DeSoto State Park

The Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program instituted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, put America's unemployed to work preserving the nation's natural beauty. One park that the Corps put it's heart and soul into was Alabama's DeSoto State Park, a park which still stands strong today.

Park History

Named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, the park was developed in the 1930s to give nearby Fort Payne residents a place to appreciate their state's glorious forests and streams. The park runs along the border of the Little River, the largest mountaintop river in the States, and the waterway offers plenty of recreational opportunities.

Things to do

The 3,000 acres of parkland offer an unprecedented number of activities. Hiking trails are available at a variety of challenge levels and run over 20 miles through the park. Mountain bikes are also allowed on certain trails. The walks take you past majestic waterfalls, verdant fields of flowers and lush, dense forests.

Amenities

DeSoto State Park is one of the more comfortable state parks in Alabama for overnight guests, offering not just camping facilities but log cabins and even an in-park motel. The park's lodge is a common gathering place for vacationers and hosts a popular seafood buffet every Friday night. The park also boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool and playground areas for the kids.

DeSoto State Park is a jewel of Alabama's park system, offering something for just about everybody. Created indirectly as a result of the Great Depression, today it represents a place of joy and happiness for its visitors.