Another state park brought to life by the handi-work of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s, DeSoto State Park was named for Spanish explorerHernando de Soto. Split into two sections, the main section of DeSoto State Park offers a variety of park features, including pavilions, picnic area with playground, Olympic-size swimming pool, rustic cabins, a lodge, motel and restaurant. A tribute to industrious Civilian Conservation Corps workers, a park museum catalogs the efforts of the CCC that are still visible in many places of the park and the local community.
   Geared to outdoor lover, the park offers campgrounds, primitive camping, fishing, swimming and hiking. A waterfall lovers paradise, the main park features a half dozen waterfalls and cascades. The actual Desoto Falls is located in a small section of the park where the impressive 104 foot waterfall has carved out its own little canyon in northeast Alabama. The West Fork of the Little River plunges over a series of three falls. The first, a man-made dam, creates DeSoto Lake, where canoes and kayaks await. While a head-on view of DeSoto Falls is not on park property, the sights and sounds of the thunderous falls can be enjoyed along a cliff-side trail.
   Coupled with Little River Canyon National Preserve, the DeSoto Park area makes for a wonderful mountain getaway. The Little River Canyon area features one of the deepest gorges east of the Mississippi, laced with hiking trails, more waterfalls, and majestic mountain scenery.

     Area Map
     Park Trail Maps