Cloudland Canyon Ga/Desoto State Park Ala

We have been going to Desoto every Oct. for years. This is Alabama's best state park.....in our opinion. While there drive the rim road around the Little River Canyon. Also, don't miss the Desoto Falls. This waterfall is spectacular. Happy camping.......

I have camped at both parks and like them both. If I had to choose between the two of them, I would pick Desoto. Keep in mind if full hook ups is what you require, Cloudland Canyon is only water and electric, Desoto has full hook ups and a very nice bath house. They also have cable if your into that. The park itself has numerous trails and with a 5-10 minute drive down the road, you have access to Little River Canyon with lots of swimming holes. Check out the hippy hole (its on google maps) if your going in the hot months. Additionally, the town of Mentone is only a 5-10 minute drive from the Desoto Campground where you will find the Wild Flower Cafe. It is always rated as 1 of the top 10 places to eat in AL. As far as the drive in, you will have no problems. Hope this helps

southernsky wrote:
We do the fall colors trip every year in Oct. We stop at Desoto State Park for a few day on the way up to the Smokies. Real nice campground with lots to do in the area. Pretty much interstate all the way till you get to Ft. Payne. A small pull up to the state park.

Yes, the last road to the entrance of Desoto will be the hardest pull. It’s not that long and I think you can handle it but you’ll have your foot on the floor going 20 mph for a couple hundred yards. The park is popular so lots of people do it.

We do the fall colors trip every year in Oct. We stop at Desoto State Park for a few day on the way up to the Smokies. Real nice campground with lots to do in the area. Pretty much interstate all the way till you get to Ft. Payne. A small pull up to the state park.

Lynnmor wrote:
Here is a YouTube video that will give you an idea. The guy exaggerates the drive because of inexperience, but the road is steep for short distances. ***Link Removed***

You have a more trailer than I would be comfortable with.

Guy seems to be doing fine pulling up the hill...am I missing the difficult part?!

Any tips/tricks to pulling in mountains?

Up to Cloudland from I-59 on GA-136 is just over 6 miles. 4 of them will be close to 6%, but only 2 sharp corners. Cloudland is W&E only.
Desoto is about 17 miles from exit 218, AL-35. About a 3 mile pull of again close to 6%, sharp turn a bottom of grade. Turn left at top, 7 miles to park office. Desoto has back in and pull thru sites, all are full hookup.

I visit both a lot and have no problems pulling 37 ft 5er.

Here is a YouTube video that will give you an idea. The guy exaggerates the drive because of inexperience, but the road is steep for short distances. video

You have a more trailer than I would be comfortable with.

I went to Cloudland Canyon from the east, from Lafayette on 193 to 136 and then to the park, I left using 136 all the way back to Lafayette. The roads are good and you should have no problems. There are a few grades that will slow you down, but nothing terrible.

There are two campgrounds at the park, the East side, and the West side. There are walking trails and a foot bridge across. People told me to stay away from the east side because it is next to the road to the public day use areas, but I stayed there anyhow and found no problems, very scenic. There are two waterfalls. One is about 250 or so steps down to it, and the other is about 600 steps. I found the closer falls to be nicer, but did visit both, one the first day, and the other the second day before I left.

There is a very long rim trail on the west side, but I did not go far on it, was too wore out from all of those steps down to the waterfalls.

I am not familiar with the roads from the west side.







Charles