Noccalula Falls
Rate this placeNearby: Gadsden Sports Complex Moragne Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Noccalula Falls is a natural waterfall located in Gadsden, Alabama.
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Summary
It is a popular tourist attraction due to its beauty and historical significance. Visitors can hike the trails, explore the botanical gardens, and see the Native American carvings on the rocks. There is also a train ride, a petting zoo, a mini-golf course, and a playground.
One of the main points of interest is the Noccalula Falls Park, which is a 250-acre park that surrounds the waterfall. The park has multiple picnic areas, camping facilities, and a gift shop. Visitors can also take a scenic train ride around the park.
Another attraction in the park is the Pioneer Village, which is a replica of a 19th-century frontier town. It includes a blacksmith shop, a general store, and a log cabin.
Interesting facts about Noccalula Falls include the legend of Princess Noccalula, a Native American princess who supposedly jumped to her death from the falls after being forced to marry a man she did not love. There is also a statue of her near the falls. The falls are 90 feet tall and flow year-round.
The best time of year to visit Noccalula Falls is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is colorful. The park is open year-round, but some attractions may have different hours or be closed during certain seasons.
Overall, Noccalula Falls is a beautiful and interesting destination for anyone visiting Alabama. It offers a variety of activities for all ages and interests, and is a great way to experience the natural beauty and history of the state.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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