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DeSoto State Park

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Coordinates: 34°32′54″N 85°35′24″W / 34.54833°N 85.59000°W / 34.54833; -85.59000
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DeSoto State Park
DeSoto Falls
Map showing the location of DeSoto State Park
Map showing the location of DeSoto State Park
Location in Alabama
Map showing the location of DeSoto State Park
Map showing the location of DeSoto State Park
DeSoto State Park (the United States)
LocationCherokee, DeKalb, Alabama, United States
Coordinates34°32′54″N 85°35′24″W / 34.54833°N 85.59000°W / 34.54833; -85.59000[1]
Area3,502 acres (14.17 km2)
Elevation1,614 ft (492 m)[1]
Established1935
OperatorAlabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
WebsiteDeSoto State Park

DeSoto State Park is a public recreation area located on Lookout Mountain 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Fort Payne, Alabama.[2] The state park covers 3,502 acres (1,417 ha) of forest, rivers, waterfalls, and mountain terrain. It borders the Little River, which flows into the nearby Little River Canyon National Preserve. The 104-foot-tall (32 m) DeSoto Falls, the state's highest waterfall, is found in a separate part of the park 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the main park.[3]

History

The park, which bears the name of 16th-century explorer Hernando de Soto, was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park then known as State Park No. 5 was established in 1935. When it was dedicated as Desoto State Park on May 24, 1939, it was the largest state park in Alabama.[4] The park's museum celebrating the CCC's work in Alabama state parks opened in 2013.[5]

Awards

In September 2020, DeSoto State Park was one of eleven Alabama State Parks awarded Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award, which recognizes businesses and attractions that earn consistently high user reviews.[6]

Activities and amenities

The park features 25 miles (40 km) of hiking trails that include more than 11 miles (18 km) of National Recreation Trail-designated[7] mountain bike trails,[8] a CCC-built lodge and cabins,[9] restaurant, campsites, chalets, motel, swimming pool, and nature center.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Desoto State Park Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ a b "DeSoto State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  3. ^ Thomas V. Ress (May 2, 2017). "DeSoto State Park". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Foundation. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "History of DeKalb County Alabama - The Civilian Conservation Corps". DeKalb County Tourist Association. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "Civilian Conservation Corps Museum". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  6. ^ "TRIP ADVISOR AWARDS 2020". Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  7. ^ "DeSoto State Park Trail System". National Recreation Trail Database. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  8. ^ "Hiking: DeSoto State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  9. ^ "Rustic CCC Cabins: DeSoto State Park". Alabama State Parks. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
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