The view from the walkway access provided by the park
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Martha's Falls Hippie Hole

4.8
·206 reviews·Fort Payne, United States

A natural swimming hole with cascading falls, perfect for a summer dip and adventurous jumps. Hike down a scenic, albeit challenging, trail.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer afternoons

Perfect for cooling off

CrowdHigh
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The view from the walkway access provided by the park

Martha's Falls Hippie Hole

Best Time

Summer afternoons

Perfect for cooling off

CrowdHigh
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A natural swimming hole with cascading falls, perfect for a summer dip and adventurous jumps. Hike down a scenic, albeit challenging, trail.

4.8
(206 reviews)

"Awesome 10/10!! It's a 0.67-mile hike down to the river. It's very spacious, and there are many jumping spots to spike your adrenaline."

Vertical photo
TIP

🥾 Sturdy Footwear is Key

The trail is rocky and has steep stone steps. Wear shoes with good grip; flip-flops are not recommended.

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

It's a hike down and back up! Stay hydrated and fueled for your adventure.

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Quick Facts

Rating

4.8 · 206 reviews

Type

Tourist Attraction

👶 Good for kids🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Hippie Hole Swimming Area

The Hippie Hole Swimming Area

Below Martha's Falls

Dive into deep, refreshing waters or simply chill in the calmer pools above the main cascade.

Boulder Hopping

Boulder Hopping

Around the falls

For the adventurous, navigate the rocks and enjoy the thrill of exploring the natural landscape.

Martha's Falls Overlook

Martha's Falls Overlook

Trailhead

Enjoy scenic views of the falls from a developed trail with solid railings.

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Planning Your Visit

Trail to the Falls

The original parking is closed. You'll now park at the lookout and hike 0.6 miles. Be prepared for a steep, rocky decline with stone steps near the end, and remember you have to hike back up!

Best for Adventurous Swimmers

While there are calmer pools, the main draw is the deeper water below the falls, perfect for jumping. It's better suited for teens and adults who are confident swimmers.

Best Times

When
Summer afternoons
Why
Perfect for cooling off
Crowd
High
When
Weekdays
Why
Fewer crowds on the trail
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

How are the waterfalls at little river and de Soto park right now? Worth a day trip or wait for more rain?

Went to Little River Canyon Falls a couple days ago and it was amazing. We got caught in a thunderstorm and sheltered under the bridge as the rain poured down and it lighteninged all around. It was beautifully unnerving. Check out Don Chico’s in Fort Payne for some delicious…

🥾 Sturdy Footwear is Key

The trail is rocky and has steep stone steps. Wear shoes with good grip; flip-flops are not recommended. Reddit

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

It's a hike down and back up! Stay hydrated and fueled for your adventure. Reddit

reddit.com

Little River Canyon excursion

Hi guys, we are traveling from BHam to Little River Canyon for 1 day. My husband says that autumn is the best season to visit, and we’re excited to go with our baby boy. Do you have some favorite spot to have a lunch break near the area? Any other attraction that worth the…

reddit.com

Georgian heading to Little River....what should I know?

Hi all. Hope you're smiling! [State of] Georgia resident here, heading to Little River Canyon National Preserve Thanksgiving weekend. To say I'm excited is an understatement. Being born and raised in Oregon has left me yearning for exactly this....just a little piece of joy…

🏊‍♀️ Assess Swimming Skills

The deeper areas are for experienced swimmers. Calmer pools are available for younger visitors. Reddit

🚗 Park at the Lookout

The original parking is closed. Use the lookout parking and be prepared for the 0.6-mile hike. Reddit

reddit.com

Little River Canyon Safe Water Levels

I know the link to the flow gauge, but don't know how to translate that to whats safe for swimming. I was planning on swimming at Little River Falls and it looks like it'll be around 250 cfs tomorrow (Saturday) around lunch. Will that be too much to swim at Little River Falls…

Tips

from all over the internet

🥾 Sturdy Footwear is Key

The trail is rocky and has steep stone steps. Wear shoes with good grip; flip-flops are not recommended. Reddit

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

It's a hike down and back up! Stay hydrated and fueled for your adventure. Reddit

🏊‍♀️ Assess Swimming Skills

The deeper areas are for experienced swimmers. Calmer pools are available for younger visitors. Reddit

🚗 Park at the Lookout

The original parking is closed. Use the lookout parking and be prepared for the 0.6-mile hike. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.8
(206 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors love Martha's Falls Hippie Hole for its refreshing swimming opportunities and scenic beauty, especially on hot summer days. The chance to jump into deeper pools and explore the rocky landscape is a major draw. However, the hike down, particularly the steep stone steps, can be challenging, and it's noted that the deeper swimming areas are best suited for experienced swimmers.

"AKA, the Hippie Hole. It's a great place to cool down on a Summer day. Chill in one of the calmer pools above the falls or take a jump into the deeper waters below it. If youre feeling more adventurous, you can also go "boulder hopping". There's something for any age here.

The original parking location is now closed off. Instead you have to park at the lookout and take a 0.6 mile trail to get here. Right before you get there, the trail has a steep decline, but is pretty manageable since there are now man-made stone steps for assistance. Just remember you now have to walk back up!"

Adam Brown

"Awesome 10/10!! It's a 0.67-mile hike down to the river. It's very spacious, and there are many jumping spots to spike your adrenaline."

OBBY LOPEZ

"The really big waterfall was at the beginning on a very nice manufactured trail, the swimming hole is about a 20-30 minute hike down a trail. It was a moderately easy hike, but the very steep “stairs” at the end of the trail made the hike way more difficult. The path starts out smooth with dirt and a few tree stumps, but quickly turns into big rocks that you have to step on. The views were completely worth it though, we will absolutely be going back. It just wasn’t as easy of a trail as we were expecting it to be."

Elyse Hand

What People Like

Refreshing swimming holes
Jumping spots
Scenic waterfall views

What People Dislike

Steep, rocky trail
Not ideal for very young kids

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The original parking lot is closed. You'll need to park at the lookout point and take a 0.6-mile trail down to the falls. Be prepared for a steep, rocky descent with man-made stone steps near the end. Reddit

The hike is considered moderately easy for the first part, but the steep stone steps at the end can make it challenging, especially on the way back up. Sturdy footwear is essential. Reddit

Parking is now only available at the lookout point. The direct parking lot to the falls is closed off. Reddit

While GPS can get you to the general area, be aware that the direct access point has changed. Follow signs for the lookout parking and then the trail. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Currently, there are no mentions of an entrance fee for Martha's Falls Hippie Hole. It's generally considered a natural attraction accessible via a public trail. Reddit

As a natural outdoor attraction, Martha's Falls Hippie Hole doesn't have set operating hours. However, it's best to visit during daylight hours for safety and enjoyment. Reddit

No advance booking is required for Martha's Falls Hippie Hole. It's a natural spot that you can visit on a first-come, first-served basis. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, it's always good practice to follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out what you pack in, and be mindful of the natural environment. Reddit

🎫 🏊‍♀️ Onsite Experience

It's better suited for teenagers and adults. While there are shallower areas for younger children, the main swimming hole and jumping spots are for those who are confident swimmers. Reddit

You can swim in the deeper pools, jump from the rocks (if you're an experienced swimmer), go boulder hopping, and enjoy the scenic views from the overlook. Reddit

Swimming in the deeper areas carries risks. It's crucial to assess your swimming ability and the conditions. The shallower pools are safer for less experienced swimmers. Reddit

Bring sturdy water shoes or hiking boots, swimwear, a towel, plenty of water, snacks, and a bag to carry out your trash. Reddit

Restroom facilities are not typically mentioned at Martha's Falls Hippie Hole. It's advisable to use facilities before you arrive or be prepared for natural conditions. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The overlook offers great panoramic shots of the falls. Down by the water, you can capture action shots of swimmers and the cascading water. Reddit

The trail can be rocky, so be careful when navigating with camera gear. The views from the overlook are easily accessible for photography. Reddit

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the falls and surrounding landscape. If you plan on action shots, a camera that can handle water spray or a waterproof case is advisable. Reddit

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