A Local’s Guide to DeSoto State Park – Part 1: The River Trails

Hikers who cherish forests filled with small waterfalls, streams, and wild rivers will discover many treasures in the mountain terrain at DeSoto State Park.

The park is sandwiched between the crest of Lookout Mountain and the West Fork of Little River. It’s easy to consider it the state’s best state park for getting a close-up look at cascading streams and creeks as they plunge through the highlands.

This installment focuses on the trails that bring you closest to the water, where the park feels most alive.

Experience the sights and sounds of a wild river on the DeSoto Scout Trail

People who like to explore the banks of big creeks or small rivers will love this trail, which is marked by yellow blazes. The path stays very close to the river for long stretches, with dozens of spots where you can stand on a boulder or rock layer directly on the water’s edge. The sound can be the best part.

It would be difficult to find a path where you would see more rhododendron and mountain laurel than on the DeSoto Scout Trail. From late May to mid-summer, the blooms and leaves can be so thick in places that they seem to form a tunnel. Tulip poplar trees can also be found in bloom around the same time of year, and birdwatchers should remember to watch and listen for kingfishers.

I live close enough to this state park to often come up with an excuse to take a hike there. And because of the river, this trail is the one that draws me back most often.

Only about 1.35 miles of the DeSoto Scout Trail is within the state park boundaries, but the trail itself extends well beyond. To the north, it follows the river through the woods toward the Camp Comer Boy Scout Reservation. To the south, it continues into the backcountry portion of Little River Canyon National Preserve.

Hikers should be aware that venturing too far beyond the park may lead them to overgrown sections or remote terrain where the trail becomes difficult to follow.

A short companion: The Aqua Trail

For those looking for a shorter, more accessible option, the Aqua Trail provides an easy loop behind the swimming pool. This short path winds along the Sharp Branch, a mountain stream, and passes through dense rhododendron and mountain laurel growth.

There’s also a rock shelter along the trail, and the path serves as one of the easiest access points to the DeSoto Scout Trail.

If you go

The DeSoto Scout Trail offers one of the most immersive hiking experiences in the park, especially for those drawn to the sound and movement of water. The Aqua Trail provides a shorter option that still captures much of that same beauty.

Next month, we’ll explore the park’s waterfall corridor, one of the easiest ways to experience multiple waterfalls in a single hike.

For more trail guides, photos, and maps, visit Tim’s website at southernoutings.com.