An outdoor weekend in DeKalb County
Words by Ashley Locke
Long before outdoor adventure became a marketing phrase, people came to Lookout Mountain.
The roads still follow the mountain’s curves instead of forcing their way through them. Families leave fresh flowers, eggs, and homemade bread at roadside stands with nothing more than an honor box beside them. Water has spent thousands of years carving Little River Canyon into the sandstone, creating swimming holes and waterfalls that still draw people on hot summer afternoons. Even now, DeKalb County moves at the pace of a place that grew from the landscape instead of over it.
The mountain remains the center of daily life, just as it has for nearly two centuries. As the locals know, this corner of northeast Alabama gives you plenty of reasons to pull over.
Little River Canyon National Preserve is where most weekends begin. The Little River flows across the top of Lookout Mountain before dropping into a canyon carved through sandstone over millions of years. Pull-offs along the Rim Parkway invite you to stop often, but eventually you’ll want to leave the car behind. Hike to Eberhart Point, where the trail descends into the canyon past overlooks before ending beside a wide stretch of sandy shoreline. Massive boulders frame the river, and the water stays cool enough to erase the climb down.
If you’re after an easier swim, head upstream to Blue Hole. Families spread towels across the smooth rocks while kids splash through calm water only a short walk from the parking area.
Early mornings belong to the people who know this place best.
By lunchtime, head into Fort Payne and claim a table at Vintage 1889, tucked inside one of the city’s oldest buildings. Order a bowl of soup or one of the house sandwiches, then wander through the antiques and artisan shops that fill the historic mill building. If burgers are calling your name instead, locals point visitors toward Rim of the Canyon Cafe, just minutes from the canyon, where hikers refuel over thick milkshakes and what many swear are the best burgers around.
At DeSoto Falls, water spills more than 100 feet into the gorge below. Adventurous hikers make their way to the base for an up-close view before cooling off beneath the falls, while families gather around the sandy swimming area nearby. High Falls Park offers a completely different scene. The waterfall stretches nearly 300 feet across Town Creek during high water, and the pedestrian bridge provides one of the county’s best vantage points. Above the falls, the water slows into an easy place to swim or simply sit with your feet in the current.
Those looking for something a little quieter should follow the road to Congo Nature Preserve. Swimming holes, hiking trails, picnic spots, and seasonal night swims give the preserve its own personality. After sunset, the surrounding forest grows quiet except for rushing water and the occasional chorus of frogs echoing through the night.
For visitors who prefer climbing over swimming, Lookout Mountain has become one of the Southeast’s most respected outdoor playgrounds. The newly protected Citadel Boulders Preserve draws climbers from across the region to its sandstone formations hidden beneath the forest canopy. Nearby, True Adventure Sports introduces beginners to rappelling beside waterfalls and canyon walls, while Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures lifts visitors into the treetops on ziplines and suspended bridges that wind through DeSoto State Park.
Lookout Mountain has a way of making you hungry. In Mentone, grab a table at the Wildflower Café, where the tomato pie has earned its own following and the dining room feels as colorful as the gardens outside. A few blocks away, Mentone Market serves wood-fired pizza, breakfast, and local beer beneath the same roof where you’ll find groceries, gifts, and artwork from area makers. If something quicker fits the day, pull up to Seabolt’s Street Tacos, a polished Airstream turning out tacos and quesadillas that disappear almost as quickly as they’re served.
Between adventures, keep an eye out for the roadside farm stands scattered across the county. You never quite know what you’ll find. Fresh sourdough and farm eggs at Faith Family Farm. Bright bouquets from The Flower Bed. Homemade pickles, cookies, and preserves waiting inside Three Creeks Farmstand. The honor boxes rarely seem to sit empty for long.
As evening settles over the mountain, drive toward Henagar and pull into Ridgeview Drive-In. The concession stand serves burgers, chicken fingers, and fresh popcorn while families unfold lawn chairs beside their cars. The screen flickers to life as the last light fades behind the hills.
The next morning, before pointing the car toward home, linger over brunch at Tiger’s Inn in Valley Head, where stuffed French toast, shrimp and grits, and fried deviled eggs have made regulars out of plenty of travelers. Or make a later stop by Katy’s Katfish in Rainsville for a plate of fried catfish, chicken tenders, or a classic meat-and-three served inside a log cabin that feels right at home in the landscape.
You might need to make a few visits. It’s important not to rush through the adventure, because the best weekends in Dekalb County are made one worthwhile stop at a time.
A Good Grit Weekend on Lookout Mountain
FRIDAY
4:00 PM | Take the long way in
Skip the interstate mentality. Highway 117 is part of the experience, climbing steadily onto Lookout Mountain through hardwood forests and quiet overlooks. Pull over when a perfect view catches your eye. Around here, there’s no wrong place to snap a photo.
5:30 PM | Wander Mentone
Spend the evening exploring one of Alabama’s most charming mountain towns. Browse the local shops or step inside the Mentone Arts Center.
7:00 PM | Dinner at Wildflower Café
Order the tomato pie. Trust us.
If you’re in the mood for something more casual, Mentone Market serves excellent pizza alongside local beer on tap.
Sunset | Brow Park
End your first evening watching the light disappear across the Appalachian foothills. Bring a blanket to spread out on and enjoy the show..
SATURDAY
Early Morning | Little River Canyon National Preserve
Start before the crowds. Drive the Rim Parkway slowly, stopping at overlooks whenever the canyon opens below you.
Then choose your own adventure:
- Drive to Eberhart Point, then hike down into the canyon to find the hidden sandy beach
- Spend the morning swimming at Blue Hole.
- Visit Little River Falls before continuing toward DeSoto.
Lunch | Rim of the Canyon Cafe
A burger and a milkshake will refuel you for an active afternoon.
Afternoon | Pick Your Adventure
Feeling adventurous?
- Zip through the trees at Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures
• Try a guided rappel with True Adventure Sports
• Climb among the sandstone boulders at The Citadel Preserve
Taking it slow?
- Wander DeSoto Falls
• Explore Congo Nature Preserve
• Stop at roadside farm stands for a selection of local goods
Dinner | Vintage 1889
Eat inside one of Fort Payne’s oldest buildings, then spend a little time wandering through The Big Mill’s antiques.
Nightcap
If Ridgeview Drive-In is showing a movie, don’t skip it. Best enjoyed with popcorn.
SUNDAY
Brunch | Tiger’s Inn
Start with stuffed French toast, shrimp and grits, or fried deviled eggs before your last morning outside.
One Last Stop
Depending on your route home:
- Walk across the bridge at High Falls Park.
• Browse handmade glass at Orbix Hot Glass.
• Pick up fresh bread and eggs from Faith Family Farm.
• Grab flowers from The Flower Bed.
Hit the Road
Bring something home to remember the weekend by. Somehow everyone leaves DeKalb County carrying homemade jam, fresh bread, or flowers.
