The American south is filled with incredible natural splendor. Some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country are scattered throughout the southern states. We’ve put together the ultimate waterfalls road trip through the south so that you can see all the most impressive falls in one tidy journey. If you’ve searched for “waterfalls near me” in the South, this is a road trip that will take you to some of the most amazing waterfalls in the region.
The trip totals about 51 hours of driving, so you should definitely plan on checking into a few cozy inns or camping out under the stars. Take a look at the road trip on our interactive Google map link.
Google Maps
- Upper DeSoto Falls, Alabama
Brent Moore/Flickr You’ll start this waterfall road trip through the South at DeSoto Falls in Alabama. This gorgeous waterfall was named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Located in Mentone, these falls are the most spectacular of a series of three waterfalls. Water cascades 104 feet into a clear blue pool at the base of a stone ledge. The hike to this waterfall is just about a mile from the trailhead.
Read our previous coverage on DeSoto Falls in Alabama to learn more. DeSoto Falls, Alabama 35984, USA
- Hamilton Pool Waterfall, Texas
Flickr/Kevin Muncie
Wikimedia Commons This gorgeous waterfall cascades into a collapsed grotto. Visitors can sunbathe on the shores of a sandy beach in this grotto or swim in the clear, cool water of the pool. The area is actually a protected natural habitat which keeps the glittering pool looking absolutely beautiful and jade-green.
Read our previous coverage on Hamilton Pool Waterfall in Texas to learn more. Hamilton Pool, Texas 78620, USA
- Falling Spring Falls, Virginia
Flickr/U.S. Geological Survey Thomas Jefferson reportedly visited this waterfall and found it to be absolutely beautiful. Water flows down over 80 feet and runs over a series of stepped stone ledges. This is the tallest waterfall in Virginia, and certainly one of the most scenic.
Read our previous coverage on Falling Spring Falls in Virginia to learn more. Falling Spring Falls, Virginia 24445, USA
- Upper Whitewater Falls, North Carolina
Flickr/Brenda Wiley Located near the town of Sapphire, this waterfall is notable for its extreme beauty and accessibility. You don’t need to be a hiker to experience the incredible majesty of this waterfall, but merely to follow a paved path up to an overlook that offers a stunning view of the powerful waters.
Read our previous coverage on Upper Whitewater Falls inNorth Carolina to learn more. Upper Whitewater Falls, North Carolina 28717, USA
- Waterfalls of Hodges Gardens State Park, Louisiana
finchlake2000 /Flickr (Editor’s Note: Hodges Gardens State Park in Louisiana is permanently closed.)
This enchanting park is located in West Central Louisiana. Though the waterfalls are artificial, the surrounding flora and gorgeously landscaped surroundings make this stop on the road trip one of the most spectacular.
- Burgess Falls, Tennessee
Flickr/ Joe Z Located in Sparta, the waters of this graceful waterfall flow into a limestone gorge. Though the hike to these falls isn’t the easiest, the sight of its cascading waters are well worth the effort. It’s one of the best waterfall hikes in the South.
Read our previous coverage on Burgess Falls in Tennessee to learn more. Burgess Falls, Tennessee 38544, USA
- Cumberland Falls, Kentucky
Flickr/Frank Kehren/Flickr This is the largest waterfall in the state. Not only that, but Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall south of Niagara Falls. It is 68 feet high and 125 feet wide. The staggering beauty of this waterfall belies its sheer force –the water moves at a rate of 3,600 cubic feet per second.
Read our previous coverage on Cumberland Falls in Kentucky to learn more. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
- Clark Creek Falls, Mississippi
Flickr/Mark Freyder Located near Woodville, Clark Creek Natural Area is home to over 40 different waterfalls. The hiking can be strenuous, but the beauty of the landscape more than makes up for it. Clark Creeks winds through the landscape and peppers the nature preserve with lively and sparkling waterfalls. This is the best place to visit for hiking trails with waterfalls in the South.
Read our previous coverage on Clark Creek Natural Area in Mississippi to learn more. Clark Creek Natural Area, 366 Ft Adams Pond Rd, Woodville, MS 39669, USA
- Amicalola Falls, Georgia
Ron Buening II/flickr The last stop along our waterfall road trip through the South is Amicalola Falls in Georgia. The name of this waterfall is derived from the Cherokee word for “tumbling waters." The white waters of Amicalola Falls tumble a total of 729 feet, and produce an incredibly melodious sound. There are nearly 500 steps from the bottom to the top of this waterfall, so wear comfy shoes.
Read our previous coverage on Amicalola Falls in Georgia to learn more. Amicalola Falls, Georgia 30534, USA
Remember, you can click here for the full Google Map of this epic road trip.
Google Maps
Brent Moore/Flickr
You’ll start this waterfall road trip through the South at DeSoto Falls in Alabama. This gorgeous waterfall was named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Located in Mentone, these falls are the most spectacular of a series of three waterfalls. Water cascades 104 feet into a clear blue pool at the base of a stone ledge. The hike to this waterfall is just about a mile from the trailhead.
Read our previous coverage on DeSoto Falls in Alabama to learn more.
DeSoto Falls, Alabama 35984, USA
Flickr/Kevin Muncie
Wikimedia Commons
This gorgeous waterfall cascades into a collapsed grotto. Visitors can sunbathe on the shores of a sandy beach in this grotto or swim in the clear, cool water of the pool. The area is actually a protected natural habitat which keeps the glittering pool looking absolutely beautiful and jade-green.
Read our previous coverage on Hamilton Pool Waterfall in Texas to learn more.
Hamilton Pool, Texas 78620, USA
Flickr/U.S. Geological Survey
Thomas Jefferson reportedly visited this waterfall and found it to be absolutely beautiful. Water flows down over 80 feet and runs over a series of stepped stone ledges. This is the tallest waterfall in Virginia, and certainly one of the most scenic.
Read our previous coverage on Falling Spring Falls in Virginia to learn more.
Falling Spring Falls, Virginia 24445, USA
Flickr/Brenda Wiley
Located near the town of Sapphire, this waterfall is notable for its extreme beauty and accessibility. You don’t need to be a hiker to experience the incredible majesty of this waterfall, but merely to follow a paved path up to an overlook that offers a stunning view of the powerful waters.
Read our previous coverage on Upper Whitewater Falls inNorth Carolina to learn more.
Upper Whitewater Falls, North Carolina 28717, USA
finchlake2000 /Flickr
(Editor’s Note: Hodges Gardens State Park in Louisiana is permanently closed.)
This enchanting park is located in West Central Louisiana. Though the waterfalls are artificial, the surrounding flora and gorgeously landscaped surroundings make this stop on the road trip one of the most spectacular.
Flickr/ Joe Z
Located in Sparta, the waters of this graceful waterfall flow into a limestone gorge. Though the hike to these falls isn’t the easiest, the sight of its cascading waters are well worth the effort. It’s one of the best waterfall hikes in the South.
Read our previous coverage on Burgess Falls in Tennessee to learn more.
Burgess Falls, Tennessee 38544, USA
Flickr/Frank Kehren/Flickr
This is the largest waterfall in the state. Not only that, but Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall south of Niagara Falls. It is 68 feet high and 125 feet wide. The staggering beauty of this waterfall belies its sheer force –the water moves at a rate of 3,600 cubic feet per second.
Read our previous coverage on Cumberland Falls in Kentucky to learn more.
Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
Flickr/Mark Freyder
Located near Woodville, Clark Creek Natural Area is home to over 40 different waterfalls. The hiking can be strenuous, but the beauty of the landscape more than makes up for it. Clark Creeks winds through the landscape and peppers the nature preserve with lively and sparkling waterfalls. This is the best place to visit for hiking trails with waterfalls in the South.
Read our previous coverage on Clark Creek Natural Area in Mississippi to learn more.
Clark Creek Natural Area, 366 Ft Adams Pond Rd, Woodville, MS 39669, USA
Ron Buening II/flickr
The last stop along our waterfall road trip through the South is Amicalola Falls in Georgia. The name of this waterfall is derived from the Cherokee word for “tumbling waters." The white waters of Amicalola Falls tumble a total of 729 feet, and produce an incredibly melodious sound. There are nearly 500 steps from the bottom to the top of this waterfall, so wear comfy shoes.
Read our previous coverage on Amicalola Falls in Georgia to learn more.
Amicalola Falls, Georgia 30534, USA
Have you ever searched for “waterfalls near me” in the South? We know that there are so many more incredible waterfalls throughout the region. What are your favorite southern waterfalls? Let us know!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me April 18, 2022 Melissa M. What are the best wildflower hikes in the South? While hiking just about anywhere is a great way to connect with nature, there’s something truly special about seeing pops of color along a trail. In Mississippi, you can hike through a field of zinnias at the Ridgeland Wildflower Field. It’s a perfectly picturesque place to spend some time. Head to Georgia and you’ll find several trails that lead to wildflowers. In fact, you can take this road trip to the 5 most eye-popping wildflower hikes in Georgia. Are there any swinging bridges in the South? The last swinging railroad bridge in Texas, the Union Pacific Riverside Swing Bridge, happens to be in Huntsville and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In Virginia, the Clinch River Swinging Bridge is one you can walk on to get from one side of the river to the other. It’s a favorite walk for many who are in the area. Does the South have any natural wonders? Each southern state has its own natural wonders. For example, North Carolina has the tallest sand dune on the east coast known as Jockey’s Ridge and then there’s Pilot Mountain, Looking Glass Rock, and so much more. You can read more in this post.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
April 18, 2022
Melissa M.
What are the best wildflower hikes in the South? While hiking just about anywhere is a great way to connect with nature, there’s something truly special about seeing pops of color along a trail. In Mississippi, you can hike through a field of zinnias at the Ridgeland Wildflower Field. It’s a perfectly picturesque place to spend some time. Head to Georgia and you’ll find several trails that lead to wildflowers. In fact, you can take this road trip to the 5 most eye-popping wildflower hikes in Georgia. Are there any swinging bridges in the South? The last swinging railroad bridge in Texas, the Union Pacific Riverside Swing Bridge, happens to be in Huntsville and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In Virginia, the Clinch River Swinging Bridge is one you can walk on to get from one side of the river to the other. It’s a favorite walk for many who are in the area. Does the South have any natural wonders? Each southern state has its own natural wonders. For example, North Carolina has the tallest sand dune on the east coast known as Jockey’s Ridge and then there’s Pilot Mountain, Looking Glass Rock, and so much more. You can read more in this post.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While hiking just about anywhere is a great way to connect with nature, there’s something truly special about seeing pops of color along a trail. In Mississippi, you can hike through a field of zinnias at the Ridgeland Wildflower Field. It’s a perfectly picturesque place to spend some time. Head to Georgia and you’ll find several trails that lead to wildflowers. In fact, you can take this road trip to the 5 most eye-popping wildflower hikes in Georgia.
Are there any swinging bridges in the South?
The last swinging railroad bridge in Texas, the Union Pacific Riverside Swing Bridge, happens to be in Huntsville and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In Virginia, the Clinch River Swinging Bridge is one you can walk on to get from one side of the river to the other. It’s a favorite walk for many who are in the area.
Does the South have any natural wonders?
Each southern state has its own natural wonders. For example, North Carolina has the tallest sand dune on the east coast known as Jockey’s Ridge and then there’s Pilot Mountain, Looking Glass Rock, and so much more. You can read more in this post.
