Sunday, March 2nd, Tony and I drove 2 hrs down into Alabama outside of Mentone and Fort Payne Alabama and found some waterfalls and trails to enjoy. This is Azalea Cascades located in the state park about 1 ½ miles from the Country Store in the park. easy to find, great parking and boardwalk to get there to it with picnicking available. Great little walk. a must to check out. This boardwalk Trail was planned and built through a community effort headed by former park superintendent Talmadge Butler. Grants and donations paid for the materials used to build the trail. It was constructed by the Alabama State Parks Maintenance Crew. The Boardwalk is a 360-yard trail that can be enjoyed and traveled by people of all abilities. No matter what the season, the boardwalk gives the hiker a unique perspective of the surrounding habitat. A 20-foot octagon deck at the end of the trail places you over the pool created by the Azalea Cascade. Wildflower Blooming Season usually ranges from March-November. Fall Color peak is historically sometime from the first of October thru the middle of November Description: DeSoto State Park offers an unequaled display of multiple woodland bird species found in the southeastern United States as well as a staff naturalist and great trails to lead you to them. Species to look for include Pileated, Red-headed, Red-bellied, Downy and Hairy woodpeckers, as well as White-breasted and Brown-headed nuthatches. This mosaic of habitats is home to a great variety of warblers including Hooded, Kentucky, Black-and-White, Blue-winged and even Golden-winged on occasion. In spring and early summer, the forest resounds with the calls of Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Thrushes, and Yellowthroated Vireos, while winter brings flocks of American Goldfinches and Purple Finches from farther north. A clear view of the sky could reveal migrating raptors in spring and fall, such as Red-tailed and Broad-winged hawks, and perhaps even Golden Eagles in winter. Directions: From Interstate I-59, take Exit 218 and travel south on AL Hwy 35 for 1.2 miles to US Hwy 11. Turn left onto Hwy 11 and head north for 1.2 miles to Hwy 35⁄5th St. Turn right onto Hwy 35⁄5th St. and drive south 2.3 miles to the DeSoto Parkway. Turn left onto the parkway and drive north 5.5 miles into the park. The Azalea Cascade Trail is just a bit farther along the parkway. Please check it out… you will not be disappointed… Easy trail and handicap accessible.