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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 2 of 3 Submit your own review 
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)
Reviewed by Nick on 10/31/2005 A friend of mine interested in photography sent me a link to these falls. Last weekend I took the drive out to this beautiful place, although no water is currently flowing over the falls, the area itself was beautiful enough to warrant some photographs. The only I didn't like was the lack of consideration of individuals who leave their mark in the form of broken beer bottles, cans and other garbage. Nothing ruins a photograph faster than a can of Milwaukee's Beast in the foreground. In addition, while climbing some of the rocks, I ended up slicing open the back of my hand on a piece of a bottle. I only ask that people be more responsible and keep the area clean for others to enjoy. Next time I'll bring a trash bag.
Reviewed by Jfuller on 8/11/2005 Falling Rock is a beautiful and serene place. I climb and repel and have had a close friend die there so be VERY carefull.
Reviewed by Crystal on 6/9/2005 Definitely be sure that the first turn in not really a sharp turn but a Y in the road. Also, we learned not to park at the gate because there were men unloading and loading heavy equipment there and threatened to move one person's car with a bulldozer! We parked a little bit up the hill in gravel and walked back down. A beautiful and mostly untouched area!
Reviewed by Gene on 4/10/2005 Easy instructions with the help of all these posts. Vague at best if you only follow the one's above. Didn't find the 2 trails stated that lead to the bottom. We didn't have too much time so we followed the trail to the left for about a mile and got further and further away. Will definately visit again though!! I really want to see the bottom. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||