There’s no denying that Alabama is a hidden gem when it comes to nature. Many incredible natural wonders are located throughout the state, including dozens of waterfalls and more than 4,200 caves. That’s right! More than 4,200 caves have been discovered right here in the Yellowhammer State. If you’ve ever wanted to visit some of Alabama’s most incredible waterfalls or explore some of its incredible caves, one of the best ways to do this is to take a weekend getaway. Listed below are seven of Alabama’s most incredible waterfalls and caves that are great for including on a weekend getaway. A mapped route is also listed. This should make it much easier to experience all seven of the waterfalls and caves in a single weekend.

google maps
Visit Google Maps for the route and directions!
1. Russell Cave National Monument - Bridgeport
Russell Cave National Monument, 3729 Co Rd 98, Bridgeport, AL 35740, USA
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Russell Cave National Monument is located near the town of Bridgeport in Jackson County, Alabama. With a length of 7.2 miles, it's the state's third longest mapped cave. There's also evidence that it was occupied for more than 10,000 years, which makes it one of the Southeast's most prehistoric caves.
2. DeSoto Falls - Mentone
DeSoto Falls, Alabama 35984, USA
flickr/Judy Frederick Photography
DeSoto Falls is located atop Lookout Mountain near Mentone, Alabama. It plunges 104 feet into a pool of water and is one of the state's most famous waterfalls. A great thing about DeSoto Falls is that it's easy to reach. You just simply follow a paved path from the nearby parking lot. DeSoto Falls truly is one of Alabama's most incredible natural wonders.
3. Little River Falls - Fort Payne
Little River Falls, Alabama 35973, USA
flickr/Shawn Taylor
Little River Falls, which is approximately 45 feet tall, is located atop Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, Alabama. It's one of the main features of Little River Canyon National Preserve and is also one of the Southeast's most recognizable waterfalls. Little River Falls is accessible year-round, welcomes visitors from all over the world, and is a popular swimming spot during the summer.

Related Stories

The View From This Little-Known Overlook In Alabama Is Almost Too Beautiful For Words

The View From This Little-Known Overlook In Alabama Is Almost Too Beautiful For Words

 This Alabama Waterfall Is So Hidden, Almost Nobody Has Seen It In Person

This Alabama Waterfall Is So Hidden, Almost Nobody Has Seen It In Person

 Visit DeSoto Falls By Horseback On This Unique Tour In Alabama

Visit DeSoto Falls By Horseback On This Unique Tour In Alabama
4. Noccalula Falls - Gadsden
Noccalula Falls, Gadsden, AL 35904, USA
flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez
Noccalula Falls is located in Gadsden, Alabama and is the main attraction at Noccalula Falls Park. It's a stunning waterfall, which was originally named "Black Creek Falls," that plunges 90 feet into a lush ravine. One of the most unique characteristics of Noccalula Falls is that it can be walked behind.
5. DeSoto Caverns - Childersburg
Desoto Caverns Parkway, Desoto Caverns Pkwy, Childersburg, AL, USA
google/DeSoto Caverns
DeSoto Caverns is a series of caves that's located in Childersburg, Alabama. This natural wonder features one of the world's largest collections of onyx-marble stalagmites and stalactites. It's also believed to be America's first recorded cave. Because of its size, DeSoto Caverns is nicknamed "Alabama's Big Cave," and it's a must-see for all cave enthusiasts.
6. Rickwood Caverns - Warrior
Rickwood Caverns Road, Rickwood Caverns Rd, Alabama, USA
google/James Wentworth
Rickwood Caverns, which leads visitors 175 feet below earth, is the main attraction at Rickwood Caverns State Park near Warrior, Alabama. This incredible cave is filled with limestone formations that experts believe are more than 260 million years old. Another interesting feature of Rickwood Caverns is the amount of shell fragments that have been discovered inside. Because of this, it's believed the cave was carved from an ocean bed.
7. Cathedral Caverns - Woodville
Cathedral Caverns Road, Cathedral Caverns Rd, Alabama, USA
flickr/Outdoor Alabama/Photo credit: Billy Pope
Cathedral Caverns is the main feature of Cathedral Caverns State Park. It's best known for having one of the largest cave entrances in the world, which measures 25 feet tall and 126 feet wide. Everyone who explores Cathedral Caverns is amazed at its forest of stalagmites. In fact, "Goliath," the cave's most famous stalagmite, is one of the largest stalagmites in the world, with a height measurement of 45 feet and a circumference of 243 feet.

Have you ever wondered “are there waterfalls near me?” If so, now you know just where to look. Have you ever been to any of these waterfalls or caves in Alabama? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments. For more information about Cathedral Caverns, be sure to take a look at the following article: There’s No Attraction In The World Like This One In Alabama.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Waterfalls Near Me

Tori Jane | March 10, 2022

What are some of the best waterfall hikes in Alabama? 

Alabama is an awesome place with lots of spellbindingly beautiful waterfalls that look like something out of a fairy tale or Middle Earth instead of the American south. There are lots of lovely hiking trails with waterfalls in Alabama, and some of our favorites include the awe-inspiring Walls of Jericho Trail, which is near Estillfork and is rated as hard. It’s long, too, at 8.1 miles in length, so make sure your skills and endurance are up to par for that one! An easier trail for those who prefer little challenge on a relaxing hike is the Sougahoagdee Falls trail, which is in the William B. Bankhead National Forest and is rated as easy. It’s half the length of Walls of Jericho, at exactly four miles long. We also love the Lost Sink Trail, at Keel Mountain Preserve; that one is moderately difficult and is 3.9 miles long. Finally, check out Little River Canyon; tucked on the Little River Canyon Nature Preserve is an awesome 1.4-mile trek with a waterfall along the way that can’t be missed. Feeling kind of laid-back today? Check out this list of easy-access waterfalls that don’t require a hike to reach! 

What are the most amazing waterfalls in Alabama?  

Well, considering there are so many waterfalls in Alabama, it’s kind of hard to decide which ones are the most amazing – after all, it’s kind of subjective. However, some noteworthy falls in Alabama include every waterfall mentioned above, and so many more. There is also Indian Falls, near Fort Payne, which features a heavenly 20-foot plunge into a crystal-clear ravine, as well as natural gems like DeSoto Falls, King’s Shower Falls, Grace’s High Falls (the tallest in the state at 133 feet tall), and Kinlock Falls. Can you tell we're obsessed with waterfalls? Can you blame us? How lucky are we that Alabama has so many?

Related Articles

Explore Alabama