Dunns Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Dunns Falls is a waterfall in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, about 6.9 miles north of Stonewall. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Lauderdale County, MS

Nearest town

Stonewall (6.9 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★☆ 4.4 from 63 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Coordinates

32.22876, -88.82144

USGS topo

Stonewall quad

Getting there

Dunns Falls sits about 6.9 miles north of Stonewall in Lauderdale County. Navigate to the coordinates 32.22876, -88.82144, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Dunns Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Public land is limited in Mississippi, and several of its waterfalls are on private property or privately operated sites, so check access and hours before driving out. Dunns Falls, the most visited, is run as a private park. In the loess bluff region, steep ravine walls are prone to collapse, and loess soils turn slick after rain, so stay back from edges and avoid climbing on bluff faces. Creeks in narrow ravines can rise quickly during heavy storms. Summer heat and humidity are the main day-to-day hazard; carry water and start early. Ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes and venomous snakes are common in warm months. Hunting seasons in fall and winter make blaze orange a sensible precaution in wooded areas.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Dunns Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Mississippi. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 32.22876, -88.82144 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Mississippi's falls are entirely rain-fed, so wet seasons matter most. The state typically sees its heaviest and most dependable rain from late winter through spring, often January through April, when creeks are fullest and temperatures are mild. Summer brings heat, high humidity and scattered thunderstorms that can raise creeks briefly, but evaporation is high. Late summer into fall, especially September and October, is often the driest period, and small falls can slow to a trickle or stop. Fall offers pleasant hiking weather despite low water. Hurricane season can deliver intense rain to the south of the state, but flooding and downed trees may close roads and trails afterward. Winter is generally mild, with only occasional freezes. 63 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Dunns Falls holds a 4.4-star average across 63 Google reviews, and 81% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Lauderdale County. Visitors have shared 177 photos.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Dunns Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on December 1, 2003, and it appears on the USGS Stonewall 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Kidd Branch (stream, 1.6 mi) and Fivemile Branch (stream, 1.7 mi).

East-Central Hills and Piney Woods. In eastern and southern Mississippi, rolling hills covered in pine and hardwood forest are cut by creeks that occasionally spill over resistant beds. Dunns Falls, near Meridian in Lauderdale County, is the state's most visited listed waterfall, a drop tied to a nineteenth-century mill site. It is privately operated, so hours and access vary. Seminary Falls in Covington County, near Collins in the southern pine belt, is a lesser-known local site. Both falls are best after periods of steady rain, when the creeks feeding them run high and the water spills fully across the drop.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Dunns Falls about 6.9 miles north of Stonewall is rated 4.4 out of 5 by 63 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Dunns Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.