DeSoto Falls is a 104-foot waterfall on the West Fork of the Little River near Mentone, Alabama, and it pairs perfectly with Little River Canyon National Preserve, about 30 minutes south, for a fall day trip on Lookout Mountain. Start at the falls in the morning, hike at DeSoto State Park, drive the canyon rim in the afternoon and finish with sunset and dinner back in Mentone.
This guide lays out the route, what to see at each stop, what it costs, where to eat and when the leaves peak. For the rest of the region, from Lake Guntersville to Sand Mountain, see our Lake Guntersville and northeast Alabama guide.
DeSoto Falls and Little River Canyon at a glance
- Where: On top of Lookout Mountain in DeKalb County, northeast Alabama, between Mentone and Fort Payne.
- DeSoto Falls: A 104-foot single plunge on the West Fork of the Little River, just outside Mentone, part of DeSoto State Park.
- DeSoto State Park: 3,502 acres with more than 35 miles of hiking trails and 11-plus miles of mountain bike trails. Trails are open dawn to dusk.
- Little River Canyon National Preserve: More than 15,000 acres protected since 1992, with sandstone cliffs up to 600 feet above the river and a rim drive of about 23 miles.
- Cost: The rim drive and overlooks are free. Canyon Mouth Park, at the south end, requires a $15 day pass.
- Nearest airport: Chattanooga Metropolitan (CHA), about an hour from Mentone.
- Best time: Late October to early November for fall color; spring for the biggest waterfalls.
Where is DeSoto Falls?
DeSoto Falls is just outside Mentone, on the West Fork of the Little River, a few miles north of the main area of DeSoto State Park. The falls drop 104 feet in a single plunge into a small canyon the river has carved for itself, just below the A.A. Miller Dam. The falls are named for the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.
The falls have their own parking and picnic area, separate from the state park’s lodge and campground, so follow signs for DeSoto Falls rather than the park office. Come in the morning for softer light on the gorge and an easier time parking on fall weekends. Swimming at the top of the falls is dangerous; stay behind the railings and on marked paths.
What is there to do at DeSoto State Park?
DeSoto State Park is the place to hike on this route, with more than 35 miles of trails through hardwood forest along the West Fork of the Little River. Pick a short loop if you want time for the canyon later in the day.
- Hiking: More than 35 miles of trails, plus an accessible boardwalk.
- Mountain biking: More than 11 miles of trails.
- History: A CCC museum and the Benefield Interpretive Center tell the story of the park, which was built in part by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
- Food: The Mountain Inn Restaurant at the lodge, and a country store open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Overnight: Lodge rooms, cabins, chalets and 94 full-hookup campsites, plus primitive sites.
The park sits 8 miles northeast of Fort Payne at 7104 DeSoto Parkway NE. The park warns that GPS directions to it are unreliable, so use its written directions or follow the road signs from Fort Payne or Mentone.
What is Little River Canyon?
Little River Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the Southeast, carved by a river that runs for most of its length on top of Lookout Mountain. Little River Canyon National Preserve, established in 1992, protects more than 15,000 acres of forested rims, sandstone bluffs, boulders, pools and waterfalls.
The easiest way to see it is the rim drive, which follows the western edge of the canyon for about 23 miles on Highway 176 and county roads, with pull-offs and overlooks along the way. Most of the preserve, including the rim drive and its overlooks, is free. Pets must be on a 6-foot leash outside your car.
Little River Falls
Little River Falls marks the start of the canyon and is the first stop on the drive, near where Highway 35 crosses the river. It is a wide waterfall that spills over a sandstone ledge, and in high water it is one of the most dramatic sights in the state. Stay off wet rocks near the edge.
The overlooks
From the falls, the rim drive heads south past a series of overlooks into the canyon. Grace’s High Falls, which pours into the side canyon cut by Bear Creek, is Alabama’s highest waterfall at 133 feet, but it is seasonal and often dry in a dry fall; look for it after a rainy stretch. Eberhart Point, farther along, is the most convenient spot for hikers who want to descend to the canyon floor.
Canyon Mouth Park
At the south end of the canyon, Canyon Mouth Park is a day-use area with picnic spots along the river and a popular swimming area in warm weather. It is the one part of the preserve that charges a fee: a $15 standard pass good for one day, or a $35 annual park pass. America the Beautiful passes are accepted, and children under 16 entering on foot or by bike do not need a pass. Pay at the fee booth or machine with a card or with cash in bills no larger than $20.
Little River Canyon Center
The Little River Canyon Center on Highway 35 in Fort Payne, run by Jacksonville State University, is the preserve’s visitor center, with exhibits, a gift shop and the Junior Ranger program. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Monday; on Mondays, passes are sold at the Rim of the Canyon Cafe across the street.
How do you plan a DeSoto Falls and Little River Canyon day trip?
Do the falls and the state park in the morning and the canyon in the afternoon, then head back to Mentone for sunset and dinner. The order keeps the driving simple and leaves the overlooks for the warmest part of a fall day.
| Time | Stop | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast in Mentone | The Hatter Cafe on AL 117 serves breakfast and lunch. |
| 9:30 a.m. | DeSoto Falls | Arrive early on fall weekends for parking. |
| 10:30 a.m. | DeSoto State Park | Pick a short loop and stop at the CCC museum. |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch | The Mountain Inn Restaurant at the park, or a picnic. |
| 2 p.m. | Little River Falls | Start of the rim drive, near Highway 35. |
| 2:30 to 5 p.m. | Rim drive overlooks | Stop at every pull-off; Grace’s High Falls runs after rain. |
| 5:30 p.m. | Canyon Mouth Park (optional) | Bring cash or card for the $15 pass. |
| Evening | Sunset and dinner in Mentone | Mentone Brow Park for sunset, then Elevation Bistro. |
What to bring
- Sturdy shoes with grip. Sandstone gets slick near water.
- Water and snacks. Services are limited along the rim drive.
- Cash or a card for Canyon Mouth Park, and a downloaded map, since cell service can be spotty on the mountain.
- A layer. Lookout Mountain runs a few degrees cooler than the valleys below.
When is the best time to see fall color at DeSoto Falls and Little River Canyon?
Fall color on Lookout Mountain usually peaks from late October into early November, when the hardwoods along the canyon rim and the West Fork turn red, orange and gold. October is the busiest month in Mentone, and the town’s fall festival is usually held on the third weekend of October, so book cabins early if you plan to stay.
The trade-off in fall is water. Autumn is often the driest time of year, so DeSoto Falls and Little River Falls can be lower than in spring, and Grace’s High Falls may not be running at all. For the biggest waterfalls, come in late winter or spring after heavy rain, when rhododendron and mountain laurel also bloom. Our guide to fall foliage in Alabama covers other color drives, and our guide to Alabama waterfalls has more falls to chase.
Where should you eat and stay in Mentone?
Mentone is the best base for this trip, with a handful of locally owned places to eat and plenty of cabins on the mountain. Restaurants near the canyon itself are limited, so plan meals around Mentone and the state park.
Where to eat
- The Hatter Cafe: Southern comfort food for breakfast and lunch on AL 117, in a building full of chandeliers, teapots and Alice in Wonderland touches, with weekend dinner service.
- Elevation Bistro: The town’s polished dinner spot, with fireplace seating, a small bar, craft cocktails and locally sourced ingredients.
- Mentone Market: The general store on AL 117 for more than 80 years, with a deli, wood-fired pizza and picnic supplies.
Where to stay
- Bee on the Brow: A bed and breakfast on the brow of Lookout Mountain with a deck for sunset views and a gourmet breakfast, from $290 a night.
- The Hatter Country Inn: Two themed suites with private Jacuzzis next to The Hatter Cafe, from $179 a night.
- Mentone Log Cabins: Two hand-built, family-owned cabins with fireplaces and hot tubs, from $130 a night.
Our guide to a Mentone cabin weekend covers more places to stay, and the Mentone area guide lists everything in town.
Between stops
Browse original art at Coming Up Violets, an artist’s studio and shop in Moon Lake Village (park behind the Baptist church), and stop at the Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel, a small stone chapel built in 1937 around a huge boulder.
If you are coming from Lake Guntersville, add a morning on the water before you drive up; see our guides to Lake Guntersville bass fishing and where to eat in Guntersville.
FAQ
How tall is DeSoto Falls?
DeSoto Falls drops 104 feet in a single plunge on the West Fork of the Little River near Mentone. It is part of DeSoto State Park and one of the tallest waterfalls in Alabama.
Is Little River Canyon free?
Yes, for most of the preserve. The rim drive, overlooks and Little River Falls are free. Canyon Mouth Park at the south end requires a $15 day pass or a $35 annual pass, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted.
How long does it take to drive the Little River Canyon rim?
The rim drive runs about 23 miles. Allow two to three hours with stops at the overlooks, more if you hike down from Eberhart Point or spend time at Canyon Mouth Park.
Can you swim at DeSoto Falls or Little River Canyon?
Do not swim at the top of DeSoto Falls or near Little River Falls, where currents and slick rock are dangerous. Canyon Mouth Park at the south end of the canyon is the preserve’s popular swimming area in warm weather.
What is the highest waterfall in Alabama?
Grace’s High Falls in Little River Canyon National Preserve is Alabama’s highest waterfall at 133 feet. It is seasonal, so it runs best after heavy rain and can be dry in late summer and fall.