Desoto State Park

Regular Hours (CST): 

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

Country Store: Open Thursdays-Mondays 9:00-4:00 (CST)   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.

Check-In:

For Lodging, check-in at the Lodge

For Camping, check in at DeSoto's Country Store & Information Center. On closed days or after hours, stop by DeSoto State Park's Lodge or call 256.845.0051 for assistance.

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)

Picnic Areas/Pavilion Rentals

Driving Directions: 

We advise our visitors to be cautious using GPS to navigate to DeSoto State Park or DeSoto Falls, as directions can be VERY unreliable.(especially when pulling a large rig on mountain roads). 

*Larger vehicles need to avoid Tutweiler Gap(off of Hwy 117), Wades Gap (Co. Rd. 604), Beasons Gap (off of Co. Rd. 89)*

PDF: written directions to DeSoto State Park & DeSoto Falls Picnic Area

DeSoto State Park Color Trail Map(Page 1 PDF)

Desoto State Park color Trail Map (Page 2 PDF)

DeSoto State Park Basic Park Map including trails(PDF)

DeSoto Falls Picnic Area & Trailhead 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

Wifi does not reach to any cabins or chalets

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: