Short Creek Falls

KiranAlabama Waterfalls2 Comments

Short Creek Falls near Guntersville, AL

Short Creek Falls is a popular destination for photographers and kayakers alike, but access is a little tricky.

At a Glance

  • 1.6 mi round trip
  • Nice View
  • Kids OK
  • Dogs OK
Location: Near Albertville in Bankhead National Forest Alabama (maps & directions)
Gear: Our favorite snacks and camera gear
Gallery: Check out the pictures here

Short Creek Falls - Trip Details

As a large family, we find renting a home for a night much more relaxing than a hotel, and it's so nice to have a place nearby to crash after a long day of hiking! You can find nice, affordable homes on Vrbo.

The upper put in for Short Creek kayaking is where Matrling Road crosses the creek. But for pedestrians, Hustelville Road crosses Short Creek just 100 yards or so above the falls. But, since the waterfall is on private land, there's not a great place to park on the road here that isn't posted with signs prohibiting it, and the land is posted with no trespassing signs, getting down to see the fall is a challenge if you're not paddling.

Below the falls, the creek tumbles down to Lake Guntersville with rapids up to class IV on the way down to the lake. If you're a whitewater kayaking enthusiast, this is a great run. The only downside is the paddling to the take out on the lake, about 3 miles of it!

More Waterfalls around Short Creek Falls

Just a few minutes to the northwest, High Falls State Park is a great place to spend the day. High Falls has a unique natural archway at the base of the falls that is unlike any other in the state.

To the east about 20 miles, you'll find Griffin Falls also.  It tumbles down a rock face that's popular with climbers and the rock scramble to the falls offers a unique hike.

And south in Gadsden, there's the ever popular Noccalula Falls, complete with its legend of the forlorn Native American princess and a park complete with a train and zoo.

Short Creek Falls Map, Directions, and Resources

  • Directions

    Get Directions
  • Parking

    -
  • GPS Coordinates

    34.3223126,-86.221655

Weather - Upcoming Forecast

Other Resources

Park Website
Park Map

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  • Short Creek Falls near Lake Guntersville, Alabama

2 Comments on “Short Creek Falls”

    1. I believe kayakers put in upstream of the bridge somewhere, but I’ve never visited that spot. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge will chime in.

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