Great Southern Waterfalls #1 - Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas

Cedar Falls in Arkansas

This is Part #1 of a special fall series on great waterfalls you can see across the South! I will update this page with links as I add others.

#1 on our list of Great Southern Waterfalls is Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton, Arkansas.

Ninety feet in height, Cedar Falls is formed by the sudden drop of Cedar Creek from the top of Petit Jean Mountain into Cedar Canyon. One of the best waterfalls to see in Arkansas because it flows year-round, Cedar Falls is one of the reasons that Petit Jean was made the first Arkansas state park when the land was acquired by the state in 1921.

The falls can be viewed from overlooks on both sides of the canyon, or the more energetic can follow a hiking trail down into Cedar Canyon and to the bottom of the magnificent waterfall.The hike provides a stunning view accompanied by the thundering sound of the waterfall hitting the rocks at the bottom of the canyon.

Another view of Cedar Falls

The waterfall is the centerpiece of the state park, which is one of the most beautiful in the South. Covering 2,568 acres, Petit Jean State Park offers a remarkable collection of natural and historic points of interest.

In addition to Cedar Falls, there are rock formations, caves with prehistoric Indian art, magnificent views, a pre-Civil War pioneer cabin and even Petit Jean's Grave, the place where legend holds a young French girl was buried when she died of sickness after stowing away aboard a ship during Colonial times to come to America in search of her true love.  Her ghost is said to haunt the mountain.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/petitjean1.

Florida's Tallest Waterfall is Flowing Beautifully!

The beautiful waterfall at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley is flowing nicely, thanks to more than 12" of rain that fell across the Panhandle of Florida in recent days.

It is surprising to many visitors that Florida actually has a number of waterfalls. Some of them are quite scenic, but few are as remarkable as the stunning 73-foot tall falls at Falling Waters. The centerpiece of a beautiful state park, the waterfall is created by the unique combination of a running hilltop stream and Florida's karst topography.

Because much of Florida rests on a bed of limestone and because water erodes that limestone, the state is noted for is many caves, sinkholes and even "disappearing lakes." Florida is a noted place for learning about karst topography and the Falling Waters Sinks are a state geological feature. Numerous sinkholes and caves can be seen from the nature trails and boardwalks at Falling Waters State Park, including the remarkable 100-foot deep cylindrical sink into which the waterfall tumbles.

The video above was taken on March 2, 2013, and gives you a good idea of the appearance of the waterfall when it is flowing well. To really get a feel for the size of the falls and the depth of the unusual sink into which it disappears, however, you have to see it in person!

To learn more, please visit:  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fallingwaters1.

Amicalola Falls State Park - Dawsonville, Georgia

Amicalola Falls

Located in the heart of the North Georgia mountains, Amicalola Falls State Park is home to the tallest cascading waterfall in the South.

Four times taller than Niagra Falls, Amicalola Falls is formed by Little Amicalola Creek as it roars its way down the mountain on its way to the Etowah River. The total height of the waterfall is 729 feet and the name is thought to be a Native American word that means "tumbling waters."

The falls were, of course, well known to the early Cherokee and their prehistoric ancestors, both of whom called this part of Georgia home. The Cherokee continued to live in the area until 1838 when they were forced from their homes and driven west on the Trail of Tears. Six years before that, though, a Georgia surveyor saw and described Amicalola Falls. He even tried to climb to the top but like many visitors today, he found the effort was a bit too strenuous for him.

Little Amicalola Creek

With the departure of the Cherokee, the falls area was opened for white settlement. A water mill was built just below the landmark in 1852 and a Methodist campground was established there in 1860.

Today the area around the falls is part of a magnificent Georgia state park. Established in 1940, Amicalola Falls State Park features the waterfalls, seasonal trout fishing, hiking trails, picnic areas, camping areas, cabins, a lodge, visitor center and, of course, great views of the falls.

To learn more about Amicalola Falls, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/amicalolafalls.

Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park - Magnificent Arkansas Waterfall

Cedar Falls at Petit Jean Mountain

One of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Natural State, Cedar Falls plunges 90 feet into Cedar Creek Canyon at Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton, Arkansas.

Fed by Cedar Creek, which flows from the top of Petit Jean Mountain and over the waterfall into a beautiful canyon surrounded by towering pluffs and natural rock palisades, Cedar Falls is perhaps the best known waterfall in Arkansas. A centerpiece of the state's oldest state parks, the falls have been photographed by untold thousands of visitors over the decades since Petit Jean State Park was created.

The area around the waterfall is unique because the impetus to preserve it came not from the state or federal government, but from a group of logging company executives who met there in 1907 to inspect the area's timber potential. After spending a weekend exploring the area and marveling at its stunning beauty, they unanimously agreed that its trees should be allowed to continue their natural growth and that the remarkable setting should be preserved for future generations.

View from Petit Jean Mountain

It would take many years for this dream to be realized. The U.S. Government turned down the land as a national park because the tract was not then considered large enough for park purposes. The effort to donate the land for public use then turned to the Arkansas State Legislature. After negotiating some red tape, the state acquisition of its first state park lands took place in 1921.

The development of Petit Jean State Park, particularly the area around Cedar Falls, was carried out largely by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Company 1781 was assigned to the park and spent the years from 1933 to 1938 building trails, roads, bridges, pavilions, cabins and the beautiful stone Mather Lodge (currently closed for renovation).

Ancient Indian Art

The park today preserves 2,568 acres of stunning mountain scenery. In addition to Cedar Falls and the spectacular canyon, there is a mountain top scenic drive, stunning overlooks, fishing lake, picnic area, miles of hiking trails and the fascinating Rock House Cave, where prehistoric art left by ancient Native Americans can still be seen.

The park is also famed for its legend of Petit Jean, which tells the story of a young French girl who followed her lover to the new world and died at the foot of the mountain. You can learn about the story of Petit Jean's ghost and more about the park and its attractions by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/petitjean1.

Oak Mountain State Park & Peavine Falls - Pelham, Alabama

On the southern edge of Birmingham in Pelham, Alabama's beautiful Oak Mountain State Park spreads out over nearly 10,000 acres of pristine and historic mountain country.

Situated in Shelby County, an area rich in historic sites, the popular state park is a great place to explore the natural history of Alabama. With over 50 miles of hiking trails that lead up and down mountain ridges as well as a paved drive leading up to picnic tables and overlooks high atop the mountain, the expansive park is perfect for exploring the outdoors and learning more about the birds and wildlife of the state.


The Alabama Wildlife Center, located at Oak Mountain State Park, is the oldest and largest animal rehabilitation center in the state. Each year its staff and volunteers care for over 2,500 injured wild animals. The center is open to the public, as is the Treetop Nature Trail, an elevated boardwalk that allows up close and personal views of Alabama birdlife including Great Barn Owls, hawks and more.

One of the most popular points of interest in the park is Peavine Falls, a beautiful waterfall formed by a 60-foot cascade down the mountainside. Accessible from several hiking trails, the falls run best in rainy weather and were one of the first major attractions at Oak Mountain. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) opened a trail to the waterfall when the park was under the development during the Great Depression.

To learn more about the history and points of interest at Oak Mountain State Park, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/oakmountain.

The Legend of Noccalula

One of the more fascinating legends of the mountain country of Alabama is the story of Noccalula.

The daughter of a Cherokee chief, Noccalula had fallen in love with a warrior from her own tribe. He was not a man of influence, however, and her father felt that greater benefit was to be gained from her marriage to the leader of another nearby tribe. Noccalula protested, but her father overruled her request and drove her true love from the village.

The wedding with the neighboring chief was scheduled and a great feast was assembled on the planned day. Noccalula was dressed in her finest by the women of the village, but instead of walking to her groom-to-be, she instead slipped away to the high bluffs overlooking a powerful waterfall that flowed near the village.

After considering her fate, she took her own life by leaping to her death in the rocks and swirling water below.

Noccalula's father was heartbroken by the suicide of his daughter and realized that his own harshness had driven her to her death. He decreed that the waterfall should always be known by his daughter's name and it is called Noccalula Falls to this day. Claims have been made through the years that the ghost of the young Cherokee princess can still be seen moving in the mists of the falls.

The truth of the legend, of course, is difficult to verify, but that is often the case with tales of this nature. The waterfall, however, still flows. Now surrounded by a fascinating park and recreation area in Gadsden, Alabama, Noccalula Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the South.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/noccalula.

Spring Travel Part Thirteen: Natural Falls State Park, Oklahoma

Continuing our month long look at some of my favorite spring destinations in the South, this is the waterfall at Natural Falls State Park in Oklahoma.

The park is located just west of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, very near the Arkansas border in the eastern edge of Oklahoma.

The highlight of Natural Falls is the 77-foot waterfall. Known by local settlers as "Dripping Springs" for many years, the waterfall tumbles over the rock into a deep ravine creating a spectacularly beautiful natural setting. A steep set of stairs lead down to a boardwalk and viewing platform at the bottom of the stairs, but the top of the waterfall is accessible to those with disabilities.

If the waterfall looks familiar, it may be because this is where parts of the movie Where the Red Fern Grows were filmed.

To learn more about Natural Falls State Park, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/naturalfalls.

Little River Falls - Alabama

One of the most beautiful places in the South in any season, but especially in the spring, is Little River Falls (seen here).

Located in the Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne, Alabama. The falls tumble 45-feet over the rim of Little River Canyon. They are rich in history and powered a watermill during the 1800s.

The falls are located where Highway 35 crosses the Little River near Fort Payne. They are only about 30 minutes from Interstate 59 and are among the most accessible waterfalls in the South.

To read more about Little River Falls and Little River Canyon, please click here: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/littleriver2. We will look at other sites around the canyon over the coming days.

Falling Waters State Park - Chipley, Florida

Our new page for Falling Waters State Park in Chipley, Florida is now online at www.exploresouthernhistory.com.

If you aren't familiar with this park, it is one of the most unique in the Sunshine State. Falling Waters protects the Florida's tallest waterfall. Seen here, the falls are created when a small stream flows over the edge of a deep cylindrical sink. The water plunges down 73 feet before disappearing into a cave.

Just a few minutes off Interstate 10 in Northwest Florida, the park is well worth a visit this time of year, when the waterfall is usually flowing well. (One note: like many Florida streams, the one feeding the waterfall flows better at some times of the year than others.)

To visit our new Falling Waters page and to see other points of interest around Chipley, Florida, please go to: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/washingtoncounty and look for the heading.

Little River Falls - Little River Canyon, Alabama

Little River Canyon National Preserve is one of my favorite spots in the South. Located near Fort Payne, Alabama, the canyon is the centerpiece of a beautiful National Park area noted for its massive canyons, whitewater river, waterfalls and beautiful mountain scenery.

The photograph at right is of Little River Falls, one of the most beautiful year-round waterfalls in the South. In addition, it is one of the most accessible. Located less than 30 minutes from Interstate 59 at the point where State Highway 35 crosses Little River, the falls can be accessed from a parking area on the right. A paved pathway leads down to an overlook, from which visitors can walk out on the rocks to the actual falls. A word of warning, though, the rocks can be slippery so exercise caution and stay away from the edge!

For more on Little River Canyon, just follow this link: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/littleriver1.