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. Swim Guide shares the best information we have at the moment you ask for it. 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. Yellow means the beach passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. 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. So, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit in your hiking backpack! We initially paid and parked at the dam area which is very nice and you can swim … 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. The swim to the waterfall wears you out. If you visit Desoto State Park, this is one of the must-see sights! 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. These results were posted to Swim Guide on June 20th, 2020 at 10:07 AM. is prohibited. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. Data from water monitoring is used by the Little River Waterkeeper to determine a source of pollution. Little River Waterkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. You can also see a small lake above the falls, and a … Additional lifeguards are $27.50 each  Red means the beach’s most recent test results failed to meet water quality standards. Over 900 species of wildflowers grow in northeast Alabama and DeSoto State Park is home to many common and unusual wildflowers. The park has around 12 total miles of trails. 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. 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. No lifeguard--swim at your own risk. The pool has lounge chairs & a small deck with tables located near the pool. Pool may close due to bad weather, mechanical problems, or minimum occupancy. Desoto Lake is a popular swimming and fishing spot along Little River. No lifeguard--swim at your own risk. This was the second death at DeSoto Falls State Park in one week. 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. Difficulty: Easy Distance: 2.5 Miles total Fee: $4 per vehicle. 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 Practicing social distancing is essential right now. You can paddle in a kayak to reach these picturesque falls that flow over rocks into the Weiss Lake. Little River is accessed by the yellow trail in DeSoto State Park (DeSoto Scout Trail)-Water Level varies widely, low especially in the Summer. Follow the advice of the health experts. 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. A good site for an easy hike and a pleasant view of falls. 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. It is also one of the easiest to visit. DeSoto Falls is separate from DeSoto State Park for anyone wondering. This means that rather than displaying current data it displays the beach's average water quality for that year. It is completely worth being able to paddle right up to the massive chute of water! DeSoto Falls is separate from DeSoto State Park for anyone wondering. Its tough so be prepared and bring friends to help. This rock outcrop provides the best panorama of De Soto Falls and its pool. 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.". Swimming & Wading is allowed in Laurel Creek and in the West Fork of Little River, which runs through DeSoto State Park. Beach bathroom provided - exterior rinse showers only. 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. At all sites, water is sampled for E. coli, total coliform, Temperature, pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity and Nitrates. Kayak Rentals are also available in this area at the Miller's Bend Paddle Shack. One lifeguard is provided--Up to 25 people Further sampling is taken by the Waterkeeper when necessary. Note: slippery rocks and fast-moving water can be extremely dangerous! DeSoto's Olympic-size pool is fun for the whole family complete with a diving board and ADA-lift. Individual Pools Pass - $88 Our mission is to protect the pristine resource through education, awareness and monitoring. This is a very impressive view, as you can truly see the size of the falls' basin. A small beach side pavilion is available on a first come first serve basis and is not reservable - no cooking/grilling allowed. The campground is a scenic spot with easy access for either a weekend of camping or a quick hike to the falls. Parking is right next to the very top of the falls and you can follow the steps down to view the entire waterfall. Swim Guide, "Swim Drink Fish icons," and associated trademarks are owned by SWIM DRINK FISH CANADA. DeSoto Falls, DeSoto State Park, DeKalb County One of the state’s largest falls, especially after rain. 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. There are five beautiful waterfalls along the 3-mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail located in the 650-acre recreation area. DeSoto Falls is sampled weekly from May 22nd to September 3th. DeSoto Falls Lake is located on the West Fork of Little River. For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19. Join the Swim Guide community today. Green means the beach passed water quality tests 95% of the time or more. 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. The rocks and surrounding views are every bit as interesting and beautiful as the falls itself! Can swim above A. When the highway splits, you'll take Gault Avenue and drive for approximately 8 miles. Hike, Swim. You'll then drive a little more than one mile until ending at the DeSoto Falls parking area. 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.

Not verified. Swimming at DeSoto Falls Picnic Area Can swim above A. Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time. Sampling season starts Memorial Day Weekend and ends Labor Day Weekend. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. DeSoto State Park has a $4 parking fee and boat launch. The DeSoto Falls Recreation Area is located off Highway 129 just inside the National Forest boundary. At 1.8 miles, reach a rock outcrop to the right of the trail. The falls are popular for wading and swimming in the summer. Swimming from other lakeside areas, bridges, piers, camp sites, boats, etc. 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. Green means the beach has historically excellent or pristine water quality, but there is no current data. It's also one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the South. 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. DeSoto Falls State Park superintendent Josh Hughes said a group of college-age people were swimming at the bottom of the falls. ... Beautiful Falls. The AA Miller Dam creates a beautiful flatwater section that is great for kayaking and swimming. Little River Waterkeeper staff monitor water quality at sites in this region. Hike along the two mile DeSoto Falls Trail or fish for trout in Frogtown Creek. 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. Overlooks provide views of the beautiful falls. Saying Alabama is 'un We depend on financial support from individuals and organizations to restore and protect access to water for all people. Kayak Rentals are also available in this area at the Miller's Bend Paddle Shack. The falls can occasionally be closed to swimming, particularly during the tropical summer from October to March, so be sure to check in advance. You'll then take a right on Alabama Highway 117. (DeSoto Falls) - YouTube There are two waterfalls which can be easily viewed along the DeSoto Falls trails. Hike, Swim swim Swimming Hole hike Hiking Trail Desoto Falls is a very short hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in Alabama! The water descends into a pool where you will be tempted to swim … The AA Miller Dam creates a beautiful flatwater section that is great for kayaking and swimming. There are two waterfalls which can be easily viewed along the DeSoto Falls trails. Desoto Lake is a popular swimming and fishing spot along Little River. DeSoto State Park has a $4 parking fee and boat launch. The Little River Waterkeeper utilizes the standardized state and federal criteria of 235 col/100 ml for collecting and analyzing water samples. 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