Plan Your Trip
Regular Hours (CT):
Lodge Front Desk: 24/7 Year-Round 256-845-5380
Country Store: Open Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays) 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM 256-845-5075
Park Trails/Picnic Areas are open dawn to dusk.
Visit DeSoto's Country Store or Lodge for visitor information while in DeSoto State Park
Park Fees:
DeSoto State Park main area does not have a gate, nor an entrance fee. There are 3 entrances: North entrance, South entrance, & Contact Station Entrance. DeSoto Falls Picnic Area is a small separate piece of DeSoto State Park, & is located 7 miles away from the main park area. This area is $4.00 per vehicle to park (effective March 1, 2020)
Driving Directions:
PDF: written directions to DeSoto State Park & DeSoto Falls Picnic Area (please be advised that GPS directions are not reliable, especially when pulling a large rig on mountain roads).
Park Maps:
DeSoto State Park Basic Park Map (PDF)
DeSoto State Park Color Trail Map (PDF)
DSP Hike/Walk Suggestions (PDF)
DSP See & Do Brochure/Area Map (PDF)
Alabama State Park printable maps, interactive maps & Google Earth files: www.alapark.com/Trails
Lookout Mountain Alabama info: www.visitlookoutmountain.com
North Alabama Tourist info: www.northalabama.org
Please note that cell phone coverage may be spotty throughout the park.
FREE WiFi Hotspots Available
*Campground Comfort Stations (does not reach to every site)
* Lodge Lobby
* Motel Rooms
* Restaurant
* Park Office
* Country Store
Distance from major cities/airport info:
Located atop Lookout Mountain, visitors can enjoy the tourist attractions of Fort Payne and Mentone, Alabama, as well as nearby Sand Mountain. Two hours from Atlanta, Huntsville and Birmingham. One hour from Gadsden, Alabama and Chattanooga, TN.
Nearest airports:
CHATTANOOGA,TN,US (CHA) 50 mi / 80 km NE
HUNTSVILLE INTL,AL,US (HSV) 62 mi / 100 km W
BIRMINGHAM,AL,US (BHM) 85 mi / 137 km SW
ATLANTA,GA,US (ATL) 93 mi / 150 km SE
NASHVILLE,TN,US (BNA) 128 mi / 206 km NW
KNOXVILLE,TN,US (TYS) 136 mi / 219 km NE
COLUMBUS,GA,US (CSG) 140 mi / 225 km S
Visitors with Disabilities
Most of our Park Facilities are accessible to visitors with wheelchairs and scooters including our Lodge, Restaurant, and Country Store. Our Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail is a 360-yard trail that can be enjoyed and traveled by people of all abilities.
Dining: The Mountain Inn Restaurant
*Current Restaurant Hours: Friday: Dinner- 5-8 PM. Saturday: Breakfast- 7-10 AM, Lunch- 11:30-2 PM, Dinner- 5-8 PM. Sunday: Breakfast- 7-10 AM, Lunch- 11:30-2 PM
Locally Owned Restaurants:
Wildflower Cafe 256-634-0066 |
Wing Stop 256-997-9464 |
Fontana's (256) 979-1700 |
Vintage 1889 Cafe 256-845-3380 |
Elevations Bistro (256) 634-3001 |
Bar-B-Que Place 256-845-6155 |
Mentone Market (256) 634-4686 |
The Spot 256-979-1287 |
Helena's (256) 634-0095 |
Don Chico 256-997-1000 |
The Strand 256-997-0945 |
Sally's BBQ 256-996-5514 |
Roadside Que (256) 599-1387 | Rim of the Canyon Cafe (256) 845-6402 |