Road Trip Ideas for the Lookout Mountain Area of Alabama

As you know, I've been planning a trip to the Lookout Mountain Area of Alabama for the past several months.  I've been eagerly awaiting a break in Brandon's training so we could go.

Well the break finally came in April, and we were able to take off for five wonderful days.  We spent four nights camping at Desoto State Park on top of Lookout Mountain. Our kids were excited to be camping and having fun outdoors. Brandon was happy to spend time in the mountains again. I was happy to finally visit the places I'd read about in my guidebook.

Every day we set out for a different adventure.  Mostly we went waterfall hunting, and our efforts were rewarded with eight waterfalls. We also explored the Ruby Falls Cave in Chattanooga, Tennessee; saw Saturn V rockets at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville; and discovered one of the best kept secrets in Alabama at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden.

Overall, it was one of the best vacations we've been on as a family. I know I seem to say that about every vacation, but really this was the best vacation Brandon and I have been on since having kids. Quite a bit of what made the vacation so great was the ages of our children. They have all grown up a lot in the year and a half since our last vacation. The vacation was also great thanks to the amazing scenery of Alabama. This state is beautiful. If you live anywhere near Northern Alabama you should make plans to visit some of these places too.

Here is the list of the places we went. Click on the underlined text above each picture to go to a detailed post about each place.

Desoto State Park near Fort Payne

Waterfalls are the key feature of DeSoto State Park, located in northeastern Alabama on top of Lookout Mountain. The park shares a name with DeSoto Falls, a spectacular 107 foot waterfall located less than 6 miles from the main part of the park. There are also many smaller falls located along the hiking trails inside of DeSoto State Park. Most of these smaller falls are located within a few feet of the trail heads so they are easy to find.

Ruby Falls near Chattanooga, Tennessee

It's easy to understand why Ruby Falls has been called one of the must see attractions of the Southeast. The beautiful 145 foot waterfall is stunning as it falls into a narrow stone chamber. A chamber that was carved by the water itself. But what's even more amazing is that this waterfall is located 1120 feet underground. Equally intriguing is that this waterfall was discovered less than a century ago.

Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge in Chattanooga

At 2,376 feet long the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. The bridge connects the North Shore to Downtown Chattanooga. Strolling across this bridge is a enjoyable activity to add to any trip to Chattanooga.







Lookout Mountion Parkway between Chattanooga and Gadsden

The Lookout Mountain Parkway runs along the top of the 84 miles of Lookout Mountain. The Parkway spans three states, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. There are a variety of things to see and do along the parkway, from Ruby Falls near Chattanooga, Tennessee in the north to Noccalula Falls in Gadsden in the south. Many of the places to visit are either free or very inexpensive. And the scenery can't be beat.


Little River Canyon near Fort Payne

The Little River Canyon National Preserve in Northeastern Alabama is an overlooked natural wonder. The entire canyon is situated on top of Lookout Mountain, making this one of the only rivers in the world that flows entirely on a mountain. The crown jewels of the canyon are the Little River Falls which are easily accessible from Highway 35. The canyon walls are covered in trees providing beautiful green vistas every way you look. The 23 mile Scenic Drive runs along the western rim of the canyon and has many pull outs that allow you to stop and take in the scenery.

Depot Museum and other historical places in Fort Payne

Fort Payne is located just a few miles west of the middle section of Lookout Mountain. Throughout history this city has witnessed the creation of the Cherokee alphabet, the expulsion of the Cherokee Nation from the south, a boom and bust cycle, an industrial rebirth, and the rise of country superstars. There are glimpses into this past all over the town - you just have to know where to look.



US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville

The US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama is home to one of the most extensive collections of technology used in space exploration. Of particular note are the awesome displays inside the Saturn V Hall. These include things like a full size Saturn V rocket, the Apollo 16 Command Module, and the Apollo training simulator. Throughout the massive complex there are opportunities to learn. Opportunities like viewing IMAX movies, attending space camp, rock climbing on a "martian" wall, or even riding on amusement park rides all help visitors learn more about the goes into exploring space. There are so many things to see and do that it's almost hard to know where to start.

Walls of Jericho near Scottsboro

Alabama doesn't have many hikes with much elevation change so the Walls of Jericho is a unique hike because the hike descends 1000 feet into a beautiful canyon.

High Falls Park near Geraldine

High Falls Park is located in the middle of rural northern Alabama along Town Creek. Finding this remote location can be tricky. But the hunt is worth it because the the focal point of High Falls Park is a 35 foot high waterfall that can be over 300 feet wide. The small park has hiking trails, a pedestrian bridge over the creek, and picnic areas - including a covered pavilion. There is even a small playground. Any nature lover will enjoy a trip to High Falls Park. And the best part is that it's free!

Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden

Noccalula Falls Park is the best deal in Alabama. It's also one of the best kept secrets. This city park is home to a stunning 90 foot waterfall. There is a trail that takes you down to the river gorge and even behind the waterfall. The park also contains to a pioneer village, a botanical garden, a maze of rocks, and a small zoo. As if that wasn't enough, unlimited train rides are included in the price of admission.






Mount Cheaha State Park near Anniston

Mount Cheaha is the highest point in Alabama at 2407 feet above sea level. Cheaha State Park is located on top of the mountain. This state park is a mountain resort with a variety of places to stay ranging from campsites to secluded chalets. There is even a restaurant located on top of this mountain. Many buildings were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. There are many hikes that lead to overlooks where you have a dramatic view of the miles of trees within the Talladega National Forest.





Waterfalls near Lookout Mountain

Many people think that Ruby Falls is the only waterfall on Lookout Mountain.  But that is not true.  This posts details all the waterfalls you can see while you are visiting the Alabama part of Lookout Mountain.







Here is a map to help give you an idea of where all these places are located.



I can't wait to share these places with you! We'll start with the place we spent the most time: Desoto State Park.