Dekalb County: Mountains, Waterfalls and Culture

DeSoto State Park is located on Lookout Mountain and features numerous rushing waterfalls. On Sand Mountain, Buck’s Pocket State Park stretches across DeKalb, Jackson and Marshall counties. Both parks offer different starting points for a trip focused on mountain scenery: waterfalls in one, an extensive trail network and the Point Rock overlook in the other.

Buck’s Pocket State Park has more than 15 miles of hiking trails. Point Rock is 800 feet above the main campground. If you include nature trails in your trip plans, you’ll find both a specific figure for the extent of the trail network and a notable elevation reference within the park. When driving to DeSoto State Park or DeSoto Falls, don’t rely exclusively on GPS directions: they can be very unreliable.

Trails, Waterfalls and the Little River

Little River Canyon National Preserve lies in the landscape of the Southern Appalachians; the Little River flows mostly on Lookout Mountain. The preserve has more than 26 miles of hiking trails. The DeSoto Scout Trail connects the preserve with DeSoto State Park and passes through the backcountry Wildlife Management Area. This means hiking trails can also serve as a connection between these two natural areas when planning your trip.

At Little River Falls, the waterfall is 45 feet high. An ADA-accessible walkway leads to an overlook close to the falls. An easy trail also connects the Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center with Little River Falls and follows the walkway on the Highway 35 bridge over the river. The Little Falls Trail is separate: it is 0.75 miles long and descends to the river via 137 stone steps. These details show two different ways to experience the river and its scenery.

Kayaking is also a seasonal activity at Little River Canyon National Preserve: it is possible on various sections of the river in winter and spring. The sections mentioned range from Class III to Class IV, V and VI rapids. If this is a priority, you can take the season and the different difficulty ratings into account when planning your trip.

Another natural attraction is High Falls Park in DeKalb County. A 35-foot-high waterfall on Town Creek is the park’s main attraction. Along with the falls on the Little River, it offers another named waterfall for travelers looking to focus their time on nature destinations.

Culture and Seasonal Experiences

In Fort Payne, the Opera House combines theatrical history with a regular program of performances. The building was constructed in 1889 and is Alabama’s oldest theater in a building originally built as a theater; theatrical performances are still held there regularly. The Fort Payne Depot Museum is housed in a pink sandstone depot built in 1891 in the Richardson Romanesque style. The two venues offer different highlights: one for its theatrical history and performances, the other for its architecture and former role as a railway depot.

The Alabama Band Fan Club & Museum in Fort Payne showcases the history and awards of the country music group Alabama, as well as collections from the group’s youth. At Orbix Hot Glass, you can view and buy glasswork in a gallery, watch demonstrations and take glassblowing classes. In the classes, you can make items such as ornaments, bowls, drinking vessels and paperweights. Fort Payne thus offers both music history and collections, as well as a hands-on experience with glass.

The Fort Payne Main Street Farmers Market is held seasonally, and its offerings vary by vendor and time of year. Depending on availability, offerings include farm-raised beef and pork, baked goods, flowers, art and music. It’s therefore worth taking the market season into account when planning your trip. You can weigh nature experiences, theaters and museums, or a visit to the market as different ways to spend your time in the region.

Discover more destinations: Fort Payne, Rainsville, Mobile, Marengo County, Jefferson, Macon, Marion County, Greene County.

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