Desoto State Park

Regular Hours (CT): 

Lodge Front Desk: 24/7 Year-Round 256-845-5380 

Country Store: 9:00 AM- 5:00 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

The Benefield Interpretive Center is open 7 days a week 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

The CCC Museum is open Saturdays 12:00-4:00 PM or by request.

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 located 7 miles away from the main area, and is $4.00 per vehicle to enter(effective March 1, 2020)

Picnic Areas/Pavilion Rentals

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:

www.alapark.com/hiking 

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
* 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 (onsite) (January & February winter months-closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays) 

Breakfast: 7:00 AM- 10:00 AM Lunch: 11:30 AM- 2:00 PM Dinner: 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM 

Locally Owned Restaurants: