DeSoto State Park is a public recreation area located on Lookout Mountain, eight miles (13 km) northeast of Fort Payne, Alabama.[2] The state park covers 3,502 acres (1,417 ha) of forest, rivers, waterfalls, and mountain terrain. It borders the Little River, which flows into the nearby Little River Canyon National Preserve. The 104-foot-tall (32 m) DeSoto Falls, the state's highest waterfall, is found in a separate part of the park six miles (9.7 km) north of the main park.[3]
| DeSoto State Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
  DeSoto State Park Location in Alabama | |
| Location | Cherokee and DeKalb counties, Alabama, United States |
| Coordinates | 34°32′54″N 85°35′24″W / 34.54833°N 85.59000°W[1] |
| Area | 3,502 acres (1,417 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,614 ft (492 m)[1] |
| Established | 1935 |
| Administered by | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Official website  |
History
editThe park, which bears the name of 16th-century explorer Hernando de Soto, was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park then known as State Park No. 5 was established in 1935. When it was dedicated as Desoto State Park on May 24, 1939, it was the largest state park in Alabama.[4] The park's museum celebrating the CCC's work in Alabama state parks opened in 2013.[5]
Awards
editIn September 2020, DeSoto State Park was one of eleven Alabama state parks awarded Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award, which recognizes businesses and attractions that earn consistently high user reviews.[6]
Activities and amenities
editThe park features 25 miles (40 km) of hiking trails that include more than 11 miles (18 km) of National Recreation Trail-designated[7] mountain bike trails,[8] a CCC-built lodge and cabins,[9] restaurant, campsites, chalets, motel, swimming pool, and nature center.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Desoto State Park Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b "DeSoto State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ Thomas V. Ress (March 11, 2019). "DeSoto State Park". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Foundation. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ "History of DeKalb County Alabama - The Civilian Conservation Corps". DeKalb County Tourist Association. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ^ "The CCC Museum". DeSoto State Park. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ "Trip Advisor Awards 2020". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ "DeSoto State Park Trail System". National Recreation Trail Database. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Hiking". DeSoto State Park. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ "Rustic CCC Cabins". DeSoto State Park. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
External links
edit- DeSoto State Park Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- DeSoto State Park Trail Map Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Map Highlighting Park's Boundaries
