North Alabama Waterfalls
Alabama is home to some amazing waterfalls! From the tallest above ground waterfall, Grace’s High Falls, to the vibrant colors of Shangri-la Falls, or it’s underground waterfalls, Alabama has unique and beautiful waterfalls for everyone to enjoy. Everyone should, at some point, walk behind a waterfall. The view changes, the sound changes, the atmosphere changes. It’s a whole new experience!
Lower White Creek Falls
Located inside the Sipsey Wilderness in Bankhead National Forest, White Creek runs through a gorgeous canyon. Upper White Creek Falls is a better-known waterfall than Lower White Creek Falls because of its unique Heart Shaped Pool, but less than 100 ft downstream from Upper White Creek Falls is a massive waterfall that drops 75 ft off a giant overhanging shelter. There is plenty of space under the shelter to walk all the way around the waterfall. Scattered around the creek are several other waterfalls, including Big Joes Falls and a few other unnamed waterfalls. This hike is lightly trafficked and is a difficult 6-mile out and back hike.
Sougahoagdee Falls
Sougahoagdee Falls is located in Bankhead National Forest and is one of the more impressive waterfalls in the forest. This waterfall is one of the few waterfalls that typically run year around and can have a very heavy flow after heavy rains and during wetter months. The hike to this waterfall is a moderate 4-mile round-trip hike. The trail to this waterfall has plenty of other streams and smaller waterfalls along the way to enjoy. Sougahoagdee Falls is about 30 ft tall and offers a beautiful shelf to walk along behind the waterfall.
Noccalula Falls
Noccalula Falls in Gadsden is one of the most well-known waterfalls in Alabama. And rightly so, it’s beautiful! A view from the top of the falls is accessible to anyone, no matter their physical capability. The hike down to the waterfall is a 2-mile round-trip easy to moderate hike. This hike will take you behind the 90 ft waterfall with amazing views of the canyon and the shelter that the waterfall flows over. Noccalula Falls is a part of a larger, family-friendly park that offers activities like a petting zoo, train rides, a fat-mans-squeeze, picnic grounds, and a large playground.
Caney Creek Falls
Caney Creek Falls is located on the south side of Bankhead National Forest. Caney Creek Falls is one of the more popular spots for a summer swimming hole. This waterfall has a 2-mile moderate there and back hike winding through deep beautiful woods. During a high flow, this waterfall has 2 separate waterfalls. There is a large shelf behind the larger waterfall offering plenty of room for you to walk behind the waterfall.
McKay Hollow Falls
McKay Hollow Falls is located in Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville where McKay Hollow Trail and North Plateau loop meet. MaKay Hollow Falls is a smaller waterfall, but the area has beautiful coloring including a unique patch of orange behind the waterfall. Be extra careful walking behind this waterfall as it is very slick! This waterfall is located right next to one of the main views of the surrounding valley and mountains. While you are at Monte Sano State Park be sure to check out the amazing hiking and mountain biking as well as their famous Japanese botanical garden and stone cut trails.
