DeSoto State Park in DeKalb County, Alabama, expanded its footprint with the state’s completed purchase of 157 acres of land along the Little River near DeSoto Falls to protect critical habitat and help preserve the beauty of the park.
“The Alabama State Parks system is dedicated to preserving natural areas of our state, and that’s exactly what this land purchase accomplishes,” Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said in a news release about the acquisition. “DeSoto Falls is one of Alabama’s true natural wonders, and we keep it that way by preserving the area for future generations to enjoy.”
DeSoto State Park, near Mentone, was ranked Alabama’s fifth-most-visited natural destination in 2020, according to the state Department of Tourism.
State officials said the acquired land, known as the Little River West Fork Tract, secures more than 1,000 feet of frontage along Little River, giving people better access to the waterway above the falls and supporting the park’s mission to enhance public recreation and interpretation of the natural environment.
The addition complements Alabama’s ownership of land at DeSoto Falls, as well as those of the nearby Forever Wild property acquired along the West Fork of the Little River and continues efforts to secure more land for the park along the river, while serving a broader interest to improve recreational features at the DeSoto Falls area, officials said.