noccalula falls park & campground

My favorite place to go during Christmas. Only $5 a person and kids under a certain age get in free. It's simply magical. You get to ride the train around the park, free pictures with Santa(bring your own camera). Santa is legit and good with kids, petting zoo and the water fall is amazing! I have been once in the summer. It was awesome. You get to hike down to the bottom of the falls and can actually go underneath it. Definitely something for your bucket list!!

I am proud to say that this beautiful place is in my home state! By all means if you are anywhere near here stop by and you will not be disappointed!

This is a full hook-up park. Some sites are paved and some are gravel. The location is next to the falls and park which has a petting zoo, playground, etc., so there is plenty for the kids to do. The campground has a pool, laundry, meeting room, and helpful staff. Very convenient to I-59. The sites are very close together which is my main complaint. I was in a 35' pull behind and it was tight. Because it is designed to have as many spaces as possible and is so kid friendly at times it sounds like a neighborhood with running children and dogs so if you are looking for a quiet location this isn't it unless its during the off season. But if you are a young family this shouldnt be a concern. There are many restaurants within just a couple of miles. Very shaded.

Wonderful day trip , clean and very easy walking . Stayed 2 hours for Christmas on the falls , had cookies and hot cocoa.

Great waterfall with a great view! It was a very tall waterfall and had a great historic story to go with it. It was odd because it was in the middle of a town right when you got off of the interstate but still really cool!

For kids, the park is awesome because of the train. But it really doesn't have much in the way of anything for adults except to look at the pretty waterfall.

Geared more towards kids, this spot has a most beautiful waterfall. Access to the bottom of the falls is for experienced hikers. Great Christmas presentation

The waterfall itself is huge! Very pretty! But, it seemed like everything was gated off, and considering the rest of the park isn't really anything to brag about, my review will be 3 stars. It seemed like they only wanted us to peek at the falls with how alot of gates were closed.

I grew up in Gadsden, went to grammar school at R.A Mitchell across the street from Noccalula Park. I supposed I've climbed every rock and explored every cave along Back Creek, which roars 90+ feet over the falls named after the Indian princess, "Noccalula". Supposedly, she jumped to her death rather than marry her fathers choice, according to the legend. I left Gadsden in 1965, but returned frequently to visit family and friends and always parked the RV at the Falls. I watched the City develop the park over the last 50 years and I have to say, for city the size of Gadsden they've done an outstanding job. There is much more than just a beautiful 90+ foot clear, water fall. There's a wedding chapel, 1900 farm village, a small zoo, restored covered bridge, picnic, tent camping, full service RV park, a Train, hiking and biking trails, and special events almost every weekend.Unlike some of the more widely advertise "Rock" formations along Lookout Mountain, you will not be disappointed with Noccalula Falls - and when you stand on the edge of the gorge in the mist from the falls, listen very closely - you can almost hear General Forrest and his mounted Calvary racing up Black Creek for the safety of the cavern behind the falls, young Emma Sansom in the saddle behind him - showing him the way! There is free Public access to view the Falls, but small fee to tour the rest of the park, on foot or by Train.

This park has a very cool waterfall but the rest of the park is nothing special. My family didn't feel like it was worth the admission price. It's probably more suited for families with small children. My teenager wasn't impressed with the little train and petting zoo.

The waterfall was great. However the park had closed the Friday before for winter. Part of the path down the waterfall was closed with a gate as well. It won't take you long to see the large part of the fall, so stop, it's worth the time.

What a great family fun Christmas Night!The lights were amazing, the activities very fun (visiting with Santa, writing Santa a letter, decorating a Gingerbread, visiting the petting zoo, listening to the Christmas Story told by Christmas lights ... and riding the miniature steam engine train) Just a fun time!Here's what to do..1. ARRIVE EARLY! The ticket office for the train opens at 4 so be in line about 3:30. If you arrive around 2-3 you will have time to see the amazing waterfall, feed the ducks, visit the huge playground, and have some run around time. 2. After you buy your tickets, one person can wait in line for the train - starts tour at 5, yes you will want to get in line right away! If not you will wait forever in line for the train. While one person waits, the family can go play mini golf, play, visit the gift shop, sit in car, etc.3. About 15 min before the train tour begins go get in line.4. The train is small and one parent one child can ride in each section, it is covered so if raining - not pouring but a slight rain will be ok (check to see if they are running the train). Make sure to dress everyone very warm, the wind from the ride will make you all very cold. Hats, mittens, big coats, layers, lots of warm clothes! 5. After the 15-20 train ride - Go to Santa first! He is a popular attraction and many families have their pictures made with him. He sits in a little cabin which is decorated very beautifully.6. Then go see the petting zoo - make sure to wash your hands or just look and don't feed them! 7. Go visit the other attractions and have fun among the lights!8. Find a great nearby restaurant to visit Cracker Barrell, Rubytuedays, Old Mexico etc.9. HAVE FUN!!!!

What a great family fun Christmas Night!The lights were amazing, the activities very fun (visiting with Santa, writing Santa a letter, decorating a Gingerbread, visiting the petting zoo, listening to the Christmas Story told by Christmas lights ... and riding the miniature steam engine train) Just a fun time!Here's what to do..1. ARRIVE EARLY! The ticket office for the train opens at 4 so be in line about 3:30. If you arrive around 2-3 you will have time to see the amazing waterfall, feed the ducks, visit the huge playground, and have some run around time. 2. After you buy your tickets, one person can wait in line for the train - starts tour at 5, yes you will want to get in line right away! If not you will wait forever in line for the train. While one person waits, the family can go play mini golf, play, visit the gift shop, sit in car, etc.3. About 15 min before the train tour begins go get in line.4. The train is small and one parent one child can ride in each section, it is covered so if raining - not pouring but a slight rain will be ok (check to see if they are running the train). Make sure to dress everyone very warm, the wind from the ride will make you all very cold. Hats, mittens, big coats, layers, lots of warm clothes! 5. After the 15-20 train ride - Go to Santa first! He is a popular attraction and many families have their pictures made with him. He sits in a little cabin which is decorated very beautifully.6. Then go see the petting zoo - make sure to wash your hands or just look and don't feed them! 7. Go visit the other attractions and have fun among the lights!8. Find a great nearby restaurant to visit Cracker Barrell, Rubytuedays, Old Mexico etc.9. HAVE FUN!!!!

Next was a visit to Noccalula Falls. Not unlike at least a few other water falls, this one has a legend associated with it - involving the Cherokee maiden Noccalula who plunged to her death rather than marry, as ordered by her father, a man she didn’t love. We had visited the falls in September of 1999 when, due to lack of rain, only a pencil stream of water was going over the cliff. Today there was a much more respectable amount of water making the ninety foot trip to the pool below - enough that I spent some time photographing the scene.

A must see. Small but very nice place for visitors and locals alike.Be sure to journey down the bottom of the falls.Growing up here yet living far away since the 1980's I always try to visit when in town. Brought my 20 year old for the first time back to falls since he was a youngling and we hiked down the long hard way and loved it. Just an overall great place for a few hours to kill some time.