DeSoto State Park RV & Campground Guide
Alabama
- Home
- State Parks
- Alabama
- DeSoto State Park
DeSoto State Park is a public recreation area located on Lookout Mountain, 8 miles northeast of Fort Payne, Alabama. Covering a total size of 3,502 acres, the state park is famous for its rushing waterfalls and fragrant wildflowers, as well as its scenic forest, rivers, and mountain terrain. It’s also home to the state's highest waterfall, DeSoto Falls, which is found in a separate part of the park. The area provides a habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including White-tailed deer, squirrels, foxes, raccoon, possums, bobcat, birds of prey, wild turkey, and songbirds.
The weather at DeSoto State Park can vary considerably, so it’s recommended that visitors bring additional clothing to layer-up. In summer, daytime highs can reach 90°F, while winter lows can fall to just 30°F. The state park is open all-year-round, however, and still has a wide range of activities for you to enjoy – rain, hail, or shine!
If you’re planning a trip to DeSoto State Park, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with everything there is to know about this region, including activities, nearby attractions, how to get here, and more.
Spring 40-80 F
Summer 61-90 F
Fall 39-85 F
Winter 30-54 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in DeSoto State Park
If you’re planning on visiting DeSoto State Park, why not do so in style? If you choose to visit the state park in an RV, you’ll be less exposed to the elements, have a more secure place to sleep, and can enjoy your own fully-equipped kitchen and bathroom! If you don’t own an RV, you can easily rent an RV fromRVshare.com to suit your budget and individual needs. All rentals come with nationwide insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a world-class team dedicated to helping you succeed.
The good news is DeSoto State Park has its own campground, featuring 94 full hook-up sites, restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Rates start at $37 per night, excluding fees. Sites can fill-up quickly, however, so we’ve provided some additional campgrounds and RV parks within the area below:
Little River RV Park & Campground
Just 12 minutes’ drive away is theLittle River RV Park & Campground, located on beautiful Lookout Mountain in DeKalb County. There are 42 sites available, 26 of which have full hookups for RVs. As well as being 8 miles from DeSoto State Park, the campground is just 2 miles from Little River Canyon National Preserve.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: cable TV, showers, picnic tables, fire rings, laundry room, fishing pond, playhouse, on-site hiking trails.
DeKalb County Public Fishing Lake
What could be nicer than camping at this 120-acre lake? The on-sitecampground facilities provide electricity and water hookups, as well as some standard amenities to help you have a comfortable stay. This place is a fishing lover’s paradise, with the lake brimming with species such as largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and crappie.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wifi: N/A
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: fishing pond, boat ramp, restrooms, boats for rent, fishing piers, pavilions.
Tranquility RV & Campground
When you stay atTranquility RV & Campground, you’re less than a 10-minute drive from the state park. This quiet, heavily wooded setting features plenty of separation between the sites, so it’s the ideal place to “stop, rest, slow down, and reflect”, as is their motto! Nightly rates range from $30 to $35.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wifi: N/A
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: dump station, welcome center, bath house, private lake for fishing (no license required).
What to Do at
DeSoto State Park
Inside DeSoto State Park
From the area’s 30+ miles of hiking and mountain biking trails to its events, workshops, and expeditions – there’s something to suit every single family member when staying at DeSoto State Park.
Hiking : There are over 30 miles of trails which will allow you to explore the ridges, waterfalls and river in beautiful DeSoto State Park, as well as 11 + miles of mountain bike trails for those who don’t want to wander on foot. The terrain on the trails can vary from easy to strenuous. The Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail can also be found within the park and is suitable for travelers of all abilities.
Kayaking : There’s no better way to enjoy a scenic trip up the West Fork of Little River than on a kayak. Miller’s Bend Paddle Shack in DeSoto Falls Picnic Area is open on Fridays and the weekend, offering single sit-on-top kayaks for $15 per hour and tandem sit-on-top kayaks for $25 per hour.
Events and Programs : The state park teams up with local organizations to bring visitors a wide range of events and programs each year, including campfire talks, classes, demonstrations, guided interpretive or fitness hikes, tours, outdoor adventures, workshops, and more. Most programs are free or charge a small supply fee.
Ziplining : DeSoto State Park has partnered with Screaming Eagle Ziplines and Aerial Adventures to offer a sky trail in the trees. There are six ziplines that range from 100 to 350 ft in length and seven sky bridges that range from 50 to 150 in length. Price costs $49, excluding taxes.
Swimming : If you fancy cooling down with a swim, the state park has an Olympic-size pool complete with a diving board and ADA-lift. The pool is located close to DeSoto State Park's picnic area. Entry costs $4 per swimmer.
How to Get to
DeSoto State Park
The state park is located 8 miles east of Fort Payne. Follow Alabama Highway 35 from Interstate 59. On top of Lookout Mountain, turn left on County Road 89.
Entering DeSoto State Park
The park is open during daylight hours every day of the year. Admission to most of the park is free.
DeSoto State Park Picnic Area : $3.0
We’re stoked for you to get out there and visit DeSoto State Park. You’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time here – including both inside and outside of the park. Don’t forget to tag us in your social media posts or send us a photo and some details to [email protected]. We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels!
Frequently Asked Questions About DeSoto State Park
Visit in the spring or fall for amazing views of Desoto State Park's waterfalls and natural scenery. Fall is especially popular due to the vibrant autumn leaves and relatively mild weather.
This state park has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Thunderstorms occur throughout the year but are most common during the summer, so be sure to plan accordingly.
You might see gray foxes, coyotes, weasels, raccoons, striped skunks, swamp rabbits, or opossums in the area. Visitors to Desoto State Park have also spotted black bears and cougars in the area.
Desoto State Park has a campground with 94 full-hookup sites that are open to both tents and RVs. These sites can accommodate any size of RV, including long travel trailers and Class A motorhomes.
Visitors with disabilities can take advantage of the rustic cabins and mountain chalets available in the park. There's also an ADA-compliant boardwalk trail that is dedicated to a former superintendent.
Related
RV Rentals near Clayton Park Campground Lake Ariel RV Rentals near Cliffside County Park Campground Milwaukee RV Rentals near Easterlin Park Campground Oakland Park RV Rentals near Meadowbrook Park Bascom RV Rentals near Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground Carmel RV Rentals near Lafayette State Park Campground Franconia RV Rental Texas RV Rentals near Ainsworth State Park Cascade Locks RV Rentals near Riverhurst Park Campground Olean RV Rental Wellston OH Father Marquette National Memorial Chickasaw National Recreation Area First State National Historical Park Deschutes National Forest Guide Pisgah National Forest Guide Boise National Forest Guide Cuyahoga Valley National Park Haleakalā National Park Olympic National Park RV Rentals near Clayton Park Campground Lake Ariel RV Rentals near Lafayette State Park Campground Franconia RV Rentals near Parvin State Park Campground Pittsgrove Township RV Rentals near Larrabee State Park Campground Bellingham RV Rentals near Easterlin Park Campground Oakland Park RV Rental Smithsburg MD