DeSoto State Park
DeSoto State Park | |
Alabama State Park | |
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Country | United States |
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State | Alabama |
Counties | Cherokee, DeKalb |
Elevation | 1,614 ft (492 m) [1] |
Coordinates | 34°32′54″N 85°35′24″W / 34.54833°N 85.59000°WCoordinates: 34°32′54″N 85°35′24″W / 34.54833°N 85.59000°W [1] |
Area | 3,502 acres (1,417 ha) |
Dedication | May 24, 1939 |
Management | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
![]() Location in Alabama
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Website: DeSoto State Park | |
DeSoto State Park is a publicly owned recreation area located on Lookout Mountain 8 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 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the main park.[3]
History
The park, which bears the name of 16th-century explorer Hernando de Soto, was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park was known as State Park No. 5 during its development. When it was dedicated as Desoto State Park on May 24, 1939, it was the largest state park in Alabama.[4]
Activities and amenities
The park features 25 miles (40 km) of hiking trails that include more than 11 miles (18 km) of mountain bike trails,[5] a CCC-built lodge and cabins,[6] restaurant, campsites, chalets, motel, swimming pool, and nature center.[2] The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum which opened in 2013 celebrates the work done by the CCC in Alabama's state parks.[7]
References
- 1 2 "Desoto State Park Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
- 1 2 "DeSoto State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ↑ Thomas V. Ress (August 11, 2015). "DeSoto State Park". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Foundation. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ↑ "History of DeKalb County Alabama - The Civilian Conservation Corps". DeKalb County Tourist Association. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ↑ "Hiking: DeSoto State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Rustic CCC Cabins: DeSoto State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Civilian Conservation Corps Museum". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to DeSoto Falls. |
- DeSoto State Park Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources