Waterfalls in Alabama

Where the waterfalls are in Alabama

Northern Alabama sits at the southern end of the Appalachians and the Cumberland Plateau, and that is where nearly all of its waterfalls are. Little River Canyon, Lookout Mountain around Mentone, and the Bankhead National Forest and Sipsey Wilderness hold the best of them.

Many falls in the Sipsey are seasonal and fed by small streams, so timing a visit after rain makes a big difference.

Well-known waterfalls in Alabama

DeSoto Falls

A tall fall on the West Fork of Little River near Mentone, seen from an overlook above a dam. Falls near DeSoto Falls.

Little River Falls

The broad fall at the head of Little River Canyon National Preserve, seen from a short walk off the canyon rim road. Falls near Little River Falls.

Grace's High Falls

A seasonal fall in Little River Canyon, often called the tallest waterfall in Alabama, seen from an overlook. Falls near Grace's High Falls.

Noccalula Falls

A 90-foot fall in a city park in Gadsden, with a gorge trail to its base. Falls near Noccalula Falls.

Caney Creek Falls

A popular fall in the Bankhead National Forest, reached by a trail of about a mile. Falls near Caney Creek Falls.

When to go

Winter and spring rains give the strongest flow. Summer and early fall are often low. See the best time to see waterfalls for how flow changes by region.

Alabama by the numbers

The map shows 54 named falls in Alabama. 37 of them are in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, the federal register of official place names, and 17 more are named falls mapped only in OpenStreetMap. None has a height recorded yet, so the height filter will empty the map here; use Any height. DeKalbCounty has the most, with 6.

Counties with the most waterfalls

From the USGS record, which gives each fall's county.

Every named waterfall in Alabama

Alphabetical within each county. Tap a name to centre the map above on it.

Colbert County (1)

Georgia Falls

DeKalb County (6)

De Soto Falls, Griffin Falls, High Falls, Little Falls, Little River Falls, Swindell Falls

Elmore County (2)

Tallapoosa Falls (historical), Wetumpka Falls

Etowah County (1)

Noccalula Falls

Franklin County (1)

Butler Falls

Houston County (1)

Rock Falls

Jackson County (2)

High Falls, Little Falls

Jefferson County (1)

Village Falls

Lawrence County (3)

Kinlock Falls, Parker Cascades, The Fall Off

Lee County (1)

Great Falls

Marshall County (4)

Piney Branch Falls, Ragsdale Falls, Short Creek Falls, Thompson Falls

Mobile County (1)

Cedar Creek Falls

Morgan County (3)

Ditto Falls, Seven Falls, Welcome Falls

Randolph County (1)

High Shoals Falls

Shelby County (3)

Davis Falls, Peavine Falls, Weaver Falls

Talladega County (3)

Great Falls, Rendalia Water Falls, Salt Creek Falls

Tuscaloosa County (1)

University Falls (historical)

Winston County (2)

Parker Falls, Quarter Creek Falls

County not recorded (17)

Azalea Cascade, Caney Creek Falls, Cornelius Falls, DeSoto Falls, Factory Falls, Grace's High Falls, Indian Falls, Laurel Falls, Little Falls, Lodge Falls, Lost Falls, Mardis Mills Falls, Mill Falls, Nectar Falls, Pisgah Gorge Falls #1, Powell Falls, Rob Roy Falls

Before you go

The map shows where falls are, not whether they are open or safe to reach. Check the land manager, usually a state park or national forest, for closures, fees and permits, and stay on the trail near the water. Our waterfall safety guide covers the hazards, and waterfall hikes near me explains how to pick a trail.

Waterfalls near cities in Alabama

Every named fall within driving range of the city, nearest first: waterfalls near Birmingham, waterfalls near Huntsville.

Waterfalls in nearby states: Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky. Or see waterfalls in every state.