Mardis Mill Falls: access, trail and what to know
Mardis Mill Falls sits on a 23-acre property along Graves Creek in Blount County, a short drive from Blountsville, where the Freshwater Land Trust and Blount County jointly conserved the land for public recreation in December 2024. It's one of the newer public access points covered in our waterfalls in Alabama guide, and one of the least developed, with a rough trail and no formal amenities yet.
No sourced coordinates are on file for this spot yet — see methodology.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Graves Creek, Blount County, Alabama, near Blountsville, just upstream of the Locust Fork River |
| Height | About 15 feet, spilling across a roughly 35-foot-wide rock ledge, per the Freshwater Land Trust |
| Access | Short, unmarked 0.3-mile out-and-back trail from roadside parking |
| Fee | None currently posted |
| Legal status | Public land, conserved jointly by the Freshwater Land Trust and Blount County, acquired December 2024 |
| Season | Fed by Graves Creek; a small watershed like this one runs lower in a dry Alabama summer, similar to the state's other creek-fed falls |
| Notes | The property is habitat for the federally endangered Black Warrior waterdog, a salamander found only in the Black Warrior River basin |
Trail and access
The Freshwater Land Trust and Blount County acquired this 23-acre parcel along Graves Creek in December 2024 specifically to secure public access to a spot locals had already been using informally for swimming, fishing and paddling for years. As of this writing there's no official trailhead sign or paved parking, just a roadside pull-off and an unmarked, well-worn path of well under half a mile to the falls. The land trust has described plans for a built recreation and parking area, but that infrastructure wasn't confirmed complete as of the most recent public update; expect a rougher visit here than at a developed state park.
The falls
Mardis Mill Falls is a low, wide drop, roughly 15 feet down a rock ledge that spans about 35 feet across Graves Creek, more a broad cascade than a single narrow chute. Because the site has been informally used for swimming and wading for years, the creek bed near the falls has shallow spots mixed with submerged rocks that aren't always visible from the bank, which the land trust itself flags as a reason to wade carefully rather than jump in blind.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from the Freshwater Land Trust's published property description and conservation announcement, and Blount County public records on the December 2024 acquisition. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Access details are limited because this is a recently conserved property without a full land-manager recreation page yet; verify current conditions with the Freshwater Land Trust before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Is Mardis Mill Falls open to the public?
Yes. The Freshwater Land Trust and Blount County bought the property in December 2024 to keep this long-used local spot open for public recreation.
Is there a fee to visit Mardis Mill Falls?
No fee is currently posted. Check the Freshwater Land Trust's site for updates, since a developed recreation area with formal parking has been discussed but wasn't confirmed complete at last check.
Can you swim at Mardis Mill Falls?
People have used the pool below the falls for swimming and wading for years, but it isn't lifeguarded or officially managed for swimming. Submerged rocks near the falls make careful, feet-first entry the safer approach.
How do you get to Mardis Mill Falls?
Roadside parking near Blountsville leads to a short, unmarked out-and-back path of under half a mile. There's no formal trailhead signage yet.
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.