5 Must-See Waterfalls in Alabama (2026)
If you only have time for five Alabama waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain, Bankhead and the Northwest Hills, and Birmingham Ridges and the Fall Line.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Alabama waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Noccalula Falls
Gadsden, AL · Etowah County · Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain
Why it is a must-see
With 1,271 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Alabama, and it holds 4.7 stars. In short: "Visitors to this 90-ft. waterfall & huge park can hike, pet animals, putt-putt golf, picnic & camp." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 90 feet high. Located in sec 29,T11S,R6E, Huntsville Meridian. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain region. The nearest town is Gadsden, about 2.1 miles to the southeast.
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2. De Soto Falls
Fort Payne, AL · DeKalb County · Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain
Why it is a must-see
With 568 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in Alabama, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Waterfall on the West Fork of the Little River & named after the Spanish explorer, Fernando de Soto." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Vertical drop of 104 feet, Located in sec 4,T6S,R10E, Huntsville Meridian. 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Little Falls and Little River Falls. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain region. The nearest town is Fort Payne, about 10 miles to the southwest.
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3. Kinlock Falls
Haleyville, AL · Lawrence County · Bankhead and the Northwest Hills
Why it is a must-see
With 221 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in Alabama, and it holds 4.8 stars. 4 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Parker Falls and Parker Cascades. It is one of 10 named falls in the Bankhead and the Northwest Hills region. The nearest town is Haleyville, about 8.8 miles to the southwest.
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4. Little River Falls
Fort Payne, AL · DeKalb County · Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain
Why it is a must-see
With 174 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in Alabama, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Water rushing over rocks into a deep pool, with swimming holes & an observation deck." 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Little Falls and De Soto Falls. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain region. The nearest town is Fort Payne, about 6.3 miles to the northwest.
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5. Great Falls
Smiths Station, AL · Lee County · Birmingham Ridges and the Fall Line
Why it is a must-see
With 82 Google reviews it is the 5th most visited waterfall in Alabama, and it holds 4.6 stars. Older records also call it We-tum-cau Falls. It is one of 12 named falls in the Birmingham Ridges and the Fall Line region. The nearest town is Smiths Station, about 5.4 miles to the northeast.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 313 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- De Soto Falls (start, near Fort Payne)
- Little River Falls, about 11 mi south
- Noccalula Falls, about 33 mi southwest
- Kinlock Falls, about 87 mi west
- Great Falls, about 183 mi southeast
When to Visit Alabama's Waterfalls
Late winter through spring is the most reliable period for Alabama waterfalls. Frequent frontal storms between roughly December and April keep plateau creeks full, and many of the smaller drops in DeKalb, Marshall and the Bankhead area only run well within a few days of solid rain. Spring also brings wildflowers and mountain laurel to the canyon rims. Summer is hot and humid, flow often drops off by midsummer, and afternoon thunderstorms can cause fast rises in narrow hollows. Late summer and early fall are typically the driest stretch, when some falls shrink to a trickle. Fall color on Lookout Mountain usually peaks in late October or early November, and a wet autumn can make that an excellent time to visit. Hard freezes are occasional, so ice is rarely a factor.
Before You Go
Alabama's waterfalls are spread across an unusual mix of managers. Little River Canyon is a National Park Service preserve, Bankhead and Talladega falls lie in national forest land, and Peavine Falls is inside Oak Mountain State Park, which charges a day-use fee. Noccalula Falls is run by the City of Gadsden, and several smaller falls in Marshall and DeKalb counties sit on or next to private property, so check that a site is publicly accessible before going. Forest roads in the Bankhead can be rough and muddy after storms. The main hazards are slick sandstone ledges at the tops of falls, undercut bluffs, and fast-rising water in narrow canyons after heavy rain. Swimming holes such as those at Little River Falls are popular in summer, and currents there can be strong at higher flows.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Alabama Waterfalls
See all 37 waterfalls in the Alabama waterfall guide, or browse by town: Gadsden, Fort Payne, Haleyville, Smiths Station.
More Alabama Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see waterfall in Alabama?
Noccalula Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.7-star rating from 1,271 Google reviews. It is near Gadsden in Etowah County.
How was this list made?
These are the five most visited Alabama waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 313 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
How many waterfalls are in Alabama?
Our directory lists 37 named waterfalls in Alabama. See them all, sorted by town, in the Alabama waterfall guide.
Where are the most waterfalls in Alabama?
The northeast corner, especially DeKalb County on Lookout Mountain, has the highest concentration. Little River Canyon, De Soto Falls and Noccalula Falls in nearby Gadsden can all be visited in a single trip.