canyon is located a little around 1.5 hours from Huntsville, but can be a bit further depending on where you go in the preserve.

Click here for directions to the main parkway. GPS locations for each site are tagged in the sections below under the corresponding picture.

Little River Falls

I have a complete guide to Little River Falls located here.

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Hippie Hole

Hippie Hole Swimming Area

I have a complete guide to Hippie Hole located here.

Hippie Hole Swimming Area

Little River Falls Overlook

The overlook is a quick stop for snapping pictures of Little River Falls along the rim right off the road.

You can park here.

Canyon Overlooks

There are 6 marked overlooks into the canyon. As you go further south, the deeper the canyon gets for these marked overlooks. Below I have them listed in order from the furthest north to the furthest south. Click on the name for a link to google maps.

My favorite 2 are Eberhart Point and Wolf Creek.

Lynn Overlook
Hawks Glide Overlook
Canyon View Overlook
Wolf Creek Overlook
Crow Point Overlook
Eberhart Point Overlook

 

Brooks Branch Falls

Looking down onto Brooks Branch Falls is accessible by parking at Lynn Overlook and following the canyon south, or downstream until you hit this waterfall. 

Where I’m standing to get to this waterfall is very difficult and dangerous. I do not recommend for people without expert hiking and climbing skills. You can still see the waterfall from the top without any skills required.

Lynn Overlook Parking

Mushroom Rock

The Mushroom Rock is a famous rock in the middle of the road. If you drive the rim of the canyon, you will pass this. There’s a nice boulder field you can walk around right next to it.

Mushroom Rock Directions

Grace’s High Falls

Grace’s High Falls is the tallest ABOVE GROUND waterfall in the State of Alabama with a height of 133 ft.

This is just a stop for the overlook. Check here for directions to the bottom.

Directions to Overlook

Dee’s Branch Falls

Dee’s Branch Falls has no trail and a steep incline to get down to it. It is short, but you will be bushwhacking and have a risk of sliding the entire time. 

Parking for Dee’s Branch Falls

Congo Falls

Congo Fall’s (Also known as Johnnie’s Creek Falls) is a short stop along the Rim with a waterfall. This stop requires a paid permit which you can get here.

Congo Falls Directions

Canyon Mouth Park

Canyon Mouth Park is a great swimming hole in the summer, has a mile of parking, bathrooms, and other features like picnic tables and grills.

This area does cost (updated (4/13/2023) $15 per car.

You can find out more about Canyon Mouth Park here.

Canyon Mouth Parking

That Spot You Cannot Miss

This is one of my favorite spots in Alabama. There’s no marker, no trailhead, nothing but a spot where you can fit 1 car next to the side of the road. When you park and walk 20 ft it opens up to this view. There are bolts here for either climbers or rappelers. This is an absolute must-stop.

Directions here.

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Falling Rock Falls

Falling Rock Falls

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
Entry Fee: Free

Falling Rock Falls is a tall 90 ft waterfall located in Montevallo, AL just outside of Birmingham. Signs say to wear orange to ensure you are seen by hunters!

This waterfall has unfortunately been victum of graffiti and trash so please make sure you Leave No Trace.

Find nearby hikes:
Peavine Falls

Know what you need to bring camping during the summer.

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Falling Rock Falls is located 2 hours south from Huntsville just south of Birmingham.

You can Google Falling Rock Falls or click here for directions!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

There isn’t really a “parking lot” here, but there is plenty of space for a few cars. Do not block the gate.

Trail

The trail starts off as a gravel road and ends with a dirt path off into the woods. You will be following the only named road “Landview Rd” for the majority of the hike. When I went, there were signs for Falling Rock Falls, but do not count on those signs being there. While falling the road, you take your first left and then your first right.

Trail off the Gravel Road

After you hike down the gravel road, about 100 yds after you take a right there is a dip into the woods on your left. This will lead downhill away from the gravel road and you will come across a stream. Follow the stream on either side. You will come across the top of the waterfall. Looking downstream, you can get to the bottom of the falls on the right. Find a way down that is comfortable to you.

Drop into the Canyon

Getting to the bottom of the waterfall is the only moderate portion of the hike. The waterfall is an impressive 90 ft drop and you can walk behind it. When you are done, head back out the way you came in.

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Grotto Falls

Grotto Falls

What you need to know

Parking
Map It
Difficulty

Difficult, Difficult to find

Point of Interest
Map to POI

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 3 miles total
Entry Fee: Free (Donation Box Available)

Grotto Falls is located in Green Mountain Nature Preserve and is located on Green Mountain in Huntsville, AL. The Land Trust of North Alabama owns the land. The trailhead parking lot is right past the Madison County Nature Trail (assuming you are coming from Huntsville and not Owens Cross Roads).

GPS Coordinates: 34.5897720, -86.5172780

Buy Land Trust Maps here

Find nearby hikes:
Alum Hallow
Green Mountain Nature Trail

The single most underrated piece of hiking gear.

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Grotto Falls 1.5 mile each way (3 mile return) scenic hike to a small waterfall that disappears into a cave.  Part of this trail is well-marked but most of this trail is difficult to follow. 

Google Maps Alum Hollow Trail or look at our map above!

Trail

This is not an easy trail to follow. On the interactive map above, I’ve marked the path to the waterfall in Yellow. The hike starts on Alum Hallow Trail. Early on the trail, there is an option to take a left onto Talus Trail. There are signs warning that the trail is very difficult. You will follow Talus Trail all the way to the end. At the end of Talus Trail, Talus Trail Connector is off to the right and is well marked. THIS IS NOT the trail you are taking. You will look into the woods to the LEFT and there are ribbons on a trial with no signs. I’ve heard this called Talus Trail Extended and it is NOT on the Land Trust Hiking Map. Follow these ribbons through the woods and down the mountain. You’ll continue to follow the trail and will eventually follow a valley back uphill (pictured are the cliff face you’ll be passing). 

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Grotto Falls

The valley will fork into a valley on the left and right. You’ll follow it up to the right to the waterfall.

This waterfall is NOT easy to find. I suggest plugging in the coordinates of the waterfall into your GPS to help assist in finding it.

GPS Coordinates: 34.5897720, -86.5172780

Leave the same way you hiked in.

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