Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Status Closed for day visits for the season.
- Permit Ticket required ($10 adults).
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Closed for day visits for the season. The 2026 day season ended October 31, per the park homepage, though the admission page gave October 24. The park closed to set up Christmas at the Falls, which runs evenings from November 13, 2026 to January 2, 2027. What the status labels mean
Noccalula Falls drops about 90 feet into the Black Creek ravine in Noccalula Falls Park, run by the City of Gadsden. In 2026 admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children 4-12 and seniors 55+. It includes the Gorge Trail, which passes under the falls. The 2026 day season ended October 31, and the park is closed for day visits.
Christmas at the Falls runs evenings from November 13, 2026 to January 2, 2027.
About Noccalula Falls
Black Creek cascades over 90 feet into its ravine here, according to the park, and Wikipedia gives 90 feet. Black Creek is the only source of water, so the flow depends entirely on rain.
The legend of Noccalula
The falls were first called Black Creek Falls. The current name comes from a legend the park tells. In it, Noccalula, a chief's daughter promised to a rich rival chief, leapt from the falls on her wedding day. Her father then named the falls for her.
Wikipedia notes that historians have not verified the legend, and one researcher calls it apocryphal. A nine-foot bronze statue of Noccalula by sculptor Suzanne Silvercruys was dedicated above the falls in September 1969. A Gadsden Woman's Club drive paid for it, with schoolchildren collecting pennies.
A surveyor named Faxon cut his name and the year 1859 into the wall behind the falls, according to Wikipedia. Gadsden bought the land in 1946 for $70,000 after voters approved it. The park was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on May 12, 1976.
What admission includes
The park says daily admission covers the pioneer village, animal habitat, botanical garden, train ride and access to hike under the falls. The park FAQ says the new animal barn is open.
Getting there and parking
Noccalula Falls Park is at 1500 Noccalula Road in Gadsden, and the park FAQ says the falls are near the large parking lot by the Chapel. Admission in 2026 is $10 for adults.
Address and parking
Noccalula Falls Park is at 1500 Noccalula Road, Gadsden, AL 35904, in Etowah County, according to the park. Noccalula Falls Park is run by the City of Gadsden, not Alabama State Parks, so check the park's own site for prices and hours.
The park FAQ says the falls are near the large parking lot by the Chapel. We found no parking fee listed on the park site.
Admission
Daily admission in 2026 is $10 for adults and $8 for children 4-12 and seniors 55+. Children 3 and under are free. The park says admission covers the pioneer village, animal habitat, botanical garden, train ride and access to hike under the falls.
A park and mini golf combo costs $15 for adults and $12 for children, seniors and military. Season passes are sold for 2026. Prices may vary for special events, and campground fees don't include park admission.
Some third-party guides say you can view the falls from the top for free. We could not confirm that on the park's site.
Noccalula Falls Campground
The city runs Noccalula Falls Campground at 1890 Noccalula Road, across the park. The park homepage says the renovated campground has 73 full-hookup sites, a new pool, renovated bathhouses, a new pavilion and a new store.
The campground page says it is for RVs and campers only, and tent camping is not currently available. The same campground page lists the campground as open February through October. Booking is online through the campground page.
The campground office is open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (256) 549-4663. Campground fees don't include park admission, and the park FAQ says camping is not allowed anywhere in the gorge.
Map and nearby falls
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The walk
The park says trails on both sides of the falls lead down into the gorge and behind the falls. The Gorge Trail, on the paid-admission side, is the easiest way down and passes under the falls.
The route from the campground side is much harder, with steep grades, according to the park. If you want the walk behind the falls with the least effort, use the Gorge Trail.
Alabama Recreation Trails describes the Black Creek Trail as a separate 1.7-mile crushed-stone path that starts at the Wedding Chapel and follows the gorge. The park FAQ says the campground side has over 14 miles of trails.
Wikipedia says the gorge trails pass caves, an old dam, Civil War carvings and other sites. In Tennessee, our guides include Fall Creek Falls and Ruby Falls.
When to visit
The 2026 regular season ran from February 16 to October 31, per the park homepage. The admission page gave October 24 as the season end. The park is now closed for day visits while it prepares for Christmas at the Falls.
In June and July, hours were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. One park page says extended hours ran daily June to August. The park office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mini golf was open Saturday and Sunday only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until October 31, per the homepage. The mini-golf page lists a March 21, 2027 reopening.
Christmas at the Falls and the Lantern Festival
Christmas at the Falls runs November 13, 2026 to January 2, 2027, from 4 to 10 p.m. CST, according to the park. Christmas at the Falls is closed November 16 to 19 and December 24 to 25. Children 3 and under are free.
Greater Gadsden tourism lists tickets at $12 to $18 depending on the day, as listed Oct 2026. Tickets are sold online only for one-hour arrival slots and are non-refundable.
In 2026 the Spring Lantern Festival shortened paid-area hours. We could not confirm 2027 festival dates on the park site.
Flow
The park says the falls are strongest in winter and spring and can slow to a trickle in late summer and fall. Outside Christmas at the Falls, the park is closed from November until the regular season reopens in February.
Two more Alabama falls are on this site: Little River Falls in a free NPS preserve and DeSoto Falls in DeSoto State Park.
| Height | 90 ftNote: the park says over 90 ft; Wikipedia gives 90 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Gorge Trail from the paid side leads down and under the falls; separate 1.7 mi Black Creek Trail along the gorge |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate on the Gorge Trail; hard from the campground side |
| Entry fee | 2026 admission: adults $10; children 4-12 and seniors 55+ $8; 3 and under free |
| Permit / reservation | No permit; park admission covers the Gorge Trail |
| Parking | Large lot by the Chapel |
| Hours / season | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in season (to 7 p.m. on June-July weekends; last ticket 4:30 p.m. in spring) |
| Dogs | Leashed in the park and campground; not on the train or at some events (ADA service animals excepted) |
| Swimming | We found no swimming rule for the falls; the park pool is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Not confirmed; the park does not rent wheelchairs or strollers |
| Walk behind the falls | Yes |
| Best time to visit | Winter and spring for flow, per the park; outside Christmas at the Falls, the park is closed November to mid-February |
| Managed by | City of Gadsden (Noccalula Falls Park & Campground) |
Safety and swimming
We found no swimming rule for the falls themselves. For a swim, the park has a pool, open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to the park FAQ.
The trail behind the falls puts you close to falling water. Expect wet rock there, stay on the trail and keep children close. Don't climb the rocks around the falls or go near the rim above them.
People have died after falling into the gorge. On April 29, 2026, a man fleeing police fell about 60 feet into the gorge near the falls and died, WBRC reported.
The campground-side route is steep, so take it slowly if you choose it. Dogs are allowed on a leash in the park and campground. The park bars them at some events and on the train, except ADA service animals.
The park does not rent wheelchairs or strollers, and we could not confirm accessibility on the trails.
For general tips, see our waterfall safety page.
Where to stay near Noccalula Falls
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Photos
Noccalula Falls FAQ
How much are Noccalula Falls tickets in 2026?
$10 for adults and $8 for children 4-12 and seniors 55+. Children 3 and under are free. Prices may vary for special events, and a mini golf combo is $15 for adults.
What are Noccalula Falls Park's hours?
The park is closed for day visits for the season. In 2026 it was open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until October 31, then closed to set up Christmas at the Falls. Christmas at the Falls runs 4 to 10 p.m. from November 13, 2026 to January 2, 2027.
Can you walk behind Noccalula Falls?
Yes. The park says the Gorge Trail on the paid-admission side leads down into the gorge and passes under the falls. Admission includes access to it.
Is there a campground at Noccalula Falls?
Yes. Noccalula Falls Campground, at 1890 Noccalula Road, has 73 full-hookup sites for RVs and campers; tent camping isn't currently available. Book online or call (256) 549-4663. Campground fees don't include park admission.
Can you swim at Noccalula Falls?
The park posts no swimming rule for the falls, and camping isn't allowed in the gorge. For a swim, the park pool is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, per the park FAQ.
When is Christmas at the Falls?
November 13, 2026 to January 2, 2027, 4 to 10 p.m., closed November 16 to 19 and December 24 to 25. Greater Gadsden lists tickets at $12 to $18 depending on the day, sold online only.
Are dogs allowed at Noccalula Falls?
Yes, on a leash in the park and campground. They're barred at some events and on the train unless they are ADA service animals.
What is the legend of Noccalula Falls?
In the park's telling, Noccalula, a chief's daughter promised to a rich rival chief, leapt from the falls on her wedding day. A 1969 bronze statue of her stands above the falls. Historians have not verified the story.
Nearby waterfalls
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Sources
- Noccalula Falls Park: Park information (2026 prices and hours)
- Noccalula Falls Park: Home
- Noccalula Falls Park: Daily passes
- Noccalula Falls Park: FAQ
- Noccalula Falls Park: About and legend
- Wikipedia: Noccalula Falls Park
- Noccalula Falls Park: Campground
- Noccalula Falls Park: Christmas at the Falls 2026
- Greater Gadsden: Christmas at the Falls (tickets)
- WBRC: 1 dead after falling 60 feet during police pursuit at Noccalula Falls (Apr 30, 2026)
- Alabama Recreation Trails: Black Creek Trail System
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with City of Gadsden (Noccalula Falls Park & Campground) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.