DeSoto Falls: fee and trail to the base
Alabama has a taller waterfall, but it spends most of the year dry. DeSoto Falls, a 104-foot drop on the West Fork of the Little River near Mentone, is the tallest one that actually runs through a normal summer. A short, flat walk from the picnic area reaches an overlook, concrete stairs continue to the base, and parking costs $5 per vehicle at the DeSoto Falls Picnic Area.
In our waterfalls in Alabama guide it sits in the Lookout Mountain cluster with Little River Falls and Noccalula Falls.
No sourced coordinates are on file for this spot yet — see methodology.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 104 feet, on the West Fork of the Little River |
| Nearest town | Mentone, Alabama |
| Access | Short walk from the picnic area to an overlook; about 50 concrete stairs down to the base |
| Fee | $5 per vehicle parking fee, per Alabama State Parks' DeSoto Falls page |
| Legal status | Alabama state park, public land |
| Flow reliability | One of the taller reliably flowing waterfalls in the state; the West Fork carries more water than the small creeks feeding several of Alabama's other falls |
Trail and access
DeSoto Falls sits in a separate section of DeSoto State Park, about six miles north of the park's main lodge area and about seven miles from the main park entrance. The DeSoto Falls Picnic Area has its own parking, with a $5 per vehicle day-use fee. From the lot, a short, flat walk reaches an overlook of the falls, and visitors who want a closer view can descend roughly 50 concrete stairs to the base of the canyon. There's no separate permit required beyond the parking fee.
The falls
At 104 feet, DeSoto Falls is Alabama's tallest waterfall that holds up through most of the year. Grace's High Falls, elsewhere in the same general Lookout Mountain region, is technically taller at 133 feet but runs only seasonally, typically after winter and spring rain, so DeSoto is the better bet for a visitor who wants to see a tall waterfall running rather than gamble on recent weather. The West Fork of the Little River carries a larger volume than the small creeks feeding several of the state's other listed falls, and the drop into a narrow, forested canyon gives it a more dramatic setting than the roadside falls elsewhere in this guide.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from Alabama State Parks data for DeSoto State Park and the DeSoto Falls Picnic Area, and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Fees and trail conditions change; verify current rates with Alabama State Parks before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
How tall is DeSoto Falls?
104 feet, on the West Fork of the Little River inside DeSoto State Park.
Is DeSoto Falls the tallest waterfall in Alabama?
No. Grace's High Falls, at 133 feet, is technically taller but seasonal and often dry by summer. DeSoto Falls is the tallest one on this list that runs reliably.
What does it cost to see DeSoto Falls?
A $5 per vehicle parking fee applies at the DeSoto Falls Picnic Area. There's no separate admission charge beyond that.
Can you get to the base of DeSoto Falls?
Yes, via about 50 concrete stairs from the overlook area. The overlook itself is reachable with a short, flat walk for visitors who prefer not to descend.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked August 2026. Read our full methodology.