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Noccalula Falls Park: A Natural Wonder with a Tragic Legend

Discover the beauty and legend of Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama – a natural escape with hiking, history, and stunning views.

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Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama, is a 250-acre park centered around a stunning 90-foot waterfall. The park offers hiking trails, a petting zoo, mini-golf, a covered bridge, and a replica train ride, all wrapped in the tragic legend of Princess Noccalula [4].

A brief summary to Noccalula Falls

  • Monday 9 am-7 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-7 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-7 pm
  • Friday 9 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-7 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for hiking the Gorge Trail to the base of the falls, as it can be steep and rugged [13].
  • Visit during the spring or fall for pleasant weather and vibrant foliage [7].
  • Check the park's website for seasonal hours and special events, especially around the holidays [7].
  • Consider bringing a picnic to enjoy at one of the park's scenic picnic areas [9].
  • Don't miss the free viewing platform near Jack's fast food for a great view of the top of the falls if you don't want to pay the entrance fee [7].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Noccalula Falls Park is easily accessible by car. From I-59, take exit 188 and head south on AL-211 (Noccalula Parkway) for about 2.5 miles. The park entrance will be on your right [10]. Parking is available within the park. As of July 2025, parking is included with the park admission fee [14].

  • Public Transport

    While there isn't direct public transportation to Noccalula Falls Park, you can take a taxi or ride-sharing service from Gadsden to reach the park. A taxi or ride-share from downtown Gadsden to the park will cost approximately $15 - $25 [1].

  • Walking

    If you are near the park's entrance, walking is a viable option. From the intersection of Noccalula Rd and Black Creek Trail, you can walk along Noccalula Rd to the park entrance. Be aware that there may not be sidewalks available for the entire route.

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Discover more about Noccalula Falls

Noccalula Falls Park, located in Gadsden, Alabama, is a captivating destination steeped in natural beauty and local lore [4]. The park's centerpiece is the majestic Noccalula Falls, where Black Creek plunges 90 feet over a Lookout Mountain ledge into a ravine below [6, 9]. The name 'Noccalula' likely comes from the Cherokee term 'ama uqwalelvyi,' meaning 'place where water thunders' [4]. The park's history stretches back to 1845 when the land was owned by Thomas McClung and known as Black Creek Falls [3, 6]. In the late 1800s, the Gadsden Land and Improvement Company promoted the area as a 'Lover's Retreat,' even operating a tavern and dance hall in a cave behind the falls [3, 6]. The City of Gadsden acquired the property in 1946 and developed it into a recreational attraction, officially opening in 1953 [3, 2]. Visitors can explore the park's many attractions, including the Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge, a pioneer homestead, and a replica of the 1863 C. P. Huntington train [4]. Hiking trails wind through Black Creek Gorge, past caves, an aboriginal fort, an abandoned dam, and Civil War carvings [4]. The Noccalula Falls Botanical Gardens showcase over 25,000 azaleas [4]. The park is also home to a bronze statue of Princess Noccalula, commemorating a local legend [4]. According to the tale, Noccalula was a Cherokee woman who leaped to her death rather than marry a man she did not love [4, 5]. The legend adds a poignant layer to the falls' already dramatic presence [5]. Noccalula Falls Park was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 1976 and was rated as the best campsite in Alabama in 2017 [4].

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