As temperatures climb and redbuds, dogwoods, cherry trees, and magnolias provide pops of color to the landscape, if you’re like me, you’re scoping out the best trails to see all the blooms. If you want a moderately easy trail where you’re guaranteed to see some of the best wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife, try the 2.3-mile Laurel Falls and Lost Falls Trail Loop at DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne, Alabama.

This is a favorite wildflower trail in North Alabama on the lovely Lookout Mountain, a place we’ve included among our best things to do in Alabama in spring. Are you ready to lace up your hiking shoes and climb into a lot of color?

For over 30 years, DeSoto State Park has hosted a Wildflower Saturday event on the first weekend of May. While that's a prime time to visit, you can explore the park's more than 35 miles of hiking trails any time.
DeSoto State Park office building near a top wildflower trail in North Alabama
Marcia Summerfield/AllTrails
Of course, spring is a wonderful time to visit, when the trails light up with mountain laurel, trillium, bloodroot and more.
Kimberly Peavy/AllTrails
The Laurel Falls and Lost Falls Trails Loop takes just less than an hour on average to complete. While it is so pretty in spring, be aware that wet weather conditions can make these rocky trails slippery and muddy. You can bring your pups, but they must be on a leash.
Marcia Summerfield/AllTrails

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You'll do this loop counter-clockwise. Follow the orange blazes southwest to Lost Falls. There, you turn onto the blue-blazed trail and head northeast back to the parking lot. On this trail, you'll see Lost Falls, Laurel Falls, and the smaller Azalea Cascade.
Max Cupp/AllTrails
With the sound of rushing mountain stream falls in your ears, keep your eyes peeled for poufs of pink, starry mountain laurel blooms ...
Libby Walker/AllTrails
... clusters of wild irises, and so many more flowers popping up from the forest floor, lining the base of rock formations and gently swaying on tree branches. Spring is also an excellent time for birdwatching at DeSoto, as North American birds that winter in South and Central America are returning home to nest.
Lyndsie Davis/AllTrails
Among the more unusual wildflowers you may see are delicate pink lady slipper orchids, which can live for decades. They do not bloom every year and sometimes take 10 to 15 years before a first bloom.
Carl Tinsley/AllTrails

To learn about Wildflower Saturday and get operating hours or other details, visit the DeSoto State Park website. For more photos and reviews of the trail, check out the Laurel Falls and Lost Falls Trails Loop on AllTrails.

We’d love to hear about your experience if you’re familiar with this wonderful wildflower trail in North Alabama. Let us know your tips or impressions if you check out for the first time this spring.

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DeSoto State Park, 7104 Desoto Pkwy NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA