The pool is located close to DeSoto State Park's picnic area and within 1/2 mile of the Country Store & Information Center. The swim to the waterfall wears you out. After driving half a mile, you'll take a right on County Road 613, which eventually turns into DeSoto Falls Road. Hike along the two mile DeSoto Falls Trail or fish for trout in Frogtown Creek. Further sampling is taken by the Waterkeeper when necessary. Hike, Swim swim Swimming Hole hike Hiking Trail To keep it free, we depend on donations from people like you. Green means the beach passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. Red means the beach’s most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards. If you visit Desoto State Park, this is one of the must-see sights! This rock outcrop provides the best panorama of De Soto Falls and its pool. Passing an old stone bridge, you reach a beach where you can leave the kayak and take a short hike to these 100-foot high falls. Practicing social distancing is essential right now. A good site for an easy hike and a pleasant view of falls. It’s a little complicated to find if you don’t follow separate directions as your GPS may not get you there directly depending on where you are coming from. Our mission is to protect the pristine resource through education, awareness and monitoring. The AA Miller Dam creates a beautiful flatwater section that is great for kayaking and swimming. If you’re looking to spend an afternoon in the great outdoors, begin your journey with a visit to DeSoto Falls. The falls, made up of two cascades over rock escarpments, are the most popular attraction in the park. Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time. We drove all the way to the state park then had to back track to the falls a little ways back toward the main road. Desoto Falls is a very short hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in Alabama! Kayak Rentals are also available in this area at the Miller's Bend Paddle Shack. DeSoto State Park, located just a few miles down the road from the falls, contains several additional small waterfalls and offers an array of outdoor activities, including kayaking, fishing, wildflower expeditions and much more. We initially paid and parked at the dam area which is very nice and you can swim … The water descends into a pool where you will be tempted to swim … Test results are fact-based science research used to identify types and location of pollution issues. Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, © 2020 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Individual and Family Season Pool Passes Available, Complementary Access for Lodge & Improved Campground Guests. After visiting nearby DeSoto Falls, you might want to take a walk along the 1,000-ft. Azalea Cascades Boardwalk Trail. DeSoto Falls is sampled weekly from May 22nd to September 3th. Please report your pollution concerns so Affiliates can help keep other beach-goers safe. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. After taking the time to soak up the waterfall’s beauty, the hike departs the upper falls platform, retracing its steps to the trailhead, and completing the adventure at just over a half-mile. Yellow means the beach passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time. No lifeguard--swim at your own risk. Grey means there is no current water quality information, the beach is under construction, there has been an event that has rendered water quality information unreliable or unavailable. DeSoto Falls State Park superintendent Josh Hughes said a group of college-age people were swimming at the bottom of the falls. Over 900 species of wildflowers grow in northeast Alabama and DeSoto State Park is home to many common and unusual wildflowers. A beach is marked Red when the results are equal to or above 235 E.coli / 100 ML water. If that's not enough, it's a favorite spot among the locals for summer swimming. You'll then drive a little more than one mile until ending at the DeSoto Falls parking area. A beach is marked Green when single sample results are under 235 E.coli / 100 ML water. Dicks Creek Falls. If you are up for the challenge, lug a kayak to the base of DeSoto Falls. DeSoto State Park has a $4 parking fee and boat launch. The falls can occasionally be closed to swimming, particularly during the tropical summer from October to March, so be sure to check in advance. Overlooks provide views of the beautiful falls. To reserve your party call 256.845.0051. The trails were all very well marked that they can be traveled in either direction and so plentiful that you easily add on an extra trail to extend the trip. Find the park’s main entrance at 7104 DeSoto Parkway NE, Fort Payne, 256-845-5380. Results are posted each Friday. Family Pool Pass - $198 for up to six family members, Call 256-845-0051 or download application here, Party hours are 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM We have been hiking deSoto Falls Trail since the early 1980's, when the hike extended to a third falls on a tributary to Frogtown Creek. Kayak Rentals are also available in this area at the Miller's Bend Paddle Shack. Disclaimer: The Little River Waterkeeper reserve the right to publish test results for public knowledge. A beach is marked Grey when there are no current results or there is no available information. There are two waterfalls which can be easily viewed along the DeSoto Falls trails. Located in the Blue Ridge Ranger District, The DeSoto Falls Recreation area is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. Desoto Lake is a popular swimming and fishing spot along Little River. You can paddle in a kayak to reach these picturesque falls that flow over rocks into the Weiss Lake. Little River Waterkeeper staff monitor water quality at sites in this region. The AA Miller Dam creates a beautiful flatwater section that is great for kayaking and swimming. It is also one of the easiest to visit. Desoto Falls Recreation Area. Banks went under the water and did not resurface. Saying Alabama is 'un Always obey signs at the beach or advisories from official government agencies. DeSoto Falls Lake is located on the West Fork of Little River. As a reward for embarking on this challenging hike, you’ll have the opportunity to ride down a natural slide and take a dip in the only swimming area allowed in the park. Swim Guide is a free service that helps to connect millions of people just like you with local beaches and swimming holes. Grey means water quality information for the beach is too old (more than 7 days old) to be considered current, or that info is unavailable, or unreliable. Desoto Falls is rich in history and legends. Beach bathroom provided - exterior rinse showers only. Desoto Lake is a popular swimming and fishing spot along Little River. At Lower DeSoto Falls there is a wooden platform where you can view the water cascading over a rock outcrop and spilling onto large boulders. We may manually set the status for a specific beach if we have concerns about the sampling protocol, if there is an emergency, if monitoring practices don't exist or have recently changed, or other reasons that render this site "special.". Although DeSoto Falls is considered a part of DeSoto State Park, it’s not technically within the park and is located 7 miles north, towards Mentone, AL, near the small town of Valley Head. Pool may close due to bad weather, mechanical problems, or minimum occupancy. DeSoto Falls is a magnificent waterfall located in the town of Mentone near Fort Payne, Alabama. Data from water monitoring is used by the Little River Waterkeeper to determine a source of pollution. It's also one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the South. It is completely worth being able to paddle right up to the massive chute of water! Green means the beach’s most recent test results met relevant water quality standards. Steeped in folklore and history from Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and Union Calvary, day dreaming on the edge of this swimming hole can take you back in time. Swimming & Wading is allowed in Laurel Creek and in the West Fork of Little River, which runs through DeSoto State Park. You'll then take a right on Alabama Highway 117. These results were posted to Swim Guide on June 20th, 2020 at 10:07 AM. Foster Falls is a 60-foot amazing waterfall and swimming hole less than an hour from Chattanooga TN. Just up from Dicks Creek Falls, we will reach our camping destination of DeSoto Falls Recreation Area where you can camp and enjoy a short hike to two more scenic waterfalls. 23 / 24. DeSoto Falls, DeSoto State Park, DeKalb County One of the state’s largest falls, especially after rain. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. Difficulty: Easy Distance: 2.5 Miles total Fee: $4 per vehicle. So, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit in your hiking backpack! At 1.8 miles, reach a rock outcrop to the right of the trail.

Not verified. Red means the beach failed water quality tests 40% of the time or more. DeSoto Falls is separate from DeSoto State Park for anyone wondering. The park has around 12 total miles of trails. Water samples are collected each Thursday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming at DeSoto Falls Picnic Area Can swim above A. When the highway splits, you'll take Gault Avenue and drive for approximately 8 miles. Little River Waterkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. This year, donors have helped to fund urgent monitoring of beach closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, expand our support for volunteer water quality monitoring, and create groundbreaking data sharing resources for scientists. Follow the advice of the health experts. It’s a little complicated to find if you don’t follow separate directions as your GPS may not get you there directly depending on where you are coming from. Located near the small town of Mentone, DeSoto Falls (a series of three waterfalls) is one of the most-visited waterfalls in Alabama. More than 100 feet high, the waterfall flows year round and is part of DeSoto State Park. ... Beautiful Falls. For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19. A small beach side pavilion is available on a first come first serve basis and is not reservable - no cooking/grilling allowed. Join the Swim Guide community today. Hike, Swim. Swimming from other lakeside areas, bridges, piers, camp sites, boats, etc. Please … Test results are expressed as Most Probable Number (MPN) of E.coli CFU (colony forming units) per 100 ml. There are two waterfalls which can be easily viewed along the DeSoto Falls trails. Swim Guide is a free service. Additional lifeguards are $27.50 each  Individual Pools Pass - $88 No lifeguard--swim at your own risk. The DeSoto Falls Recreation Area is located off Highway 129 just inside the National Forest boundary. The DeSoto Falls Recreation Area is located off Highway 129 just inside the National Forest boundary. On occasion, I noticed readers had discovered these posts while doing online searches such as “North Georgia waterfalls you can swim in” and “waterfalls in Georgia you can swim in.” It was then I knew I would eventually have to compile my research, curate photos and video, and publish a post inspired by reader demand. A. Miller Dam, in the West Fork of Little River (above DeSoto Falls near Mentone, Alabama) The DeSoto Falls Picnic Area is located 7 miles from the main park area. DeSoto Falls Lake is located on the West Fork of Little River. While at the swimming area and on the slide, be careful because the rocks can be very slippery. The tests are 99.9% accurate. Changing rooms are located at the pool. Green means the beach has historically excellent or pristine water quality, but there is no current data. 2.1 miles S of Mentone, Alabama. At all sites, water is sampled for E. coli, total coliform, Temperature, pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity and Nitrates. This is a very impressive view, as you can truly see the size of the falls' basin. If you visit Desoto State Park, this is one of the must-see sights! We depend on financial support from individuals and organizations to restore and protect access to water for all people. Red means the water at the site has water quality issues or there is an emergency. Swim Guide, "Swim Drink Fish icons," and associated trademarks are owned by SWIM DRINK FISH CANADA. See the beach description for more information regarding their special status. One lifeguard is provided--Up to 25 people No Lifeguard--swim at your own risk. See Legal. There are five beautiful waterfalls along the 3-mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail located in the 650-acre recreation area. Desoto Falls Mentone, Alabama 3.9 miles NE. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter the efforts to curb the virus’ spread. Desoto Falls is rich in history and legends. Note: slippery rocks and fast-moving water can be extremely dangerous! This was the second death at DeSoto Falls State Park in one week. Swimming Under A 60 Foot Waterfall!! DeSoto Falls, named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, is part of DeSoto State Park and is one of the tallest and most visited waterfalls in Alabama. The rocks and surrounding views are every bit as interesting and beautiful as the falls itself! Hikers can access three of the falls, designated as the lower, middle, and upper DeSoto Falls. DeSoto State Park has a $4 parking fee and boat launch. You can also see a small lake above the falls, and a … Children under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult. The falls are popular for wading and swimming in the summer. One of the most scenic, wild areas in Tennessee. When swimming season is over or when a beach's water quality data has not been updated frequently enough (weekly) it goes into historical status. Parking is right next to the very top of the falls and you can follow the steps down to view the entire waterfall. DeSoto's Olympic-size pool is fun for the whole family complete with a diving board and ADA-lift. is prohibited. Can swim above A. We are open from late April until late November. Heading to the beach should only be considered an option if social distancing practices can be followed. Little River is accessed by the yellow trail in DeSoto State Park (DeSoto Scout Trail)-Water Level varies widely, low especially in the Summer. World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19. Swim Guide shares the best information we have at the moment you ask for it. DeSoto Falls is separate from DeSoto State Park for anyone wondering. Results posted here on Swim Guide indicate E. coli concentrations. Courtesy of tripadvisor.com. A. Miller Dam, in the West Fork of Little River (above DeSoto Falls near Mentone, Alabama) The DeSoto Falls Picnic Area is located 7 miles from the main park area. (DeSoto Falls) - YouTube This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year. The pool has lounge chairs & a small deck with tables located near the pool. A fee is required for camping and day use parking. Its tough so be prepared and bring friends to help. The Little River Waterkeeper utilizes the standardized state and federal criteria of 235 col/100 ml for collecting and analyzing water samples. Sampling season starts Memorial Day Weekend and ends Labor Day Weekend. This status is based on the latest sample, taken on June 20th, 2020. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls.

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