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 Reporter |
Summary: Park at the locked gate at the trailhead. Go around the gate and walk up the road. Take the first road to your left (about half a mile from the trailhead). Follow this road and take the first road on your right. Hike about a quarter-mile to a road on your left. This road has large dirt berm across it along with a deep ditch, to keep wheeled vehicles from entering the area. Hike the small trail which leads around the berm and leads down the hill. When you reach the bottom of the hill you will see Eddings Creek and the top of Falling Rock Falls. Be VERY careful in this area as the rocks can be quite slippery and a fall from here could be fatal. If hiking with children, please keep them away from the edge of the falls. There are small trails on both sides of the falls that lead to the bottom of the falls. Once again, exercise extreme caution on these trails. There is a cavern behind the falls which is quite fun to explore. Trailhead: From the intersection of Hwy 52 and Hwy 17 in Helena, AL travel South on Hwy 17. When Hwy 17 intersects Hwy 22 turn right onto Hwy 22. You will travel through the community of Dogwood. The trailhead is located at the second road on the right after leaving the community of Dogwood. If you pass the Macedonia Church, you have gone too far. A permit is required to use the Wildlife Management Area where the falls are located. You may get a free permit at the WMA Check-In Station located on Hwy 10 (off Hwy 22). Please observe all rules and laws regarding the WMA and be very careful while in the area during hunting season. The user of bright orange, as used by those who hunt is recommended. (Lat:33.16595 Lon:-86.89552) Trail Guides for Falling Rock Falls Hike: Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses, Ranger Contact: Alabama Department of Conservation Law Enforcement District-3 (205) 339-5716 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jeff Johns, who has posted 15 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by B on 4/24/2008 Just a note: They are not oil rigs. They are for natural gas. 
Reviewed by Mark on 3/10/2008 Several updates are needed: The gates are now all kept locked and have no numbers or markings on them. The desired gate is the second blue gate on the right after the Dogwood community and just past a gas well on the left in a big clear cut timber field. The GPS coord here are 33deg09"57N, 086deg53'58W. Park here and walk up the gravel road, taking the 1st left after the high tension power lines. Go down this hill and bear right at the bottom going another 100 yds to you see the berm on the left to go down. The falls are at 33deg10'28N, 086deg54'25W. 
Reviewed by Waterless Fall on 6/15/2007 I just went here a couple weeks ago. The easiest directions are: Go to the second blue gate on the right after leaving the trailer community. Go down the gravel road and turn left on the first gravel road to your left in about 1/2 mile (not the one with silt fence on it), then go past the pump jack (oil rig) and the road will sort of end, go to the right, then go to the end of this road it ends at a turn around area but just before the turn around area you will see a small dirt berm at the trail head on your left hand side, go over that little berm and a few more, when you reach the creek the trail Y's, go to the right and the falls are just ahead on your left. There are trials to the bottom on the right hand side. ONLY PROBLEM WAS NO WATE 
Reviewed by M on 6/5/2007 I visited this place in the fall of '97 or'98 and camped out at the top with friends. I remember that we were the only ones there. I don't think to many people knew of the place back then. I have not been back since but I will visit again. It is a hidden treasure and I would recommend visiting especially after a good rain so that that the water is flowing. 
Reviewed by Jane on 5/27/2007 I couldn't find it. The road is being widened and there are blue gates and oil rigs everywhere. Gate S4 is nowhere to be seen.
Reviewed by Austin on 12/26/2006 I dont exactly hike out to falling rock, see i live in alabaster off hwy 26 and me and my friends have been riding dirtbikes to it . It is one of the most amazing places in southeastern alabama. You can drive a truck to it, gets kinda tough, wouldnt attempt with out lift kit, or oversize tires. Happy Hiking , PLEASE DONT LEAVE TRASH BEHIND!
Reviewed by RR continued on 3/8/2006 Once in the 4S gate, take the first road to your left. It looks like a Y. Then you'll pass an oil rig on your right. The next right turn is the road to the trail head. The trail head will be on your right (if you get to a gravel turnaround you've gone 2 far) next to a road with a huge red dirt mound. If you are looking at the dirt mound the trail head is to your left. Take the trail down until you get to the creek. Once you get to the creek. Take the trail up to the right to get to the TOP of the falls. If you are sitting on the rock overlooking the falls...the trail down under the falls is to your right. We took it down. It's pretty steep, but a nice, different view of the falls. We had a great time despite getting lost a couple of time
Reviewed by RR on 3/7/2006 It was a great hike! So beautiful! However, I think the directions could be improved. I drove from Homewood, so I found directions from 65S to Dogwood. Off of 65S Take Exit 234. Keep Left at the fork to go on County Rd(CR)-87. CR-87 becomes CR-12. Turn right onto CR-22, which goes through the community of Dogwood. It really just looks like a neighborhood of houses and trailers. The gravel road that you take to the trailhead DOES have a gate with a 4S on it. If you get to the blue gate you've gone too far. We actually used this area to turn around and park on the other side of the road. Then we walked down to the 4S gate. We were worried that since the gate was unlocked that we would block sm1 in. Once you enter the 4S gate. (see next post) Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Alabama Hiking, Alabama Trails, Alabama Hikes, Shelby County Hiking, Shelby County Trails, Shelby County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||