Etowah: Waterfalls, Trails and Culture

Noccalula Falls provides a striking natural setting for a trip to Etowah: water plunges 90 feet into the Black Creek Gorge. The creek is the falls’ only water source, so their flow depends on rainfall. At Noccalula Falls Park, natural scenery and history come together. Admission includes the pioneer village, animal habitat, botanical garden, train ride and access to the hike below the waterfalls. As included attractions may change, check admission information before your visit.

Waterways and riverside trails

The Coosa River runs through Gadsden and is part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail there. H. Neely Henry Lake is also part of the region’s waterscape: it covers more than 11,000 acres and was created on June 2, 1966, when the Coosa River was dammed. Coosa Landing has a four-lane boat ramp and parking for approximately 125 trucks and boat trailers. As capacity information may change, check it before planning a boat launch.

Big Wills Outfitters rents watercraft for trips on scenic Big Wills Creek; availability may change. Fish caught in the waters around Gadsden include Spotted Bass, crappie, largemouth bass, striped bass and catfish.

Hiking and outdoor activities

The Riverwalk Trail at Coosa Landing runs for just under a mile along the Coosa River’s banks and includes boardwalks and a gravel path. At 1.7 miles, the Black Creek Trail is longer and also has a gravel surface; it is located next to the wedding chapel at Noccalula Falls Campground. Their length and surfaces offer specific points of comparison when choosing between the two trails.

For a range of activities, the Black Creek Trail System comprises eight trails and connecting paths for walking, running, hiking and cycling. Guided hikes on this trail network are scheduled for the second and fourth Saturdays in April, May, June, September and October, weather permitting. Check before traveling to see whether a suitable date is scheduled.

James D. Martin Wildlife Park combines a riverside walking trail and boardwalks with views of a 300-acre lake and wooded islands at the mouth of Black Creek. Birdwatching is also seasonal: bald eagles are occasionally seen in winter, while ospreys can be spotted from March through November. In spring and summer, you can observe a nesting colony of great egrets, great blue herons and black-crowned night herons nearby.

Art, history and local insights

At Noccalula Falls Park, the pioneer village features hand-hewn log cabins that depict life during the pioneer era. Attalla offers a different historical perspective: it is located on the site of a Native American village that was of considerable importance during the Creek War of 1813–1814.

The Gadsden Museum of Art has five art galleries and a historical exhibit featuring artifacts and information about surrounding towns in Etowah County. The museum’s first exhibit opened on January 17, 1965; admission is free. At the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, you can view the art exhibits and model railroad for free. The ground-floor gallery hosts exhibitions, also with free admission. Historic buildings and architecture also characterize Historic Downtown Gadsden.

For a visit with children, the Children’s Museum Imagination Place is another themed stop, designed primarily for children ages two to ten. The permanent exhibit KidsTown USA features child-friendly settings, including a doctor’s office, grocery store, construction site and Grandma’s House. Wills Creek Vineyards & Winery is part of the Alabama Wine Trail; check its current affiliation if you plan to include this in your itinerary.

Explore more destinations: Gadsden, Attalla, Lawrence County, Colbert County, Coffee County, Greene County, Limestone County, Cullman County.

Return to the main travel overview: Alabama.