Walls of Jericho

Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 7 Miles Roundtrip
Entry Cost: Free

Suggested footwear: Hiking Boots (please don’t wear “hiking” sandals) and preferably pack water shoes
Suggested water: 2.5 liters per person unless you are carrying water filters/water purification tablets (you can find this in our summer hiking guide)
Suggested food: Enough for lunch and 2 light snacks

Walls of Jericho is a heavily trafficked trail leading down into a beautiful valley where you can relax, swim, cave, or camp. It is a difficult hike back out, so bring some solid hiking boots!

Find nearby hikes:
Russell Cave National Monument
Cathedral Caverns
Sauta Cave

This is not an easy hike: Here’s the gear we suggest for hiking during summer.

More Waterfalls

Walls of Jericho is located North of Scottsboro. We typically drive straight down highway 72 and turn left onto highway 79. It is not the shortest way, but definitely the easiest way and only takes about 2 minutes longer than taking the winding back roads.

Google Maps Walls of Jericho or look at our map above!

Hiking to the Walls of Jericho involves several switch backs that make going downhill/uphill a much milder incline. You can find several trails that are shortcuts but are much steeper and have several obstacles like downed logs in the way. Pretty much every trail going downhill before you hit Hurricane Creek takes you to the Walls of Jericho. The only major exception is the horse trail that crosses the hiking trail. This horse trail is wide enough to fit a car. If you find yourself on this path, you are on the wrong trail.

Parking

There are 2 parking lots for the Walls of Jericho. One is the parking lot for the horse trails and one is the parking lot for the hiking trails. We have made the mistake of hiking from the horse parking lot and never made it to the falls. Be sure to park in the hikers parking lot.

Trailhead

The Walls of Jericho Trailhead is clearly marked in the back left corner of the parking lot. There is a bathroom in the back right corner of the parking lot as well.

Trail Markers

The trail is clearly marked on the trees the entire way with a red rectangle. In some places, the trail is marked with reflectors. These reflectors make it easier to find your way when using a headlamp in the dark.

Summer Hiking Essentials
Summer Camping Essentials
Outdoor Sandal

First Bridge Crossing

When you arrive at the bottom of the mountain, there is a bridge to your left to cross over the river. After you cross the river, go straight.

Second Bridge Crossing

After the first bridge, you will follow a trail going straight. You will come to a fork with a path straight into the woods or a path to your right. Continue on the straight path into the woods. Follow this path and you will find the second bridge crossing. Cross the bridge and follow the path.

Rocky River

The second bridge leads you to the Primitive Campground. These campsites are free of charge and first come first serve. After you pass the campsites, you can choose between 2 paths. One of the paths leads straight to cross over the rocky river. This is great if the water level allows it. Or follow the South Rim Trail to the left next to the barbed wire. The South Rim Trail is a little bit longer and takes more time, but is available even when the water level is high.

The Walls of Jericho

When you first arrive at the Walls of Jericho, there is a place to rest and relax. This is a great time to put on your water shoes or go shoeless. You can swim in the water, rest on the rocks, or nap in a hammock if you brought one. Look right of the swimming hole and there is a path that will take you farther upstream.

Upper Walls of Jericho

Hiking upstream to the top side of the falls leads you to a rock bowl. From here, explore your surroundings! Continue to climb upstream to discover a waterfall, find the cave of to the left to explore, or find a path uphill to find views from above!