Wetumpka Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no trail or marked viewpoint for these falls, which are rapids in the Coosa River channel. They are seen from the water on the Jordan Dam to Gold Star Park paddling run.
Photo Credits (5)
About Wetumpka Falls
Wetumpka Falls (also recorded as Wetumkee Falls) is a USGS-named falls in the channel of the Coosa River at Wetumpka, about 0.7 mile upstream of the Bibb Graves Bridge and beside the city's sports complex. The Coosa runs through Class II rapids from Jordan Dam down to Wetumpka, whose name comes from Creek words meaning "rumbling water." There is no hiking trail to the falls; they are a river feature passed on the paddling run that ends at Gold Star Park.
Trail & Hike Details
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Wetumpka Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Wetumpka Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
The Jordan Dam to Wetumpka run is rated Class II, with one Class III rapid (Moccasin Gap) upstream. Check river levels before paddling and wear a life jacket.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Coosa River, 0.3 miles away, not on Wetumpka Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
2,400 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
14.12 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge COOSA RIVER AT HWY 14 NEAR WETUMPKA, AL (1 km away).
Today
Low
2400 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Low
2400 cfs
6/10Tue
Low
2400 cfs
6/10Wed
Low
2400 cfs
6/10Thu
Low
2400 cfs
6/10Fri
Low
2400 cfs
6/10Sat
Low
2400 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).
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 Wetumpka hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Wetumpka Falls Frozen?
Updated about 16 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Wetumpka Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 58°F to 38°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 2680 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.
1-meter lidar measures about 47 feet of descent through Wetumpka Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 125 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 47 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 30 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing southeast, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 125 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 47 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Paddlers put in at the base of Jordan Dam off Rapids Road and take out at Gold Star Park on river left in downtown Wetumpka, about 7.4 river miles. The falls are near the end of the run, upstream of the Bibb Graves Bridge.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
128 feet above sea level
Coordinates
32.546523° N, -86.199135° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Alabama Tourism lists Coosa River Adventures in Wetumpka for canoe and kayak rentals. A footpath under the Bibb Graves Bridge gives views of the river and the arched bridge.
Where to Stay
Hampton Inn Wetumpka
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Prattville-Montgomery
La Quinta by Wyndham Montgomery
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Montgomery
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.
Nearby Campground
Ft. Toulouse
4.3 miles away · 0 sites
This recreation area is part of Alabama River Lakes
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Gold Star Park and the Bibb Graves Bridge are in downtown Wetumpka, and the town also has the Wetumpka Impact Crater, whose rocks show in the Coosa River.
Cities near Wetumpka Falls
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