Short Creek Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Short Creek Falls
Short Creek Falls is a picturesque waterfall located near Guntersville, Alabama. It features a single drop into a scenic gorge and is a popular spot for photography and nature enthusiasts. The waterfall is known for its beauty, especially after heavy rains when the water flow is at its peak.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The trail to Short Creek Falls is very short and primarily consists of a brief walk from the roadside to a viewing area. There is no developed or maintained trail, and the terrain may be uneven or slippery, especially after rain.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Short Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Short Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Exercise caution near the edge of the gorge, as there are no safety barriers. The rocks near the falls can be slippery, especially after rain. Avoid visiting during heavy rain or flooding conditions.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Town Creek, 12.8 miles away, not on Short Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
42 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 9 years of record
1.76 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge TOWN CREEK NEAR GERALDINE AL (21 km away).
Today
Roaring
42 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Roaring
37 cfs
9/10Tue
Roaring
35 cfs
9/10Wed
Roaring
35 cfs
9/10Thu
Roaring
43 cfs
9/10Fri
Roaring
40 cfs
9/10Sat
Roaring
39 cfs
9/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, widespread frost then mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late March, peaking in February.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Albertville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Short Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 16 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Short Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 40°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 40 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 98 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 772 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 127 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 74 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 772 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 98 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Short Creek Falls is located off Alabama Highway 227, near Guntersville. The falls are accessible via a short walk from the roadside, but there is no official trail leading directly to the base.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is limited and typically consists of roadside pull-offs near the falls. Visitors should exercise caution when parking and walking along the road.
Elevation
774 feet above sea level
Coordinates
34.322415° N, -86.204298° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit after recent rainfall for the best water flow. Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain near the falls can be uneven. Exercise caution near the edge of the gorge, as there are no safety barriers.
Where to Stay
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Albertville
Wyndham Garden Lake Guntersville
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Albertville
Hampton Inn Albertville, Al
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Guntersville Lake, Lake Guntersville State Park, and Cathedral Caverns State Park are all located nearby.
Wildlife
The area around Short Creek Falls is home to various bird species, small mammals, and aquatic life.
Cities near Short Creek Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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