DeSoto Falls

DeSoto Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall system along Frogtown Creek in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The water drops in three separate cascades over rocky ledges, creating a series of pools and rapids below each drop.

The area was originally Cherokee territory and takes its name from Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who traveled through the region in 1540. A piece of Spanish armor was discovered at the base of the falls during the 1880s.

The falls and surrounding area were originally part of Cherokee territory before European exploration and settlement transformed the region into a recreation destination.

Well-maintained hiking trails lead to several viewing points along the water system. A nearby campground and picnic facilities make it easy to spend time here without needing nearby lodging or food services.

Visitors can experience the full vertical height of the falling water by following the stream downhill and viewing each cascade from different angles. The force and behavior of the water shifts dramatically at each level, creating distinct visual patterns.