DeSoto Falls

DeSoto Falls is a series of three waterfalls on Frogtown Creek in the Chattahoochee National Forest — the upper falls drop 200 feet, the middle 67 feet, and the lower 35 feet. Named after the legend that Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto passed through this area, the falls are set in a beautiful mountain cove at 3,560 feet elevation. A piece of armor reportedly found near the falls adds to the area's mystique.

The DeSoto Falls Trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike through mixed hardwood forest. The lower falls are reached first and are the most accessible. The middle falls require a short side trip, while the upper falls demand a steeper climb but reward with the most dramatic drop in the series.

The falls run best during spring, with late spring rhododendron blooms adding color to the forest. The DeSoto Falls Recreation Area includes a campground and picnic facilities, making it easy to spend a full day exploring. Fall foliage is excellent in late October.