Waterfall Hikes Near Fort Payne, AL

14,815 residents
Chicago Time Zone
27 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Twenty-seven falls ring Fort Payne, thanks to Lookout Mountain rising right over town with Little River Canyon and DeSoto State Park on top. De Soto Falls drops 104 feet within a short walk of parking. Little River Falls gives 45 feet, also steps from the road, with swimming in the pools below. Two different High Falls each pour about 35 feet on short easy trails, swimming allowed at both. Dogs go nearly everywhere here. Winter and spring bring the heavy flow.

Located at 34.4559°N, -85.6965°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Fort Payne

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

27 of 27 gauged

1 of 27 waterfalls near Fort Payne is flowing strongly today

Bridal Veil Falls Moderate Cascade Falls Moderate Deer Lick Falls Moderate Jumpoff Falls Moderate Monteagle Falls Moderate De Soto Falls Low High Falls Low Little Falls Low Ditto Falls Barely Flowing Ragsdale Falls Barely Flowing Welcome Falls Barely Flowing Thompson Falls Barely Flowing Foster Falls Strong Griffin Falls Barely Flowing High Falls Barely Flowing Short Creek Falls Barely Flowing Swindell Falls Barely Flowing Hightower Falls Barely Flowing Keown Falls Moderate Laurel Falls Moderate Middle Creek Falls Moderate Three Creeks Falls Moderate Little Falls Barely Flowing Little River Falls Moderate Lula Falls Moderate Piney Branch Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Saturday

Sunny · 93°F

Tod 90°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sat 93°F Sunny Best
Sun 95°F Sunny
Mon 95°F Sunny
Tue 91°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wed 92°F Sunny
Thu 92°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Fort Payne

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Foster Falls Strong · 283 cfs 89th percentile
  2. 2 Keown Falls Moderate · 2020 cfs 74th percentile
  3. 3 Three Creeks Falls Moderate · 1 cfs 67th percentile
  4. 4 Middle Creek Falls Moderate · 1 cfs 67th percentile
  5. 5 Laurel Falls Moderate · 1 cfs 67th percentile
  6. 6 Little River Falls Moderate · 99 cfs 66th percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Fort Payne

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Fort Payne (5 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Little River Falls waterfall

Little River Falls

20.8 miles away
Alabama
Drive Up
0.1 miles 50 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Fort Payne (15 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

De Soto Falls waterfall

De Soto Falls

11.9 miles away
Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Griffin Falls

Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
High Falls waterfall

High Falls

Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 27 Waterfalls Near Fort Payne

Little River Falls waterfall

Little River Falls

20.8 miles away
Alabama
Drive Up
0.1 miles 50 ft
Little Falls waterfall

Little Falls

Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
De Soto Falls waterfall

De Soto Falls

11.9 miles away
Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Griffin Falls

Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
High Falls waterfall

High Falls

Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Swindell Falls

18.1 miles away
Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
High Falls waterfall

High Falls

28.1 miles away
Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Little Falls waterfall

Little Falls

Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Piney Branch Falls

5.6 miles away
Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Short Creek Falls waterfall

Short Creek Falls

4.7 miles away
Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Keown Falls waterfall

Keown Falls

28.6 miles away
Georgia
Moderate
1.8 miles 400 ft
Noccalula Falls waterfall

Noccalula Falls

Alabama
Easy
1.4 miles 150 ft

Ragsdale Falls

18.7 miles away
Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Foster Falls waterfall

Foster Falls

23.8 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
1.6 miles 200 ft
Lula Falls waterfall

Lula Falls

11.7 miles away
Georgia
Moderate
4.2 miles 600 ft
Thompson Falls waterfall

Thompson Falls

1.5 miles away
Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Ditto Falls

Alabama
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Jumpoff Falls

5 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

7.6 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft
Bridal Veil Falls waterfall

Bridal Veil Falls

24.8 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 200 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Fort Payne

Are there free waterfalls near Fort Payne?

There are 11 free waterfalls near Fort Payne, including Bridal Veil Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Fort Payne?

There are 5 easy waterfall hikes near Fort Payne, including Cascade Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Fort Payne?

There are 15 dog-friendly waterfalls near Fort Payne, including Bridal Veil Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Fort Payne?

There are 17 kid-friendly waterfalls near Fort Payne, including Bridal Veil Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Fort Payne?

There are 5 waterfalls that allow swimming near Fort Payne, including Foster Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Fort Payne?

The shortest waterfall hike near Fort Payne is Bridal Veil Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Fort Payne?

The tallest waterfall near Fort Payne is De Soto Falls at 104 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Fort Payne require permits?

Yes, 2 waterfalls near Fort Payne require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Fort Payne?

Yes, 7 waterfalls near Fort Payne have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Fort Payne?

The closest waterfall to Fort Payne is Little River Falls, approximately 5.9 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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