DeSoto Falls, 104-foot waterfall in DeSoto State Park, Alabama.
DeSoto Falls is a waterfall in DeSoto State Park on Lookout Mountain in Alabama, where the water of the West Fork Little River drops over a large rock formation into a deep pool below. The fall reaches about 100 feet (30 m) in height, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in the state.
In the 1930s, workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps built the paths, viewing areas, and other structures around the falls. That work shaped the park layout that visitors still use today.
The falls take their name from the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who traveled through the southeastern part of North America in the 16th century. His name appears across this region on towns, parks, and landmarks, making the falls part of a broader pattern of historical memory you can trace as you travel through Alabama.
A paved path leads from the park facilities to an observation platform with a direct view of the falls, and the walk involves a short set of steps. The route is manageable for most visitors, though sturdy footwear helps on the uneven sections near the base.
The West Fork Little River is one of the few rivers in the United States that runs its entire course on top of a mountain plateau before finally reaching the edge. This means the falls mark the point where the river meets the rim of Lookout Mountain and drops for the first time.
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