Drive the Lookout Mountain Parkway
This is Alabama’s great mountain drive: a ridge-top route that runs the spine of Lookout Mountain, stringing together waterfalls, canyon overlooks, and one genuine mountain town. The full Lookout Mountain Parkway runs 93 miles from Gadsden all the way to Chattanooga and has been named one of America’s great scenic drives; this route covers its spectacular Alabama stretch, and in October the fall color makes the case for itself.
The route: Noccalula Falls (Gadsden) → Little River Canyon rim drive → DeSoto Falls → the town of Mentone → lunch on the mountain.
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| Where | Gadsden to Mentone · North · the Alabama stretch of a 93-mile parkway Alabama |
Common questions
When's the best time to visit Gadsden → Mentone?
Best season: .
How much does it cost?
. Prices drift — confirm before you go.
How long should I plan for?
Plan for about .
Is it actually worth the trip?
Our rating: Non-negotiable. The single best day of driving in the state. Waterfalls, a canyon, and a mountain town on one tank of gas.
One of 120 in Kick the Bucket List: Alabama
The full book is 120 checkable picks like this one — with a Bucket Rating on every entry telling you what's worth the drive and what to skip. A keepsake you fill in and score.
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Non-negotiableVerified 2026-07. Prices and hours change — confirm before you drive. Something wrong? Tell us.