DeSoto State Park

If you are looking to chase some waterfalls then look no further than the DeSoto State Park located in Alabama! Offering a wide range of activities, there is something for everyone at this state park.

When you arrive you will have some options on where you want to go. I would recommend that you drive straight through to the information center to begin. Here you can grab some maps, speak with the park rangers, and even shop while you hangout. There are also bathrooms, zip-lining tour options, and a laundry room for those camping. This area is also a big-ole fork in the road section so I would take a look at that map you grabbed before moving forward.

We opted for the DeSoto Falls Trail first which technically is outside of the park. Ask the rangers for directions. It is much faster than trying to figure out which was to go, trust me. Once you arrive you will have to pay a park fee of five bucks and then you will be on your merry way. This "trail" isn't so much a trail but instead a very short stroll to the falls. Once you take the stairway down, that's it. You have arrived! Take your time here and take some selfies. The waterfall(s) here are breathtaking. There are also some lovely picnic areas if you want to stay longer with your group. Since we were looking to really hike that day we kept it moving after our photoshoot.

Next up was the Blue Trail and Red/Boardwalk Trail. The Boardwalk trail is accessible and very short. I would say that you, your baby bay's stroller, and the family dog will have no issues with this one. This trail consists of a raised wooden platform aka a boardwalk that winds its way through the woods. Along the way you will also find built in benches and gazebos for rest breaks if needed.

From the Boardwalk Trail we saw a sign for the Azalea Trail aka the Red Trail. From there we hopped on and that is where our fun began for the day. While we were out hiking on the Red and Blue Trails, we got somewhat confused and kept running into dead ends. Since the map wasn't really helping and we kept walking in circles we decided to cut our losses. We decided to head back to the road instead of doubling back to see if we could find another trailhead. While we were circling for the third time, we saw a yellow trailhead sign and decided to check it out. This was our favorite aside from the DeSoto Falls trek. This trail had the most elevation changes (not much- just hilly) as well as a hidden waterfall! We loved this spot! If you are able I would say climb underneath the waterfall into the cavern area to explore!

By the end of our trip we ended up doing the Boardwalk, Yellow, Red, and part of the Blue Trail. We had a blast while visiting this park and plan to visit once it gets warmer so we can check out the camping options. If you are ever in the state of Alabama and are looking for a great state park then the DeSoto State Park is for you!